The price of "slabs" varies greatly depending on your location. YOU pick out the slab at the yard (make note of the unique slab ID number). The fabricator (cutter / installer) buys the slab from the yard (wholesaler). Now comes all the "add-ons"; edge treatment, cutouts, miters. Ask for fabricator recommendations at the slab yard, this is a product / service like any other, shop wisely. I have seen the same stone priced at $185 sq ft in Michigan and $65 in Arizona. Some of the price difference has to do with proximity to the port of entry.

It's actually a marble and it's hardness rating is in close relation to a quartzite. Beautiful stone. Shop around if you don't like the pricing.

When we were looking for countertops we found some that were awesome, got quotes and it was just not worth it, for us. So we kept looking and found another awesome stone at a good price and forgot about the first ones.. I would keep looking, there are endless great slabs out there.