Slate worktops - anyone got them or have opinions?

[Themumsnot]

I've had a sample arrive today and I love it. It is £££ and I have been told that they get damaged easily and granite would be (relatively speaking) cheaper and more hard-wearing. Am totally prepared to go for cheaper kitchen units to afford the slate worktop as it will be a big open plan kitchen/dining/living space and the worktops will be very on show, but not if they are going to wear badly.
Any thoughts gratefully received.

Slate is hardwearing or it wouldn't be used for roofs, paving etc. It is not the hardest rock though and it will scratch slightly or chip on vulnerable edges and might get marked by some chemicals. It depends if you want a pristine mirror finish or are prepared to live with a bit of a patina developing. I think it looks beautiful though.

You can get it either with a rough surface where it's split naturally or machined smooth.

Not quite the same but we have slate sills above and below our fireplace with a wood burner. It has been in as long as we've been in the house (almost 20 years) and it cleans up well. You have to be moderately careful but it shouldn't chip or mark in normal use.