find out how they're going to cut the pieces to fit your design. do you have an L? will they be turning the direction of the veining?

for example, see how they did this one?

before they cut, they should show you the template of the slab to make sure you like the cuts.

for instance, that arrow piece going across the bottom corner, how will that be cut?

Yep Agree with Beth. The slab you showed would be great on large island. In any case, make sure you take clear photos of the tags on the end sides of each slab you want. These have unique identification numbers for every slab. Later, if any problems arise, you have positive proof of specific slabs. Slabs with that type veining will be tricky to seam so make sure that is well planned out. Take pictures at slab yard with blue tape on cut lines. The more documentation you have the better. They also will know you are paying attention so keeps them on their toes. 😊

Have you specified “edge” type yet? Quartzite is very hard stone so I recommend a “eased edge”. Just on top corner. Don’t do bottom edge. Makes slab look thinner.

Regarding discoloration, I showed pictures from Houzz to my fabricator and he was able to identify and explain what it was and showed me the products he was going to use (non staining adhesive and impregnating sealer). He also squarely placed the blame for those disasters on the fabricators and didn’t try to blame the consumer. I asked him to make sure to seal the faucet drilled holes as well. I would not have to gone with him if he hadn’t known what the issue was an show to avoid it. Regarding seams and templating, agree with above.

Thank you all! I guess the benefit of having relatively little counter space is that it will all fit on one slab (using almost every inch of it!). I’ve seen the template and am happy with it. We are going with as eases edge as @Flo suggests.
@Barbara - thanks for the info on the sealer and adhesive.

You'd better profile your bottom edge unless you think chew marks at your dishwasher looks good.

I’ve seen the template and am happy with it. We are going with as eases edge as @Flo suggests.

" We are using almost every inch of it"

WHERE are the seams, and is veining match addressed? Template and seam match ups are different . I am talking vein match ups. Especially if a corner turn involved

Maybe just post the layout to see if there are issues you have not thought about.

^ with dimensions please.

As Joseph indicated above, adhesive bleed (especially silicone) is almost impossible to remove.

A single slab of something with that much linear pattern will be a crazy quilt of non matching seams in any but the tiniest of kitchens. Most kitchens require a 2 slab purchase, and use 1 1/2 of them. A stone with a challenging pattern match will use most of 2-3 bookmatched slabs to get those seams looking just right. Sometimes the leftovers are enough to use in small spots like a hall vanity. It depends on how the cut needs to happen.

Only 1 slab is going to be suspect to have poor seaming until proven otherwise.

Here’s the template, and you can see there’s really no seams. The only seams will be by the little piece behind the apron sink. There’s an L shape counter with the sink cut out, a peninsula with a cut out for the range, and then a small square counter below a book shelf.

@Beyond - I didn’t test porosity. How can I avoid adhesive bleed? What questions should I ask of, or advice to give to my fabricator?

The veining runs opposite of what you’d usually expect, because there is only one slab. If you’re happy with it? I’d still want another slab, to get the veining to run the other way.

These are the cabinet drawings so you can see the layout. The blue L on the right side is a banquette, so no counters there.

@Celadon - I’m not following. Why does it matter which way it runs?

" What questions should I ask of, or advice to give to my fabricator?"

Ask to see in person a job he's done several years ago in the exact same material.

Celadon means.........You want the veining to run in the same direction you saw in the stone yard. Horizontally...... not vertically : ) See Beth's photo up above. Done well.

Vertically in this case means front edge of tops to the wall behind and no.

In truth? The bigger issue in your kitchen is distance from a big range, to THE SINK. Sorry. Rather worrisome

Kara Barkley I was wondering how your counters are doing (any staining or silicon bleed?) and if you were able to get specific advice as to how to avoid adhesive and/or silicon bleed? Do you know what products they used?