Have you thought about the metallic gray? I used it with my gray Carrara, and it works well. I almost hesitate to show this pic pre-plumbing as the coloring is off. The metallic is much grayer than this IRL. http://www.flickr.com/photos/48735425@N05/6292256668/ I also thought the white silgranits in the showrooms looked plasticy and thought the black wasn't a rich color. Love the metallic though! I even used it in my walnut island for my prep sink.

I just decided on doing the Silgranit Cafe Brown sinks in my kitchen...I had chosen black, but am wanting to do oil-rubbed bronze faucets, and worried about the black and dark brown going together...so I was tickled pink to find the new brown color! Crossing my fingers that it's going to look right. I know what you mean about the work of keeping a SS sink sparkling; we have one now, and while I love that crisp, clean, utilitarian look, it drives me bonkers to have the water drips, etc. That's just me...I'm a little uptight about messes (don't mind having them, just don't want to know they are there ;)). So, Silgranit seemed the best solution for that issue. I'm excited about its scratch-free surface, clean, matte finish, and that I can now get it in brown, if I want. Good luck with whatever you decide! All your possibilities are beautiful. And go with the undermount, I say! Love not having a rim on my sink... HTH!

I'd start with Goof Off as it will get almost anything off. Use a stiff bristled scrub brush to get into the "texture" of the sink after letting it set for a while> If that didn't work, then Barkeeper's Friend. Follow up any of these with a light coat of mineral oil on the sink to restore it's darkness, just like you would soapstone. If it's still not coming off at that point, then replace it. If she installed the proper size sink cabinet and didn't go too small and scoop the sides, replacing a like sink with a like sink is a piece of cake for any counter installer.

Sara, I think you'te choosing a black sink for the wrong reasons. I'm guessing Joseph posted so you could see a dark sink with lighter counters. I have a black slate sink with white granite and love it but if you think a white sink would look best, you should concentrate on finding a good white sink. I know I've read reviews and threads on this forum, if you search. However, if you decide on a black sink, I have a chrome faucet and here's a photo of one with what might possibly be nickel faucet. I think that woild be fine.