I agree with your "best tip" Corie! I feel like the first few months will be me "thinking" I'm embracing it and then the months following will be me actually embracing it as the little etches and stains become part of life. Thanks for the honed tip, it is a must have for me.

Isn't love grand?

Here's an older thread about using a Scotchbrite pad to remove etches. It works--I've used one, and also used a sanding sponge (with water) which had most of the grit worn off. You can also buy alumina polishing powder.

Marble etches gone!

BTW, I have honed, unsealed, carrara marble, which has never stained or absorbed oil, even on the end where I roll pastry, and spread oil for kneading bread dough. My grandson spilled a packet of red powdered drink mix on it one time, and no stain, which was a very pleasant surprise.

Star dings (little dull white circles from impact) are the ones that can never be removed, so my tip is don't leave a claw hammer on top of a paint can sitting on the counter--just in case a clumsy person knocks it off. Can you guess who did that? : /

Was looking at marble for my island (perimeters will be in soapstone)- thinking honed with a sealer (and warranty), but I'm overly cautious. One marble countertop I saw used a clear, thick plastic board to place drinks, dishes, etc.

To have a marble countertop you have to be alright with it not looking perfectly brand new. At least not to you, others wont see the flaws. I don't think I would get marble if I thought I should have to put a protector over it. If you are worried, try to find a restaurant that had a marble bar or tables, that will help you decide if you can live with the look or not.

I have always wanted marble or quartz that looked like marble. In our area (and I'm assuming most areas) the best looking quartz are more expensive than some marbles and usually on back order. We recently took a trip and stayed a week at a beach house in Florida with marble counters and I had commented to my sister that I could not believe that someone would rent out this house not knowing how people would treat the counters. Sure enough by the end of the week I was in love with them still. If i really inspected I could find plenty of flaws or minor stains but as a whole they were gorgeous. I have no idea if they were sealed but they were definitely honed. Thanks everyone for the feedback!

If you love marble but can't tolerate it not looking brand new, then maybe look at Neolith.

Personally, I had marble in both my bathrooms in my condo and will have marble in my bathrooms in my new build again. Nothing really beats marble (except my quartzite kitchen countertops!)

Covering marble with a plastic board is like covering a sofa with a plastic slipcover!

I have Danby marble, 3 years old.

If Neolith was around then (I don't know the cost), I would totally go that route.

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While I love my marble, it dings, it etches, I worry about stains sometime.

I hate that gut feeling when I discover a spot or something left/overlooked, and I say a simple prayer as I wipe it up.

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But I don't cover it up.

I don't cut on my marble, but I don't cover it up w/ anything.

No felt.

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Felt may be worse, like felt under my stools on my hardwood floor: sand/etc gets trap and scrapes the wood.