What's the Difference Between Quartz & Quartzite?

How Are Quartzite & Quartz Different?

Quartz and quartzite may sound alike, but they’re two very different types of material commonly used for countertops. One material is a natural stone while the other is engineered, but the differences go further than that. Here's what you should know about the differences between quartzite and quartz to help you determine which option is best for you.

Natural vs.Engineered

The most important difference to understand about quartz and quartzite is that one is engineered while the other is natural. Quartzite is a type of natural stone that starts out as sandstone but becomes fused with bright quartz crystals. It comes in shades of grey and white, but the minerals in the stone can give it gold, reddish, or pink tones. Quartz is an engineered product made with natural quartz and mixed with resins, pigments, and other additives. You can feel the difference between engineered quartz and natural quartzite. Quartz has a very smooth, seamless surface, while quartzite retains the granular texture of sandstone. You may prefer this coarser texture if you want to achieve a more natural look and feel.

Difference in Appearance

Quartzite has a similar appearance to marble, with its speckled patterns and gentle veining. While every slab of quartzite is unique, this type of stone comes in a fairly predictable range of colors and patterns. Most quartzite is light-colored and predominantly white or gray with shades of blue, green, pink, red, and beige available. Quartz is very different because it can be made to resemble any type of stone through the manufacturing process, including sleek black granite, travertine, or Carrara marble. It's even available in unnatural colors like vivid purple, fire engine red, and bright green. There's a wide range of design options with quartz that aren't available with natural-stone varieties like quartzite.

Maintenance Requirements

Quartzite is a natural stone that, while hard, is less dense than quartz and more prone to staining in a kitchen. It also needs to be sealed regularly to guard against stains and acid damage. Like other types of natural stone, quartzite can also become damaged by acidic foods and drinks. Quartz is a much more forgiving surface, though it still needs to be cared for properly. Unlike quartzite, quartz is nonporous thanks to its high epoxy resin content. You never need to seal quartz countertops—just use a combination quartz cleaner and polish like Granite Gold Quartz Brite®. The surface of quartz is highly resistant to stains and heat damage, and it isn't acid-sensitive like natural stone.

Installation Concerns

Quartz can be manufactured in any shape, and it's easy to produce any edge style you like, such as a waterfall edge. Quartzite slabs must be cut to fit non-standard countertops with diamond blades.

For additional tips on caring for quartz or natural-stone surfaces such as quartzite, granite, and marble, get in touch with Granite Gold® at 1-800-475-STONE (7866). We also have a Facebook page that features regular stone and quartz care tips, so make sure to like the page today.