That is a beautiful stone. Were you able to do the glass scratch test on it?

Here is a link that might be able to help with how to test.

Quartzite info by Karin

Maybe your installer can find out if this is a quartzite.

That looks like macabus fantasy quartzite to me!

@Boxerpal I did some tests on the sample and it didn't seem to scratch or etch, however, there are little stones in the sample that are hard to see in the picture that i was able to scratch.

does the sample look the same as the slab to you? it looks similar but a bit different so it's hard to tell.

@Tyler and Justine Baxter it does look similar to the macaubas fantasy, thanks for pointing that out!

I already put a deposit down, so hopefully it is real! I'm just nervous because it's more than double the price of granite.

I just researched Winter Storm, and realized, I was very mistaken. We are in the process of choosing a quartzite too, and had our hearts set on Macabus Fantasy, but we might have to check out Winter Storm..real or not, it is absolutely beautiful. Great choice! Good luck with everything!

Oh, that is a GORGEOUS stone!!

I'm sorry, you can't have that. I need it! I hope I find an amazing slab when I am ready to buy!

@Brian Hankey

What does your installer say? Do they think it is quartzite? I trust my stone installer. His team were honest and upfront with me when I had my counters put in. They work with stone every day and can give you insight on why there is some pieces that scratch. The sample they gave you to test sure looks like the slab. But who knows we have to trust out instinct. And sometimes we have to just go for it. You put a deposit on a beautiful stone for your counters. It will be wonderful.

I put in marble. I just couldn't find a quartzite. I went into this eyes wide open. We know it is going to etch, more likely to stain and chip more easily than other products but this is the reality of what we wanted in our kitchen. Two years later. No regrets we still love the marble.

Maybe send an email to @karin_mt @karin_mt she is a geologist and stone guru. Not sure if she will see this. She might be able to help.

Help with quartzite slab identification - Karin_mt?

She posted recently on this thread 2/4/2021

Taj Mahal Slabs HELP

Here is a photo of my marble. Not nearly as gorgeous as your stone but we love it.

On another note this was a stone we loved loved loved. It was expensive and the place told us it was a Quartzite but our installer said.. Nope that is a marble. It was significantly more than the above marble we chose with the same risks involve in care.

@Boxerpal thanks for the info. Glad you’re happy with the marble. It looks great!

I still haven’t decided on an installer yet 😳 I was considering using the place where I found the slab but I should probably find a different installer

@Brian Hankey

My husband and I are persnickety about seams... Some people would call it an OCD so I researched to find the best installer. And they sell stone too but just not the selection that some of the other places supply.

I think it is perfectly acceptable to go with those selling the stone. Have you seen their work ? Even photos? Reviews?

If you have friends or neighbors or coworkers in your area ask them who they might have used to install counters. Ask Facebook friends, Church friends, or even Nextdoor if you use that to search? And there is always google, home-advisor or angie's list . you might be able to search on Houzz too and read reviews.

Here is the link to the seams on my old counter... I wanted them practically invisible.

My old seams in this thread Virginia Jet Mist..

The seam below is a bookmark seam (my new counters) matched to look identical and hidden.

Here it is again so close you can barely see it. We wanted to do a bookmatch section

My old seam

It is actually matched with the lighter gray pattern but done so it is invisible.

Study this link to help you find a good installer.

botched seams

Seam not matching.

From Google. An Ugly seam in my mind.

From the Kitchens FAQ...as I recall, it has some testing suggestions

7. Stone Information…This thread discusses selecting a stone material, installing it, and maintaining it: https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/2558824/stone-information-and-advice-and-checklists

Just saw this cool article that explains why you might be seeing certain pieces of the stone scratch. After reading this I realize that some stones like Fantasy Brown are a mix of quartzite and marble. I had no idea... Anyway it might help you decide which one to go with.

Dwyer Marble

Hi Brian. How is this holding up? We just put a deposit down on the winter storm as well… told its quartzite….

Thank you Boxerpal for posting that article. That's my article that they re-posted without my permission. They didn't even have the courtesy to putt my name on it, or link to the original. I allow people to re-run my articles for a modest fee plus attribution, but it's not okay to just steal people's work and re-post it. I will contact them!

@winer812 that piece looks great! Unfortunately we still haven’t gotten our counter in yet. We originally were going to have white cabinets with the quartzite, but instead decided to get colored cabinets with a more simple counter. We‘ll be getting swanbridge quartz. Here are a couple photos of the cabinets. The counter should be installed in a couple of weeks