Many of the white quartzites are part marble and can have some of the marble characteristics like etching and staining.

Do some searches here on the forum for "quartzite staining".

Also search for, and read, the Geology threads written by karin_mt. She describes some tests you can do to get some idea of what the properties of the slabs you are selecting have. Don't just rely on what some sales guy at the slab yard tells you.

We just had the same decision to make. I was in love with quartz which is more expensive than granite now - way different than the last time we remodeled a kitchen 10 years ago. We have teenagers and it will be in a home visited by many guests. Right before I finalized the order I had second thoughts, quartz has some level of issue if hot pans or cookie sheets are placed on it. Just don't want to worry about that with guests. It's funny because the same day I told my husband I wanted to do granite was exactly the same day he watched one of our son's guests put a hot pan directly on the granite in our primary home. So we were both on the same page... Granite will be installed later this week. We'll see how it looks. I just had to give up the look I originally envisioned so I'm planning to push my husband's conservative design boundaries with some modern backsplash :-).

Chispa, I guess I was not clear enough-the picture is a granite. I am fretting over if granite is too dated. I have loved the durability.

I don’t think you can group materials like that because every stone is different. I have quartzite that doesn’t stain or etch and is just as beautiful as the day it was installed, but someone else might have a different quartzite that is porous and they now have water stains. Same with people who say they hate granite - that granite you’re showing is beautiful! It doesn’t look anything like the highly-speckled stones that many think of when they say granite is dated.

@Britt...granite, like all stones, except soapstone, can suffer thermal shock (cracking), when heat is applied to it. Just because it didn’t happen that one time your son’s friend put the hot pan on your granite, doesn’t mean it won’t ever happen.

That stone is gorgeous. I would use it in a heartbeat.

“I guess I was not clear enough-the picture is a granite.“

White Fantasy is actually considered to be a quartzite.

The stone in the OP is beautiful. But by its appearance, it may not have the same stain resistance you are used to in granite. Many stones that look like that will need to be sealed 3-4x a year to avoid staining. There are a few exceptions (light granites that are tough would be Alaska White, Viscon/Viscount, and a few others). The one you posted may be one of the exceptions. You must get a sample to bring home and test. Even a test as simple as leaving some drips of water on the stone and seeing if the water absorbs or continues to bead up on the surface after 10 minutes. That White Fantasy is gorgeous, but I would not make the investment in it without a sample to test for staining.

I am not sure if they will give me a sample. It is rare they can get this one but that being said they do have a bundle currently. Do you think if I could spray it with water, wait 10 minutes and evaluate the absorption? I am okay with sealing every 6 months like I did my former granite. It is so easy wash down, wipe on sealer & wipe off.

Hello latc, we would be happy to provide some information on Cambria natural quartz surfaces. Cambria is more durable than quartzite and granite, which contains other minerals and impurities. A high-purity quartz and our unique processing technology is used to make our innovative and industry leading designs. Unlike other stone surfaces, Cambria is nonabsorbent and does not require sealing for the life of the product. Learn more about vs other countertops by visiting our website here, giving us a call at 866-226-2742, or by setting up a virtual consultation to preview our over 160 designs. Hope this helps and good luck in your decision making process!

I’m looking for the same thing right now - I don’t like the look of quartz or the typical mottling of granite, so leaning toward quartzite. However, we have to be really careful because some quartzites are actual marble in disguise. And actually, that looks a lot like white fantasy quartzite (not granite) which based on my research, I believe is not a true quartzite. Check out the link below and get a sample and do some testing on it. Good luck with your search and let us know what you end up with!

https://usenaturalstone.org/definitive-guide-quartzite/

I just went with Cambria Ella after looking at LOTS of quartzite. I wanted a white quartzite and have heard too many varying stories from my friends about their white quartzite staining, even after sealing. That kind of worry is just not for us so I ultimately went with Cambria Ella. Your granite choice is lovely and not dated at al. In my last house I had a similar (sealed) white granite in my laundry room - the laundry detergent dripped on it and sat for one day - the stain never came out but I think only I noticed it. It was just a darker patch.

I camr across a slab of Dolomites anyone with experience using
It in a kitchen?

@latc hi. Is this granite or quartzite? What is the name? I’m in the process now to selecting countertops and many places are labeling White Fantasy as granite and quartzite. Hard to get a straight answer. Thanks for any suggestions/experience you have.