cloud_swift, I remember your gorgeous counter photos! Thank you for your always clear explanations. I admit I was not thinking of quartzite when the OP mentioned quartz. You are quite right that blue quartzite (quartz is rated harder than granite, I believe?) has no issues with etching and staining as the softer blue granites do. Again, that points up the weakness in the stone industry. The names aren't consistent, and neither is the quality of the stone itself (no matter what type) nor the installers. It remains a "cottage industry" in many respects, which is why YMMV, as reported in many a discussion thread here. I think it's great that we have so many choices these days, even if it does drive one slightly crazy!

I found this on another forum: Some call Pietra di Cardoso sandstone. Some call it soapstone. Some call it schist. It's none of the above. Pietra di Cardoso is a unique stone from the village of Cardoso (near Carrara), Italy. There are only two small quarries of the stuff, one across the street (literally) from the other. One quarry cuts the stone along its grain (and that is what some call soapstone). The other quarry cuts it against its grain (and therefore it looks more like sandstone). The fact in the matter is that Pietra di Cardoso is Calcareus Phillyte, and you do not want that stuff in your kitchen, unless, of course, you use your countertop exclusively as the holder of the telephone you make reservations or order take-outs with! That stone is sensitive to acidic substances and will get etched like marble. On the curious side of the whole matter, in Italy they use Pietra di Cardoso exclusively to pave sidewalks and clad buildings, due to the fact that's a tough stone. Only the exclusive importer for the USA decided that it would be a "good bet" (and much more profitable, since Pietra di Cardoso is quite cheap at the origin) to sell it as material for kitchen countertops... For the intents and purposes of a kitchen countertop, there's no comparaison between Pietra di Cardoso and soapstone. The latter has a huge advantage!! ------------- Ciao and good luck, Maurizio Bertoli Trainer-in-chief for the International Training Centers for the Stoneindustry (ITCS) MB Stone Care - "education before any sale!" Here is a link that might be useful: FindStone Forum

Hi Eugenie- I'm guessing you're in FFC since you were at Ring's End and based on your post about your son's car. ;) I was totally sent on absolute black honed until I started reading about it here. (actually I shouldn't say totally set I've been all over the place...marble, granite, soapstone). Anyway, I finally put a deposit down on leathered jet mist granite. I LOVE it! It's not a solid black like AB.I was going to do jet mist honed until I felt the leathered slabs...I don't know the best way to describe it, but they feel almost soft. Anyway, I don't know how they're going to do w/dust and fingerprints b/c I haven't had it installed yet, but I'm pretty sure every post I've read here from someone who has it loves it. Everest Marble in Norwalk has some great slabs of Jet Mist right now. I don't think there were any more leathered ones, but I know they have a lot of honed (I was there last Saturday). If you're looking for a fabricator so far I've been really happy with La Pietra in Brookfield (ask for Fabiana). I'll try to post a picture of my slabs. http://s222.photobucket.com/albums/dd251/avaowensmom/Kitchen%20redo/?action=view&current=photo-18.jpg" target="_blank"> Here is a link that might be useful:

Wow! Thank you all for your fabulous input! I will post my kitchen cabinets and a few slabs when I get organized. I do love the Costa Esmeralda but you are committing to a color, I agree. briannadarnell- your cabinets with the delicatus look beautiful! Thank you for including the pictures (actually that includes everyone else!!). Are you saying that a creamy granite (colonical gold or cream) may make my cabinets look more yellowy while the white granite may make them look more whiter? Do you know if that kitchen before yours has antique white cabinets or white cabinets? ellendi- basicaly, you are saying that honed white or cream granite is more prone to staining? Went to the granite yard today and saw Cosa Rosa which is similar to costa esmeralda but more softer grey with pink hues and much cheaper. Also saw amazon black honed which looks grey. I do also love the look of a grey countertop (why I like pietra! and even soapstone) with my cabinets. i will post pics.