Sealing inhibits staining. You need More Anti Etch.

Please post pictures. I’m thinking about super white Dolomite also. I really love Imperial Danby but am concerned about the care. Thanks!

Danby is a great choice, and it does not stain. I have had honed white Olympian Danby in my kitchen for 8 years and it has no stains. Danby is denser than many granites, and I have no stains from berries, coffee, tea, tomatoes, etc. It was sealed at installation and I haven't sealed it since.

However, all marble etches, and sealing does not prevent etching. Etching is a wearing away of the surface due to the stone's interaction with acids, like vinegar or lemon juice. You can see etches if the light hits the marble at a certain angle. If you think etching will bother you, then don't get any marble, whether Danby, Carrara, Calacatta, or Dolomite. The only way to prevent etching is to use a resin impregnator like Clearstone, Azerocare, or the like. I considered using them but the cost was quite high, so I've learned to live with the etches.

As far as care or upkeep is concerned, the only thing I do is clean it with soap and water, nothing more. I don't have the time or the inclination to obsess over a work surface.

Here's a photo of it--do you see any stains or etches? I see a couple of etches but they are not prominent.

Suburban kitchen · More Info

Suburban kitchen · More Info

Thanks Diana! All I see is beautiful marble! I don’t know why I like it so much. Do you have any experience with Imperial Danby? It is pricey but so pretty.
I wanted marble 13 years ago when replacing counters but got Kashmir Gold granite which has been amazing. It has a lot of soft grays in it and isn’t so full of speckles. Never see any wear and tear. But I like marble more. I also like actual marbles too. 😂 Something about the colors.
I have a 40” range that can’t be repaired so that’s what got this whole thing going. I’m tired of running up and down stairs to use our basement oven.
Thanks for sharing your experience with marble.

@Debbie Klausing, I don't have any personal experience with Imperial Danby, but to my knowledge it's the same stone, but has more gold tones in it. I would think it would perform as well as Olympian White. If you want more information, try contacting the quarry in Vermont, or at least visit their website--it's well worth your time:

https://www.vermontdanbymarble.com/

Thanks Diana! Believe me, I have been reading and researching like a crazy lady! And testing out my samples of various stones. The only one that was like a rock and nothing phased it - Platinus grey quartzite. But marble keeps calling my name, so I’m waiting to see what I decide. Who knows?

It's a very personal decision. I considered so many materials--granite, quartzite, e-stone--but I also kept coming back to marble. There's just nothing like it!

Debbie Klausing

I did a calacatta marble island. it was factory sealed.

it's held up great w/stains, but I still get some etching. you really can't see it though.

Another poster on here had this marble, Bianco Avion. She said it has held up very well (kitchen and bath)

You could look at Super White. (I have this in my bathroom)

it's a dolomite. little bit heartier than a carrara. you just have to be vigilant about using cutting boards and wiping up spills asap.

Princess White is listed as a granite.

polished,

and honed/leathered

Shadow STorm is another pretty one. I've seen it listed as all 3! just do the test on it

a knife or glass will always scratch marble. glass shard will turn to powder on granite or quartzite

Thanks Beth! All of the samples above would be so pretty in a kitchen! I have been plopping ketchup, lemon juice, vinegar etc on samples of Danby and Platinus grey quartzite. Etches on the Danby and nothing on the quartzite. But I’m trying to visualize how I’d like the gray overall.
My cabinets will be a soft white.

True quartzite won’t etch. Marble and Dolomite will.
Have u considered a porcelain slab that looks like marble? They have some really nice looking slabs now.

Beth H. I have read about porcelain but haven’t looked at it. At this point I have to decide about cabinets but want to know what I’m using for counters before I finalize anything. I’m leaning towards Danby or quartzite.

Debbie, then look at TajMajal. some of those slabs have a lot of gray in it. It's a true quartzite and won't etch. prob won't stain either (with sealer) since it's not a bright white.

pic of one slab from my local stone yard

these next two are porcelain. one polished, the other matte.

It's amazing how much better the porcelain is at imitating marble than the quartz products are!

I have seen Taj Mahal and it is very lovely pricey- more than Imperial Danby.
Those porcelain slabs are pretty!

Debbie, and inexpensive. both of those slabs were 2300 bucks. The taj is expensive. Your Danby is probably more than the porcelain. (install w/porcelain slabs are a bit diff. They use a mortar thinset, not adhesive, and completely coat the back of the countertop with it. Exactly like they would a large tile. goes down on a plywood or CBU base)

they look pretty damn good w/o any worries of real marble

Beth H. Thanks for all the info! Actually the Danby was about 1/2 the cost when I checked around and found a fabricator that stocks Danby. Cuts out the middle man. Still @6,000 for my kitchen, which isn’t that large. Maybe 40sq. Ft. of counters. Platinus gray would be closer to 3500. Just trying to decide-
Those kitchen are beautiful!

Diana- I definitely am more drawn to natural stones. I need to go see some porcelain. I’ve never even seen it to consider it.
Plus weigh the pros and cons. Thanks for all the input!