So Ive been reading a lot about countertops and Im trying to decide what to put into my kitchen. Im loving soapstone more and more but I also like the durabilty of Quartz however it has its downfalls.

I want Black countertops. My husband wants Quartz and It was my original choice until I saw soapstone on a TV show. WOW. I started doing research and found that black quartz can stain white from dishwashing detergents and some soaps. You cant put hot things on it because it contains resin binders and those melt. BUT it is very scratch resistant which is what i need around the sink and stove.

I was doing a lot of reading on soapstone too and how easy it is to care for. I was thinking of that for my small island for me to do my baking and prep work on. I love the patina look. I read on some other sites that it is similar to laminate in the scratching department.- Is this true??

I also read that it ends up looking like a well used butcher block. Is that true?

I was thinking of a compromise and that would be black quartz for all countertops except for the moveable island which will double as an eat at table when pushed into the eating area. That would be soapstone.

What does everyone think? Will it look good or should I go for only one surface. Are my other questions about soapstone being like laminate in the scratching and dinging department true or is it worse ?