Well, since I have soapstone counters let me give you a realistic assessment of how much maintenance is involved (I can't speak to your silestone question as I haven't seen their sueded finish). First, you don't have to oil or wax soapstone, but if you do the finish is darker and more even-toned. Unoiled soapstone shows oil and water marks, but only temporarily. So if you decide you want the darker, smoother look of oiled soapstone, which doesn't react to chemicals or show anything, here is what is involved. First, soapstone wax seems to last longer than mineral oil. In the first year we had to wax our soapstone counters (a ten minute job in our small kitchen) approximately once every month or two for the finish to look dark and even (i.e. not "ALL the time", but often enough). Then by the second year they only needed waxing once every 3-4 months. Now, in the fourth year, I wax only once every 8-12 months. So the maintenance decreases as they age and naturally darken. They do scratch, but the scratches disappear when waxed or oiled, and if you are at all unhappy with the patina that develops you can use a light sandpaper, followed by wax, to smooth anything out. We've never needed to do this, BTW. We've also never had a dent or chip in ours, but it is theoretically possible if you dropped a very heavy pan or something from a high cupboard. There is no discoloration if you wax. If you keep your soapstone unwaxed/unoiled, it will develop a patina that involves different colorations. We absolutely love our soapstone, but it is not the right choice if you want a counter with low or no maintenance. Quartz has no maintenance and can be an excellent and beautiful choice.