I seem to remember honed VA mist / jet mist being priced in the $60-$65/sf range when I was shopping. One of my neighbors has it in her kitchen and it is really beautiful -- charcoal grey with tiny bits of "flour" or "powdered sugar" tossed on it. Her experience is that it is very chip, scratch, and stain resistant, but tends to show fingerprints and oil marks.

You can google "Gardenweb kitchens jet mist" and come up with threads to read. Also, there is an alternative name "virginia mist" that is the same thing, so google that term as well. Either way, it's bullet-proof and gorgeous. The slabs vary in how much "confectioners sugar" is sprinkled across them.

As to price, I am sure it varies by region and how available the slabs are in your particular region. It might also vary by stoneyard, so try to go to other stoneyards in your area and see if there are competitive prices. Remember to ask about both names, "jet mist" and "virginia mist".

$65/SF at Stonemasters in Kennet Square PA. About $80/SF around Baltimore (installed prices).

Honed jet mist was my leading contender until it stained very slightly (looking like etching) even with the Dupont warranty sealer, with some of the substances I put on it. Not obvious and could only be seen from certain angles, but I ended up going with soapstone. The soapstone scratches and chips on the edges but I could sand it out. I could not do anything to change the barely visible stain on the honed jet mist. It can be hard to find a yard that will give you samples though.