When to seal natural stone

[jrodela]

I am tiling a new shower and I am using ceramic tiles for the walls. I plan to create shelves in the corner using natural slate (because the cut edge will show) 12x12 tile cut diagonally and supported by the top edge of the wall tiles. My question is would it be better to seal the slate before I set it and grout or after. I was thinking that I should caulk the top edges of the slate and I am concerned that sealing it may prevent the caulk from adhering. This seems like common sense to me, but I know I don't know all sides of the story. Any advice would be appreciated.

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[duneslider]

Sealing won't affect the caulking. I would seal it before grouting but it really won't matter for just a small bit of slate.

[Stonehenge]

Hi Jason,

I recommend going towards a high quality granite, corner shelves being designed to hold misc. soaps and shampoos are subjected to a larger potential exposure to negative chemical stimuli.