I like natural stone for ease of care and the fact I can put a hot pot on it . I agree quartz because it is man made is simpler but to be honest I would rather have marble or if you want something really cool and very afforadable check out Abet Laminati Stratificato counters . They are likwe no laminate you have ever seen and I am putting them in my home and have used them for some clients now too. The material is used in labs because it is impervious to all kinds of chemicals , comes in a huge number of colors even layers of aluminum you can’t put a hot pot from the stove on it either but so cool looking. Installs with wood tools so easy install .BTW it is self supporting for 3’ This is apic from one of my clients kitchens They use the smaller piece for a cutting board and the one they chose hase the aluminum layer

No, I haven't to answer your question. But honestly, lots granite has a 'soft' look. There are all kinds of granite, not just 'busy' (I assume you mean a lot of movement). We chose granite with movement. I suggest you visit a warehouse or 3 and take a look at all options yourself.

You didn't mention quartzite, which is a natural stone, and usually has a softer look, but is more expensive.

I used Taj Mahal quartzite. You can search Houzz photos and see lots of photos of it being used in kitchens.

I love the Taj Mahal quartzite but I think it is out of my price range.

I also used quartzite, I wanted the softer blended look (although I did love some of the really dramatically veined stones I saw in yards). Quartz is really beautiful - most of the kitchens I see in photos that grab my attention use Quartz. I just couldn't stomach the risk of a "no name" brand from China, and I didn't like some of the quality I saw in the Cambria line at the yard I went to. The Silestone yard was 1+ hr from me and only open 8-4 M-F. So that ruled them out because I would have lost work time at least twice to pick a color and then approve a slab (plus my contractor has problems with his Silestone chipping).

So ... when I found a Quartzite I loved ... that was it.

If the LG Aria is the look you're going for, I would go with granite. Quartz really shines when you want even less movement than you show, which you just can't get easily with natural stone. There are some good white granites out there that will give a similar look with the benefits of the durability of granite. Just be aware that some white granites behave a bit more like marble, others more like what you expect from granite, so you'll want to do your research.

Aria is very pretty. In my kitchen I really really tried to like quartz because it's popular right now, but it's just not my style. I love to see it in other people's kitchens, but it's just not for me. I ripped out Corian in my current kitchen & put in granite. Whatever works best for you is what you should get.

Timeless is not the vibe I get from quartz. I would consider the cheapest marble- Calacatta- or a plain black granite- or Glacier White Corian.

Marble and quartzite are both softer and more prone to damage than granite, while quartz is similarly hard and wear-resistant (except for heat, which can damage almost any surface). Nothing is timeless, so you should get the look you like and the combination of counter and cabinet that you will enjoy living with every day. I think the Aria would be beautiful, and it lends itself to both warmer and cooler backsplashes, but in the end it's not my kitchen! :)

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arm, quartzite is as strong as granite. Quartzite is not prone to any damage, so long as what you are buying is really quartzite and not marble masquerading as such. Quartzite does not etch or scratch. I am pretty sure it does not spall either, but I would check with the geologist karin_mt who has written extensively in the subject both here and in professional publications. Quartzite earns its premium price based on its beauty and its durability.

About stone:

https://usenaturalstone.org/properties-of-quartzite/

I agree with Debbie washburn above. If the style of your home is more modern or contemporary, quartz is timeless. If more traditional granite May work. my considerations would be practicality, cost, and then after those my likes and matching the style of my kitchen.

Sounds like you like quartz and that it may be aligned with your kitchen style. Unless you often put hot dishes on the counter It’s practical

I am probably getting granite as I can get it cheaper than other materials. And style is traditional. I might have liked corian for ease of cleaning! quartz is right in a modern kitchen. Would get it if the style matched. Wouldn’t consider marble as I’ve heard it’s not as practical In a kitchen

I did a combination of natural stone (quartzite) and quartz (Caesarstone) in my kitchen. Quartz on the perimeters, which are the primary work areas, and a slab of natural stone on the island, I am happy with this decision. I think it comes down to what you love and the look and functionality you want. Congrats on your new home. Show us your final kitchen!

You can't put hot pots on natural stone. At least according to the Natural Stone Institute's recommendations.

I don't think you should put hot pots on any surface. Thermal expansion ... can't fight science!

I prefer granite, but your “timeless” for either granite or Quartz is a pipe dream. Even though granite has been used in kitchens for 30 years or so, the tastes for its patterns have changed over time, so that the granite popular today may not be the granite that is popular in 10 years. Having said that, man-made Quartz will not have the longevity that stone has with all its beauty given by Mother Nature.

Also let’s be real. You could have the most timeless counter in the universe, but your cabinets and your appliances will look dated eventually in any case. What are your kitchen’s floors going to be?

If you want the most timeless counters, choose soapstone or marble. Soapstone has been used in kitchens for more than a hundred years. Marble for centuries.

Aria needs a plain companion, or use it everywhere, Or Use soap stone everywhere. It's been around for hundred of years, You can set it on fire, ( kidding ) but no amount of heat will kill it. Anti microbial too. Dings. scratches sand right out. It is a rock, literally, it technically is not a stone. A great look alike? "American Soapstone" . A granite.

Don't mix two veined materials, and don't mix a real marble counter with ANY faux marble counter. Just forget that idea....asap.

And busy tops look a bit dated, but you sound like quartz.............is not for you. You COULD like Taj Mahal quartzite with very reasonable care. Take your designer STONE shopping. I would also not go very soft white, off/white without very careful consideration of your entire palette in your home. And all the other TRIM. Taj in the kitchen photos

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Beautiful slab Jan, the first one is the soapstone look alike?

Yes. But its granite : ) No smudges/stains/etches and easy as all day long to care for.

Hence the name " American Soapstone"

You almost have to look twice to even tell, its very easy to mistake for soapstone.

If you are looking for a granite that looks similar to soapstone, also look at Virginia Mist aka Jet Mist.

Jan, I bet that American Soapstone (granite) looks great honed.

It mostly IS honed : )

I really appreciate all the input and the photos, too! The soapstone-looking granite is beautiful and I absolutely love the Taj Mahal quartzite but it is truly out of my price range - double the cost of granite.

Jan Moyer, you brought up an interesting point about being careful with going with soft white or off-white cabinets without careful consideration to the rest of the trim in the house. That is an issue that I am definitely thinking about!

What are your thoughts on pure white cabinets and trim throughout the house vs. off-white/cream cabinets and trim throughout the house?

I have cream trim in my current home built in 2003 and have always felt it had a soft/rich look but all of the new homes have pure white trim and cabinets and that seems to be the current trend.

Because I am doing custom cabinets in the kitchen and factory-finished stock cabinets in the other rooms, I am limited to doing all the cabinets and trim in the white or off-white colors offered by the stock cabinet company.

I would do a cleaner brighter white, but that's me. Nothing says fabrics , rugs and furnishings can't be warm/colorful. But once you head to ivory in trim......? Lets put it this way: We're 16 years past 2003, huh? : )

You will also find that choice "freeing" for tops in the kitchen. We've been in a cooler palette for a while. I don't see us going back for a while. And if you wind up with quartz? That will be more wide open field as well. Double all that information for a bath. The warm, stony look....morphed to brighter, whiter, spa like selections in abundance. In short, try not to paint yourself into a tight corner.

PS : The Taj kitchen I posted.......

The reason for the TaJ? The ONLY selection that wonderfully acknowledged all the warm tones in her home, but also kept a clean , light feel in the kitchen. The GOLDEN tones in an updated way. They exist in abundance from years ago . Her new kitchen replaces a dark cherry with a busy granite, and more congested layout as well.

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Sold this to a house flipper last summer. White shaker with Aria tops. I had granite in my last house and I think quartz is so much easier to clean!!!!!!!

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