"soft" quartzite counters etch?

10 years ago

Finalizing countertop selection for our remodel. I have always loved the look of marble, but with two small kids the upkeep isn't something I want to worry about. Thought I found a solution in quartzite but per the fabricator some are softer than others. does anyone have experience with some of the "softer" quartzites? The sample of mont blanc I have seems to hold up very well but I don't love it. One of the softer pieces I have is brazilian michelangelo. It has more veining like marble but seems to etch more easily...although some of the "stains" seem to go away a few hours later. HELP!!

Featured Answer

karin_mt

10 years ago

Aghhh, the term "soft quartzite" gives me such heartburn. It's complete BS, because there is no such thing as soft quartzite, not even close. If it's soft, it's marble. If it etches, it's marble. End of story!

Here's a link to the ever-growing thread all about rocks
http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2692150/countertop-geology-part-six-lets-talk-about-rocks-some-more

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Comments (8)

just_janni
10 years ago
I believe our resident rock expert will tell you that if it's etching -it's not quartzite.
reddyinga
Original Author
10 years ago
so its marble?
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rantontoo
10 years ago
"Soft Quartzite" was actually a category heading on a wholesale supplier's website that I recently looked at; 19 different slabs were listed under the category. Cognitive dissonance, for sure!!!
karin_mt
10 years ago
Ugh, nooooo, make it stop!

The thing that kills me in all of this - geology is not that complicated. I have taught countless semi-disinterested college students how to identify rocks. It's not hard. Why would an entire industry not even take basic measures to learn a little about their own product?

Sorry. As you can tell, this is a sore subject with me! :)
practigal
10 years ago
Sorry, but I think they know exactly what they're selling. This is very deliberate obfuscation.
ck_squared
10 years ago
I was one who was duped by the industry and I defended my Fantasy Brown "Quartzite" for months and months... until I had to come to terms with the fact that it most probably is marble. And I'm okay with that. You can see some etching on lighter parts of the stone but overall it is gorgeous and I'm still happy with the choice we made.
just_janni
10 years ago
Agree - they are selling a cheaper stone and misleading people that it won't act like the marble it is. CRAPPY! And perhaps fraudulent.

You wouldn't think it was cool to buy a diamond and find out it was a zircon, right? so how is this any different?

FRAUD - FALSE ADVERTISING.