Choose whichever you like. One isn't clearly superior to the other.

Karin_mt has a whole series of postings on Countertop Geology on GW as well as a webinar series on Marble Institute of America site (http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3845216/countertop-geology-webinar-series). These threads go in depth on what rock you're actually buying and whether or not you need to worry about stains on a given rock.

Mostly what it comes down to is getting the look you like. If you like great, dramatic swirls, go for granite. If you prefer a more contained, homogeneous look try quartz.

"Can you really avoid stains in your granite counter top by regularly sealing it?"

Sealing helps, but is no guarantee, especially against hard water certain household chemicals. Some granites won't take a sealer. If staining is a priority concern, consider solid surface or sintered, virtually un-stainable.

Agree with everybody who posted. For example, in our current home I have a granite that I never seal and never do more than wipe it..it holds beautifully. It was here when we've arrived..I think it's minimum 15 year old granite countertop. Easily older.

Together with that, I chose Quartz for our new place-simply because I needed/preferred a clean look for the kitchen, and not a busyness of granite.

We'll see how it will hold.

They really have a different look, and if comparing builder grade granite with Quartz, there is a huge price difference. You don't mention the price category your kitchen will me - budget, mid range or high end. That does make a difference.

I agree to get what you like. A busy granite is a bit dated in my opinion, so in that regard quartz is more appealing.

I have a similar experience to friedajune. I have 15 year old black granite (Nero Belfast) counters that have never been sealed and don't get babied. People always say: "They look so great...what do you do to keep them looking that way?" Me: "Uh...nothing."

I love my granite. I never have to worry about it. My kids can do anything at the counter and I don't give it a second thought. Sorry, but I have friends with manmade counters and they seem to worry about them more, and because their counters are one solid color they show everything. I am too busy to have to be cleaning up several times a day for every spill, so am glad my granite hides things during the day until I can get to them after dinner.

I don't know the name of my granite but it has a swirly pattern with beautiful colors. It's the wonder of nature right there in my kitchen. I disagree with Season Contreras - I don't know what she means by a busy granite, it's in the eye of the beholder. Anything will get dated, so get what you like and what fits in your budget and lifestyle.

"My kids can do anything at the counter and I don't give it a second thought."

Children are the countertop repairman's friends.

I think that comment sounds like fear-mongering. You are a pro - do you have some stake in the manmade counters industry? I should have clarified in my statement that I've had my granite counters in for 4 years, and definitely and without equivocation can say that I can [and have] my kids do anything at the counter and I don't give it a second thought. My granite counters look pristine. It sounds like from other comments on this thread that others feel the same.

"You are a pro - do you have some stake in the manmade counters industry?"

Miranda33:

In the sense that I repair most horizontal surfaces for a living, I "have some stake in the manmade counters industry", however, your question exemplifies the logical fallacy of relevance, ad hominem circumstantial. Whether or not I earn a living in the man made countertop industry is irrelevant to my rebuttal of your argument.

Not fear mongering. Accurate. Dark granites are fairly bulletproof, but nothing is completely impervious to life. Thermal shock, nicks and chips, or damage from inappropriate products can all affect natural or man made stone.

You've been lucky so far.

You can't teach kids to not worry about the consequences of their actions in regards to care for their surroundings. You can't have them live in fear either. But reality is that yes, they can damage it if they don't respect it's limits. Just like anything else.