Surface scratch
A fine line, often catching the light, that you can feel with a fingernail.
How to spot it
- A fine line that catches the light at certain angles
- You can feel it with a fingernail
- Usually short, straight, and isolated
Often confused with
Crack
A crack runs deeper, often longer, and may have a visible separation.
Vein
A natural vein has color and continues into the surrounding pattern.
What causes it
Abrasive grit dragged across the surface, or dropped utensils.
How to repair it
DIY fix
DIY moderate 15–30 minutes
You'll need
- Marble polishing powder
- Microfiber cloth
- Distilled water
- (Soapstone) 220-grit sandpaper + mineral oil
- 1Clean the area and let it dry.
- 2For marble or limestone: dampen the cloth, add polishing powder, and buff in circles.
- 3For soapstone: sand lightly along the scratch with 220-grit, then re-oil to even the patina.
- 4Wipe clean and check — repeat once if the line is still visible.
Pro fix
- When to call
- Deep scratches in marble, granite, quartzite, or anything you can hook a fingernail into.
- Typical cost
- $150–$500
- What they'll do
- Refinish with diamond pads, working from coarse to fine to blend the scratch into the surface.
Do NOT use on this damage
Sandpaper on marble or granite
Removes the polish without restoring it — leaves a worse dull patch.
Glass cleaner
Often contains ammonia that strips sealer around the scratch.
Abrasive sponges
Adds more scratches around the original.
Prevent it next time
- Use cutting boards and trivets — never cut directly on stone.
- Lift, don't slide, ceramic dishes and small appliances.
- Place felt pads under decorative objects.
Always test any product on a small, hidden area first. Cost ranges are general estimates and vary by region and stone.