Marble is a beautiful, living surface. Without sealing, it will etch and stain. Have it sealed, and it won’t stain, but it will still etch. Etching is patina. Eventually, in a well used kitchen, the etches will combine, and be less noticeable. On a honed marble top the visibility of etches are reduced. Some people spread lemon juice all over their shiny marble, to quickly etch the entire surface, giving it a uniform appearance.

Marble shouldn’t crack, unless you place a hot pot, pan or plate on it. Extreme heat will cause thermal shock, resulting in cracking. All natural stones will suffer thermal shock, except soapstone. Use trivets, and the marble will be fine.

Thank you! Lots of good information. Do you need to seal it continually? Often?

Hi there, we chose a beautiful pale gray marble that was installed in November. Initially I was a bit crazy about avoiding any splashes for fear of etching. Staining has not been a problem at all, but it does etch. I’m careful, but it’s a kitchen and things splash. Honestly, small etches are all over, but you can only see them in certain light. When I walk into the kitchen, all I see is my beautiful marble. Absolutely no regrets. Good luck!

Go buy a box of marble tiles from Lowe’s. Lay them out on your current counter. Use it. Decide.

ProSource, that is exactly what I did (there's an old thread here somewhere, with my observations). I have carrara on the island--I bought the slab used, then honed and polished it myself. It's never been sealed since, and I don't know if it was sealed before--it was used as a dining table, and I didn't think to ask about sealing.

I have lots of small etches and one big one from a grandchild's leaky lunch box, which sat on the island overnight before anyone noticed the fruit juice leak. The juice, combined with the metal edge of the box, left a trench that's not going to be polished out, ever. I made homemade lasagna noodles yesterday, and my pasta maker always gets clamped over the spot with the big linear etch. I don't even notice it any more.

No stains, although pollen from an Asiatic lily came close. I used baking soda, and IIRC, resorted to liquid bleach, which finally removed the stain. When the island was newly installed I would use a smooth sanding sponge and/or polishing powder to blend the etches, but eventually the newness wore off and now I'm in the patina camp. :)

The stone centers always tell you horror stories - Marble is all over Europe in cafes, etc. Yes, it will etch but you don't really notice it. I don't think there's anything that is as beautiful.

Corian gets a scratch and it's my-contractor-ripped-me-off; marble gets etched, scratched, stained, and chipped and it's "lovely patina". Go figure.

It is indeed one of those “go figure” things, but I recently bought an one hundred and twenty year old marble bathroom vanity top for my half bath. So, it had _many_ decades of use in some other dwelling, then was saved and installed in a new location. Marble recycles. Because people continue to love it, chips or scratches or stains not withstanding. Sadly very few people are going to recycle Corian (or Quartz once it’s no longer the latest thing).. If you love marble really you should get marble. There was a recent discussion about Danby variety which sounds beautiful.

@jad2design - I had Corian for 20 years - It was great - no issues - Did I want it again, nope - Marble for me.