Ciao Maurizio, Thank you for your terrific website! I have read much of the valuable information here, but I am still unsure if I can use a verde serpentine (verde guatemala or verde vermont) on a kitchen counter. Some tell me that it is as good as granite but my builder is discouraging me (and won't warranty it!). If yes, is there a verde serpentine that is better than the others? Thanks so much for your help! Nicole

 

Dear Nicole:

While all green marble contain a high percentage of serpentine, not all of them are serpentinite (all serpentine). I'm not familiar with the Verde Guatemala, but the Verde Antique from Vermont is the very best serpentinite the world over, hands down!

It is just as good as granite.
Of course, you want to test a piece of scrap with my little lemon juice (and oil) test to make sure that they don't sell you something that is not the real Verde Antique (I've seen that, alas); but if it is, tell you GC to learn at least the very basic about stone instead of listening to myths, before making any comment about it.

But always remember: the very best “stone” in the world is not a stone at all: it is the fabricator that will process it! So make sure that you get a good one.

Now remember, it's never too early to think about the proper maintenance of your stone. The issue of what you'll be doing day in and day out to your stone is – as it should be intuitive – vastly more important than its sealing (if and when possible and/or advisable) and it's all too often neglected. As you can tell by reading many of this site's postings, you're not likely to get good information about routine care from your dealer or installer. Don't become another statistic! By logging into the Helpful Hints section of our website at:   http://www.mbstone.com/HH_promo/helpful_hints.htm , you will be able to get the short version of our maintenance guidelines at no charge. The full version of it – a 7-page document considered by many as an industry benchmark – is available in pay-per-download format in our Educational Literature section at:   http://www.mbstone.com/literature/literature.htm .  

And remember, every single penny of the cost of the literature will be used to support this site and its cause: your cause.

While you are in the “Helpful Hints” section, do spend some time reading all of the interesting FREE articles you'll find in there!

Finally, keep in mind that we need your support to help us helping you!

Will you please read and e-sign our Statement of Purpose at: http://www.marblecleaning.org/purpose.htm?    

By spreading the word about this valuable site among your friend & family and the stone trades' people you've been dealing with, you will be rendering everybody a valuable service!

Thank you  

Ciao and good luck,

Mauri z io Bertoli

 

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