BUYING GUIDE
This natural stone buying guide covers thickness, finish, veining, and origin — the complete checklist every buyer should know before visiting a stone yard.
THE CHECKLIST
Not all stone slabs are equal. These five checks are the heart of this natural stone buying guide — they separate a great slab from a disappointing one.
01
Standard countertops are 3cm (1¼”). Thinner 2cm slabs need plywood backing. Always confirm thickness — it affects durability and edge options.
02
Polished — glossy, shows veining sharply. Honed — matte, softer look, hides scratches. Leathered — brushed texture, hides fingerprints. Choose based on lifestyle.
03
Always view the full slab standing up — not a small sample. Check movement direction, color contrast and whether veining flows consistently across your planned cuts.
04
Stone origin affects rarity and price. Italian marble, Brazilian and Indian quartzite, each have distinct characters. Ask for country and quarry information.
05
Order 10–15% more than your measured area for cuts and waste. Natural stone slabs vary lot-to-lot — confirm you have enough from the same batch before fabrication begins.
STONE TYPES
Each stone type has different hardness, porosity and character. Know the differences before you decide — this part of our natural stone buying guide compares the four side by side.
Best for: Feature walls, bathrooms, luxury kitchens
Hardness: 3–4 Mohs — softer, scratches possible
Porosity: High — seal every 1–2 years
Character: Classic veining, timeless elegance
Price: $$–$$$
Best for: Kitchen countertops, high-use surfaces
Hardness: 7 Mohs — very hard, scratch-resistant
Porosity: Low–medium — seal every 1–3 years
Character: Marble look with granite durability
Price: $$$
Best for: Kitchens, outdoor use, high-traffic areas
Hardness: 6–7 Mohs — extremely durable
Porosity: Low — seal every 2–3 years
Character: Speckled texture, wide color range
Price: $–$$
Best for: Families, rentals, consistent design
Hardness: 7 Mohs — very scratch-resistant
Porosity: Non-porous — no sealing needed
Character: Uniform patterns, engineered consistency
Price: $$
VISIT PREP
Arrive prepared. These steps will save you time and help you make a confident decision on the day.
Know your countertop square footage, island dimensions, and backsplash area. Bring a floor plan sketch if you have one. This helps the team confirm how many slabs you need and whether book-matching is possible.
Bring a cabinet door sample, paint chip, or a photo on your phone. Stone selections look completely different next to warm wood versus cool white paint. The contrast between countertop and cabinetry defines the whole kitchen.
Stone is priced per square foot. Installed costs typically range from $40 to $200+ per sq ft depending on material, thickness and edge profile. Know your range before you walk in — it helps narrow the selection and avoid falling in love with something out of budget.
The goal of any natural stone buying guide is to help you shop with confidence rather than guesswork. Before you visit a stone yard, review the five checkpoints above, decide which material suits your lifestyle, and bring your measurements and cabinet color so you can compare slabs in the right context.
Full slabs of Bellagio and Le Blanc quartzite. As this natural stone buying guide recommends, compare full slabs side by side before you choose.
Remember that natural stone is a product of geology — no two slabs are identical, and that variation is part of its appeal. Every natural stone buying guide comes back to the basic properties of each material — from the hardness of granite to the porosity of marble — because they help you match the right stone to the right room. You can learn more about how these materials form and differ on the dimension stone reference page.
If you follow this natural stone buying guide, you’ll arrive at our Buda, Texas showroom ready to ask the right questions and choose a slab you’ll be happy with for years.
Visit our Texas showroom or browse our full catalog online. Our stone experts are here to guide you from slab selection to final installation.
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