Granite is the best go to when it comes to being indestructible. A nice granite won't scratch or stain and you can put hot pans and pots on it. As for beauty there are thousands of options, so I'm sure there's one you would like. You may look at leathered or honed finish granites if you want the durability of granite, but want something that looks a little different or more like soapstone.

Thank you! I love granite but have seen so many new materials, I didn't know if something else had taken it's place for durability.

Quartz is very durable as well if you like the look. Granite and quartz are, for all practical purposes, the same in durability in the kitchen.

Thanks. I'll look at both.

Quartz is durable, but not as resistant to heat as granite. Both are great choices for a kitchen countertop!

We just did slate. It's beautiful and just that little bit unexpected. A lot of people think that it is fussy, but it's not! Here is the review of pros & cons that convinced me: http://www.countertopguides.com/guides/pros-and-cons-of-slate-countertops.html

We have been living with it for almost a year now, and I am even more of a fan.

Thank you. I didn't know anything about slate.

Here are a couple of pictures of our counters- we used honed green slate, but there are a lot of color choices