I'm sorry to jump in, but never did this before & not sure how to post, etc., but I'm desperate for help on the counter top subject. Please, any specific name suggestions of countertops or photos for our custom kitchen cabinets of cherry wood with a burgundy/cranbery custom mixed stain. I am having a very hard time visualizing what color counter top would go best. I was hoping for a formal look and also still need to choose the floor (unsure of whether wood-look laminate or ceramic). I'd like to pick the countertop 1st and then the floor. Note: Kitchen is only 10 X 12. Recently we went to view a large slab of Silestone quartz in Stellar Rose (which my husband & I THOUGHT we loved) at "Vangura's world-class fabricating facility" which we were very impressed with. However, much to our dismay, we both ended up hating the Stellar Rose! I was originally concerned that the mirror flecks would look too "disco-ish", however after viewing, it was the rose blotches that were horrendous! The sample we had looked NOTHING like the actual piece. We were grateful that we made the 90 minute trip to the facility, and were spared a $6000 mistake! However, now after 4 months of research & decision making, weÂre right back at square one, searching for our "perfect" choice again. We were certain we wanted quartz, but after seeing all the beautiful slabs, we are considering granite. Ultimately found 1 slab of granite we love, and a few possibilities. The problem is that Vangura assigns their own names & faxes info directly to our Kitchen Designer for the price quote. 1 we loved was named "Marrone 8000 South America Brazil 8010 TGB". It was consistent pattern of grey, black, silver white (very iridescent). The problem is we were not allowed to photograph them or buy a sample, etc. and I already cannot remember exactly what the Marrone 8000 looks exactly like & cannot comparison shop not knowing its actual names. Does any one have any idea how we can find out its "real" name to comparison shop? Also are considering Uba Tuba (which obviously they kept itÂs name), but am afraid that the darker color will show every streak & fingerprints, etc. Finally, after, reading all the horror stories about granite staining, cracking, clouding, being doctored, to seal or not seal, etc. I dont know if quartz is better, but now am afraid of quartz "pooling"!!! Sorry this is so long but any help will be greatly appreciated!

So many great experiences with quartz countertops that I have to share my experience for those in the decision process. Expected low/no-maintenance, nearly-bullet-proof from Cambria, but my countertops are terribly marked up from, of all things, rivets on jeans. A week or 2 after Cambria Whitehall installation, Installer came out to help with removing gray marks--they look like pencil scribble and some would wash off with dish soap, but others wouldn't. Installer decided the marks were from metal objects, mostly pocket knives (his marked the edge while reaching to clean the widow sill). The marks that wouldn't wash off Installer said are scratches. Fast-forward a week and we have 4 friends over for a Friday night. The next day: tons of marks all over the edges of the counter. Whitehall is very white and small-grained so these marks are *very* obvious. Tested the Cambria sample piece and jean rivets did mark it. Seems like it wouldn't show on a darker color, but it is something I didn't think to test on my sample prior to purchase. As for other benefits of quarts, there is one small stain that I can't figure out where it came from. But wine, tea, coffee, berries, chili sauce all clean up easily.

MizLizzie, It is very nice of you to share the issue with Cambria since we are thinking about using man-made hard surface for kitchen counter in the upcoming kitchen remodel. The incompetent fabricator messed up counter top edge and sink cut out in our hall bath. I have no confidence in him of redoing the counter top, I worry if he would make things worse by damaging connected backsplash, cabinet, faucet and sink. It has been two months; the poor work still bothers me so I know I would never be able to accept it. We too have demanding jobs and frequent business travels. We are trying to find the best time slot for the rework. Congratulations for your childâÂÂs college graduation. Ours finished his graduate school last May. After the ceremony, we parents congratulated one another and jokingly shared the tips of calculating pay back rate for the bailout loans we provided. It was a lot of fun. This post was edited by azmom on Thu, Jul 4, 13 at 12:31

Just got new Pental Quartz Misterio honed counters, which are white with a grey veining very sporadically. I hate them and so regret this decision! Nothing was ever disclosed to me by the store or the third party stone vendors that honed finish would have all these problems. Scuff marks from anything metal - the entire area around the sink is scuffed from washing pots and pans. Last week I laid some mail on my countertop and picked it up a couple hours later and the ink from something is now imprinted on my counter! I tried Fantastic (which is what the stone company recommends) , Mr Clean Magic Eraser, Clorox Clean Up spray, Windex, Acetone finger nail polish remover (also recommended by the stone company) and nothing will remove the imprint. The counter absorbs everything. I am petrified of spaghetti sauce, or red beets, or curry sauce, or a pen. I went back to the home improvement store I contracted through and asked about having the counters sealed and they said they already were! How can this be? If that is true, this product should never be sold for use in a real home. I am just sick with having spent this much money on such a huge mistake. DO NOT EVER INSTALL HONED COUNTERS IN A REAL HOME KITCHEN THAT GETS USED!!