Thank you sooo much for your advice!! I'm committed to this stone so passing was more for peace of mind than my decision. I was going to use soft scrub right away but kept pushing it off 'next thing I do after this' over and over - when I finally did it the soft scrub product I used only faded it a little - Really upsetting! Then I saw the soft scrub gel on the shelf and decided to let it soak a little before scrubbing - when I went back to it the gel had completely dissolved it -, NO SCRUBBING, no etching, and most important NO WORK!!! YAY! My quartz passed the Sharpie test!!!!!! Thanks Joanne for your tips, they worked - I should know this, but I don't remember the exact composite of my counter - I have for gotten by now - I'll ask again - but that's irrelevant as it works, it really works!!! Nika, while the sharpie test is extreme I use them all the time and though the house rule is no sharpies for kids, the 3 ft tall picture of a man drawn by my 2 yr old at the side door is evidence that rules w/ 2 yr olds aren't always golden! Mr. clean sponge isn't all that strong compared to a sharpie- hmm maybe I should try the soft scrub? 5 months for a remodel, that's nothing, I have you beat by lots!Way to long to admit in print Rachel

If you want to 'try out' the effects of different grouts, this is a handy site: Susan Jablon Mosaics. Here you will find a Custom Blend Tile Designer. I know she has a glass subway tile in a colour very similar to your tile. You can create a brick pattern and select several grout colours. Very light and very dark colours will make the brick pattern stand out more, colours similar to the tile give a more uniform appearance. Hope this helps, Petra Here is a link that might be useful: Susan Jablon Mosaics

Thanks for the replies. Like many of you, the decision is not only driven by how conscientious I would be using the space but helpers in the kitchen, as well. I'd rather sacrifice one notch of beauty to not be stressing over my countertops if others are enjoying the time there. If I'm reading this correctly, it seems to be a case where one slab of the same product may react differently from another as far as etching and staining so you have to test a sample piece from each. And that there is a difference between brands. I know there have been many posts on quartzite since I've begun researching my remodel but I skimmed over them because until just recently we weren't going to replace countertops and construct a new island. I would have nixed the idea of soapstone in our lake place if I'd based the choice on a lot of info saying they were high maintenance and prone to damage. Turns out they are as easy and durable as my granite and their look really "makes" the kitchen. If quartzite ends up being the look that best suits this new kitchen, I would hate to have dismissed it over unfounded fears.

The quality is not top notch , for sure. Looks to be builder grade fabrication and install. Which brings in the question price point of the job and source for the product and labor. Budget builders have different standards that are handled by high production, mediocre quality, shops. Builders are about low cost and speed, not quality. For a higher precision homeowner quality job, gaps at walls of 1/8”- 3/16” and a bit of color variance at a small 1/16” seam is within industry standards. A poor color match repair and a chipped seam isn’t. Larger gaps than 3/16” at the back and wall isn’t acceptable unless this run is bound in between two fixed points that do not allow maneuvering. Builder level jobs have higher tolerances for gaps and seams than do a top notch homeowner grade job. If they can fix that color match chip and seam acceptably, the gaps at the out of square side wall are manageable. A backsplash will cover to the rear. And a bit of a float out in the crooked wall will deal with the side area if no splash is planned for that.