Slate is an exotic and unique natural stone. It's stately, sturdy, and durable. This earthy stone exudes warmth. The character of slate stone allows it to fit into a traditional design with an informal time worn look. A real classic old world feel. Try using a matte finish to create a rich and sophisticated look in your modern kitchen design. A sleeker and more refined look. This stones at home in a log cabin as well as in an upscale high rise. Slate was formed from clay on ancient sea beds by the metamorphism (rock structure changes due to heat and/or pressure) of shale and clay. When shale and clay consolidate during metamorphism, it is referred to as foliation. Basically,slate is compacted mud. Sometimes plant fossils are found on the surfaces of slate stones. If you find any fossils, reserve this special piece for a focal point in your stone project. This is a siliceous stone and highly resistant to the acids found in lemons, alcohol, and cleaning products. These acids won't etch or mar the surface of your natural stone. This characteristic makes slate stone ideal for use in your kitchen. Similar to soapstone, slate scratches easily. It will scratch and chip around the edges and become weathered or aged looking. Use mineral oil or MB-6 Color Enhancer to make the scratches disappear. These marks and chips can also be sanded out with a fine grained sand paper or left to add character and charm to your stone. Depending on where they originate from, some slates are much softer than others. Slates from the US, Canada, and the UK are usually of a harder variety. Like granite, slate is durable and impervious to heat. It is fire resistant and you don't need to worry about burning or charring your slate countertops. It is a fine grained and non porous natural stone. It won't absorb water and liquids. Slate stone has a lower absorption rate so stains aren't a big concern. It's not generally necessary to seal. Slate's main uses include roofing and flooring. This non slippery natural stone is perfect for flooring applications. Other uses include monuments, slate backsplashes, sinks, islands, roofs and countertops. Color Choices? The soft veining and mottled colors of slate are earthy and usually darker. They include variations of reds and turquoise greenish blues as well as softer grays and deep solid blacks. The multi color slates are rustic and more colorful. Coating slate with mineral oil will help to protect the stone as well as deepen the natural colors. The surface finish on the denser varieties of slate are usually honed. This is a matte type finish. It's not shiny and reflective like a polished finish. Slate stone is too soft to be polished to a high gloss finish. Slate surfaces can also be sandblasted. This surface finish is used to obtain a rough textured finish. A cleft finish will leave the surface of the stone rough and uneven. This is usually used for flooring. The uneven surface texture makes a cleft finish a poor surface choice for slate countertops. Slate can be rustic and romantic or sleek and refined. Choose the right color and surface finish and you're on the path to creating a unique look with slate that's all you. It won't etch, it doesn't burn, and it's non porous so the maintenance is fairly simple. Slate is a unique and durable natural stone which will leave a life long lasting impression.