Wonderful article, I too, purchased the exact stone for its beauty; the look and the option over Carrara marble. For instance, you can have an EXTREMELY strong stone in flexural & compressive strength but its water absorption rate is absolutely morbid. we tested and they didnt etch and also passed our glass scratch test. Is that true? Sealer can always be applied as long as its impregnating and the surface is clean. Ive had them installed now for 2.5 years and still nothing. This site uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Weve used it for all of 36 hours and I noticed tonight MANY marks (forgive me I forget whether they would be stains or etches) on the island overhang where said children have sat to eat multiple meals. I just moved into our new home and had my heart set on a new gorgeous Quartzite called Blazing Pearl. According to the Marble Institute of America some quartzite etches because in slab preparation, resins are infused into the slab that enhance slab stability and make it shine. I have had my Quartz for 2 years with no issues. Good times. You would preserve the look but protect the finish. CountertopSpecialty.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. I have the exact same problem. I agree that Taj Mahal only works with warm colors. ), but I suppose that is the only option since it does not appear that we can trust suppliers when it comes to quartzite. All that should do to real quartzite is clean it. Hi. Quit publishing utter nonsense. Ive already had it polished once in the 16 months in my new home. Engineered stone is 95% stone with a 5% resin incorporated through out the material. Shortly after installing a emperador brown marble vanity top, I placed a bottle of liquid toilet cleaner on the counter and it leaked creating a white etched spot the size of a tennis ball. Resin helps protect the stone to a degree but if the stone is in fact calcitic it will still react with acids and etch. The stone itself is etching. It depends on what you mean by "durable". I would say if you are keeping these counters, the color is beautiful by the way why dont you invest in some custom cut sheets of tempered glass? I poured some oil oil on, rubbed it in with a cloth and let it sitmaybe 5 or 10 minutes? The main thing is that you are doing your homework, which is key. I was considering quartzite but I will stick with granite. How do i got about cleaning this? Its dependent on the stone supplier (quarry) and what resin was used some resins apparently dont etch. Most marbles are calcites, which will etch when it comes in contact with household acids. Regardless of what you eventually choose for your countertops, you'll need to do more research so you know what you're getting into. It was no longer available when I bought this countertop one year ago. I called and said I was duped into believing them, and they continued to say it was premium quality from Italy. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2022 CandysDirt.com | All Rights Reserved | Site Design by KateOGroup, LLC. Your posts on this subject have been very helpful. Eliminating the dullness and wear and tear of your quartzite countertops is made possible via care and polishing. Theres no free lunch. Dont be fooled.granite can etch just like any other natural stone. However, I will add a few notes for those whose cursory research ends with this column. All natural stones are different compositions. Javiwa, are you saying with that sealer that oil etc won't be absorbed into quartzite? Perhaps, but at what cost? I installed this in my kitchen about 8 years ago. Obviously not the real deal. I went to 5 different stone dealers/warehouses here in Dallas and relayed your story and all but one told me that some places will sell you a marble and call it either a soft quartzite or just quartzite and you are really getting a marble. An average Kitchen for me runs around $1000 on quartzite and cheaper for marble or limestone as theyre softer and much easier to work with. I cannot believe they would risk their reputation and sell me something that is not the quality they claim. Is there any way to restore my countertop? - A Very Cozy Home, This North Dallas Home Looks So Good Youll Think Its Staged, Frank Talley Designed This Super Cool Modern in Fort Worths Westover Hills. But maybe some pictures will help? This may seem idiotic, but our Quartz countertop was so extensively damaged ( etched dull big spots) that I am considering covering the remainder of the surface with the same product to at least have a uniform surface appearance. I feel for you. Quartz should not etch and is heat resistant. Was it my DHs salad dressing??? i carry a piece of glass with me and go to the corners of the slab and try and scratch the glass as i dont trust what people tell me. We went back twice to the largest distributor/yard and I found the owner who told me no dont get that one and then the stone I fell in love with and finally chose he said was a very strong one and I would not have problems. Short of that there is little reassurance that you are getting anything close to true quartzite. Thats great to hear! Fabricators are accustomed to dealing with that situation with shims etc. The only time I have seen our product etch would be if someone left something acidic over night or a chemical like CLR or major harsh cleaner. I really doubt that I will find a granite that I like that will compliment the soapstone perimeter countertops (which we love! LOL. and then theres the price! Didnt get it bc of the cost, but not everyone wants shiny, glossy etc. If you are looking for quartzite do your research, stick to picking a hard quartzite, and find a good dealer and you will be amazed with this stone beauty and softness of marble which is bullet proof better than granite. There is a reason some stone costs more than others. An award-winning columnist, Jon has earned silver and bronze awards for his columns from the National Association of Real Estate Editors in both 2016, 2017 and 2018. I have my own company refinishing granite and marble as well as addressing shine issues scratches and stain poltice, The way these granite dealers take advantage of people is disgusting I use the best products on the market and I cannot even offer a warranty on this stone because is quality so low, Leather honed to a matte finish or mirror gloss still perfume on a pig, This is the equivalent of trying to write an entire book on toilet paper. She uses Method spray on it. I found quartzite i liked but after initially seeing the negatives on this post, was so disappointed not into the granite look and didnt find anything i liked in quartz. I was told the Quartzite was more durable, yada , yada, etc. Our tops were sealed ~ 1 year ago. Trust me a 6000 dollar counter that never looks clean is NO FUN. Lustro Italiano Was helpful on etching last year. Hopefully youve read the updated pieces listed at the top of this article. For sure, it needs sealing. You might want to check it out. I purchased Sea Pearl Quartzite in March, nine months ago. Etching is actually reversible on softer stones such as marble, limestone, calcite, and travertine. . Again because of all of the articles I am so afraid of putting the wrong polish on the quartzite. Ensure that you clean the surface. I am sure the right polish would give some extra protection. Here's how to see if marble's right for you, Get details and costs on top counter materials to help you narrow down the choices for your kitchen, Loudoun County's Professional Painting Services & Top-Quality Products, Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers, Outdoor Lighting & Audio/Visual Specialists, http://usenaturalstone.com/definitive-guide-quartzite/, http://usenaturalstone.org/properties-of-quartzite/, Kitchen Counters: Quartzite Offers Strength and Beauty, Kitchen of the Week: Artfully Etched in Denver, Kitchen Counters: Granite, Still a Go-to Surface Choice, Kitchen Counters: Elegant, Timeless Marble, Kitchen Counters: High-Tech Solid Surfaces Make Maintenance Easy, Dream Spaces: 12 Beautiful White Kitchens, Using White Marble: Hot Debate Over a Classic Beauty, Your Guide to 15 Popular Kitchen Countertop Materials, Polished Hammered Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink, Kitchen backsplash tile above 4 inch granitr, Ideas for finishing top of cabinets after soffit removal. In my research, the only "real" Quartzite I found that was literally etching proof was the Taj Mahal. They dont fade in the sun. But now I just opened my summer house after shutting electricity for the winter and I see reddish marks on quartzite!! I household item that can save your countertops! Damaged one cupboard, so insurance redid all cabinets and counters. All of these people with MARBLE counters, clinging to the lie that they are quartzite. Granite chips are inconspicuously repairable. Beware of Monte Blanc. The industry needs clearer more consistent information available to consumers and better oversight to protect us from unscrupulous supply chain practices. Could it be that my particular stone is soft vs hard quartzite or that after fabrication there is no resin to seal the edges? Its a 1-2 mm thick overcoat resin thats professionally applied. This column still stands as a cautionary tale. Which quartzite did you purchase? What sealant have u used? Rubbing alcohol is a great cleaner that wont etch and will almost guarantee the pores are cleaned as it can break down oils from cooking, etc. The installer commented on how challenging this stone is to work with (Taj Mahal quartzite). I highly recommend you read carefully the article in the link posted by karin_mt (a few posts up) who is a true expert and very helpful. What did you get? Some products that are even specifically made for a surface leave a film. Thanks again. My friend has this stone in her kitchen leathered and sealed and doesnt have any etching or stains on it. Everyone that sees it comments on how beautiful it is. If the whole slab already looks etched and imperfect, post-installation etching wont show as badly. Ill be eager to hear my neighbours comments on her new quartz countertop as it ages with misinformation. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://countertopspecialty.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/5000733749-quartzite-etching, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0085L2SF6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_AAS4M77SXQB4PA4FYWQS. The glossy and smooth surface of a polished countertop is easier to take care of because the polish acts as a barrier and repels any stains and moisture from potentially damaging the stone. I think we all know that marble, especially the lighter colored varieties, can be fussy and prone to staining. There is ample documentation from the Natural Stone Institute about marbles that are mislabeled as quartzite (I wrote most of it), and Super White is specifically called out as a marble that is frequently mis-labeled as quartzite. I am debating between honed quartzite and Matt granite in a fairly light color. The minimum one expects from a countertop is durability. But equally, the stones beauty wont show through either. Natuaral quartzites are actually harder than granite and will not etch. You should not have to live with a counter that bothers you every day, when this is a 'simple' case of a mistake from the dealer. Stay away from this one. In your comments you also state stone will fade in the sun. This is not your fault, but was the fault of the people who sold you that stone under the wrong name and with an incorrect description of its properties. Quartzite generally does not have the speckled granite look and is much harder than marble. Perhaps, not so. The quartzite I got had many different names depending on the yard you went to. On a whim, I figured that etch is very dry and thought maybe putting moisture back into these areas would help, and if not, most likely wouldnt hurt. How can I find a glossary of hard and soft quartzites? As far as staining, I have had 2 rings by the sink(took of the finish), but honestly you would never notice unless I pointed it out. Note: Most quartzites that etch are mislabeled. It is a bit misleading as it stands. Aside from that, it's a great choice. Quartzite is a great option, mainly for its durability. Anxious to know what it is, as we are choosing countertops very soon. Because of that, it tends to be porous. How often do you have to apply it to keep it effective? After reading your article Im very seriously considering trading it for granite. Good advice Javiwa! on different slabs. It is affordable, offers a variety of design possibilities for bathrooms and kitchens, and the maintenance is manageable as well. thanks. Willful ignorance? My best recommendation is to talk to the folks at Aria Stone in the Design District. Id recommend just doing a little outside research when you look at quartzite. Reasonable care and expectations will go a long ways towards a satisfactory experience too.Thanks to all who contributed to this thread and this forum! Also it is soft and scratches pretty easily around sink. Three Things to Know: Jackpots, Jobs Reports, And Inflation! The first thing people say when they see our kitchen is how much they live the countertops. Word to anyone, while it might take your breath away DONT DO IT! If durable means stain resistance, you can't beat Corian and other solid surfaces. Countertops are sealed and protected!! THANKS!!! It isnt the immediate spill, its the acid being left active post cleanup without a neutralizing cleaner. See Joannas comment above. Well, youd be surprised haha . Quartzite is a great counter top material. They are under new ownership and are lying to their customers. OLIVE OIL!!!!!! Yes research but the challenge with that is exactly the authors point. Great read, but the root cause of this article isnt accurate, as figures 1 and 3 arent actually quartzite at all. Sure they get dirty. He said some of the marks are the glue marks. The dealer suggested it is part of the natural stone, I should wipe it down with acetone and then seal it. Quartzite does NOT scratch the surface. Quartzite can resemble some Marbles so it is possible that the Quartzite you thought you were getting was indeed in fact a Marble. You compare both to granite. Doesn't help you unfortunately I realize, but for the benefit of others reading this threadDO NOT RELY ON THE STONEYARD SALESPERSON TO CORRECTLY IDENTIFY YOUR STONE SLABS!! Had someone said, it will etch, I could have made a decision that was right for me (in the case of my kitchen counters, I would have never installed it in a million years). Read my follow up here. IMC should be ashamed of themselves. Things went down hill quickly and after two weeks it is literally turning into one giant etching. Does anyone have a suggestion on a polish that I can use on my quartzite? The honed finish just does a better job of masking the etching because its already a dull finish. However it has mixed reviews. Resins are natural or synthetic compounds generally originating from tree or plant sap. It looks like sea pearl without all the green. Someone mentioned sea pearl quartzite. the problem- the sealing company that uses a covalent bond coating refuses to seal it as the man said our counters are not compatible- that they are more porous than marble! ~boxer, Eye-catching patterns and a natural pedigree make durable quartzite a popular alternative to granite and marble, An engraved island, art-screened cabinets and a smart layout are just the right mix for a professional chef and his wife, Love means accepting maybe even celebrating imperfections. And thats just tap water. I know for sure lemon juice has sat many times on it for at least 30 minutes before its wiped up after cooking. This is years past but I figure someone may stumble upon this thread in need of some help. I did notice a lot of quartzite slabs had mesh on the back. However, it is still a stone and needs to be taken care of and maintained. At dinner parties I hate going behind my guest and making sure their glass is sitting on a coaster. Infinity White might fit the bill - it's a lot like Macaubus and is also a bit porous. The cost of good stone is spread over very many years. True quartzite as the term is properly used is close to 99% pure quartz. Press J to jump to the feed. JB, It looks similar to carera marble with more a bush grey veining and a lot of crystal even in the graining. Will it still be fairly etch and scratch proof or by doing so does opening it up, lead to problems ? Granite is a class of stone that was formed by the same geologic (not godly) process. The mineral content (calcite) also has something to do with it as does whether or not-or how much- resin was infused into the slabs. Hi Candy, Have you published the article yet on your alternative to Quartz/Quartzite that will not etch or discolor? It has not been compressed as much. I have heard of Caesarstone etching. I prefer quartzite as they are a bit more natural looking with a bit of elegance. We painted our oak cabinets a Swiss Coffee with all nickel hardware and stainless appliances with our Taj Mahal and it looks quite striking. NEVER use a topical/high-gloss sealer on natural stone. It doesnt describe the ingredients (colors). I thought my beautiful quartzite countertops were ruined by a mixture of lemon juice and vinegar I used against ants ( I was never told that quartzite etched). Thank you for providing balanced information! Out beautiful, high shine smooth quartz countertoo was installed and three days later, TEC grout was used on a wall to ceiling backsplash. Im glad you got stuck with black granite! No one ever said it was soft quartzite or calcite. I made this choice in lieue of granite or marble, both of which were biable options, because they guided me that this stone would not etch. We are fighting with our contractor, but will have it replaced one way or the other. The industry is improving, but there are still sellers who aren't up to snuff and it makes headaches for everyone. I would ONLY recommend soapstone if you desire a highly patina countertop, as soapstone is highly porous. I love it but after several years I noticed it has etched in one area from lime juice (I think). We have well water and I wonder if that could be part of the problem. This is a reputable stone yard that just finished the new Nassau Colosseum. My samples were fine with acids, heat, and didnt etch, but they were small. I used spaghetti and lemon juice all over it for two days and nothing. I don't remember the product he sealed it with, but it was the best choice in his opinion. Etching: SOME Quartzites (and Onyxs and Marbles) Dirty Secret. Basically, in my experience, the ONLY 100 percent safe, durable and un-etchable natural stone is granite. My fabricator confirmed this as well. Use a coaster under every glass and or can. I have Verde Vecchio in my kitchen. When it comes to making a decision whether you should go with an unpolished or polished finish, it will ultimately come down to which you prefer. It will. So disappointed. This quartzite was sold to us with no info about scratching or etching. So while everything you write about resins is true, granite will not solve anyones problem in fact, its pretty much *guaranteed* to etch in any form, while un-resind quartzite will not. Not to beat a dead horse but if someone could help, wed be so appreciative! Real quartzite is harder than granite. It pits the stone and can cause a stone ailment called spalling that you DO NOT want. Dont buy high-gloss quartzite, buy a leather or honed finish instead. It came right off. Articles like these are so misleading. I know some of you have your magic potions for getting out etch marks. Plastic cant etch. With further research I discovered that quartzite slabs that etch are not really quartzite. Had I known, I NEVER would have purchased the stone, let alone pay extra over granite. We also had Taj Mahal Quartzite and NEVER had any problems with etching or staining of any kind. Which is a nice way of saying its not covered by their warranty so if you damage the countertop, its your problem. They were not able to pick it out personally. In general, the overall appearance of the quartzite may become dull after being cleaned with improper cleaners, wear and tear, and accidental damages. Trying to make choices for any home redo to be less maintenance. The SFA pros are so knowledgeable and helpful, and you might glean some useful information there -- or consider starting your own thread. Etching is especially apparent on light/white colored stone, but the dulling appearance of etching will be visible on any colored quartzite. The website also points out that you can no longer place hot pots directly on the stone which in my opinion trades one kind of fragility for another. It really is beautiful, but, after just 1 week and 3 assurances that it has been sealed, nothing beads off. Basically, what you said we said, doesnt sound like us. I think it is important that you distinguish the difference between Quartzite and Engineered stone like Cambria Zodiac and what we use here at Granite Transformations. Leaving a glass on the countertop which sweats left a ring which will NOT come out. It is naturally much sturdier than its imitations; which means you will have a lot less etching, chips, dents, and cracks. Very informative and we learned a LOT that helped us in our decision. Can we add coats of sealer ourselves? Keep it up until you find something that checks all or most of your boxes. Several possibilities (caveat: I'm no expert, but I did do a fair amount of research on this) the most likely is that you were sold something other than true quartzite. It is extremely important to educate yourself before buying ANY solid surface to make sure that what you want is practical for your household. Everything's a give and take, and there is no perfect surface. My friend had spilled red wine on it lemon juice etc. Many would think durability, along with stone rarity, should increase with price. My neighbor has the exact same stone and is having the same problem. Any oil smudges and splatters left overnight wipe up fine with soap and water. If any stone is etch-able, it will still etch with a honed finish. Marble stun marks not so much. Hello, Why are you saying that quartzite is garbage? We installed the centers in our kitchen and every bath. Some retailers do an awesome job of understanding their products, correctly identifying the stone they sell, and explaining things to customers. Most people have experience only with one stone, but even they can be helpful by posting the name of their own and how it has performed. They are going to find your article, as I did. Marble Island Restoration Honing, Polishing And Sealing. Nothing i. Fresno- I went with Quartz exactly for the reasons you list above. The salesperson sold me on Luce di Luna which I think is the one yall have mentioned as not actually being quartzite? Marriage proposals accepted (now that theyre legal in Texas)! As you can see my countertops are beige/colored. Not seeing the pictures (at least not yet). Unfortunately we took the word of the manufacture thinking it was quartzite how do we know it is marble for sure? Test test test! You also try to infer that cost is relative to durability. According to the fabricator, sea pearl is a hard quartzite.. We had a very similar experience. are there any other suggestions? I hope those who are shopping for countertops would get a chance to learn from your experience. In my experience and, according to my installer, for dark granite sealing is not necessary. Performance, durability, and environmentally healthier is my choice. I was told it was durable like granite. How about hosting a Candys Dirt Staff Meeting? blow up the mountain. For this reason, the chunk test may not reflect the whole slab. Lets ask Jon Anderson: [emailprotected]. Quartzite is a very specific material made predominantly of silicon dioxide. Those beautiful swirls of color you see in some sheets come from other chemical impurities which may be prone to etching, but I have yet to see an actual quartzite slab that ever contained what looked like the large, shattered quartz crystals that you can see in Figure 1, because real quartzite is made when tectonic pressures and temperatures transforms quartz sandstone in to metamorphic rock. As Ive said in future articles, make sure its really quartzite (and not mislabeled) and get a chunk and try to stain it. A community dedicated to helping people with advice on personal home improvement projects. Also, true quartzite does not etch for the simple reason that it effectively contains no calcite. Actually, the ONLY thing that doesnt etch is Quartz, but be sure you understand the difference between quartzite and quartz. Then you say its calcite that is the issue. What about the White Macabus? Let me know if you need help with this. Heres some photos. I bought a beautiful slab which was labeled Quartzite. And stone yards arent honest about whats what. Thanks!! And then when he refused you accepted that as proof that stone fades in the sun. So sorry to hear about your experience. Feeling better? Thanks. Very happy with our choice! Has anyone had any experience with it? Most included blue in the name. I truly wish I read all this before. Quartzite is completely naturally occurring, while imitations such as quartz consist of an engineered stone, resin, and pigments. I read this just in time it seems! overnight to see what happens. A counter top is an investment. We bought what we were told was granite 3 years ago. Tomorrow I will make an attempt at trying to have this resolved but from what you are saying this may not be easy. Also there are rings created frim my hot soup bowls.