The mystery.........!

Nobody else's kitchen matters, but your kitchen - and nobody lives exactly as your family lives.

Show the build plan layout for that kitchen? What are the floors, the cabinetry finish?,

You will get best help, more help, with more context to your question. Including the chosen elements, the look and feel you are after : )

There is no "perfect" counter surface, there is the surface best for you, the kitchen. .....and YOUR family.

Yes, I realize you only asked about leathered granite : )

Soapstone is EASY maintenance unless you are a perfectionist. Show/tell all you can.

We have steel grey leathered granite and it has been bomb proof. My husband has left wet cast iron skillets on it, I discover a rusty ring under it, it cleaned up with a sponge. He treats it like it cannot be damaged and so far he's been right.

I like plain old polished granite factory polish no wierd coating either . IMO grnaite is pretty bomb proof if left polished in my experience . That said soapstone is also the same and the maintemance is really up to you it is used in labs with very little upkeep and ina home some oiling maybe 2 x a year.

Is it granite or quartzite. It looks like it may be quartzite. Have you seen the slabs in person? See if you can get a sample to test it.

I have seen the slab in person yes. It’s granite. Many of the dark grays/blacks I looked at left fingerprints when I touched it. This one did not

I have a leathered jet mist in my kitchen. No fingerprints, easy to keep up. I would do it again.

I have leathered Absolute Black granite on the island and polished African Ivory granite on the perimeter counters. Ten years old. Fingerprints or whatever are easy enough to just wipe off.

Have you also looked at a honed finish as an option - that would look the most like soapstone.

There is a granite called Black Diamond, and there is a quartzite called Black Diamond. They go by other names as well. Drives me crazy and so confusing!

If you post a photo of the slab you are looking at, we might be able to tell which one it is.

Oh interesting. This particular slab is granite. Here are a couple of pictures

Well, whatever it is, it is really beautiful! 😍

I had steel grey leathered granite in my last kitchen. I loved it so much that I put it in my current kitchen. It’s so easy to clean, and stays looking clean (no fingerprints). I don’t worry about stains, or really anything for that matter.