Here is the sample, Mykonos Quartzite

Everybody seems to say Taj Mahal is bullet-proof.

I wish some of the stone gurus could chime in. I was petrified of white Quartzite. I kept finding slabs I liked but read all the horror stories on here.

@chispa has had fantastic luck with quartzite and might be able to share information.

Here is why I was afraid.

Advice the counter is staining

white macaubus stained

" I fell in love..."

Don't do this when stone shopping please.

I have used Taj Mahal quartzite in 2 houses (9 slabs total, bought years apart and in different states) and it has been "bulletproof". I even have a piece of it behind my outdoor grill that gets covered in grease and smoke and I've been able to clean it with no staining left behind ... and this piece was a small remnant with a bit too much filler in it, so not the best specimen of Taj Mahal.

I've been reading/participating here for a long time and we've only had one person who had issues with her Taj Mahal, out of the hundreds of people who have put them in their kitchen and bathrooms in the past 14 years.

As far as the "white" quartzites, which are usually marble/dolomite or have a mix of properties from both, you need to test every slab you are considering. Some "white" quartzites will pass the glass test, so they are hard like quartzite, but are very porous like marble and will stain. Those slabs need to be sealed regularly.

Do not believe everything the salesperson at the stone yard tells you. Buyer beware!

Many many quartzite are mislabeled and are actually marble. Marble will stain, it will etch. The reason for the popularity of Taj Mahal is not only the fact it is pretty. It is the worker bee of quartzite. Has few rivals, so........there are PLENTY of other surfaces ( granite abounds, soapstone and yes.....even quartz ) from which to pick. You have to reconcile your needs, your maintenance with a selection.

"(E) Mykonos 30mm Quartzite is one of the hardest stones but needs care and attention as the natural porosity can cause issues with staining."

There you go.