that feathered oyster quartize is fabulous, i'd go with that or the sky pearl if you are looking for something unique and different.

#1 Feathered oyster GORGEOUS!
#2 sky Pearl

The other two (IMHO) pale in comparison to the quartzite.

Let me say I shopped everywhere for granite. I now understand the differences with all these people that fabricate the slabs. I chose a company called World Stone in Farmington Hills. They were an A++ in my book. I actually toured their plant and was very impressed. They have CNC machines to cut the stone and automatic polishers to do the edging. They even did the templating with a computer. It was an outstanding experience from the order to the installation. Very professional and great results. If you want granite you should call this company. 248 477 8848

Here is a link that might be useful: World stone Group

Agree on the feathered oyster. I also really like how the Bianco Antico looks with your cabs but my vote would be Feathered Oyster no question.

The Feathered Oyster Quartzite is amazing!

Yep - never seen the feathered oyster - yumm yumm!!!!

Feathered oyster vote from me too. It looks like onyx, and is so gorgeous. I'd be a little worried that the Sky Pearl stone might stain easily. I don't know that it would, it just looks like it might. Easy choice IMHO to get the Feathered Oyster.

The feathered oyster is truly beautiful.

repetitive but feathered oyster is #1

Ok, I'll dissent. I love the Bianco Antico with your cabinets. I think the two quartzites are very pretty, but to me, they don't set off your cabinets like the Bianco.

Just my two cents. They are all really nice. You really can't go wrong.

I'm another fan of the bianco antico for your cabinets! I'm likely biased - I have a very similar bianco romano for my dark island - but the reason I like this one the best, is that it picks up the dark shade of your cabinet; tying in beautifully together.

As Kelleg says, they're all lovely, so go with what you LOVE:)

I'd say Bianco Antico, although the Feathered Oyster (now there's a concept) Quartzite is almost worth re-ordering your cabinets for...I've never seen that before...that's *amazing*. It's really not onyx?!

my vote is for the sky pearl quartzite. i think it is different and will look amazing with your cabinets. i personally think the bianco has too much dark in it. at least for me.......

I'd say if you want calm and soothing, go with the Sky Pearl Quartzite; or, if you want more movement and drama, go with the Feathered Oyster. All of them are beautiful.

I'm seriously biassed towards the Bianco Antico, as I have it

, and it's my favourite thing in the kitchen and it looks great with both espresso and white cabinets. But I believe the Feathered Oyster would look amazing, as would the Colonial Cream. I wonder if the draw towards Feathered Oyster is because we've never seen it before...

Gorgeous choices, all of them. You can't go wrong.

Thanks everyone for your opinions! I've got a couple others I'm going to check out. I found a place with Mother of Pearl granite that I absolutely have to see in a big slab (saw the sample and drooled:).

The quartzites do look like onyx because of all the depth. They are simply stunning. If I don't end up with the Feathered Oyster, somebody's got to do it!!!!

I like the Feathered Oyster the best, and would choose that as long as you want movement. If you want less movement, but still a gorgeous and unique stone that really complements the deep color of your cabs, I'd go for the bianco antico. But I LOVE the Oyster!!!!!!!!!

While I agree that ANY of the above work well, the first one --sky pearl--does it for me!! Not wild and crazy different, but quite understatedly unique.

I also am partial to Bianco Antico. I have them with my Cherry Amber cabinets. I think the combination works very well together.

Feathered Oyster Quartzite: spectacular! (watch out: will etch)

Yellow Onyx: 2007 December:

Of course this is a busy bar: I went a few weeks ago: and 11 mnths later: there is etching on surface. Although: Only I really noticed it! I could feel it and I could see it. But really I knew what I was looking for. They have 12 slabs installed : including waitress station where they pick up their hot food plates!
Beautiful bar in Oak Lawn/Downtown Dallas Texas:

This is Honey Yellow Onyx: Italy

Quartzite (from German Quarzit[1]), not to be confused with the mineral quartz, is a hard, metamorphic rock which was originally sandstone.[2] Sandstone is converted into quartzite through heating and pressure usually related to tectonic compression within orogenic belts. Pure quartzite is usually white to grey. Quartzites often occur in various shades of pink and red due to varying amounts of iron oxide. Other colors are commonly due to impurities of minor amounts of other minerals.

In true metamorphic quartzite, also called meta-quartzite, the individual quartz grains have recrystallized along with the former cementing material to form an interlocking mosaic of quartz crystals. Minor amounts of former cementing materials, iron oxide, carbonate and clay, are often recrystallized and have migrated under the pressure to form streaks and lenses within the quartzite. Virtually all original textures and structure have usually been erased by the metamorphism.

Orthoquartzite is a very pure quartz sandstone composed of usually well rounded quartz grains cemented by silica. Orthoquartzite is often 99% SiO2 with only very minor amounts of iron oxide and trace resistant minerals such as zircon, rutile and magnetite. Although few fossils are normally present, the original texture and sedimentary structures are preserved.

Quartzite is very resistant to chemical weathering and often forms ridges and resistant hilltops. The nearly pure silica content of the rock provides little to form soil from and therefore the quartzite ridges are often bare or covered only with a very thin soil and little vegetation.

"Onyx is a form of chalcedony, part of the quartz group. Like the other stones in the chalcedony family, onyx has a smooth, waxy luster. Onyx can be found in a wide range of colors, often layered(simular to quartzite)
--Black and colored onyx is always dyed. Onyz is easily dyed, so beware of the more "unnatural" looking colors, such as bright blue, etc. Onyx with red and white bands is sometimes referred to as "Sardonyx". Onyx is the black variety of agate. However some parts are more or less translucent. This is why it is often heated to accentuate the intensity of its color.
****
Onyx is a semi-precious form of chalcedony which has alternating straight bands of color, most commonly brown, red, white, and black. Chalcedony is the group name for a large family of stones, all of which form from silicon dioxide, also known as quartz. In order to be classed as chalcedony, a stone must be milky, and translucent to transparent, often with layers or bands of color. The color of onyx, as with other forms of chalcedony, is created through impurities which seep into the rock as it forms.

The most classic color combination for onyx has red or brown bands alternating with white ones. This form is sometimes also called sardonyx, because the red bands resemble sard, another type of chalcedony. More rarely, black bands will be mixed in, or the onyx will be primarily black. Black onyx is highly prized for use in jewelry and ornaments. Other colors can also be found, although they are less common.

Unfortunately, the color of onyx is often created through chemical treatment and heat. It can be difficult to tell whether or not a stone has been dyed or heat treated, as dealers are not required to disclose this. In the case of an onyx which has passed through multiple hands, the dealer may not know whether the stone is natural or not. Although dyed colors should not fade or distort, some people prefer the idea that their jewelry is made from natural rocks in their true colors, rather than artificially enhanced ones."

ETCHING:
"The qualities of onyx/or quartzite are comparable to those of marble. Softer and less durable than granite, it requires occasional maintenance, but that's a small price to pay for the majestic ambiance of these materials. The movement and color variation are unsurpassed in other stone varieties. Onyx is prone to etching and staining from acids such as ketchup, lemons, alcohol and household cleaners. Onyx is a softer stone best placed where it won't be used or abused on a day-to-day basis. It's porous and needs to be sealed, otherwise, it will absorb water and liquids easily which tend to stain the stone. Once a stain is absorbed into onyx, it is extremely hard to remove. Onyx can be finished with a polished surface. "

So beautiful: if a person takes care and wipes up spills ASAP: should not be such a problem.

-Use the best cleaners
-Wipe up spills immediately
-keep kitchen clean at all times
(will not work for all home owners)

FYI: I read a story on a website: lady was "mis-lead" by sales people regarding etching on quartzite and was told "stronger than granite, ect." Then she etched the quartzite one week after install: grand-kids spilled Lemonaid on quartzite and she didn't see & sat there and etched her brand new counter top.
The installers came back to her house and honed the surface.

So beware: do your home work.

All of your choices are lovely and would work well with your cabinet color. Personally, the Feathered Oyster is the one that took my breath away!

Mairin - I am so excited to see your posts! We are planning wood floors, dark wood cabinets and a light countertop, but I was having a hard time finding "inspiration" pictures... and here you are! Your cabinets are gorgeous and all of your countertop choices are breathtaking. I can't wait to see what you decide.

And more importantly, congratulations on your good health! Thanks for helping me keep this remodel in perspective.

I love the way Bianco Antico looks with your cabinets! Good luck choosing, they're all gorgeous!

Thanks again for all the votes! We went again to look at four more granite places and my heart still is called towards the sky pearl quartzite. I also got a peak at Mother of Pearl, which is also fantastic and still in the running, as well as Oyster Shells (which might just be another name for feathered oyster, it does look similar, but not exact)

Templating next week!

Thanks for the well-wishes of health! That dreaded "C" word has a tendency to suck up all your energy and focus. I was re-experiencing some symptoms, but frankly, it was likely due to all this stress of the house!! Thank goodness.

Mother of Pearl

oyster shells