Such is the dilemma when choosing natural stone for countertops. You could find out if the stone can be sealed before installed, but I suspect this will require re-sealing from time to time. Engineered quartz or high pressure porcelain slabs are almost always better solutions, in my opinion, in areas where cooking is to be done. The one exception is soapstone, for which a patina is a desirable outcome.

My two cents, FWIW. :-)

I've had Tahitian Cream from Daltile over six years. It has been impervious to everything. No etching, staining or chipping. The quarry tag called it Nuage Macchio Oro. Good luck.

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/5141449/nuage-quartzite-like-it#n=58

Many of the slabs deemed quartzite, are not that. They are marble.

Taj Mahal is not your aesthetic but is not problematic. Hence, it's popularity. What you want will be mostly............m.a.r.b.l.e

Or a quartz.: )

When you really want quartz behavior, but keep going to the problem bad boy of quartzite, this is a you problem.

Yes, so many stones are mismarked either by ignorance or on purpose. It's a very bad situation.

You'd be better off with Danby marble--none of those substances will stain it. However, it will etch and chip.

As has been stated previously, if you want something that doesn't stain/discolor, then try Corian, laminate, porcelain or man-made stone AKA quartz.

If the white is a must then go white granites not at all like qurtzite for staining , and for sure IMO a better choice than quartz always . Get factory polished granite for sure no honed or leathered . I do agree often marbles are called quartzite so make sure you are getting granite when buying.. I ahve sen corian that has stained and looked pretty bad but to be honest in cutting boards more than actual counters . I have many clients who have white granite counters with very minimal issues . My advice always is to have a cutting board on the counter always to make sure any surfce is not used for chopping since all will dull and damage your knives and wipe up spills when they happen

Did you test to see if any of the stains can be cleaned/removed?

The other part of the equation that is missing is that some of the slabs you tested, might be ok if sealed regularly. I wouldn't want the extra maintenance!

I have used Taj Mahal in 2 kitchens and also in my outdoor BBQ area. I have a slab piece as the backsplash behind my grill. It gets covered in smoke and grease. I'm lazy and only clean it every few months. All the smoke/grease comes off with regular cleaners and a bit of scrubbing.

Maybe you should look at marble and accept some patina.

I have Danby marble and love it but it's not in your budget (my slab last year was well over $10k) and while it doesn't seem to pick up colored stains, it is IME highly susceptible to oil staining, which happens pretty frequently unless you're really fastidious about promptly wiping down your counters anytime you cook in oil or butter and are careful about setting anything down on it that has oil/butter on it.

Were those samples sealed before you tested them? Maybe that is why they all failed. I am not that familiar with the quartzites since my client base is 90 % engineered stone.

You may have to go that direction.

Good luck!

White granite would be my choice, had it at my previous home for 15 + years, looked like new when I sold. My current home has white quartz, no veining, ugh, not near as nice or maintenance free even though it looks nice in my modern kitchen.

I installed Sensa Vancouver quartzite earlier this year. There were lots of variations in the slabs, but we chose a set there were highly crystalized. It does not absorb anything. I submerged a sample underwater for days and zero absorption. It is less tan than Taj Mahal, but it is still a warm gray with even some darker and even red highlights. But make sure you go pick out your slabs in person. Other Vancouver slabs had more linear waves and a lot less of the "cracked glass" look that we liked. Sensa also backs their slabs with a 15 year warranty against staining. No idea how well they honor it, LOL. The last picture is an example of a slab that we didn't like just to show you the variation of the product.

FYI, the pictures make the stone look darker than it appears in real life. Perhaps my camera can't handle the contrast against the white cabinets

Doesn’t solve all the issues but could your kids switch to white wine instead of red?