Both materials contain the same quartz crystals which give them a distinct sparkly appearance, but the way they are produced is extremely different. As the individual particles of quartz recrystallize cool, they develop a smooth, glass-like stone that looks similar to … However, quartz countertops are made from fabricated natural silicon dioxide and synthetic materials. Quartzite is from the earth. In fact, it happens to be one of the most popular countertop choices out there, but is quartz the same as quartzite? Quartz on the other hand is slightly more susceptible to the possibility of an accidental etching or scorching. The stone colors of both—marble and quartzite—available to designers and homeowners brought forward by the natural stone industry can be similar as well. Quartzite is more scratch-resistant than quartz, and its patterns can help hide any scratches that do pop up. Quartzite is an all-natural material that is extracted from quarries and finished into various products, including, you guessed it, countertops. Take coloring for example. Quartzite is widely used in the construction industry as slabs, roofing and flooring tiles and as crushed stones. These patterns are typically uniform across a slab while the patterns found in quartzite are random and will be variable throughout each slab. According to geologists, quartzite is a “non-foliated metamorphic rock that’s composed almost entirely of quartz.” It’s formed deep within the earth when tectonic plates converge, spewing lava through fault lines and creating mountains in the process. When Should You Refinish, Repair, or Replace Your Granite Countertops. With a name so similar, it makes sense to wonder how different they can possibly be. Quartzite forms from sandstone and the mineral quartz being put under extreme heat and pressure. Other minerals can also cause other colorations. Quartzite is mined and removed from the earth in large slabs, then cut down to the necessary size to create countertops for bathroom and kitchen renovation projects. Rock Doctor is here to break down the differences (and show you the similarities) in these two materials to help you make the best decision on the countertop material you are using in your home. And on quartz, every little scratch is going to look like an abnormality on the stone. Additionally, frequent polishing is necessary to keep the stone looking beautiful. But granite is an igneous rock, which means that it has crystallized and solidified from lavas molten state. Aren’t they just the same stone? Over time, the sand grains become compressed and stuck together to form sandstone. Quartzite is a naturally occurring, abundant metamorphic rock. Other minerals can add blue, yellow, or green accents. Quartzite is a natural stone. It tends to look more organic than the human-made quartz countertops. Natural quartz can appear in a variety of colors. Quartz countertops are usually less expensive than quartzite options. As a homeowner, it is important to understand the differences between the two surfaces. Quartzite countertops are heat resistant and slightly harder than granite countertops, which means that they are the hardest stone countertop option on the market. Similarities and Differences Between Quartz and Quartzite Countertops, https://rockdoctor.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/rockdrlogo300x211-2020.png, https://rockdoctor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/quartz.jpg. When you are ready to discuss your dream kitchen, give us a call or visit one of our slab galleries. Let’s take a look at the formation and composition of each type of stone. That being said, the closest countertop material to "real quartz" is still quartzite, as it has a high concentration of the mineral quartz. Quartzite is a metamorphic rock formed from sandstone. Feature Image: Cambria Quartz Brittanicca – Sebring Design Build. Quartz vs Quartzite. Since it is a natural material, you will find the surface to be slightly rougher than quartz giving it that organic earthy feel. An article in Consumer Reports helps us to explain that quartz is a synthetic material made in a factory from stone chips, resins, and pigments while quartzite originated as sandstone. Sandstone is a sedimentary rock which forms from cemented sand-sized clasts. We will start with quartzite. When altered, these materials form what we know as quartzite. The natural stone is one of the densest materials you will be able to find. 5.2 Composition Chert is a hard, dark, opaque sedimentary rock which is composed of silica with an amorphous fine-grained texture Quartzite is a non-foliated metamorphic rock that forms by the metamorphism of pure quartz Sandstone 1.2 History 1.2.1 Origin Quartzite is a metamorphic rock. Overall, quartzite is going to require a little more maintenance than quartz, which is another reason why many homeowners choose to go with quartz countertops. Quartzite vs. Quartz Countertops. Quartzite is formed from sandstone through heating and pressure during natural metamorphic events. Since quartzite is a natural stone, it is porous. Such conditions fuse the quartz grains together forming a dense, hard, equigranular rock. “Rock Doctor” is a federally registered trademark of Apex Products, LLC Both countertop types are considered to be durable due to their hardness. Quartz countertops tend to look more uniform than natural stone surfaces like quartzite. Quartzite can have a grainy, glassy, sandpaper-like surface Quartzite is a hard, non- foliated metamorphic rock which was originally pure quartz sandstone. Quartzite is a natural stone. Beginning its life as sandstone, heat, and pressure bind the material to bits of quartz yielding quartzite. It is important to understand what those differences are to determine which purchase is best for you. It is made from natural minerals including quartz, plus resins, and pigments. ©2020 APEX Products. The two types of stone often get confused due to the similarity in name. Since quartz is non-porous, it is more resistant to staining than quartzite. Harder, heat, stain, and scratch-resistant surface. Should I Fix the Chip in My Granite Countertop? Quartzite or quartz, it is hard to go wrong. Quartz tends to be a bit more flexible than quartzite, which makes it more resistant to chipping. Quartz Vs Quartzite (The Pros and Con, Comparison) Quartzite. With so many different options available for countertop surface materials, it can start to feel like the differences between each are nearly impossible to distinguish—especially in the case of quartz vs. quartzite. Quartzite is a type of naturally occuring metamorphic rock that is primarily made up of recrystallized quartz crystals. Engineered Stone Vs. Metamorphic Rock. These countertops are sensitive to heat above 300°F. Both granite and Quartzsite are natural stones, but quartzite is a much harder stone. Perhaps you would like to continue your research and investigate the difference between quartz, marble, and granite. We wanted to break down the differences and clear up any confusion in case you’re considering one or both of these as countertop options for your home.

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