We used these in our last home and they held up great —- no issues with stains. Just like granite you just need to wipe up right away. The only issue I had and some say this is an install issue but it didn’t occur until substantially later was where the seams meet I had edges look a little darker — like they were wet. The pros can speak to what that is. It was negligible and didn’t bother me. Always got tons of complements on the countertop ( which I also used as fireplace surround in adjacent room as was in a row house). Good luck!

Thank you annemp! That’s so helpful. I’m so glad to hear the held up well overall.

Thanks Joseph! I am hesitant to purchase the sea pearl, and unfortunately haven’t found a quartz that I like

I have had sea pearl quartzite for a year and a half now. It has held up beautifully. No staining at all. I’m a pretty tidy cook, but we entertain and this kitchen sees a lot of action, occasionally there are drips and spills that go unnoticed. Things wipe right up.

Thanks Kelly! It is a relief to hear that you haven’t had issues with stains. It seems like some people have had terrible issues with quartzite staining early after installation and despite a good sealant. Your post is reassuring :)

Part of the problem is that "quartzite" means different things to different stone yards (for some it's a marble), and the name "sea pearl" may not be reliable either. For sure, leathering makes stone more prone to etching and staining, so you're raising your degree of difficulty further. If they can't give you a sample, then it must vary a lot from slab to slab, and I'm not sure I'd trust the experience of others...

Thanks acm! Your point about the variation from slab to slab is well taken. I thought that leathering would reduce the appearance of etching and staining, but perhaps I’m mistaken

I have quartzite countertops (almost 7 years) and they still look amazing! Three kids under five so you can imagine what goes on them and they still look perfect... except one spot where lemon juice sat on it for a day or so, but even that spot is barely noticeable. We have also not sealed them regularly as you are supposed to. Way better than Quartz - which is NOT indestructible. We have white quartz in laundry room and it gets very dirty with spots that I am not able to get off.

Thanks Sarah! It’s so helpful to know that the quartzite is holding up after several years and with use from the kids:) we’re planning to have white quartz in the bathrooms and laundry room… seems like there is no perfect option out there! Gah!

Update:
After repeated requests, the company allowed me to test the slab of sea pearl. I initially requested to test it with a sealer, but they declined stating that the sealer could discolour them stone. So these results are from the stone without a sealer.

The sea pearl passed the glass scratch test with flying colours.

I soaked cotton pads with the following substances (left to right, and top to bottom) and left them for 22 hours (first picture):

Left: water, red wine vinegar, lemon juice
Right: red wine, soy sauce, turmeric paste

Surprisingly, everything stained except for the turmeric paste (picture 2). The company said the staining was likely due to water since the stain outline extended beyond the edge of the cotton pads. They stated that the stains would likely disappear within 48 hours.

The stains remain visible 48 hours later (picture 3).

The company has invited me to come retest the slab with a sealer in the same area with the stains. I suspect I won’t be able to appreciate any meaningful difference because the stains will still be there.

Questions:

1. Should I retest the same patch with a sealer?
2. Should I go with a different type of quartzite?
3. If sea pearl is a “true” quartzite, and it stains this badly, should I give up and go with quartz?

Thank you all for your help!

Picture 1

Picture 2: 22 hours later

Picture 3

I had the same issue annep had on the counters, a three quarter inch darker stripe at all the edges, was told by a second installer that it was the epoxy used by the original installer. So that is getting torn out. Also had a vertical piece for a shower wall stained by tape that was used for extra support. So a very, very very expensive mistake.

1. "If sea pearl is a “true” quartzite, and it stains this badly, should I give up and go with quartz?"

Yes.

KB- what did you end up doing? sis you go with the Sea Pearl?

What did you end up going with, KB? Would love to hear how it all turned out. Thanks!