The Complete Guide to Quartzite

Meet Quartzite—the natural stone that combines marble’s beauty with granite’s resilience. When it comes to creating a stylish, exquisite, and beautiful space, quartzite slabs have become well-sought-after by homeowners and designers.

Meanwhile, quartzite is often confused and mislabelled as other natural stones. A simple internet search can reveal a world of misinformation and misconceptions about it. Some say it’s man-made, Some say it isn’t. Sometimes, you may find that it’s less durable. Yet others report that it’s an excellent choice for kitchen top counters.

But what is the reality? Let’s find out.

What Is Quartzite?

Quartzite starts as sandstone. Deep beneath the Earth, with a lot of heat and pressure, this simple sandstone turns into quartzite. This isn’t just any rock—it’s strong, durable, and abrasion-resistant. It often looks similar to other stones because of its interesting patterns and colours. It has a lot of quartz, making it tough and great for many uses.

Quartzite is primarily white or light-coloured because the quartz sand it comes from is light-coloured, too. Sometimes, extra minerals from groundwater can add shades of green, blue, or even iron-red to it. Some colourful types of quartzite are called Van Gogh and Azul Macaubas.

That said, quartz is much easier to work with from a manufacturing point of view. Since it’s man-made, quartz is more predictable in the workshop. On the other hand, because quartzite is a natural stone, it can chip more easily. A common issue fabricators encounter is chipping off the quartzite slabs when cut with a bridge saw.

Where to Use Quartzite?

Due to its versatility and durability, it can be used in both residential and commercial settings. Quartzite is widely used in countertops, backsplashes, feature walls, and bathroom surfaces.

Why Pick Quartzite?

Quartzite is perfect if you want something that’s both beautiful and practical. It works well in many different places in a home and is easy to keep looking good. Quartzite is an excellent choice for fixing your kitchen, bathroom, or backyard.

What makes Quartzite Unique?

While many qualities make Quartzite a go-to choice for many homeowners and designers, here are a few that actually matter.

Hardness

You don’t have to be an expert to appreciate the hardness of Quartzite. Because it forms slowly over a long time. On the Mohs Hardness Scale, which measures how hard materials are, quartzite scores a 7. This means it’s harder than glass or a knife blade, and it’s even a bit tougher than granite and steel. If you seal quartzite properly with a good sealer, it can last forever.

Functionality

Given that Quartzite is widely used in kitchens and bathrooms, it’s no surprise that it is also highly resistant to chemicals and acids.

Low Maintenance

Quartzite is tough and doesn’t chip easily, making it great for kitchen countertops. When it’s sealed properly, it also resists stains. You can clean it simply by wiping it down with a damp cloth. If you have a quartzite countertop, you won’t need any special cleaning products to keep it looking great.

Aesthetic

Quartzite comes in lots of colours and patterns. Whether you’re looking for a countertop, a fireplace, a patio, or even around a pool, you’ve got plenty of choices. You can pick something bright and colourful or go for something simpler and subdued. Plus, the patterns in quartzite, which look a lot like marble, add a touch of elegance to any space.

What are the Drawbacks of Quartzite?

Despite being a highly sought-after stone, Quartzite has its own set of drawbacks and cons.

Expensive

Quartzite is a beautiful stone widely used in homes. However, it’s pricey. Depending on where you source it, it can cost more than marble or granite.

Porous

Quartzite looks great because of its texture, but it also has tiny holes that can absorb liquids and oils, leading to stains. ⁤⁤To prevent this and keep your quartzite looking new, seal it regularly. ⁤⁤It’s a bit of work since you’ll need to reseal it once a year, but this helps it last longer. ⁤

Challenging to Install

⁤⁤Quartzite is heavier and more challenging to work with than many other materials, requiring special tools and skills for installation. ⁤⁤This makes setting up quartzite countertops a significant challenge. ⁤

How to Care for Quartzite?

Just like other natural stone surfaces, quartzite countertops need a good sealer to keep them looking great. It’s worth spending a bit more on a high-quality sealer. Even though it might seem expensive, it’s much cheaper than replacing the whole countertop!

Putting a sealer on your quartzite every year helps stop stains from soaking in. This keeps your countertop looking vibrant and protects it from daily wear and tear.

Once your quartzite is sealed well, caring for it is easy. If you spill something, just clean it up quickly with a cleaner safe for stone. This way, your quartzite will stay in top shape, just like any other stone surface.

Quartzite vs Quartz

Quartzite is often confused with quartz, which sounds similar but is quite different. Quartzite forms deep in the earth, while quartz is man-made. Quartz’s artificial materials make it less resistant to heat and scratches than quartzite.

Also, quartz uses resin and polymers, so it can’t handle sunlight well; its colours might fade or turn yellow over time. On the other hand, natural quartzite is stable under UV light, keeping its colour and shine for many years.

Conclusion

Quartzite is a beautiful, versatile stone that complements classic and modern kitchens. As it grows in popularity, we will likely see it used more frequently. Thanks to its qualities, it’s no surprise that Quartzite is slowly becoming a go-to choice for many homeowners. However, finding someone who produces and processes authentic quartzite can be challenging.

At Baasar Stones, Melbourne, we offer a diverse range of quartzite benchtops and slabs in various sizes, colours, and specifications. Feel free to drop by our showroom to explore our natural stone collection, or call us if you have any questions. We’re here to help!