You should be nervous about etching and staining. You've been warned.

It's gorgeous. I would get it in a heartbeat. Many, many people have marble in their kitchens and the etching is just part of it, and they don't care. Given that it's honed, and the pattern, the etching will not show as much as it would for a more monochromatic marble. For staining, sealing the stone should take care of that.

IMO honed real stone is a poor choice always since polished stone is close to bullet proof why open up the surfase to etching, staining etc, I love the stones you chose just not honed.

I wanted to add to my previous comment in response to @Patricia Colwell Consulting's comment about polished stone being preferable. I agree with her that for most granites, a polished finish is preferable. Except for black granite. For the OP's perimeter black granite, that too is preferable as honed IMO. That is because when solid black granite is polished, it is highly reflective, which would drive me batty.

I agree about polished granite. I have heard a lot of complains about keeping it clean and showing everything

Etching isn't a terrible look. Staining is a terrible look and SOME marbles stain. Many don't.

This marble is fabulous enough to get a sample--even if you have to pay for it (not much)--and etch it yourself. See how bad. Then do a very thorough stain test.

Great idea. Thanks

But keep in mind that the sample won’t be sealed. So of course it will stain - you don’t need a sample to tell you that marble left unsealed will stain. Sealing won’t prevent etching but will prevent staining. Perhaps put a sealant on the sample, and then see how you feel about it.

Have you considered soapstone? Still beautiful and natural, requires very little maintenance, doesn't etch or stain, crazy heat durable. It softer and can be prone to scratches, but I love a stone that develops character.

That slab is so striking, it’s worth doing tests on. I think your two stone choices are beautiful. Just make sure you can live with any of the drawbacks.

I think soapstone is beautiful but not the look I am going for the island. Plus I have heard it has issues too.

I love the slab.

What is your cooking style? kids? walking messy disaster cohabitants of the home?

Use a lot of red wine, vinegar, lemon juice?

Destroy the kitchen and clean up at the end or wipe as you go?

What can you put up with for etching?

To me - that slab might be worth the downsides.

Thank you. It’s even better in person.
I have 2 kids, 10 and older. I like to cook and bake. I use all of the offending materials but realize I will need to be careful with them. I do feel the etching might even make it better over time. I normally clean up as I go so I think I could make it work. We will have an eating area on the island so having kids be less sloppy will likely be the hardest part.

Even if it etches, it seems like it wouldn't be super noticeable because of all the movement in the stone.

I love it but I'm at that age that if it makes me smile ( yours does) it is more important to me than practicality. I agree with vpierce that if it etches it won't be that noticeable. But from someone who has had polished black granite, that will show everything. Been there done that and never again. And it didn't ever make me smile- before or after installation.

Also do a ding test--marble can get "fleabites" or bruises when struck with something hard. (Some of the crystals get mashed and you end up with a whiteish blip). More patina! :)

Not all marble will stain, even if unsealed. I had a great slab of "Bardiglio" that wouldn't stain, even unsealed. But I tested the heck out of it before I committed.