1st world prob, which hearth should I chose

[Moving15]

I have marble fireplaces like in the link below but without the cast iron inset.
One fireplace will have a woodburner. The other will be open with a dig grate. Both will have naked brickwork in the opening.

I need to decide between riven and smooth slate hearths. What would you choose?

www.google.co.uk/search?q=marble+corbel+fireplaces&client=ms-android-motorola&prmd=simvn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjR4b6S-J_MAhVKKcAKHb7JDIEQ_AUICCgC&biw=360&bih=512#imgrc=mOzA-F65qLmvFM%3A

Sorry dodgy link. Here is the pic

Smooth. Smooth smooth smooth.

I have never seen a riven slate hearth, at least not for a Victorian marble fireplace. Always smooth.

(And riven will get filthy).

I'd go for smooth slate or honed granite. I went with honed granite as it is harder wearing and won't mark. I've attached a pic, I hate shiny granite hearths but the honed granite looks similar to slate.

Ooh that's interesting onion. Our slate hearth has marked terribly (from DC toys) :(

I was going to get slate but got told it is softer than granite and marks more easily.

I think smooth with bare brick is a contradiction. Either go rustic (bare brick and riven) or rendered/lined and honed/smooth.

smooth