Quartzite countertops: pros, cons and care

Quartzite has become the favourite natural stone for kitchen countertops: it has the look of marble and the toughness of granite. But not all quartzites are equal, and it pays to know what you are buying.

Why quartzite works so well in kitchens

Quartzite is a sandstone transformed by heat and pressure into a rock made almost entirely of quartz. Quartz is a very hard mineral (7 on the Mohs scale, versus 3–4 for marble), so a quartzite countertop:

• Resists everyday scratches from knives, pans and grit.
• Handles heat far better than engineered quartz, which contains resins.
• Does not etch with lemon or vinegar the way marble does (if it is genuine quartzite).
• Works outdoors: sunlight does not affect it, unlike resin-based materials.

The downsides

• It costs more to fabricate. Its hardness means cutting, making cut-outs and polishing edges takes longer and wears more tooling — and that shows in the quote.
• It needs sealing. It has low porosity, but it is not waterproof: occasional sealing prevents oil stains.
• Some "quartzites" are not. Certain white stones sold as quartzite are dolomites, softer and acid-sensitive. Here is how to check.
• Exotic quartzites tend to sit at the top of the price range, especially Brazilian stones with spectacular patterns.

The most popular quartzites

• Taj Mahal: warm cream with soft veins. The most requested for light kitchens.
• Mont Blanc and Super White: white with grey veins, the alternative to white marble.
• Calacatta Da Vinci: a Calacatta look with herringbone veins.
• Patagonia: translucent crystals and black patches. Spectacular backlit.
• Blue Roma and Fusion: blues for kitchens with personality.
• Titanium and Via Lactea: blacks for dark kitchens.

Finish: polished or leathered

With quartzite, the finish changes the result a lot. Polished deepens the colour and the depth of the crystals. Leathered (textured) gives a silky feel, hides fingerprints and water spots, and is very forgiving in a busy kitchen. Taj Mahal and Krypton look especially good leathered.

Care

• Daily cleaning with water and pH-neutral soap.
• Occasional sealing: use the water-drop test (if the stone darkens within 10 minutes, it is time to reseal).
• Although it handles heat, use trivets for pans straight off the hob: a sudden temperature change in a small area can damage any stone.

Is it right for you?

If you want natural stone in a kitchen that gets real use, and you love the look of marble but not its upkeep, quartzite is probably the best choice. Browse the quartzites in our catalogue or get a quote with your measurements.