Black stone

Black countertops: soapstone, granite, quartz and porcelain

A black counter can mean four different materials, and each one lives differently. Here is how they compare, all from kitchens, baths, bars and fireplaces we have installed.

Black soapstone

Matte, heat-proof, never sealed. It scratches, and the scratches sand out and oil away. Installed on a Wilmette island, in an Oak Park kitchen, a River Forest double vanity and a Highland Park kitchen.

Black granite

The hardest-working black. Leathered Black Pearl in Park Ridge and leathered Negresco in St. Charles are outdoor kitchens, where granite handles freeze and thaw and sun. Indoors: polished Black Pearl on a vanity, Titanium Black in a Chicago kitchen, Negresco on bars in Evanston and Chicago, and Via Lactea on a New Berlin bar.

Black quartz

Caesarstone Vanilla Noir in a Chicago kitchen: a dark field with white veining on the counter and full-height backsplash. No sealing; hot pans go on a trivet.

Black porcelain

Sahara Noir on fireplaces, honed in Park Ridge and polished in Northbrook. Heat-proof, non-porous, and large enough to cover a wall with very few seams.

One practical note: a polished black surface shows fingerprints and water spots most. Leathered or honed finishes hide them better.