Quartzite is a hard, non-foliated metamorphic rock which was originally pure quartz sandstone. Such sedimentary rock has come to be described as orthoquartzite to distinguish it from metamorphic quartzite, which is sometimes called metaquartzite to emphasize its metamorphic origins.

Quartzite is a hard, nonfoliated metamorphic rock formed by the action of heat and pressure upon sandstone. Usually, the rock is white or gray, but it occurs in other pale colors. It has a grainy, rough surface. Magnification reveals a mosaic of quartz crystals.

The biggest difference between quartz and quartzite is that quartz is a man-made material, while quartzite is a natural stone. A quartzite countertop begins as sandstone, which under a natural process of heat and pressure is fused with sparkly quartz crystals to form quartzite.

What is Quartzite? Quartzite is a nonfoliated metamorphic rock composed almost entirely of quartz. It forms when a quartz-rich sandstone is altered by the heat, pressure, and chemical activity of metamorphism. Metamorphism recrystallizes the sand grains and the silica cement that binds them together.

When you are cleaning your quartz countertops, it is important to only use soft cloths. We mentioned that it is important that you use only gentle chemicals on your quartz countertops. Some of these include dish soap, Simple Green, Magic Eraser, denatured alcohol, Rug Doctor Cleaner, or Hope’s Surface Cleaner.

Heat Resistance: Like granite most quartzite is very heat resistant and can withstand hot pots and pans.

Part of Antolini’s WOW Collection, Taj Mahal is a creamy, tan and white quartzite design that can be adapted to nearly any aesthetic. This stone is quarried in Brazil, and features layers of white, amber, and gold in a subtle pattern that creates movement and interest without overwhelming the eye.

Taj Mahal Quartzite Cost Taj Mahal Quartzite ranges from $90 to $110 a square foot. Taj Mahal is a taupe-colored stone that handles different finishes very well. It is common to find slabs that have been honed or leathered, meaning there are no additional finishing fees.

roughly $220 per square foot

Taj Mahal is also one of the most durable and non-porous quartzites available, which makes it extremely popular for homeowners who love to cook but loathe too much fuss.

Mont Blanc is a natural stone quartzite from Brazil that has a creamy white background with grey and taupe veining.

Durability. Quartzite is one of the most durable countertop materials you will be able to buy. It is heat, scratch and stain resistant – making it perfect for use in a kitchen. Granite is very durable in its own right, which also makes it a popular choice in many kitchens.

Mont Blanc boasts sophistication, especially when polished and surrounded by high-end finishes like polished silver. This stone holds a stunning resemblance to marble. Homeowners and professionals alike love this quality – while marble is prone to etches and staining, quartzite is much more durable.

You may even find almost identical slabs of quartzite categorized differently with one called White Princess and the other called White Fantasy. By the same token, you may find distinctly different quartzite slabs both called White Princess Quartzite.

Quartzite is a metamorphic rock formed when quartz-rich sandstone or chert has been exposed to high temperatures and pressures.

Quartzite, sandstone that has been converted into a solid quartz rock. Unlike sandstones, quartzites are free from pores and have a smooth fracture; when struck, they break through, not around, the sand grains, producing a smooth surface instead of a rough and granular one.

A clastic sedimentary rock that is made up almost exclusively of quartz sand (with or without chert), that is relatively free of or lacks a fine-grained matrix; a quartzite of sedimentary origin, or a “pure quartz sandstone”.

Quartz countertops, on the other hand, do not require sealing. While quartzite is harder than quartz (and therefore slightly more scratch-resistant), it will crack with greater ease. This can turn into a massive expense. Both materials will withstand heat beyond what you’d be likely to subject them to.

Common household products like Windex, Clorox Multi-Surface and 3M Glass Cleaner are all safe to use on quartz. After using glass cleaner, wipe the countertops with a cloth or sponge rather than a paper towel to avoid leaving behind tiny fibers.

The most important thing to know is that you can not use chemical cleaners to clean the stone. Chemical cleaners such as Windex, 409 and Simple Green will strip the sealer away, leaving your surface unprotected. Heat Resistance – Quartzite is almost heat proof.

“We recommend using a non-acidic, low pH cleanser such as mild soap and water or stone-specific cleaners easily found at your local retailer.” They also mentioned that not every quartzite has exactly the same makeup and you should always ask your sales rep if quartzite is right for your application.

What Should I Avoid Using When Cleaning Quartzite? Stay away from abrasive sponges as well as bleach, ammonia, or acid-based cleaners. These items can scratch the surface or even weardown the sealant, which can cause your quartzite countertop to look unpolished, and allow for staining and etching.

Quartzite is rock hard, which prevents chipping and etching during kitchen activity. That’s why quartzite should be sealed at least annually, which will prevent stains and keep counters looking shiny and new for many years to come.

Quartzite is a Durable Countertop Like granite, quartzite leans toward the hard side of natural stone, so that means it won’t wear down or develop problems in the short term.

The incredible strength of quartzite makes it one of the most durable natural stones available on the market. It resists heat and cold without cracking or sustaining other damage when exposed to extreme temperatures.

Quartzite is a luxurious stone which often tags it at a higher cost than granite, which is common. However, quartzite is well worth its weight in gold – literally. Other than price, color, and a little bit of durability; granite and quartzite are comparable.

Since quartzite is a much harder and more abrasive stone than any other natural stone, including granite, it takes more time to cut it and extract the blocks from the quarry. It also needs more diamond blades, diamonds wires, and diamond polishing heads, etc., which results in higher cost of inputs.

Typically, quartzite is more expensive than granite if it is a pure quartzite. However, as you price out slabs for your next project, be aware that price comparisons will depend on which granite and which quartzite, as both natural stones tend to have both rarer and more common options that will affect pricing.

Taj Mahal is a quartzite from Brazil. This white quartzite resembles the Italian Calacatta marbles in appearance, but is much harder and more durable. It can be used for kitchen countertops without having the scratching and etching issues experienced with marble.

Arctic White is perhaps one of the most popular quartzite colors on the market. It easily blends with any cabinet color and makes kitchens and bathrooms appear beautifully bright. Whether you have black, white, or natural wood cabinets, Arctic White is an excellent choice.

Pros and Cons of Quartz and Quartzite Countertops

Pros	Cons
Durable	Less resistant to stains than quartz
High resale value
Moisture resistant (if properly sealed)
Heat resistant

And because it is UV resistant, quartzite retains its color and doesn’t fade, even in direct sunlight.

This hard wearing material is scratch resistant but still requires sealing. Cost: Around $80 – $150 per square foot installed. Tip: To keep your quartzite countertops in top shape, clean up spills quickly and be careful with grease and acidic foods.

Quartzite is one the hardest materials available; way harder than granite. It has a Mohs Scale of 7 (Hardness measurement, 10 is the hardest) while Granite is usually around 6.0 to 6.5. Even though quartzite is extremely hard it is still not scratch-proof, so we still recommend using cutting boards.

In terms of hardness using the Mohs Hardness Scale, quartzite scores at seven while granite is between 6 and 6.5. From this, we can say that it is definitely tougher than granite. Consequently, this is the reason why quartzite is usually used in border and railway ballasts construction.

Hence quartzite is still a porous stone with average water absorption of between 0.1 and 1.4%. The protection and maintenance of quartzite is very similar to granite in that both have reasonable water absorption making them susceptible to below surface staining.

Sadly, if any water splashes on the counter and is not immediately wiped dry, it leaves a water stain. I saw your Etch and Water Mark remover, but read that it is not for use on Granite. I am not sure if Natural Quartzite is similar in makeup to Marble or Granite.