They should move them so you can see all the slabs but they will not lay them down so that is not going to happen I would like to see a sample of the cabinets I usually find hickory a very busy wood and would keep the counters much less busy. As for the lighting some stone yards will move slabs outside to see that will depend on many things so you will need to ask. Keep n mind this is a natural product and is not going to be perfect as too how much color is in each slab.

Thank you, Patricia. I don't have a picture of the cabinets. They are being custom made and the cabinet maker assures me that the hickory will not be splotchy and high contrast and that he will pick out high grade. He is excited that I am not getting white cabinets (LOL) so we shall see what happens.

They've never had an issue moving the slabs so I could see them, but they won't lay them flat. The risk of damage is too high. Ask if all of the slabs are from the same lot. If they are, they're probably fairly similar so they may not want to move each one for you. If you don't like that lot, ask if they have others. You should ask for a sample that you can bring home with you so you can see how the color will look in your space. The lighting in the room can really affect how counters look. Usually they'll find a scrap for you.

Get a door from your cabinet maker and take it with you. And when you find the slabs you love, make sure they mark them as sold to try to avoid them going to someone else.

When I was choosing slabs it was suggested not to go on a Saturday afternoon, their busiest time, except for the boutique type places where I would have to make an appointment. Stop by on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning when they're not so busy.

The slabs are usually numbered sequentially, which means they are cut from the same rock in that order and will be very similar. If you find one you like, the yard people will move the off the front ones so you can pick three slabs you like. If you are trying to bookmark two slabs make sure they are numbered next to each other. At my favorite slab yard, they sometimes have 6 to 10 consecutive slabs.

I agree with what has been said above. If I were you, I would not make this selection without a cabinet sample. Or a floor sample for that matter. 3 slabs of quartzite is quite an investment. No WAY should you choose your counters without a cabinet sample; I don’t care what the cabinet maker’s assurances were. And I don’t mean a little square of wood either. A door front.

If you could take a sample piece of counter home with you, it would be very helpful. I had a couple stones I was truly in love with. Head over heels adoration. Brought samples of them home, and fell out of love because they looked quite different in the space, with my windows, light, and ceilings.

I agree with Patricia Colwell that I don’t see that stone with hickory, even unusually un-streaky and uniform hickory, but you will know for sure when you have a cabinet sample. People choose hickory cabinets because they want the rustic stripey look that comes with hickory. Quartzite isn’t really that look.

Yes, I am getting two sample cabinet doors--one in hickory and one in ash (if I determine the hickory is just too much for me.). Here's an example of the Cielo quartzite with hickory cabs (This pic has been one of my inspiration guide pics although I admit this is a lot of cielo and hickory and this particular kitchen is very over the top).

I have a graphite charcoal range with brass knobs. There will be no upper cabs to speak of, although a built in cabinet around the fridge and a small breakfront in the dining area. Most of the lower cabs will be drawers. The back splash will be some kind of off white or white marble or ceramic subway type tile and go up to the ceiling where appropriate. I expect to paint the walls something like BM White Dove. I am still figuring some of this out so changes will be made and I appreciate everyone's comments. Very helpful.

When I get some plans I will post them. There is a separate pantry, large coat closet and laundry room. I will post some pics when I have something to show. We live on the edge of a forest with the kitchen facing the woods so I thought the more 'rustic' look might be something different and work in this location. I admit cielo and hickory is a big departure from my personal style (normally I would go with cream/white/black) but this will be the last kitchen I get to remodel and I want to try to be creative. My daughters call it my Folly. LOL Any thoughts are appreciated. .

Here in CA due to heat many of the slabs are kept in warehouses. Nice and cool, but the lighting inside can be pretty bad, so I have asked them to move a slab outside to see the color/pattern in daylight. Never had a problem getting them to do that. Laying them flat would never happen.

Do not make a decision without having door samples with you.

That is hilarious the stone has lived forever in all kinds of weather and now it has to be protected I have gone choosing slabs in -30 weather in Calgary from slabs outside.

Patricia, I'm thinking the cooled storage is for the customers rather than the stone. Is that right chispa?

Jay Inhoff - I think that photo you posted of hickory cabinets and Cielo quartzite is very cool (though I would have liked to have seen base drawers instead of all those lower doors). What makes that kitchen pull off that look is its large size, high ceilings, all the windows, the big hood and range combo that is a counterpoint to everything, and the flooring that grounds it all. These choices are not made one or two at a time - they are part of a whole. What is the size of your kitchen? Windows? Ceiling height? You would need to have the several samples of the choices you listed, in your home, to see if they look good together. Don't forget to budget for a hood; people think that the hood is an afterthought, but it's not and can be very costly.

I’ve visited several stone yards here in California for different projects. Yes, it’s common for them to be stored inside, not for protection of the slabs, its done to make the customers ( & the employees ) more comfortable rather than trudging about a dirty, sometimes hot or dusty, stone yard.

I suppose some will move them for you some won’t.
But I can tell to get a sample piece and do some test on it see if you can stain and etch it. Test oils and wine, orange juice, ketchup. A lot of stone yards are classifying stone to be quartzite when they are not. Buyer beware look it up online

Thank you, everybody, for your thoughts. For some reason I missed all of your follow up comments until now. I ended up shelving my hickory and cielo plan and went with ash and Taj Mahal quartzite counters—not as jazzy but very attractive. I went one more time to my stone yard with several different cabinet doors and my contractor and I determined the cielo quartzite there had too much orange for our purpose. The kitchen is not yet finished but well on its way. Thank you again.

J Inhof, would you happen to have a picture to share of the final product? I have been searching for over 3 months for countertops and I'm exhausted. My two (very different) final choices are Cielo and Taj Mahal. I was 80% with cielo but I keep 2nd guessing myself. We have an extremely large kitchen. I've been told we need 5-6 slabs. This is truly an investment for us. Any pictures of your kitchen would be greatly appreciated.

Jen, Two photos of our taj mahal with polished finish. The island shows a vein that has a burnt orange streak in it. We have had no problems with it in the year since installation. Someone did write on one of the Houzz threads that Cielo was much more fragile. I cannot remember the source butI think it was one of the pros who said that. Our installer said Taj was very stable and a strong material.

This pic shows the little 4” trim we put around to protect the tile. We also used the Taj as the back splash behind the stove because we had an extra piece. I think we used three slabs.

Thank you so much for sharing...I'm definitely leaning more towards Taj Mahal now.