Quartz vs. Quartzite

We’re often asked how quartz and quartzite countertops exactly differ. With similar names, the question is raised with good reason. But to understand the differences between quartz and quartzite countertops, we must first clarify that the mineral “quartz” and “quartz countertop” belong to two different categories.

Quartz surfaces are non-porous and require no sealing

Quartz: mineral and countertop

In geology, “quartz” refers to one of the most abundantly occurring minerals in Earth’s surface. More strictly speaking, it refers to the chemical compound silica, i.e. silicon dioxide (SiO2). When looking at quartz as a mineral, you’ll find that granite, onyx, quartz, slate and soapstone countertops all contain the mineral quartz in varying degrees.

Quartz crystal cluster

But when we speak of quartz countertops in the stone industry, we are talking about a manufactured product, sometimes referred to as “engineered stone.” Quartz countertops are produced by using loose quartz, mineral pigment and an industrial resin binder. Since there is over 90% of loose quartz content in quartz countertops, the stone industry simply refers to these surfaces as “quartz.”

Quartz: Features

Given that quartz surfaces are man-made, they come in any color and pattern imaginable. Keep in mind, though, that quartz countertop patterns are often more uniform and repetitive than the patterns of natural stones. Since industrial resin binds the quartz minerals together, the countertop's surface is non-porous and requires no sealing; however, quartz countertops are sensitive to heat above 300 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, quartz is more flexible than quartzite, less prone to chipping, and out of all the surfaces, maintaining quartz countertops is by far the easiest.

Quartz surfaces are sometimes referred to as "engineered stone"

What is quartzite?

Quartzite is a naturally occurring metamorphic rock that began its life as pure quartz sandstone. Over millions of years, sandstone morphs into quartzite under the extreme pressure and heat underneath the surface of the Earth.

Pink and red hues in quartzite are due to the presence of iron oxide

Quartzite: Features

Due to its natural origins, no two slabs are the same. The color range of quartzite countertops usually falls within the white, gray and beige spectrum. However, pink and red hues are common due to the iron oxide in the stone, as well as yellow, blue, green and orange hues that are a result of other naturally present minerals. Because of the subterranean pressure that helps form quartzite, the slabs have streaked patterns similar to marble. Quartzite is heat resistant and slightly harder than granite. Quartzite surfaces are sometimes porous, which means that they require periodic sealing and more meticulous care than quartz surfaces.

Quarzite has streaked patterns similar to marble

Conclusion

Both quartz and quartzite are great for kitchens and bathrooms. But with any stone, the question is not about which material is better. Rather, the question is which stone is more suited for your needs. Both quartz (Mohs scale of mineral hardness: 7) and quartzite (Mohs: 7-8) are comparable and often harder than granite (Mohs: 6.5-7). With quartz, you get a low-maintenance surface that comes in a myriad of colors, even though it isn't fully heat resistant. With quartzite, you get the unique look of natural stones and a harder, more durable surface, although periodic sealing is suggested. In terms of pricing, it all depends on the project at hand. However, if there are a lot of small details in your design, quartzite might put a heavier strain on your purse, given that the stone's hardness usually translates into more labor. 

Quartzite has the unique look of natural stones

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	Quartz	Quartzite
Source	Man-made	Natural
Color	Large spectrum	White, gray and beige
Pattern	Any pattern	Similar to marble
		Natural streaks
Hardness	Mohs Scale: 7	Mohs Scale: 7-8
Maintenance	Minimal care	Simple care
	No sealing required	Requires periodic sealing
Heat resistant	No	Yes

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New Arrivals - July 26, 2016

We are delighted to share with you a sampling of our latest eye-catching arrivals that include these nine gorgeous marble, granite, quartzite and soapstone slabs.

Dolce Vita - Quartzite

Via Artisti - Granite

White Sun - Granite

Super White Extra

Wild Swan - Quartzite

Soapstone

Carrara - Marble - Leather

Cross Cut - Quartzite

Taj Mahal Extra - Quartzite

Come visit us in La Grange to see our colorful selection or email us any time. For more information please see our Contact page. 

Blue Pearl Stone Website Launch

Welcome to our new digital home!

Our website was due for an update in order to better and more accurately represent the progress that we've made over the recent years, and today we are finally ready to unveil our new online identity.

We have always addressed our customers needs and wants with an enthusiasm for beauty and a respect for the environment, and we've strived to set the standard in our industry for technological advancements in fabrication and installation. In this vein, the pure white, blue and grey color of the website evokes beauty and clarity, and the new semi-serif company logo simultaneously pays homage to the stone industry’s rich history and alludes to our rapidly advancing world.

We hope you’ll enjoy browsing our new website, and be sure to sign up to our newsletter so you can receive the latest Blue Pearl updates as well as our Written in Stone blog posts.

Thank you for visiting our new site! We look forward to seeing you soon!

Yours truly,

The Blue Pearl Stone Team