Quartzite countertops
Quartzite countertops in Hamilton & Stoney Creek
Quartzite need not be a confusing stone. Here is what it is, how it behaves in a kitchen, and how to tell it apart from marble.
Quartzite is a natural metamorphic stone made almost entirely of quartz. It is very hard (7 on the Mohs scale, harder than glass and a knife blade) and does not etch from kitchen acids like lemon juice or vinegar, which makes it a durable choice for people who love the look of marble. Porosity varies by stone, so some quartzites benefit from sealing.
- Natural stone with marble-like veining
- Mohs 7: harder than glass and a knife blade
- Does not etch from lemon or vinegar
- Sealing depends on the stone
- Testing is the only sure way to tell it from marble
Quartzite countertops at a glance
What is quartzite?
Quartzite is a metamorphic rock made almost entirely of the mineral quartz. Quartzite begins its geologic life as sand grains, perhaps on a beach, desert dune, or riverbed. Over time, the sand grains become compressed and stuck together to form sandstone. If the sandstone gets buried ever more deeply underneath layers of rocks, it gets hotter and more compressed. With enough heat and pressure, the sand grains lose their original shape and fuse to their neighbors, forming a dense, durable rock. The process is similar to individual snowflakes merging into solid, glacial ice.
Properties of quartzite
Hardness
One of the appeals of quartzite is its hardness and durability. Not only does this make for a tough stone, but it also makes it easy to tell quartzite from the imposters. Quartz is 7 on Mohs hardness scale. It’s nearly twice as hard as glass and harder than a knife blade. These things are easy to test with a sample of stone.
Resistance to acids
Etching is caused by acids dissolving small areas on the surface of a slab of stone. While this process does not harm a stone, it does blemish the surface. One of the appeals of quartzite is that it does not etch from acids like lemon juice or vinegar. If a rock labeled as quartzite becomes etched from acid, then it is mislabeled. Marble and dolomitic marble, on the other hand, will etch from these acids. Dolomitic marble etches slightly more slowly than regular marble. But quartzite will not etch at all from normal kitchen acids.
Porosity
Quartzite has a range of porosities. Some, like Taj Mahal or Sea Pearl, have been highly metamorphosed and the minerals are bonded together tightly. White Macaubas and Calacatta Macaubas have been exposed to less intense pressure, so these stones are more porous and will benefit from sealing.
Things that do not help distinguish quartzite from non-quartzite
The country of origin, price, or the names of a stone are not reliable indicators of what type of rock you’ve got. In many cases, it’s not even possible to tell marble and quartzite apart visually. Information about a stone’s origin is often passed along by word of mouth, which can perpetuate incorrect information. But you can look beyond what you hear about a stone and use the diagnostic tests to find out what it really is. Quartzite and marble can look very similar, but they have dramatically different properties. This is why testing the stones is the only assured way to tell them apart.
In-stock quartzite slabs
Real photos of slabs in our Stoney Creek yard. Tap the heart to save one, or open it to hold it for 48 hours.
Largest selection of in-stock quartzite
Visit our showroom for our quartzite collection.
Quartzite countertops: common questions
Is quartzite the same as quartz?
Does quartzite etch?
Does quartzite need to be sealed?
How can I tell quartzite from marble?
Can I put hot pans on quartzite?
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