Marble and granite are not only the most popular choices for countertops, but also the most expensive.
Marble is a very heavy stone, but it is a very soft and porous material. It can be stained very easily - even with water. Marble countertops are a very beautiful choice - usually every piece has its own little imperfections that are greatly appreciated. You should treat marble counters very gently and make sure that you keep them properly sealed.
Granite countertops are have come back with a boom - it is the new chic style. Granite counters have a cool and hard surface - but it is a lot less absorbent than marble. The downfall of granite countertops is that they show fingerprints quite easily, but granite repels anything that would permanently stain it much better than marble.
There are a few other stone materials for kitchen countertops that are popularizing themselves on the designing scene: limestone and concrete. These countertops have a much more textured look in comparison to to the refined and smooth look of marble or granite counters. They also, of course, have to be sealed to be able to withstand the elements due to the fact that they are still absorbent. Limestone could be gotten as a slab or as tiles. If you are thinking about concrete countertops, know that it could be one of the most creative countertop choices - you have a creative license that pulls out all the stops. You can mix any colors into your concrete counters, creating any patterns that you would like to see in your kitchen.
