Help with quartzite slab identification - Karin_mt?

5 years ago

Hi all! We are in the middle of a major kitchen remodel and it is time to pick out our countertop slabs. I have been lurking the discussions on stone countertops because we would prefer to pick out a natural material. We found these slabs this week of what is labeled as “Halifax” quartzite. It is leathered. The only other photos I can find anywhere online that look similar are labeled “Lavezzi” or “Notorious” from Brazil.

I feel like based on what I’ve read it may be grainy quartzite? I have not yet done the glass test , but will attempt the next time I go out. I will be unable to bring a sample home to test further as the slabs available are whole.

I am prepared to seal them either way but would love any additional insight. Karin_mt? Thanks all!

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Comments (5)

PRO
Beyond Clean Tile
5 years ago
Brittney - I like your taste! I would not put a deposit on the slab until you are allowed to test it. Especially for kitchen application, I would want to verify it will pass the lemon test. What is Quartzite?
Cara Cortazzo
5 years ago
Not sure if this helps but we installed a quartzite in our kitchen and love it. Zero maintenance so far(year ago). We did have the installer seal it and I think it’s supposed to last at least 10 years if I am remembering correctly. I actually feel like it was a 25 year sealer but I don’t trust my memory. I cannot remember the name. It was an additional $180 I think. No etching or staining at all and I do not have to be careful with it like I did a honed marble in our last house. I couldn’t test it either but did smear an oily hand moisturizer on the slab at the warehouse to make sure it wasn’t porus. It was not. I love my slab and would 100% buy it again. I think with the quartzite the more white they are the more they may have a certain mineral that can etch. Mine is a creamier white base and I can literally leave lemon juice, red wine etc on it and it doesn’t leave a trace of a mark. Good luck!
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Brittney
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks for the comments both of you! Cara- I am glad you have had a great experience with your quartzite and that it has a lighter base. It is the lighter base in these slabs that concern me. The way the stone was hard enough to be leathered with a texture similar to granite makes me feel like it is pretty hard- but maybe that is a false assumption. Thanks for the tip on the hand moisturizer on the slab, lol. It is the porousness that concerns me most, as the leathering with hide a lot of scratches and etching if there ever was any!
Cara Cortazzo
5 years ago
As far as I know quartzite is very hard. Mine is polished so I am not sure if a honed or leathered slab will be as resistant but I think as long as you seal it it should be pretty resistant. I do t see the pictures that i posted. I will try again to post in case seeing the color will help.
Cara Cortazzo
5 years ago
Added a second because the first had some weird lighting going on. The slab you posted is gorgeous so I hope it works out. I also remember the stone rep telling me that the ones with more striping tend to be even more durable. Something about the pressure that causes the veining when the stone is formed.