Onyx counter tops

[newcriminal]

I plan on using onyx for a counter top. The area I plan on using it at is not for food prep. It will be 16 feet by 18 inches. Used for a counter top with cabinets(the first 6 feet or so) then breakfast bar ( about 5 feet)then a coffee bar(the last 5 feet). We will have under lighting so it will kinda glow. My question is has anyone on here used onyx before and how delicate is it? I have read everything on the internet about it. I have a friend who is a kitchen designer, and she says it's perfectly fine to use. I just don't want to make such an expensive investment and then for it to look like crap in a few years.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

1. Wow, sounds really expensive!

[newcriminal]

4. They are not that much more than granite.

I'm just cheap.

[Stinky The Clown]

2. I was told that it is not a good choice for counters, but I have no firsthand experience with it.

I was told that by a stone store who had no particular thing to gain by saying that, so I believed him. We wound up using stainless steel and have used it again when we did this kitchen.

I know the look you're trying for, but be wary of such unusual materials. Coffee (all food, for that matter) is acidic. I think onyx is essentially a type of limestone. Acid and lime do not get along well.

Again, I have no first hand experience with onyx, but did look into it.

[newcriminal]

3. You are right about the acid.

I specifically asked about coffee when I asked the kitchen designer about the onyx. She said that shouldn't be a problem as long as it is properly sealed. I wouldn't have it in the real kitchen area, I'm leaning towards soapstone for those counter tops. I want to use the green onyx with the brown and white veins.

[Melissa G]

5. Isn't soapstone pretty soft and easy to mar and chip?

Soft usually means easy to stain as far as I remember.

[Stinky The Clown]

6. Soapstone is a great (and $$$) counter material.

No heat sensitivity. It develops a patina from use. It has a soft, buttery feel, and it can be refinished.

[Melissa G]

7. Used to sculpt and just remember how often it was used in inexpensive asian pieces

when I would receive them in shipping, they often had chips.

I will look into the soapstone as my kitchen project evolves. Hubby is adamant in his dislike for stainless.

[Stinky The Clown]

8. You might be interested in this link

http://www.soapstones.com/soapstone_care.html

[Melissa G]

10. It seems the soapstone used for counter tops is a harder variety

according to a designer friend of mine.

She gave me the good advice "to not go with anything glossy or too busy. There's already too much going on in any kitchen, the counter top is one of the few places your eye can rest."

Thought I would pass it on.

[Stinky The Clown]

9. Here is a really nice countertop. Warm, unusual, casual: Richlite

http://www.richlite.com/