Try Taj Mahal quartzite instead. It looks very similar to this and it’s practically bulletproof.

Taj Mahal was my second choice. 😊 Is it possible to have the embedded crystals in it though, like Cristallo does?

Yes, Taj Mahal can have depth, crystals and veining depending on which slab(s) you select. It’s a somewhat pricey choice so be prepared (but it sure is pretty).

I've never heard it not being durable. I fell in love with it but it was SO expensive more than twice what our quartzite ended up costing. So beautiful though for sure.

I recall someone in the facebook community being really unhappy with their Crisallo. i can’t remember if it was staining, etching, chipping or all the above. She sure didn’t expect that with the cost of it. I have Taj Mahal and no issues with it at all.

Cristallo is so gorgeous….I ‘visited’ one of those slabs repeatedly to stare into the depths of those crystals! Here the slabs were $10k compared to $3k for Taj and I needed 3 slabs so practicality won. Some fabricators don’t like to fabricate quartzite, period, because (I’m told) it’s so hard it chews up their blades. I’d talk to other fabricators if you have your heart set on that slab.

Thank you all so much for your feedback. I did finally go with a brushed look in Taj Mahal. It will work well with my Tuscan kitchen I think.
Just so unhappy with the stone places here in NoVA. Even the one where they knew we were being sent by the fabricator refused to move more than 3 slabs for me to look at. Can’t understand why. Do people really plunk 5k on a countertop without picking the actual slab? 😐

@audreymas How are you loving your countertops? I was looking at Cristallo but also nervous and Taj Mahal or Pearl Venatta are my second choice. Strange though my stone yard has Taj at a price category of 9 while Cristallo is a 10. I thought Taj was significantly lower. Are you loving it? No problems?