The only problem I foresee would be cutting in the drain. Might be a bit difficult to hold onto the pieces while cutting, and they'd definitely have to be cut one at a time, as opposed to leaving them on the mat that they come on.

Thanks Bill! Do you think 2" tumbled onyx would be a better choice?

have you ever worked with onyx mosaic? I read somewhere else that when it's grouted it can really change color and lose its translucent quality. That worries me, maybe I should pick something else for my accent tile!

Staceyneil, I don't think tumbled would make it easier to cut. It's the makeup of the stone not the finish that makes it difficult. We have polished honey onyx mosaics on the shower floor and while they were hard to cut it was not impossible.(Not even close to impossible...for what it's worth, our guy first declared it was like cutting sugar cubes....but when it was done it was his favorite job)

As to the color changing with grout? Absolutely not! It sparkles and oh boy, the translucent quality is just a joy.

The grout WILL give it a little different hue, but it shouldn't really change the translucent look. As for the 2", it WOULD be much easier to hold onto while cutting! :-)

Hey thanks folks! Now I can feel good about our materials choices. It has been a ridiculously long, hard year of stupid renovation problems and I'm so happy to have something actually (at least seem like it might) work out well. We're a couple of weeks behind schedule but narrowing down the decisions and (knock on wood) things seem to be falling into place (she says nervously).

Well, I agree with BillV(of course)...but the color of my mosaics with grout is identical to the color of my much larger and grouted onyx tiles. It's still very translucent. The tiny mosaics actually sparkle as well. Just keep in mind if you are using 1/2', you need to order extras....you WILL have breakage.

Can't wait for pics!