1. It Has The “Marble” Look

Quartzite is a natural stone; it is a hard, non-foliated metamorphic quartz-based rock. Through a process of high heating and pressure, the sandstone changes into quartzite. Quartzite for the most part, is a durable natural stone, which makes it a good choice for high traffic areas, such as kitchen countertops and  commercial surfaces.

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Polished Quartzite

 

Quartzite is usually white or grey, but can also be found in shades of pink, red, yellow, green, blue and orange depending on which minerals are present. It has a unique look with natural variations, similar to marble.

 

2. Quartzite Can Have Various Finishes

Quartzite can be honed or polished. Want a finish that is a little different for your quartzite countertops? Try leathered! Either way, quartzite looks beautiful no matter which finish you choose.

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Quartzite with Leathered Finish

 

3. Quartzite Can Acid Etch

Mother Nature is not perfect and not all quartzites are created equally. Certain quartzites are prone to acid etching and others are not. Before installation, I recommend taking a small sample of the stone home with you first. You can do your own testing before you choose a slab.

 

Quartzite is a hard material, but even so, this natural stone can be refinished by a professional stone restoration company like International Stoneworks.

 

4. Seal Your Stone

Quartzite is a natural stone, which means it is porous and depending on the type of quartzite you pick, may react to acids. With that in mind, stick with neutral cleaners such as Lavenet, Lavenet Green and Crystal Clean.

 

Sealing your quartzite with a penetrating (or impregnator) sealer such as Seal & Go® S is very important to try to prevent grease and oil stains. Keep in mind, sealing does not prevent acid etching; call International Stoneworks to remove etch marks.

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Honed Black Quartzite Slab

 

5. Quartzite Is The Latest Trend

Quartzite countertops are a new trend in natural stone and recently introduced into the market. Information on the various types of stone sold under the name of Quartzite can be unclear. Many stone companies who sell or install this type of stone do not have a long experience with quartzite; we are all learning more and more everyday.