A quick search shows some places call it granite, others quartzite, and quite a few call it marble. That would be a big red flag for me. At the end of the day, what they call it doesn't matter so long as it's durable. Before purchasing I would make sure to get a sample that you can take home and test pretty extensively (spill things on it, let them sit, etc.).

Take a look at one of the countertop geology threads on here to learn how to test a stone before buying it. Stone yards follow no rules when it comes to naming or catagorizing their slabs sonits buyer beware.

Thanks...I have been doing that, and am thinking twice about it!

I am a fabricator. Do a search for "quartzite" on this forum and you will come across a test procedure that will tell you what type of stone. A quick check; if a pen knife will easily scratch it it's not granite or quartzite; it's probably marble which has poor material properties for a high use area like a kitchen. There is no such thing as "soft quartzite."

Thanks, really appreciate this info..exactly what I needed!

https://www.gardenweb.com/user/ccarey56 Do you have photos of the lumen? That’s what I’m using and it is a marble.

I'm considering Blue Lumen for a kitchen island, too. My local stone yard said it's technically Calcite, not Quartzite. They said Calcite can etch but is much more durable than marble so a sealer is important.