It looks interesting. I've never heard of it. Here is the link if anyone wants to take a look: http://nisajade.com/Product.html

Oh yes.. a link to the product is an excellent idea!

Never heard of it, intriguing.

Ok, looks interesting. How about the bad news...how's the price compare?

There are many (too many?) man-made options.
The main distinction being mostly color/texture availability.
This is one such product, it would seem.
Unless it has some very unique look/texture that you feel you absolutely must have, my recommendation would be to opt for one of the well established national/international brands in that product segment.
These materials are typically more expansive than average costing granite but less costly than some esoteric stones.
I hope that helps.
Best of luck!

I can't agree with Mega Builders more I represent one of many of the quartz surfacing manufacturers today. There are many proven products like ours that offer a lifetime warranty with an influx of unproven ones of late.

The overall price difference will amount to an increase of $750 for my entire job to change from Silestone Quartz to Nisa Jadestone. Graphite honed is what I'm leaning toward.

The reason that I'm looking at this product is that I'm hoping to go with a matt black surface opposed to the more glossy look of granite or quartz.

Also, from the testing that has been done (by the Nisa Company, I should add), it is more durable than granite or quartz. The impressive technical specs can be seen here: http://nisajade.com/TechSpecifications.html

Just making me nervous to be a guinea pig on a product not tested by homeowners.

Thank you all for you input. It is greatly appreciated!

No experience with this product, but I can certainly relate to your desire for a softer look. I am wildly in love with soapstone as the natural version of this look and function, but it is also wildly expensive!

Waynette, are you in PR by any chance? :-o

Other issues I would want to investigate are fabrication and delivery lead times, warranty, and eco friendliness.

You stated that the job will cost more to use the unknown material. What would be the advantage of choosing this material over a known manufacturer? Even if the stone fabricator offers an equal warranty, if the company is no longer around it would be difficult to address any issues if they arise. I would look at the percentage of savings on the job vs. the actual savings gained to more carefully assess the value of the savings. For most slab jobs the real costs are in the fabricating rather than the slab costs. Wholesale on a slab of Caeserstone is 800.00 or so.

Here is a list of dealers. It would be interesting to hear their comments regarding call backs, any issues with dealing with the company, material failure, length of time they have offered this material, etc.

http://nisajade.com/Dealers.html

Have you seen leathered granite options? They do it with sandblasting or acid etching but it's really beautiful and durable. I had an island bar done with leathered Uba Tuba, which is one of the least expensive granites. It looked completely black after being sandblasted and the client still loves it 3 years later. Sorry I don't have a picture.

Great ideas and insights. I'll be in touch with some of those dealers, eagledzines, thank you! Interesting question, soberg, but no, I'm not in PR. I'm a Realtor! Why do you ask?

I haven't actually been able to see an example of leathered granite in person, but I keep hearing bad things about etching, maintenance, etc. Is all of that incorrect information?

Leathered granite is ugly-- holds dirt ! Not clean.

Seriously Jean, tell us how you really feel! lol. Sorry it didn't work for you. It may have been the type of granite that was used, or maybe the process used to cause the leather effect, that made your experience a bad one. Different processes and different densities of stone could affect the outcome. I'm not in the fabrication business so can't speak to that. Only know that I visited with the same client just last week and after 3 years she still loved hers and it still looked like the day it was installed after much use. Link to the fabricator's website that did this finish: http://www.rockinteriors.com/maintenance.html

Ok, so I am opinionated. My bad! :)

I love a honed finish that is matte, but don't know how that affects cleanability.