Leathered Granite & Quartzite Countertops: Colors, Cost, and Pros & Cons

Run your hand across a leathered countertop once and you'll get why people love it. It's soft and textured, with a low sheen instead of a mirror shine, and it shows off the stone's natural character.

Textured finishes are one of the biggest countertop trends heading into 2027, especially on dark kitchen islands. Here's what leathered granite is, how it compares to polished and honed, and which leathered stones you can see in Dallas right now.

What is leathered granite?

Leathered is a surface finish, not a type of stone. After a slab is cut, it's brushed with diamond-tipped brushes that wear down the softer minerals and leave the harder ones slightly raised. The result is a subtle, touchable texture and a satin, low-sheen look.

Granite is the most common stone to leather, but you'll also see leathered quartzite and marble.

Leathered vs. polished vs. honed

Honed vs. leathered: both are matte-ish, but honed is smooth and leathered has texture. Leathered typically keeps more of the stone's depth of color than honed does.

Pros and cons of leathered granite

Pros

• Hides fingerprints, smudges and water spots. This is huge on black granite.

• Less slippery look and feel, which is great for bar tops and outdoor kitchens

• Shows off texture and depth in a way polished stone doesn't

• Very durable. It's still granite underneath.

• On trend for 2026–2027 kitchens

Cons

• Crumbs and spills can sit in the texture, so it needs a quick wipe with a soft brush or cloth

• Color can look slightly lighter than the polished version of the same stone

• Needs sealing like any natural granite. The texture can make it slightly more absorbent than polished.

• Fewer slab options than polished, since not every stone is offered leathered

Leathered granite at USA Granite

Black Pearl Granite (SlabSmart, dual finish)

→ View Black Pearl Granite

One of the most searched leathered granites, and it's in our SlabSmart program. Black Pearl has a deep black background with subtle mineral specks, and every slab comes dual-finished: polished on one side, leathered on the other. You choose the finish you want. It's ideal for kitchens, outdoor kitchens and vanities.

Black Forest Granite (SlabSmart, dual finish)

→ View Black Forest Granite

A deep black background with bold white veining, also dual-finished (polished and leathered). Leathered Black Forest is a showstopper on a statement island, because the texture makes the veining feel almost three-dimensional.

Titanium Gold Leathered Granite (SlabSmart, new)

→ View Titanium Gold Leathered Granite

Our newest dark leathered granite: a deep charcoal-black background swept with bands of gold, cream and warm rust. The leathered finish softens all that drama and hides fingerprints, which is ideal for a statement island or bar.

Titanium Gold Leathered as a countertop and full-height backsplash.

Leathered quartzite and marble

Granite isn't the only stone that looks great leathered. Quartzite is even harder than granite, and a leathered finish gives these bright whites a soft, touchable texture.

Yosemite Leathered Quartzite (SlabSmart, new)

→ View Yosemite Leathered Quartzite

Leathered finishes aren't just for dark stone. Yosemite is a bright white quartzite crossed by crisp, pencil-thin charcoal lines, and the leathered texture keeps it from feeling stark. It's a great pick for modern kitchens.

Bianco Superiore Leathered Quartzite (SlabSmart, new)

→ View Bianco Superiore Leathered Quartzite

Soft white to pale gray with delicate smoky veins. In a leathered finish it has a calm, matte, marble-like look, with the toughness of quartzite.

Amazon Leather Marble

→ View Amazon Leather Marble

Dark browns, charcoal and soft white veining, finished in leather. It's rich and sophisticated, and great for feature walls and upscale bars. This one is a full slab that we source and fabricate.

See it installed: our leathered granite island and bar and leather granite countertop projects.

Looking for a different color in leathered? Plenty of granites and quartzites come leathered at partner slab yards around Dallas. Tell us the look you want and we'll point you to slabs to hand-pick.

Why dark leathered islands are everywhere

The 2027 kitchen formula we keep seeing is a light perimeter countertop with a dark, textured island. Leathered black granite works so well because it:

• Grounds the kitchen and adds contrast

• Hides the daily wear an island gets

• Pairs beautifully with brass and gold hardware, white oak, and warm whites

Try pairing a leathered Black Pearl island with Calacatta Gold or Organic White perimeter counters.

How much does leathered granite cost?

Leathered granite usually costs about the same as, or slightly more than, the polished version of the same stone. The finish takes extra processing, but the stone itself drives most of the price. Granite overall runs from budget-friendly to premium.

With five leathered options in our SlabSmart program (three granites: Black Pearl, Black Forest and Titanium Gold; and two quartzites: Yosemite and Bianco Superiore), you pay by the square foot. That makes a leathered island much more affordable than buying a full slab. For full-kitchen numbers, see our 2026 DFW countertop cost guide.

How to care for leathered granite

• Daily: wipe with warm water and mild dish soap. A soft brush helps get crumbs out of the texture.

• Avoid: bleach, vinegar and harsh cleaners, which can break down the sealer

• Seal: about once a year. Do the water-drop test: if water darkens the stone instead of beading, it's time.

• Spills: wipe oil and wine promptly, as you would with any natural stone

Frequently asked questions

Is leathered granite hard to clean? Not really. It hides smudges better than polished stone. The texture can hold crumbs, so a quick wipe with a soft brush or microfiber cloth does the job.

Is leathered granite more expensive? It's usually similar to, or slightly more than, polished. Our leathered granites (Black Pearl, Black Forest and Titanium Gold) and leathered quartzites (Yosemite and Bianco Superiore) are all in our SlabSmart program, so you only pay for the square footage you need.

Does leathered granite stain? Any natural granite can absorb oil or wine if it isn't sealed. Keep it sealed and wipe up spills, and it holds up very well.

Can you use leathered granite outdoors? Yes. Leathered granite is a great choice for Texas outdoor kitchens. It's durable, UV stable and less slippery than polished.

What's the difference between honed and leathered granite? Both are low-sheen, but honed is smooth and flat while leathered has a textured, slightly rippled feel. Leathered usually keeps more of the stone's original color.

Can quartzite be leathered? Yes. Quartzite takes a leathered finish beautifully, and it's even harder than granite. Our Yosemite and Bianco Superiore quartzites are both leathered and in our SlabSmart program.

Feel it before you choose it

Leathered is one finish you really need to touch. Come run your hand across all five of our leathered SlabSmart stones (granite and quartzite) at our slab yard at 2407 N Walton Walker Blvd in Dallas, or book a free in-home estimate.