Onyx vs Travertine: Which benchtop material is best for your space?

Short answer: Onyx is a dramatic, translucent luxury stone, prized for backlighting and feature moments — but it's brittle and high-maintenance. Travertine is warm, rustic, Mediterranean and textured — but soft, porous, and also high-maintenance.

Choose Onyx for artistic statement features, not daily wear. Choose Travertine for earthy charm in low-use areas — if you like natural patina.

Quick side-by-side

Factor	Onyx	Travertine
Look	High-drama veining, translucent, luxury gem-like finish	Warm beige/cream earthy tones, open pores, rustic charm
Hardness (scratch/chip)	Brittle; scratches and can crack/shatter on impact	Soft, scratches & chips easily
Stain resistance	Very porous; stains quickly even when sealed	Very porous; stains easily even when sealed
Etching (acids)	Yes — reacts to acids	Yes — reacts to acids
Fixability	Hard to repair invisibly; chips noticeable	Can be filled & re-finished; patina may remain visible
Heat tolerance	Heat resistant but fragile to shock	Handles heat but stone structure is fragile
Best use cases	Bars, splashbacks, bathrooms, feature walls, backlit pieces	Bathroom vanities, powder rooms, niches, low-use surfaces
Average slab price	~$5k–$20k (colour rarity + translucency)	~$1k–$5k (standard to exotic tones)
Maintenance level	Very high	High

Which should you choose?

Choose Onyx if you:

✅ Want a show-stopping stone

✅ Are building a bar, powder room statement, or illuminated feature

✅ Accept that it’s not for chopping boards or daily abuse

✅ See stone as art, not a workbench

Choose Travertine if you:

✅ Love warm Mediterranean style

✅ Want natural texture and patina over time

✅ Are using it in low-impact bathroom areas or feature shelving

✅ Like rustic elegance vs polished perfection

Reality check: Onyx = jewellery for your home and Travertine = rustic, earthy, natural charm. Neither are everyday workhorses for a kitchen benchtop

For durability-first kitchens, see Quartzite, Granite, or Dolomite instead.

Design tips to save money & keep beauty

• Use Onyx as a feature slab, not full kitchen

• Travertine for verticals, shelves, niche ledges

• Honed + filled travertine = best performance

• Avoid UV-heavy areas for Onyx — colour can fade

Architect combo idea: Backlit Onyx bar + Travertine powder room vanity = insane luxury contrast 🔥

FAQs

Is Onyx good for kitchen countertops?

Not for heavy-use kitchens. Onyx is brittle, stains easily, and scratches. Best for feature bars and backlit moments.

Is Travertine good for kitchen benchtops?

It can be used, but only if you accept scratches, staining, and patina. Better suited to low-use areas.

Does Onyx stain easily?

Yes — Onyx is very porous and stains quickly without sealing and careful upkeep.

Does Travertine need sealing?

Yes — Travertine requires sealing when used in a stain-prone area, often multiple times, and paired with fast clean-ups.

Can you backlight Onyx stone?

Yes — Onyx is translucent and designed for backlighting. It's one of the most stunning backlit stones.

Does Onyx scratch?

Yes — Onyx is soft and brittle. Avoid knives, heavy items, and impact.

Is filled Travertine better for benchtops?

Yes — Honed & filled travertine performs far better than unfilled. It reduces staining and makes cleaning easier.

Can you put hot pots on Onyx or Travertine?

Not recommended directly. They handle heat, but thermal shock can crack stone and damage sealers. Use trivets.