Cary, NC Natural Stone Countertop Materials: Marble, Limestone, Soapstone, Slate & Onyx 

Absolute Stone supplies Triangle-area builders, designers, Realtors, commercial and residential clients with some of the finest natural stone products available. We’re proud to fabricate and install marble, slate, limestone and onyx products for a variety of uses. Whether your project is located in Cary, Raleigh, Durham or anywhere in the Triangle area, call Absolute Stone to discuss your needs!

Marble

A result of the metamorphism of limestone, marble is composed mostly of calcite and is a popular building material. At Absolute Stone, we offer marble countertops, medallions and marble for other architectural uses.

Because the crystals within marble are prone to damage from a variety of liquids found in the kitchen, we recommend marble mainly for mantels, fireplace surrounds, foyers, floors and countertops that don’t often come in contact with acidic substances. Marble also requires yearly sealing to protect from staining and to maintain its beauty.

Limestone

Composed largely of calcite, limestone is a sedimentary rock that is light in color, usually in off-whites and pale gray. A hard, durable stone, its popular remodeling uses include patio pavers, countertops and bathroom vanities. At Absolute Stone, we seal our limestone countertops to offer the ultimate in durability and long-lasting beauty.

Slate

Slate is a natural metamorphic rock that provides a beautifully subtle, earthy look. Found in a range of grays, purplish-grays and gray-greens, it is treated with a sealant to add durability and prevent staining. It is a natural characteristic for slate to have clefts where small particles will wear off. Slate is a rough material, which helps with slip-resistance, even in damp areas. Besides slate countertops, slate has a variety of remodeling applications, including tile, roofing and flooring.

Onyx

Onyx is a sedimentary rock that is formed on the interior of caves. Onyx’s unusual formation method contributes to its translucent properties. While beautiful, onyx is also very vulnerable to scratches, chemicals and abrasive damage. Onyx backsplashes are popular, as are applications in which the stone is backlit to showcase its translucent qualities. It is most commonly found in decorative purposes such as bar tops or even hung on the wall.

Soapstone

Composed mostly of talc, chlorite, dolomite and magnetite, soapstone gets its name from its distinctive soapy feel. Soapstone is an excellent countertop surface, as it is unresponsive to acids and is very dense. While soapstone starts out as light gray with some patterning and light or dark veins, the stone develops a dark, rich hue as it is cared for. Soapstone maintenance includes rubbing the countertops with mineral oil, a process that should be repeated once weekly for the first few months of use and slowly decreased in frequency as the stone develops its darker shade. Soapstone countertops are easily scratched, but oiling will quickly render scratches unnoticeable.

See our marble, limestone, slate, soapstone & onyx selection firsthand!

Browse kitchen and bathroom countertops, backsplashes, vanities and more at Absolute Stone’s natural stone showroom in Cary, NC. You’ll view our wide selection of stone slabs and see our marble, limestone, slate, soapstone and onyx in a variety of applications to inspire ideas for your next project.