Azul bahia is gorgeous but very expensive and prone to staining/etching. A woman named organic_donna (I think) used it in her kitchen a few years ago - you can see her pictures in the Finished Kitchens Blog. Her kitchen was also featured in a magazine. The counters look fantastic BUT she covers the counters with plastic wrap every time she cooks so nothing spills onto the counter itself. Would not be worth it to me.

I have azul bahia on my island. I don't think it's any kind of a risk to resale or general appeal, but it certainly was a risk to my wallet!

I don't baby it much. The perimeter counters are bianco romano which is bulletproof, so if I need to mess with anything citrus or use vinegars it happens over there.

I'm not sure if your question is about the stone type or the stone color. Our countertops are quartzite and about as bullet-proof as stone gets - no staining, no etching and a very strong hard material. The color is very blue - definitely not neutral but a color and pattern that we love.

We used the same material for the backsplash as well as the island and edge counters. Our fabricator made trim for our range top from it and we sent the sink cutouts to Columbia Gorge Stoneworks to get wall plates made for the outlets and switches in our backsplash.

I don't think it's outrageous but it certainly is different. We plan to be in this house a long time.

When we were searching for granite, I found this slab and immediately fell in love with it. It's called Luis Blue. Unfortunately it was out of my price range and really didn't go with the look I was after. Perhaps in another life.

Here is a job that I designed utilizing a quartzite called Wild Sea- Cabernet which looks similar to the stone called Dunes.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3621176&id=677304451

link is not working

Great choices. It gives me the courage to make more adventurous choices.

My friend owns this company which imports all kinds of gorgeous stones and if you click on EleMar New England on the left and then Gallery you can see her kitchen all done in azul bahia (even the backsplash). It is a striking kitchen and really goes with their house. They also have a few gallery kitchens if you click on their other locations. When I went to the warehouse, I could have walked around for days...so many stunning stones!!

Here is a link that might be useful: ElemarUSA

Brachl, OH MY GOD! Please post your kitchen when you have this unbelievably gorgeous granite installed. I don't even like "different" granites as a rule. I even refer to many of them as "scary granite." Your stone is nothing like I have ever seen before. Like a dream!!!!!

pup

I didn't go looking for busy granites but when I found ours I was drawn to it like a magnet. "Amadeus" has black, charcoal, platinum shades with inclusions of garnet. I view it as nature's art work and we still love it 5 years later. Several shots of it here...

Here is a link that might be useful: Amadeus granite

I love blue. I saw many slabs of the gorgeous Louise Blue (also known as Van Gough blue) in the Anaheim slab yards. The colors are so vibrant. However, it seemed to call for a really big waterfront tropical home with a huge open kitchen to do it justice. You know, those $5 million Hawaiian homes. Not my old house kitchen, sadly. I have it tucked away in my "lottery list" fantasy home.

Brachl- that is so unusual. I've never seen anything like it. You must post pictures when it is installed.

Cloud Swift- Now that's my kinda blue. Gorgeous. Gorgeous.

Cross Stitch- Lovely colors and huge garnets. I love how they are called cherry blossoms. I'll bet you stare at it for hours.

Wow, these are all so spectacular!

magma supreme

http://thestonecollection.com/Local/Pictures/Photo_707.jpg

meteorus

http://thestonecollection.com/Local/Pictures/Photo_104.jpg

up close

http://thestonecollection.com/Local/Pictures/Photo_171.jpg

razor black

http://thestonecollection.com/Local/Pictures/Photo_244.jpg

van gogh

http://thestonecollection.com/Local/Pictures/Photo_309.jpg

azul macaubus

http://thestonecollection.com/Local/Pictures/Photo_469.jpg

cactus boreale

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[sorry about that ... thought I was still in preview]

I was never a huge fan of granite, but I fell hard for these when I was looking. Went for a marble and soapstone kitchen, but maybe one day ....

magma supreme

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meteorus

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up close

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razor black

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van gogh

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azul macaubus

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cactus boreale

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Especially the van gogh! I love it. It also kinda looks like a topo map.

Every time I go to a slab yard, I am drawn to the Magma Supreme or Magma Gold in both polished and satin finish. Like someone on another string said, you know the right one when you see it. I understand it is a very popular choice now.

Oh my.......I have fallen in love again! That magma supreme makes my heart go pitter patter. I WANT that in my kitchen!!!

I love browsing the stones at this place, especially their premium granites

momj47- I love that site. I'm now dreaming of my bathroom remodel with one of those gorgeous granites- and my kitchen remodel isn't even finished!

Im partial to the granite we selected - Blue Brazil

and as installed

My Verniz Tropical is in a completely different family from those shown, but I think it is going to be a showstopper on my island. (My perimeter granite will be a much more sedate Giallo Antico which has the same colors.)

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funny nhbaskets! that granite you posted looks just like vincent van gogh's starry night!

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Franki1962, I just love your Blue Brazil Granite! It is truly gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.

There are so many beautiful varieties out there. Big round of applause for Mother Earth!

We just toured our stone yard two days ago and I had this thread in mind when i came across a few stones in particular. I linked the pictures below.

One set of huge slabs was being sold for $9k for a kitchen island. What a kitchen that must be!

Personally I am not into pinks on the kitchen countertop, but if someone wanted to gift me that Van Gogh slab, I promise, I could make it work! ;)

Here is a link that might be useful: stone yard tour

Brachl...oops! Sorry about my negative comments about pinks in countertops. I definitely react strongly against, but please don't think it was personally directed at you Your slab is beautiful, just not my thing for a kitchen app (but it is not going in my kitchen). And if you click my link, you will read snarky comments written by moi about pink and counters but that is just because I sometimes unleash b*tch persona on my blog. PLEASE don't take it personally, I am definitely not trying to start something here and do appreciate, above all else, individuality and self expression in kitchen choices.

So that's my little disclaimer...