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Remodeling Design Dilemma Kitchens

Is Perla Venata and Taj Mahal the same stone?

6 years ago

Looking for a counter top and ran across a slab, that just arrived, but there are two names on it. Are Perla Venata and Taj Mahal the same or is someone trying to pull a fast one.

Featured Answer

kchreg

6 years ago

They are not the same, but very similar, in looks and in function. Both Taj Mahal and Perla Venata are categorized as true quartzites and top of the line. As an exotic, pricing should be the same, so it's hard to see what the angle would be if they were trying to pull a fast one.

The main thing is to ensure that the slab is, indeed, a true quartzite. Ask to perform an acid test with lemon juice and a glass cut test on an edge. And have your fabricator inspect it as well. After that, a rose is a rose by any other name.

For what it's worth, I have had Taj Mahal in my kitchen for a year and a half, and couldn't be happier. Love it! Zero issues with scratches, staining or etching, and just stark raving gorgeous. .

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Comments (11)

efwong
6 years ago
Do you have Taj Mahal polished or brushed? The slabs we are considering is brushed since there is less gold veining and more grayish.
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I love reading everyone's comments. I picked out two faves yesterday: Perla Venata AND Taj Mahal. Our kitchen will have light gray cabinets, medium wood island (with Limestone on the backside facing the living area)...so a creamy white is a must to make the limestone blend in properly. I want to stay away from browns though, and I think these slabs have unique colors that will allow me to stay in the neutral/white/gray/woods range as far as my surrounding decor. Your post has gotten me excited...now to decide on a backsplash that won't take away from the beautiful countertops...maybe a glass subway tile? Darker gray? More of a stone color? Either way...I'm excited!
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Hopefully I won’t regret it!! (My sister does think I’m nuts, though!) But we have an empty nest, I’m pretty careful. And lazy! Even with my indestructible granite before, it rarely got dirty as I like to lay a towel out before I cook. When I’m finished, I just throw it in the washing machine. Although I am cooking now more than ever. I hope this quartzite is one of the more durable ones🤞. I’ll try and come back in a few months and report if I’m regretful. 😊 Thanks!!
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Mel
Original Author
6 years ago
@efwong not sure if your question is to me, but my answer is polished and there is no gold/rust color in my slab. It is also more grayish tan and the movement is more liner. Most of the ones I saw with the rust color also had more movement.
efwong
6 years ago
Wow that's gorgeous. We just pulled the trigger on 2 brushed slabs with color similar to yours.
Mel
Original Author
6 years ago
Good Choice - Make sure you send pictures once yours is completed and I will do the same. What color are your cabinets and have you selected a paint color for your kitchen? I am struggling with the paint color and my cabinets are stained dark.
efwong
6 years ago
We have a combo of dark brown and light gray cabinets so will likely stick with some shade of white paint. Haven't decided yet.
K Rod
6 years ago
Mel, what kind of flooring is that? It’s beautiful! We are getting Taj in our new build (kitchen and master bath) and I can’t wait!
bmelder02
6 years ago
Mel, I love your floor tile. I think it might look good with my quartzite counters. Would you mind sharing the name and color, brand etc? Thanks!
Mel
Original Author
6 years ago
Sorry been a little sick. The tile is Ecocrete Melted Ice by IRIS. http://www.ceramictileworksmn.com/Ecocrete

It think it allows the cabinets to stand out. My hope is that is allows the stone to stand on its own also. I would suggest finding someone who has it or getting a sample. There are probably 4-5 different patterns within the box, and one that has a "line" going halfway through the tile. I noticed it a first, but now it just blends in. You could just put the lined one and put in under the cabinets. Also the tile is textured. I tried to stain it with everything I could think of, but it didn't stain. YEAH.
K Rod
6 years ago
Thanks, Mel! :) Hope you feel better soon!
jhcb
5 years ago
Mel, would love to see your finished kitchen! I'm in the process of redoing my kitchen with dark cabinets. I saw some nice slabs of Taj the other day that I think would love amazing. Most pics that I'm finding are with white cabinets, so I'd love to see how yours turned out. I'm sure it's beautiful!!

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