Marble and quartzite are two different stones. Marble is the one to watch out for when it comes to stains and rings from wet glasses.

Granite and quartzite are very hard and won't stain under normal wear.

Thanks leelee for helping clear this up!

As quoted by Stone Pro on an article on Houzz:

"Quartzite--which is a natural stone, NOT to be confused with man-made quartz. Quartzite is harder than granite, and also has properties similar to granite. So staining is not much of a concern. It is a good alternative for those who want the look of marble without the maintenance. It still has to be sealed about once a year (just as you would with granite) and you should clean it with a stone cleaner only.

Quartzite is installed regularly for people's kitchen counters, and it holds up great! "

Thanks all! I have been researching this subject but I have found differing opinions online: that though quartzite is very hard, that it can easily etch. My thought is that there is a some confusion out in the about quartzite staining and etching. I'm pretty sure that I can keep a handle on spills but then again a couple of weeks ago I spilled a gallon of vinegar all over my countertops so with my and my family's tendency to make messes, I'm kind of concerned with damaging this stone. But it gives me hope hearing from Karen, who has a quartzite in her kitchen with no problems. Thanks again!

Good luck making your decision, Beth! I know it's tricky with all the different opinions. Hope the people you are buying the stone from can help explain the differences between the stones. Not sure where you are purchasing your stone from, but they should be pretty knowledgeable on the different products. It's a tough and expensive decision. Keep us posted.

I also prefer granite as it is more hardy/stain-resistant but the first picture with that creamy white stone is divine!

quartzite is actually harder than granite! I haven't read all the comments before this, but with a sealer, neither should be an issue with a sealer applied.

Is Fantasy Brown sold in two different materials,marble and quartile?

Fantasy brown and Monte Cristo are my 2 choices too. I think I'm going with FB because it is more old fashioned. Monte Cristo is also stunning and affordable but possibly too modern for me and my shaker cabinets. For sure if it was to be that style, I'd go with Monte Cristo. Both my young adult kids liked the Monte Cristo better.

One point I read about quartzite is to make sure it is 100% quartzite - then it is very durable. Slabs that are not 100% are more prone to etching. I haven't figured out how consumers can verify this since I get the feeling not many of the sellers know either.

Has anybody bought fantiicy brown granit and there was absolutely no browns in it not one spec or dot or vain of brown at all? This happened to me and all my kitchen is in the tones of Browns and beiges . The vender is telling me that's how granit is it changes Color like that . I m very disappointed it does not match.

@becaray- Sorry to hear that. If you look closely at the pictures I posted they are brown fantacy with grey /white lines. The black tape across it are cracks, when I then went back to the warehouse looking forca similar toned granite all I saw was brown except for these slabs. No slabs are alike, if they are cut adjacent to each other might they can be close ( not even the grains) except if they are man-made then they will be consistent. Natural stones are different especially if they cut from different quaries or stones.
I had my experiences hence you need to hand pick your slab in the warehouse (mark it then n there its yours) so when its sent home it remains the same.

from a looks perspective- they are both beautiful. I have FB in my kitchen and shadow storm in my master. if I had it to do over again, I might do shadow storm in kitchen. struggling with a backsplash choice for FB. it's so busy (but still so pretty)

Sandy, do you have any updates? What did you end up choosing for your kitchen? Would love to know ;-)

I just installed Quartzite in my new kitchen. It is a very pale green. Love the lines that lead the eye along the counter (13 feet long). It was well sealed before we installed it and was reassured about the durability. ( I also did a lot of research ). I am very very happy with the finished result.
I Had two kitchens with granite....done with that
Stone; very busy

@Karen: I ended up with Shadow storm and I am in love with it. I added the same to the fireplace. It let me work with different colors very well. The photos dont do justice but it has small sparkles embedded that shines.

I also ended up choosing brown fantacy for guest bath :) Thanks u all for being part of my amazing home by sharing your views

I have been looking for past couple of weeks and I too am between these two. So happy I happened to read this while researching tonight. They are both beautiful. I didn't have any intentions of looking at any colors other than white, but the fantasy brown caught my eye today. I'm just a little concerned about it being busy? It looks beautiful in your bathroom. They had it leatherized where I went today and it made the colors seem a little more suttle. After reading your comments I think it solidified my decision. I was a little concerned about the shadow storm being a little too shiny. It looks beautiful in your kitchen! I wanted a light and bright kitchen. Thanks for all the input.

We built a new house almost 3 years ago and wrestled with the granite vs marble vs quartzite counter issue. Really wanted mostly white counters without going to quartz because it is more contemporary in my opinion and we built french country style. Had a heck of a time finding granite with the mostly white coloring we were looking for so had to decide between marble and quartzite. Chose the quartzite, have had it for 3 years with no problems. Very happy with our decision.

What color did you go with?

If you have brown cabinets you need something with brown in it , not gray. First one is better.

Looks beautiful, Sandy. Thanks for sharing the updated pictures ;-)

Sandy, Can you give us an update on how the Shadow Storm is holding up in your kitchen (etching, staining etc..)? Having it all this time would you still make the same choice again? I am currently trying to decide between Fantasy Brown and Shadow Storm for my kitchen:)

I am in the same situation. Currently deciding between Fantasy Brown and Shadow Storm. I love the look of SS but am afraid of marble. I also have a River White granite on hold. My cabinets will be white. I want less brown and more whites and grays.

@jntavern I’m currently struggling between these three—what did you choose? Regrets? Thanks so much!

I chose fantasy brown because the rest of my kitchen colors r in the white cream and brown tones. I just love my counter top and the feel of it. However,. One must be careful with scratchy materials on it and whipping spills quickly

I Chose Shadow Storm for our kitchen. The granite supplier referred to both Fantasy Brown and Shadow Storm as "hard marble" (which I believe is what quartzite is). My understanding is that it has the chemical makeup to be categorized as marble but is not as delicate. In my kitchen, staining has not been a problem at all, although I am quick to wipe up any spills. What I have noticed is that it does etch easily. Because ours is almost completely white, you can see the etching marks in certain light. The Fantasy Brown sample we took home and tried before making s decision etched just as easily but wasn't as noticeable because of all the patterning in it. We ultimately chose the Shadow Storm because we preferred the clean look of the white counters. I hope this helps :)

Stunning!!

Very beautiful! Thanks to you both!

I chose Fantasy Brown and love it! l chose 2 slabs that were really more greys and whites with just a little beige running throughout. It’s perfect and having it about a year now it’s been perfectly durable. I had 2 small squares cut from the extra for cutting boards and for hot plates . I’m so happy with our choice and it looks fantastic with our white cabinets and stainless appliances. (Just as a side note, I did test spots with wine and coffee etc, and The Fantasy Brown never stained but the Shadow Storm stained instantly and also etched badly with lemon ( acidic drinks ) and even left water spots that were not wiped right away. it was explained to us that the SS is not really a quartzite but a harder marble and the FB is a quartzite. in my opinion, definitely more to worry about and maintain with marble so that was a huge factor that contributed to the final decision.

Thanks you so much for all the feedback! It was explained to us that the SS and FB are
marbles that behave like granite. I read an article by a geologist who said the FB is a combo quartzite and marble, one layer may be one while another the other. It’s very helpful to hear your experience with both!

Also, does anyone know if River White is a true granite?

@jntavern @jntavern I’m still struggling. Would you happen to have any pics of your kitchen? Thanks so much!

I’m currently out of town but will send some tomorrow! I know we struggled with the choice too but after keeping small slabs in my kitchen for weeks and placing all kinds of things on each one, it really helped make the decision. I’ll take some pix for you!

@jntavern Thanks so much! I appreciate your help.

Our FB is more white and grey. I just took 4 photos and only 1 is coming up!

Beautiful kitchen!

Beautiful indeed ! I like the two tone cabinets.

Thank you! Trying to get different angles but I can’t seem to get the pix to post.

For anyone who wants to know, the cabinets are Sherwin Williams Oragami White and the island is Sherwin Williams Dorian Grey.

@jntavern Very beautiful! Thank you for taking and sharing photos!

For those who have the Shadow Storm hard marble, how badly does it etch? I really want it but am concerned.

Jntavern did you use semi gloss paint on your cabinets?

They are custom made and sprayed at the cabinet maker shop. The Color is mocha on birch wood

We have shadow storm and love it!

Thanks great kitchen. We are at FB with white cabs now but stuck on the flooring. What is your floor. Looks great.

Both are marble. Shadowstorm from Brazil, Fantasy Brown/Terrabianca from India.

It is often mislabeled and misrepresented. There is no such thing as "soft Quartzite" either it is a Quartzite ( Taj Mahal, White Macaubas, Fusion, etc ) or it isn't. We run into numerous clients via phone call for repair with the commentary " why is my quartzite dull? " ; because it isn't Quartzite.