The Question We Hear Every Single Day
"Should I go with marble, granite, or quartz?" It's the first question almost every client asks when they walk into our showroom, and it's a question that deserves a thoughtful answer — because each material excels in different ways.
After 20 years of selling, installing, and living with all three materials, here's my honest comparison.
Appearance: Natural Beauty vs. Engineered Consistency
Marble
Marble wins the beauty contest, and it's not particularly close. The depth, translucency, and organic movement of natural marble is something no engineered material has fully replicated. Each slab is genuinely one-of-a-kind — the result of millions of years of geological pressure. Calacatta Gold, Statuario Venato, and Arabescato Corchia are among the most breathtaking natural materials on earth.Granite
Granite offers an enormous range of colors and patterns — from the pure jet black of Absolute Black to the vivid blue of Blue Bahia to the warm speckle of Tan Brown. Its mineral crystal structure catches light in a way that's distinctly different from marble's flowing veins. Many people find granite's character more "earthy" and "grounded" than marble's "elegant" and "refined" aesthetic.Quartz
Modern engineered quartz has come remarkably far. Our Origin Quartz line includes surfaces like Calacatta Laza that are genuinely difficult to distinguish from natural marble at normal viewing distance. The advantage is consistency — if you love a particular look, you can get it replicated across every slab. The disadvantage is that trained eyes can sometimes detect a subtle uniformity that gives away the engineered origin.Verdict: Marble for unmatched natural beauty. Granite for earthy character. Quartz for consistent, reliable aesthetics.
Durability: How They Handle Daily Life
Marble (3-4 Mohs Hardness)
Marble is the softest of the three, which means it's the most susceptible to scratching and etching. Acidic substances — lemon juice, wine, vinegar, even some cleaning products — will etch a polished marble surface on contact. This isn't staining (which can be prevented with sealing) — it's a chemical reaction that dulls the polish.For some homeowners, this is a dealbreaker. For others, it's part of marble's charm — the surface develops a patina over time that many people find beautiful.
Granite (6-7 Mohs Hardness)
Granite is significantly harder than marble. You can chop vegetables directly on a granite surface without scratching it (though we'd recommend a cutting board to protect your knives). It's heat-resistant up to extremely high temperatures, acid-resistant, and very difficult to chip or crack under normal use.Quartz (7 Mohs Hardness)
Quartz matches granite in hardness and adds non-porosity to the equation. Because it's engineered with polymer resins, quartz has no natural pores — meaning it cannot absorb liquids. Spill red wine, coffee, or turmeric on a quartz surface and it wipes right off. However, quartz is NOT heat-resistant — placing a hot pan directly on a quartz surface can cause thermal shock damage.Verdict: Granite for all-around toughness. Quartz for stain resistance. Marble for those who value beauty over bulletproofing.
Maintenance: The Honest Reality
Marble
Annual sealing is recommended (a 30-minute DIY task). Wipe up acidic spills promptly. Use pH-neutral cleaners. Accept that a polished marble surface will develop some etching over time — or choose a honed finish that masks etching beautifully.Granite
Annual sealing is recommended. Beyond that, granite is extremely low-maintenance. Clean with mild soap and water. Avoid abrasive scrubbers. That's about it.Quartz
Zero maintenance. No sealing ever. Clean with soap and water or any non-abrasive cleaner. Use trivets for hot pans. Quartz is genuinely the easiest countertop material to live with.Verdict: Quartz for zero maintenance. Granite for minimal maintenance. Marble requires the most attention.
Cost: What to Expect
Pricing varies significantly by specific stone, slab quality, and market conditions, but here are general ranges including fabrication and installation:
- Marble: $45 – $130 per square foot (Carrara on the low end, Calacatta Gold on the high end)
- Granite: $25 – $180 per square foot (Tan Brown on the low end, Blue Bahia on the high end)
- Quartz: $45 – $95 per square foot (most consistent pricing of the three)
Verdict: Granite offers the widest price range. Quartz offers the most predictable pricing. Marble's cost reflects its luxury positioning.
Our Recommendation: Match the Material to Your Lifestyle
After helping thousands of clients make this decision, here's the framework that works:
Choose marble if: You value natural beauty above all else, you enjoy (or don't mind) the patina process, and your kitchen is more of a showcase than a heavy-duty workspace. Also choose marble for bathroom vanities, where acid exposure is minimal.
Choose granite if: You want natural stone with superior durability, you cook frequently with acidic ingredients, you need an outdoor-safe surface, or you're working with a moderate budget.
Choose quartz if: You want zero maintenance, you have young children, you entertain frequently, or you love the marble look but need kitchen-proof performance.
The secret option: Many of our clients mix materials. Quartz for the main kitchen counters (for practicality) and natural marble for the island (for drama). This gives you the best of both worlds.
Come See for Yourself
The best way to decide is to see and touch the materials in person. A slab photograph can show you color and veining, but it can't convey the depth, translucency, and tactile quality that makes natural stone so special.
Visit our showrooms in Colorado, Arizona, or Texas to browse our full inventory. Our team will walk you through the options, show you specific slabs, and help you make a decision you'll love for decades.
