They told me as long as it was sealed it would be fine! I wanted quartz but the sales man assured me it would be fine.

The showroom where I buy counters makes everyone sign a statement that they understand marble is a terrible counter material. I have marble in my kitchen and love it rings and all. Sorry you weren't told the truth.

I like to consider it a living product and expect it to get marked up. Tabletops in European cafes are lovely in my option, however I can understand the desire to keep it perfect.

Yes, you should have been told. I have a slab in my kitchen. It's honed. I don't get water marks/etching, but I expect stains.

My marble people also sealed it with DuPont bulletproof. They also told me to only seal once a year as there is such thing as oversealing. I don't know how or why but that's what they told me. The daily cleaner also has some sealing properties. No major marks yet....but it hasn't been very long.

From my understanding what you are seeing is etching. Yours is polished? Then the etches and scratches show. Hone it down (basically pre-etch the whole thing) and you won't see the scratches or etching, but you will have less protection for stains.

It is unfortunate that this wasn't brought to your attention prior to purchasing so that you could come to terms with life or choose something else.

Good luck. It looks like a beautiful piece.

Mine is not polished. They told me that scratches show up more when it is polished.

The sun rises, marble etches. You're not stopping either from happening.

Yup, those are etches--everything will etch it. Just appreciate it as the "patina" that marble gets and don't obsess over it. I also have honed marble in my kitchen and love it, etches and all!

Darn. Try baking soda and water. At worst, try very diluted ammonia and water. It's still beautiful though!

Etching is the dissolving of the stone. No cleaner will make any difference whatsoever. No sealer will make any difference whatsoever. Wrapping the counter in saran wrap might do it, but you'd have to keep it changed out a couple of times a week and people will talk about you in front of your back, not just behind it.

Linen wrinkles, marble etches, wood gets scratches, hair frizzes or droops in humidity. Give up and learn to love the "flaws".

That's the deal when you install marble countertops....someone should of told you that!!

Just keep it clean with mild soap and water. Trying to "remove" the etches with baking soda, ammonia, etc. will drive you crazy because it doesn't work. This is why people say marble is "high maintenance" because they futilely try to get the stone to do something it naturally does not want to do.

As Sophie stated, etches are a dissolving of the stone, and unless you have it re-honed (very expensive) you will still see them. And even re-honing it only starts the process over again.

Live with it for awhile. It's a decent kitchen, but dated. You might decide later on to do more updating. Don't waste your money doing things now that may get replaced in the future. Painting the walls is the least expensive.

We have a tiny island with a bluestone countertop that etches and stains if you look at it! I decided not to seal it, because I love the patina, but my husband thinks the counter looks dirty. He fusses with our granite counters, and applies poultices to pull out any stains. Marble would have driven him mad!

Acid etching (and water can be considered acidic...even if only slightly) cannot be avoided with marble. The higher the gloss level (like polished) the more you will SEE the etching (etching is a slight dulling of the finish). The polished surface makes it less likely to STAIN.

A honed marble is less likely to SHOW etching (it still happens but the dulling etch = same sheen as the honed = invisible to the naked eye)...but honed marble is more problematic with STAINING.

Sealing doesn't stop etching...but it does prevent SOME staining (like ketchup, mustard, curry, etc).

You can have your stone polished if you wish....but it will continue to etch. Sorry you where talked into a stone that is NOT granite. I wouldn't be surprised if you went back to the shop only to find the sales person has 'moved on' because of complaints or inappropriate advice given to clients.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Miracle-Sealants-4-oz-Water-Ring

http://www.countertopspecialty.com/remove-water-stains-on-carrara-marble.html

http://www.thekitchn.com/what-a-marble-etch-actually-looks-like-205544