I know that people on GW have used madreperola/mother of pearl quartzite, hopefully they will chime in. I don't know about Nacarado (maybe that is what Salmon Slayer has??). I have a light coloured quartzite, called quartzite bianca or luce di luna. Many here on the forum have quartzite counters, very few, if any problems reported with them, assuming they are sealed properly (as you would seal marble or many granites).

Quartzite is stronger than granite, so is very resilient. I've had mine for several months now, no problems at all. There is quite of bit of confusion out there over exactly which stones are real quartzites, including at the stone yards. Best bet is to get a sample of what you love and test it out.

There have been many threads on quartzite over the past few months, do a google search for quartzite and gardenweb. Here is at least one of the threads.

Here is a link that might be useful: Quartzite

Thank you sochi. But I am still confused about how to determine whether what is being sold to me is or is not genuine quartzite. The supplier would not even give me a sample of the Nacarado, stating that it is too costly. There is a significant price difference between the quartzites and the granites I am looking at. Any suggestions? I don't want to make any costly mistakes.

You might want to post a separate thread specifically asking for people with either madreperola or Nacarado quartzite. You never know, perhaps they are even in the same region as you and could give you their own experience, where they got the stone, etc.

I'm really not sure how to tell the difference, aside from playing around with the sample. Did they give you a sample of the madreperola?

Is the supplier the fabricator? If you could talk to a fabricator who has experience with the same stone you are considering, I would think that s/he would be able to tell you if it was a very hard stone (the stories I've heard is that quartzite is difficult to cut, the fabricator must go through more blades, etc.).

Hopefully some of the stone experts chime in!

Good luck and keep us posted.

I will try posting threads for each specific material. Ideally, I want to use both. I do have a sample of the madreperola. i've done some testing on it, and it seems durable. i dripped some food coloring on it as well, and there was some staining, but the sample I have is not sealed. I have been to 2 different suppliers: one is the fabricator and the other is not. I have placed a call to the fabricator to ask about both of these slabs and am waiting for them to get back to me. I will let you know what I find out.

You've probably made a decision by now, but I just saw this. I was searching the site for anyone using madres perola b/c that's what I chose and I can't make a backsplash decision...but, I must tell yu that I love this stone...it's really beautiful. had no big issues with staining...it seems as tough as the granite I had for years. good luck!!

I have Madreperola with a slab backsplash and love it. No issues at all - totally bulletproof after many months and many boys in my house!

Research queen: I just saw a slab of Madreperola today and absolutely love it! I have a sample but I'm going to seal it and then try testing it. Got my fingers crossed!

Sochi: I absolutely love your quartzite.... well.... actually I absolutely love your whole kitchen....

ecdiskin: This is such a beautiful stone and I don't want to take anything away from it. Fortunately, it goes great with a floor tile that I've picked out. (One less thing to worry about LOL). Would love to hear if you've come up with any ideas for backsplash.

laurainlincoln: So happy to hear you love your Madreperola - Oh.... you've made my day to hear that its bulletproof!

bump

i'm so happy to hear positive experiences with quartzite! I still haven't made any final decisions. i am hoping to make a decision shortly.

ecdiskin - when i initially found the countertops, i chose a beautiful honed limestone backsplash that went so beautifully with the madreperola. it was called ocean blue (read more grey than blue), and i had chosen a beautiful and subtle mosaic pattern. I tried a google search for it, but did not turn up anything that was similar to what i had found. if i find anything, i will let you know.

Just thought I'd let you know that I tested (red wine, balsamic vinegar, orange juice, soy sauce etc.) the sample of Mother of Pearl (Madreperola) and it passed with flying colours! I'm so happy..... I have finally found my countertop - Would love to hear any other ideas re backsplash. Floors will be a limestone look porcelain tile - 12" x 24" (Dolmen Noce) - which is a medium nut colour).

Does anyone know where I can find quartzite slabs in Florida. I live in Jax. and have only seen one slab but it was Yellow Bamboo and I was hoping to find a bright white. Thanks.

Debbie - I just got 2 slabs of Quartzite (ocean green) from Opustone in Mia. Dont know what other types/colors they normally carry, but I know they have a warehouse in Jacksonville too. Check them out.

Hi I am going crazy trying to pick out a nice granite with not
Too much movement. I found a quartzite called white
Reef at a granite place in Trenton nj. I took
Home a sample of it as well as granites and quartz.
I ran a butter knife over them. Quartz and quartzite
Scratched. Badly. Granite did not. For those of you
Who have installed quartzite can you tell me
If it scratched easily ?

Quartzite doesn't scratch easily. A knife (butter or any other kind) shouldn't be able to scratch it. You would have to use something like a diamond to scratch it. If it scratched, it isn't quartzite regardless of what they called it.

"Quartz" is a manufactured stone that is made from a mix of quartz and resin (and sometimes other stones). The resin can scratch.

Hi cloud swift, its definitely quartzite - its at a reputable
granite place in NJ and the slabs are out in their yard.... I saw the quartz (manmade - caesarstone etc - ) and its definitely not that. in my research it seems that Quartzite is its own category (separate from granite, marble, limestone etc) so its def. a natural stone. the granite guy and i performed the butter knife test at his place as well and he was also surprised since he was told quartzite does not scratch..... to make sure it wasnt the resin being scratched, we honed 1/2 the sample and did the test again - and guess what it still scratched and was visible, but not as badly as w/ the resin.... Either I live w/ this fact, knowing I have to be careful or find a granite which fares better durability wise. I am considering Alaska White or Delicata..... but the White reef quartzite is so "zen"......