Quartzite vs. Marble

In the world of natural stones, there are no losers – each stone has it’s own unique characteristics. When guiding a client in selecting their stone, I always say: there’s no right or wrong choice, only the one that’s perfect for you. You should always consider how you use the space, how much maintenance are you willing or able to do, what aesthetic do you prefer, and of course, budget. At Select Surfaces we offer products for every style and every budget, but lately we’ve been seeing more Quartzite & Marble than ever before, so we wanted to share some of the common differences so you can make the choice that’s perfect for you.

Let’s talk about how you use the space. If you entertain, cook a lot or have children In the home, you may consider durability as their top priority. You’ll want a stone that can withstand constant wear-and-tear. If your space is more of a showpiece that doesn’t get used as often, like a powder room or wine room, you can opt for the perfect one of a kind stone without having to consider durability and maintenance quite as much. For must of us, we’re somewhere in between. We want a beautiful, unique stone surface that is fairly durable, doesn’t require too much maintenance and won’t break the budget. So, let’s talk about how Quartzite and Marble compare for kitchen counter.

Aesthetic: Let’s start with the fun part. Both Quartzite & Marble are available in a very wide range of colors and patterns. You can find slabs ranging from very dark to white and patterns from almost solid color, to dramatic veining. The most popular marbles are found in Italy around the regions of Carrara. Carrara became famous for their consistent white marbles, but also produce more dramatic slabs like Calacata Gold (shown below). Although less common, you can find many varieties of marble that are grey, black, brown & green.

Quartzites comes in almost as many varieties. The most popular are from Brazil. Our favorite is Taj Mahal. The light creamy color and combination of soft veining with some more dramatic pattern, gives a timeless look that fit in almost any kitchen. See below for more Quartzite varieties.

Carrara Marble $$

The world’s most popular marble: White Carrara is used for anything from sculptures and columns to kitchen countertops. The Neutral tones and soft aesthetic give any room a classic feel that never goes out of style.

Calcatta Gold Marble $$$$

The rockstar of the marble world, Calacatta Gold makes a bold statement in any room. Your friends and family will definitely have marble envy when they see your new kitchen.

Pietra Grey Marble $$

For a more moody feel, Peitra Grey Marble Is the perfect dark marble for adding some drama to fireplaces, table tops, basement bars and more.

Taj Mahal Quartzite $

Our best seller, a Taj Mahal countertop gives a timeless look to any kitchen with just the right amount of dramatic vibes. We import directly from Brazil to bring you the best looking slabs are a great price.

Patagonia Quartzite $$$

For a little extra excitement, Patagonia is a big hit. Famous for it’s mix of creamy background a white crystal, this quartzite will definitely get attention. Great for kitchen islands!

Iceberg Quartzite $$$

Luxury at it’s finest! The crystal veins in this quartzite, are like fine jewelry for your kitchen or bathroom.

Durability: OK we had our fun looking at our favorite marble and quartzite slabs. Now let’s talk about the differences in durability. This is where Marble and Quartzite can be very different and you’ll want to choose a stone that fits your lifestyle and how you use your kitchen. Marble, compared to other stones, is quite soft. It will definitely scratch and show the signs of wear-and-tear in your house. Over time the wear that is shown on the marble because part of the charm, like a soft patina that gives the marble a vintage look and aesthetic appeal. You just have to be willing to live through the first signs of wear to get through to the charm of an aging marble.

Quartzite is much harder than marble, so a lot less likely to show scratches or signs of normal use. We love to recommend quartzite for high-use areas like kitchen islands, because it can take a beating. That doesn’t mean it’s indestructible, but normal use looks good on our favorite quartzites.

Both Quartzite & Mable do contain calcium, which means they are susceptible to etching from acidic substances like citrus juices, vinegar, wine, tomato sauce or coffee. It’s important to wipe these kind of liquids quickly to prevent etching on the surface. If your surface does etch, don’t panic, most marbles & quartzites can be restored by a stone restoration professional.

Maintenance: Our recommendation may vary depending on what type of marble or quartzite you select, but generally the maintenance required is similar for these stones. Every top we install is sealed with a premium sealer. After install, it’s recommended to re-seal your tops every 1-2 years. Remember, sealers are meant to prevent moisture from penetrating the surface, but they are not guaranteed to protect against every spill. Over time, the sealers can wear away, especially under heavy use and exposure to acidic liquids. A simple test to see if your countertops needs to be sealed is to drip some water (about the size of a quarter) on the surface. If the water beads up into

separate droplets, you’re in good shape. If it leaves a water mark on the stone, it’s time to be re-sealed.

Budget: As much as the style and patterns can vary, the price of these stones can vary even more! When considering your budget, it’s important that you consider not only the cost of material, but fabrication, installation and any other work you need completed in your project (such as plumbing connection or backsplash installation). At Select Surfaces we are full service and can provide quotes for the entire package. By purchasing some of these stones in bulk (such as Taj Mahal), we’re able to get you the best pricing on the material, combined with in-house fabrication, installation and more for a total project price that fits any budget. For comparison purposes we labeled the stones above with 1-4 dollar signs. $ means most budget friendly and $$$$ means make sure you’re sitting down when you get the quote.

Now that you know the differences between Quartzite & Marble, we’d love to help you select the slab that is just right for you![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]