I’m no pro, but I’ve been seriously looking at Houzz to get inspiration for my next home. I too am a little unsure of countertops. I love a couple quartzites but I’m starting to investigate Danby marble from Vermont. I’ve read that it’s less porous than other marbles and it has several beautiful options. I don’t know if this is helpful to you, but thought I’d throw it out there. I definitely want natural stone and something lighter in color.

I’m not sure if this link will work:

https://julieblanner.com/danby-marble/

Thank you P Banos that’s a good idea!
I am an over thinker and I tend to get worried about choosing the wrong thing especially with quartz that I’ll choose the wrong one. So many people love their quartz and others have had all sorts of issues and while I don’t care for it not being a natural stone it would make this process simpler to not have to search for one.

The best way to choose a slab is in person. End of story. Pictures can give you a general sense of what you might like or not like, but you just can't see the true beauty and nuances of a stone until you're standing right in front of it, and color can and quite often does photograph differently than what they will appear IRL. An example from my own searching: Greys that looked neutral on-line often leaned very blue IRL. Would have looked terrible in my kitchen.

Arrange for a day off work, pack some snacks and take a day trip out to the stoneyards. Don't forget to take a cabinet door with you, and a sample piece of your flooring, if you have that.

Thank you mxk3 z5b_MI
The only reason I say I’m loooking online is to get a general idea of what they have. I wouldn’t purchase without seeing it. Ive just made too many wasted trips many times.

Direct light through a window will not damage or discolor your quartz. In my years of specifying quartz, I have never had an issue with scorching from a toaster or crockpot. I have seen quartz crack from thermal shock, but this can happen with granite too. I have also seen natural marble (backsplash) scorch from the heat of an oven. So regardless the material, it's best to not place very hot items out of the oven directly on the countertop.

A granite selection should not take months. Pack up your samples and plan to visit a few warehouses in one day. You'll find a number of options and should be able to commit that same day. However, if you like the look of marble, you will not find a granite alternative. It just doesn't exist. So if this is the look you want and you do not want the maintenance or wear of marble/dolomite and you cannot afford quartzite, you should just commit to quartz.

Thanks Kristin for that info! I am definitely leaning more towards quartz for the ease of selection. I already have 2-3 in mind I like.
As far as granite hunting the stagnation in the industry due to shipments not getting sent out to warehouses from grid locks at the ports have limited the choices. I made 5-6 trips back this summer to different places and each time I found something I liked there was always an issue. I just have been so on the fence with quartz due to horror stories I’ve read even on this forum. Could you please steer me to the Randall you feel are most reliable?

Spell check!! Sorry that’s suppose to say reliable not Randall 🤦🏻‍♀️

Lately I have been using a lot of Vicostone. They have a great variety. Silestone has some very subtle marble-looking options that I have used a lot recently too. They also offer matte options for a different look.

IMO polished granite is a far superior product to any plastic quartz I will say honing is IMO not a good choice since you then open the stone to oil stains they eventually go away but in the meantime look bad. There is IMO only one way to shop for counters and that is in person and in your case a bit of a trip but not unusual. Where I used yo live it took 1 hr to just get to the costco. Phone ahead if you have found stones you like and you know how much you need then phone ahead to see who has the material and also enough.

I hear you. Choosing materials is so hard right now - everything is more expensive, longer lead times, trips to stores/warehouses are stressful. Overall, I have so much more trouble making decisions now - including the overthinking and lack of trust in my own judgement.

Keep breathing, and best wishes on your hunt.

Kristin I was wondering more about longevity in what you have known to last and not have issues. I know some are very inferior and it’s a lot of money just for a look. Thank you for the info.

Both brands I mentioned are good quality.

Patricia I have done all the back and forth and thought I was done because I had found a granite I really liked, but upon laying out the template issues were discovered. I definitely would prefer a real stone, but right now is not like any other time, because these warehouses are not getting their inventory. I would only buy with looking at something in person. I just look online first to see the inventory.
Thank you for your input.

bmorepanic, thank you for responding!! I know right!! It’s so crazy and so discouraging. I just want to get my project done at this point. It has dragged thru the summer and here we are now so close to the holidays rolling around. Prices are high and I do not want to use something that I don’t like! I’m with you girl!! I hope you find something soon.

I have never heard of quartz fading. Never. it is durable and sanitary. Just go pick one and stop fretting — but DO try to see the slab. Even with quartz, and the more pattern it has, the more important this is. Good luck!