Product guide
5 Green Countertops That Make a Kitchen Look Expensive
Five green countertop ideas, from deep marble veining to speckled granite, plus what to check before you buy.
Buying guide
Green Stone Countertops: 5 Costly Mistakes Buyers Keep Making
Five mistakes that turn a beautiful slab into an expensive disappointment, and how to avoid each one.
Quick answer
The most common mistakes with green stone countertops are judging from a small sample, ignoring the finish, skipping the sealing question, overlooking seams, and choosing the stone before the cabinets and lighting.
Mistake 1: Judging the Stone From a Small Sample
A small chip cannot show the veining, the speckle or the shade changes across a full slab. Ask for photos of the exact slab, or visit the yard if you can.
Mistake 2: Ignoring the Finish
Polished, honed and leathered faces look and wear differently. A polished green marble looks deep and glossy, while a honed face is matte and shows fewer marks. Decide on the finish before you decide on the colour.
Mistake 3: Skipping the Sealing Question
Green countertops in marble can etch when they meet acids, and any natural stone can stain if it is not sealed. Green marble needs the most care of the group. Ask what sealer is used, how long it lasts, and how to clean the surface day to day.
General advice: Follow the care advice from your fabricator, and test any cleaner on a hidden area first.
Mistake 4: Forgetting Seams and Slab Matching
Long countertops often need a join. Ask where the seam will fall and whether the pieces come from the same slab, so the colour and pattern continue across the join.
Mistake 5: Choosing the Stone Before the Cabinets and Light
Green reads very differently under warm and cool light. Choose the cabinets and lighting first, then check the stone under that light.
Questions to Ask About Green Stone Countertops Before You Pay
- Can I see the exact slab?
- Is the finish polished, honed or leathered?
- How is it sealed, and how often?
- Where will the seams be?
- What thickness and edge profile are included?
A Note on Our Own Green Stone
Our Sukabumi green stone is a quartzite (zeolite), listed as tiles and pavers for pools, water features, spa areas and wet areas. We do not list it as countertop slabs. If you are comparing materials, read our five green countertop ideas.
Frequently asked questions
Are green stone countertops a good choice?
They can be, if you choose the right stone and finish and plan for care. Harder stones such as granite and quartzite are easier to live with than marble.
Does green marble stain easily?
Marble can etch or stain, especially from acids, so ask how it is sealed and cleaned.
How do I match the colour across a long countertop?
Ask your fabricator to cut the pieces from the same slab and to place the seams carefully.
Does Nurstones sell countertop slabs?
No. We list Sukabumi green stone as tiles and pavers.
