I had chosen TajMahal quartzite but unfortunately when they were loading on truck it wad damaged. For edging do not do straight edge especialky if it is the thinner slab as you will see the material they use to put two pieces together. ogee with under offset. there are guides on internet. In the end I chose Perla Venato which is quartzite and so very similar to Taj Mahal in colour. I am so glad of my choice. This slab was thicker so just a straight edge. simple but timeless. Make sure your fabricator is goid with quartize as it is a harder stone to work with. Go there and talk to them. Go view the slab before delivery and check it. Do a final hand sweep especially along the edges before they glue it down. My only regret is that we did not use same stone as backsplash. Will use quarzite over granite again in future.

Good to know others are using this stone as well! It is so dificult not to get hung up on stone names. I went into one stone yard and Madre Perla, Taj Mahal, Monte Carlo and Sea Pearl were considered under the Madre Perla umbrella so to speak. Gigi- Your kitchen is so pretty! Off topic question- do you have a white stove behind that sweet island of yours? I am concerned about this stone being labeled a quartzite but actually being marble. I took a piece of glass with me to the stoneyards but the sea pearl edges are wrapped in a protective hard plastic material so I was not able to conduct the GW scratch test. Bummer. How has your experience been with this stone?

Hi Chispa. That’s what I’m gonna do, test the slab and finalize my choices hopefully next week. Countertop is my last big decision, and I just want this kitchen done. I wish that this White Pearl “granite” slab is indeed a whiter version of Taj Mahal quartzite and not some dolomite or marble or “soft quartzite. “ I don’t even know how I can do the etch test as the salesman said he doesn’t have any small piece for me to take home. I’ll bring a glass tile and try to do a glass test. But the sides of the slab are sealed or wrapped with a hard plastic or resin ?

I decided on soapstone before we built. I was planning to redo the kitchen when a house fire meant a total rebuild. I liked it being a real stone. It is chemically inert and is not effected by heat so I can spill bleach on it, (I have) and but a pot on it straight from the oven, (the reason lab benches are made from it) It darkens with age, but you can oil it to make it a beautiful charcoal color. Some people consider this maintenence, I do it sometimes but how often is up to you. It is a softer stone, (some varieties are harder) so use a cutting board. I also like that it's not trendy. I really like the fact that it's not in every model home. I do not have a backsplash yet but I have a plan on a green subway., I like Encore but the price was 100 a square foot. I am going with a more craftsman vibe with cherry cabs.