Three Differences Between Quartzite And Quartz

Quartzite and quartz are both high-end materials that are often used interchangeably among retailers because they seem so alike. However, these two materials are quite different. Specifically, quartzite and quartz vary in terms of durability, maintenance, looks, and composition. Quartzite is a metamorphic rock created below the surface of the earth. This happens when sandstone that’s rich in quartz is changed through high temperature and pressure. Afterward, professionals mine the quartzite and cut the natural stone into slabs. Because quartzite comes directly from the earth, it’s a lot like quarried marble, soapstone, and limestone.

Quartz, on the other hand, is manmade. It’s made up of 90 percent ground quartz. The other 10 percent is a mixture of pigments, resins, and polymers that are used to bind the quartz pieces together. After being molded, this engineered stone is baked into sturdy slabs in the factory setting. What makes quartz and quartzite so similar is that they are both extremely durable. In fact, they’re both harder than granite.

However, they still differ in terms of hardness as well as in their many other properties. Before you make your final countertop material choice, let’s look at three ways these two materials differ.

Hardness Although both materials are harder than granite, as we mentioned earlier, quartz is still harder than quartzite.

Quartz itself is the 4th hardest stone on Earth, only 3 spots behind Diamonds, being the hardest mineral on the planet.  Quartzite, as it is a natural stone, is susceptible to naturally occurring fissures or cracks beneath the surface that can weaken with continued use.

Still, you can easily scratch both quartzite and quartz with a sharp object. Therefore, you should use cutting boards with both.

Colors and Patterns Since quartzite is totally natural, which is perfect for the eco-conscious consumer, it comes in a wide variety of patterns and colors. In other words, you won’t find two quartzite slabs that are completely alike. However, quartzite primarily comes in gray or white shades. Still, if the stone has some iron oxide in it, this could give it a red or pink hue. Also, the quartzite slab patterns you’ll come across will be limited to what takes place via natural formation. The veined finish of a quartzite slab typically resembles that of marble or granite, with inconsistencies visible across the slab.

Quartz, however, comes in many more patterns and colors. This is because the pigments that manufacturers add to quartz can help with achieving a range of colors. For instance, your quartz could be a deep pink, a light blue, or even an orange or violet. This is especially handy if you’ve got a certain flooring or cabinet color that you’d like your countertop to match. With quartz, you’re more likely to find a countertop that meets your needs relatively quickly.

Searching for a quartzite slab that fits your criteria, on the other hand, can feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack. In addition, your factory-generated quartz slab could be veined or flecked in such a way as to display diverse patterns. These patterns can effortlessly add character to your kitchen and be visually appealing. The great thing about quartz is that technology is constantly advancing, so it’s getting tougher to tell quartz from quartzite. However, since quartz is created in a large-scale manner that’s controlled, patterns will start to become repetitive at some point. Note, though, that bold veins can be taken out of quartz, which will yield a more uniform and consistent appearance. This is perfect if this is the look you’re going for in your kitchen.

If you’d like your kitchen countertop to look like natural stone, you should go with quartzite. Meanwhile, if you prefer a more asserted selection of patterns and colors to consider, you should stick with quartz.

Texture Naturally, since quartzite comes from the ground, it has an earthier feeling, touch wise and visually. Quartzite slabs keep the sugar-like, granular texture that sandstone has. This makes them ideal for homeowners who want their countertops to feel organic and coarse.

The opposite is true for quartz. The resin used in quartz makes a quartz countertop feel seamless and smooth, which is fine if you’re okay with your countertop having somewhat of a manufactured look. Of course, many homeowners prefer to buy manufactured products over natural ones because they can find out the specific physical properties of their manufactured products. This isn’t possible with naturally occurring products, which can have unpredictable properties.

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