I have been looking at marble countertops, also. There is a marble called Danby marble from Vermont. It is stronger. Also, there is a new sealant for marble called MORE. MORE has a 20 year warranty against staining on marble. I am getting honed Danby marble. The only problem will be etching. They say there is less etching when the marble is not polished. I have some marble now and etching has been the only issue...doesn't bother me. Good luck!!

Here's one of our latest blog posts that break down the different countertops you can use in your kitchen. I think it would be helpful to take a look at. http://goodfellasconstruction.net/blog/choosing-the-right-countertop-for-your-kitchen

We installed Danby marble in a kitchen of a historical house. The homeowners wanted to use marble to keep it true to the original architectural materials. Kitchens obviously take a beating more than a master bath. I know they have spilled things on it and it has some "patina" to it (i.e. scratches), but it is so much richer than any quartz I've seen. I wouldn't put it in a kids, bathroom, but I think it would wear well in a master bath. Just keep it sealed and watch the cosmetics on it.

Good luck!

I have used quartz for 6 years until my countertop specialist explained the new process on quality quartz. The resin goes much deeper into the stone, will not stain, and doesn't have to be sealed. Purchased slabs like in the photo. The color is called Super White. The photo was on a cloudy day but the actual color is white with beautiful colors of gray. Not spotty like most granite.

Go with marble. Personally the engineered ones just don't have the unique natural look of real marble, especially given their price point. Just pick a good quality marble.

Graham

You've answered your own question without knowing it. You said, " I like the marble better but do not want gross discoloration or damage over time."

Those are STRONG words...which means there are strong emotions attached to "gross" and "damaged". That would SCREAM OUT the answer: DO NOT buy marble.

The person who can "handle" marble is someone who is so low-maintenance that they are almost comatose. They couldn't care ONE WIT about "stains" or "etching" or discolouration or damage.

They are so "low" on the "caring" that they barely have a pulse. This is the personality type that can 'handle' marble. Your statement tells me you probably are not ready for marble.

After owning several natural stones (granite or quartzite for instance) you can then graduate to marble if you feel you are OK with ALL the problems that come with etching, staining, scratching, discolouration and damage.

Please work with something else until you know more about your reaction to natural stone.

Marble is one of the oldest known building materials. You can go to Europe and many other places around the world and admire marble that was placed 1,000 or more years ago. Yes, I have seen marble with discoloration, this is often caused by certain impurities like iron that will cause a rust like stain. Just need to by good quality marble. I really doubt that future generations will be visiting our ruins and admiring that engineered quartz marble knockoff.

Graham

Your mantra with any top...no matter what the material: There's no such thing as a bulletproof top! There are quartz products that are made to look like marble without the stress of discoloration - so no need to hyperventilate when someone leaves something that can soak in or goop onto that gorgeous top (it's a bathroom...no judgements...goop happens) - Pental Quartz has some surprising options, Caesarstone does as well, and Cambria just came out with some new quartz options that look more like marble than the older designs. Check out their websites to see what I mean, but Caesarstone's "London Fog" is a lovely option - one we have in the showroom here and is very popular, but this one:

Pental's Polished Calacatta is a stunner as is their Statuario.
Check out Cambria's website to see the new colors - we haven't seen the samples in person yet, but on the site they look fantastic! (Marble Collection)

Best of luck!

I have had them all.

Finally, in the downsize, I just went with quartz. All the different brands give you lots of options. Easy care, easy clean...love mine.

Don't use marble on the countertop.

I have a marble counter in my main bathroom. My dear late mother cleaned it with a product I use for the tub and it totally ruined the top. (No, I didn't get mad at her.). We don't usually use that bathroom so I don't get to see the ruined marble every day.

Marble is so beautiful in a bathroom! As long as you're gentle and you use the correct cleaning products, you should be fine. Look for a pH neutral cleaner that's specific for marble.

No matter how careful women and men are in the bathroom, Marble will etch, scratch and stain. We clean our sink with one product and the counter, floors and shower with another. If you have a house cleaner or guest who helps clean, EEK. We are building our 2nd home and will not even entertain marble.

Yeah, it walks into the party, gorgeous, all eyes are on it, but it soon ends up with a stained reputation, and that's etched in your memory!

Combs Roofing & Design, the stone of picture attached isnt a quartz nor quartzite, it is a marble (usually sold under one of these names: Shadow Storm, Mont Blanc, Donna Sandra, Super White).

korchmel2, I would try to find a full slab of Natural Quartz, like Lumix... it is a super strong natural stone, high polishing, lot of depth, glittering, perfect touch and you wont ever think about replacing