Absolutely not, marble by definition is a combination of dolomite and/or calcite. The very fact that it is classified as a marble should tell you something, but if they give out samples, then take one home and do all the recommended stain, etch, and durability testing for natural stone on that sample and you will see for yourself. Notice that their publicity piece is conspicuously absent of any mention of etching which is the MAIN issue with marble, that the dolomitic or calcitic content reacts with acids to eat away at the surface. My guess is that while this marble might not scratch or absorb like most other marbles, it will still etch. Many people have tap water in their homes that is on the acidic side, so merely tap water could be your enemy not to mention the typical culprits of tomato products (spaghetti sauce, ketchup), lemons/limes, oranges, vinegar, etc. To acquire marble for your kitchen, you must be prepared for etching barring an application of a Stoneguard film which gets you back to the plastic look you don't like plus adds about $25 per square foot to your installation.

The company gets mixed reviews on Google including for some shady business practices. Their website says they are based in China, which could be an advantage to facilitate direct imports at low costs, but the finest marble is typically known to be from other places than China, and Chinese stone has somewhat of a reputation for being doctored at the quarries sometimes including bleaches and dyes. I don't know if this variety is from a Chinese quarry, but you could ask. If you love the marble, by all means consider it, but assume that you will require the care routines that come along with marble in order to keep it from rapid deterioration in a kitchen environment. It is definitely going to be very different for you than a granite or quartz installation.

@Aglitter I also noticed the article didn't mention etching but made it sound like this marble is bullet proof. I thought the absorption rate would be in it's favor but maybe not when it comes to etching. We took a few samples home and will be doing the etching test this week with Vinegar, Lemmon juice, ketchup and soy sauce. I doubt it will hold up like granite or obviously quartz. I might have to find a quartzite we like...the issue is it's very hard to find white as the dominant color. I appreciate the suggestion about Stonegaurd...I have read up on that and I am not a fan....I don't want to have to reapply after no many years or possibly loose the authentic look of the marble.

Etching has to do with whether the stone contains dolomite or calcite deposits. Staining has to do with porosity. Natural stone is not a good choice if you want a light colored countertop and are afraid of the care and maintenance that marble requires.

Nick I am dying to find some info on Namib Fantasy! I cannot get samples myself as the supplier doesn't have any. Pleeeaaaaase tell me the results of your testing!! :)

Well @Liz Champion the good news is the slab yard near me BCS ( in Dallas, TX ) stocks this regularly. In fact I think they are a main distributor and I could deff ship you samples. But now for the bad news..... I put Vinegar and Soy sauce for 30-45 minutes. The stone etched from the vinegar and the soy sauce stained. So even though they rate the stone "Kitchen approved" I wouldn't recommend unless your ultra care full. I even purposely dropped a sample on the concrete to get a sharp edge to try and cut a glass bottle....it wouldn't leave the slightest scratch. It's really sad for us because we absolutely loved it. So, we are installing White Macabaus Quartzite. We have white cabinets and walls painted agreeable grey....it looks great (although not white....it's a creamy white/grey with some tan/gold) and quartzite looks like Marble but tuff as nails like Quartz or Granite. We have searched high and low....it's very difficult to find natural white stone that wont stain, can handle hot pans, won't etch etc... I wish I had better news.....

You'd better rummage around on here for quartzite horror stories first. Won't take much of a search.

@Joseph Corlett, LLC Can you elaborate? Most of the issues I am seeing with quartzite is it's mislabeled and really marble. I am finding that Taj Mahal and White Macabaus typically 100% always true quartzite....the whiter it gets the more likely it's marble. What am I missing?

Cracking upon fabrication, transport, or installation is the big hurdle with quartzite. Active Granite and Escobar Marble are the two best quartzite fabricators in Dallas, to the best of my research. If I were getting quartzite, I personally would have placed the project with no one else but Saul Escobar. You have to have the right equipment including LOTS of water in cutting plus the right equipment to safely transport. Experience with fabrication and installation is also crucial. All corners must be rounded to prevent hairline cracking from starting, including inside faucet holes. Quartzite is very dense which makes it good for a lot of things during its lifespan of use as a countertop, but that density also makes it brittle.

This link may be helpful: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/4721707/cracked-quartzite#n=8

@Tonya Hitschmann do you have photos? I almost went with Brown Fantasy.. I ended up with a lighter marble. So many told me I was crazy to spend money on a product that will chip, stain or etch. I too, love my counters and am so glad I got it. Sometimes you have to do what makes you happy.

Here is the one I was thinking of....

Ended up with Marble instead.

I still love it.

I am currently looking at Namib White for our kitchen. Anyone have updates with theirs or anyone recently placed? Pics?

We have had it for over a year now. I clean it after every meal so I think you need to be a clean person to keep it nice. It has some spots but nothing crazy bad. I personally can not stand the look of perfect, manufactured countertops. I love natural stone and it isn't perfect in nature so I don't expect it in my kitchen either. I do use plastic white cutting mats to protect it when cooking. The few spots I have would never make it a deal breaker. I would do it all over again spots and all! Mainly because it is absolutely stunning to look at in person. I'm in love and will have it forever. We get so many compliments too.

Jennifer, do you have honed or polished Namib? I also clean up during and after cooking so should be good there. We were going to do honed per designer and stone warehouse rep to hid the etching, planning on getting it initally sealed and then there after per recommendations. I have 2 boys (9 and 12) well, 3 if you want to count the biggest, messiest boy my husband. They are all usually pretty good but I'm also expecting some spots, staining, etching, bruising etc. this is to be expected and I agree I like the lived in look. I guess I'm just nervous as to how quickly it can stain. Sounds like I wuld have some time to get to the stain and wouldnt be within minutes of contact.

BTW- your Namib is gorgeous!

Namib is stunning. Our stone has natural sparkles. I'm not sure what my contractor did. I do know that I have let liquid's sit for some time and it didn't stain. I wouldn't let it sit over night. I have plastic mats ( clear) I put down where things may splatter from stove top. I clean mine with Rock Doctor spray from Lowes. The clean & renew spray. I've trained my kids to not let liquid's or anything else sit and how to use the spray cleaner. They find it fun in some way. Do not let anything with citrus in it sit long on the marble. Bottomline, I think it is durable enough.

I have the Namib Fantasy and love it!!! As soon as it was installed we sealed it with a sealer from Home Depot that was recommended by the installer. I have had no issues with staining - but we never let any spills just sit. I would be ok with etching, as I love a more natural look than than a high polish, which the Namib, being a marble, doesn’t start out with anyway.
I would highly recommend this stone (going to use it in my hall bath, too.)

Namib Fantasy prefab slabs.

We used it in our guest bathroom and it has held up well over last few years. love the look!ll it has just enough cool grey plus some warm brown tones in it. I painted walls BM Collingwood which is a greige color. Looks fab

We are currently in the process of countertop replacement search. i came across Namibia fantasy at Best Cheer this weekend and was intrigued by the hard marble description. i hust cant seem to find a quartzite im in love with. i justcwant more white. i may go with NF for that reason. significantly less expensive than the quartzite bids we have gotten too. i really want natural stone.

Hi! Curious if anyone has any updates? @JeriDefeo - did you go with Namibia Fantasy? Any pics to share? :)