Quartzite countertops have grown in popularity across the United States. These days, many top designers are reporting that the majority of their clients are choosing this natural stone over granite and other countertop options. When it comes to colors, there are many quartzite shades to choose from. Taj Mahal quartzite, in particular, is one of the crown jewels among natural stone countertops.

With the rising popularity of quartzite, it’s no small wonder that so many homeowners in the St. Louis area want Taj Mahal quartzite countertops in their kitchens. This stone takes its name from India’s great monument because the colors are reminiscent of the Taj Mahal’s beauty.

In fact, there is some misunderstanding about this stone — it is sometimes mistaken for granite, and even though it is named for the Taj Mahal, it isn’t quarried in India. In fact, like most quartzite slabs, this stone comes from Brazil. If you’re interested in Taj Mahal for your kitchen or bathroom, read on to learn all about color variations, cost and more!

The Colors of Taj mahal Quartzite

Close-up view of Taj mahal Quartzite stone

One of the reasons why Taj Mahal quartzite is so popular is that it beautifully replicates the look of marble even though it comes with the hardness and durability of granite. Slabs of Taj Mahal will feature broad waves and swirls of color along with interesting striations — not so much the flecked or mottled look that is common with granite, but smooth marbling throughout the stone. Colors are generally warm in tone, white with creamy tan or beige marbling, or sometimes sandier taupe shades. Overall, this countertop is light in color, and it works well in warm and neutral toned kitchens.

Just like any naturally quarried stone, Taj Mahal quartzite will come in slightly different shades, with several color variations available. Scroll down to see several images of different Taj Mahal slabs and you’ll see what we mean — each has slightly different patterning, and there is some variation in color between one batch of slabs and the next batch.

Four different batches of Taj mahal quartzite slabs with some color and pattern variation are shown below:

Is Taj Mahal Granite?

There is some confusion about the differences between granite and quartzite, and in particular, Taj Mahal quartzite is often called granite, even though these are two separate species of stone. For all practical purposes, granite and quartzite are very similar — both are durable, and both come in a variety of colors and patterns, suitable for kitchen and bathroom countertops.

But there is a difference between granite and quartzite. Quartzite is a metamorphic stone, which means that at some point in its formation, it has undergone a metamorphosis of sorts. Usually, this means the rock was subjected to high heat or pressure while buried deep within the Earth’s crust. Granite is an igneous stone, which is a stone that forms when molten magma cools, solidifies and crystallizes.

What Color Cabinets Work Best with Taj Mahal Quartzite Countertops?

Because of the available shade range and the neutral tones found in many slabs of Taj Mahal quartzite, this is a stone that pairs well with a variety of cabinet colors. Taj Mahal works especially well in white and creamy off-white kitchens, where the pale tan shades of this stone are able to lend their warmth to the color scheme. This stone also makes a striking contrast against natural wood cabinetry, and again, the warm tones in Taj Mahal quartzite are a beautiful complement to most shades found in natural wood.

If you’re considering black, dark gray or navy cabinetry, look for more neutral color variants of this stone to make a nice contrast against dark neutral shades.

Durability and Maintenance

Quartzite is a very hard, dense stone that lasts well in a kitchen environment, just like granite. The main difference between maintaining a quartzite countertop over granite is that quartzite slabs sometimes have small inclusions of a mineral known as calcium carbonate.

This mineral can dissolve and etch the stone’s surface when it comes into contact with acidic foods like ketchup and tomato-based products or orange juice. Not to worry if you do spill tomato sauce on your quartzite counter — simply wipe the counter own in a timely manner to prevent etching. In other words, don’t let spills sit!

How Much Does Taj Mahal Quartzite Cost?

This stone rings up at the higher end of the price range, but it is durable and long lasting enough to make it worth the investment. Part of the reason for the extra cost is that quartzite tends to be rarer than granite, and the process to quarry it is a bit more complex than the process to quarry granite slabs.

With installation, a Taj Mahal kitchen counter will cost between $95 and $100 per square foot — about the same price as very high-end granite countertops.

Taj Mahal Quartzite Lookalikes

If you’re shopping for options, be sure to check out two other types of quartzite that look similar to Taj Mahal Madreperola quartzite and Kalahari quartzite.

At Arch City Granite & Marble of St. Louis, Missouri, we seek out the best batches of Taj Mahal quartzite, and we stock full slabs. This makes it easy to select your new counter because you’ll be able to see the entirety of the stone’s color and pattern, something that can’t be achieved by looking at small samples.

Visit our showroom to see the slabs of Taj Mahal that we have in stock, or call us at 314-426-3100 to speak with our stone specialists, who will be happy to help you choose the perfect stone for your kitchen or bathroom project.

The post Taj Mahal Quartzite: An Elegant Natural Stone from Brazil appeared first on Arch City Granite & Marble.

When you are looking to beautify and update your kitchen by replacing those worn out countertops, you are probably thinking about going with stone. While researching you have probably uncovered a lot of information about different types of stone, but there is a lot of confusion about quartz and quartzite countertops.

At Arch City Granite, we dedicate our time and resources to provide you with the best countertops in St. Louis. We understand that making a decision about your new stone countertops can be a lot of work. In order to help you make an informed decision, we want to provide you with the information you need. Here are the big differences between quartz vs quartzite.

Quartz Countertops

First off, the biggest difference you will discover with quartz is that it is not a natural slab of stone cut from a quarry. Quartz is an engineered countertop. Don’t worry though, even though it is engineered, it is still made from 92-94% quartz, the rest is epoxy resin. The main component that goes into the Quartz surfaces is a naturally found mineral or rock in the Earth, called Quartz. It is a naturally occurring stone that is just as hard as granite. The quartz is crushed and mixed with the resin. The resulting mixture is poured into a form under very high temperatures and very high pressures. Once the mixture sets and cures it becomes a hard slab. It can then be finished and installed.

Benefits of Going with Quartz

The biggest benefit with quartz is the selection. Since it is engineered, you can get hundreds of different colors. In recent years, quartz can even been engineered to look like marble. Veins of color can be inserted into the countertop. Quartz can give you the look of marble, with the durability of granite. Another advantage with quartz is its durability. Since the quartz and resin are nonporous, you won’t have to worry about stains. In fact, you won’t have to worry about sealing your quartz countertop at all. Any natural stone will need to be maintained by applying a sealer.

Disadvantages of Quartz

Even though the resin makes quartz countertops resistant to stains, that same resin makes it vulnerable to heat. If you place a hot pan from the oven onto your countertop, you can burn the resin. You will need to use hot pads or trivets. Make certain you avoid using abrasive cleaners.

Another significant disadvantage of engineered quartz surfaces is that they cannot be used in areas that are exposed to direct sunlight. The ultra violet radiation in the direct sunlight fades the colors of Quartz surfaces.

Quartzite Countertops

Quartzite is natural stone. Quartzite began its life as a sedimentary rock, which underwent extreme pressure. The pressure transformed the rock from sedimentary to metamorphic. You will notice beautiful swirling white and gray patterns in quartzite countertops. If there were other minerals present during its formation, you can have quartzite that is orange, yellow, blue, or even green. Since it is natural, quartzite is cut from quarries in large slabs. At Arch City Granite we take those slabs and are able to use specific measurements from your home and we are able to create stunning quartzite countertops.

Benefits of Going with Quartzite

You have probably heard that granite is one of the hardest countertop materials; well quartzite is just a bit harder. Since quartzite was formed under extreme pressure, it makes it a very hard substance and that translates into durability. You will be able to set hot things from your oven or stove, straight onto the surface. Your quartzite countertop can take the heat with ease. If you like the way natural stone looks, then you will definitely be moving toward quartzite.

Disadvantages of Quartzite

Since it is a natural stone, quartzite will need a bit of maintenance. When it comes to your home, your quartzite countertop is sealed. Every once in a while you will need to have your countertops resealed. The best way to identify if your seal coat is working is by sprinkling the surface with water. If the water beads up, your sealer is doing its job. If the water soaks into the stone, it is time for a new coat of sealer.

When the sealant is in place, cleaning your countertop will be a breeze. Just make certain you use a cleaner that is labeled for quartzite. Another disadvantage of quartzite is the color selection. While white and grey are very popular in kitchens right now, if you are looking for variety, you will notice that quartzite is very limited when you compare it with the manufactured quartz. Even though quartzite is extremely durable, you will want to use a cutting board to avoid the potential of scratching the surface. Many homeowners do in fact cut up food right on the surface, and never see a scratch, but there is always the possibility.

Arch City Granite

Now that you know more about Quartz vs Quartzite, you can decide on the type of countertop that you like most. No matter what surface type you decide to go with, both will absolutely beautify your kitchens, bathrooms, or laundry room. When you go with Arch City Granite, we will be able to provide you the skill and expertise you need to have a beautifully cut custom countertop.

We use specialized computer aided measuring and fabrication devises, to make certain that every countertop fits perfectly into you home. Our installation crew is friendly, courteous, and will work around your schedule. When you want to increase the value of your home and give it that aesthetic appeal that only beautiful countertops can achieve, come to Arch City Granite. You can tour our facility and see how new countertops are cut. You can watch the entire fabrication process from a rough slab of rock, to a new beautiful countertop. When you want the best countertops, come to Arch City Granite. Your kitchen will thank you.

The post The Story of Quartz vs Quartzite appeared first on Arch City Granite & Marble.

What is Quartz or Engineered Quartz?

Let’s start with quartz. Quartz is often referred to as “engineered stone” or “engineered quartz” or more commonly “Quartz Surfaces”. It is a man-man product named after the natural mineral quartz, which is often found in granite. You can’t make countertops out of the mineral quartz alone, so when we are talking about quartz counters, we mean the man-made material.

Engineered quartz is a composite made from crushed quartz. The crushed stone is bound together with a resin or cement. About 93% of the product is crushed stone and 7% is resin. Colors can be added to create patterns and hues that are not normally found in granite or marble. For example, quartz counters like Sparkling Ruby Quartz or Arctic White Quartz provide the convenience and durability of granite in solid red and white, colors that are rarely so bold and simple in granite.

One of the biggest appeals of quartz is that you can get a wide variety of solid colors and consistent patterns. Some quartz is even designed to look like marble. It’s amazing how advanced these reproductions have become in the last few years as quartz manufacturers’ technology has improved. Quartz is extremely durable. It will not scratch, it does not need to be sealed, and it won’t fade under indoor lighting.

The only downside is that it quartz is not heat resistant, so you have to use hot pads, and it may fade under direct sunlight if used outdoors (the amount of sunlight that will come in through your windows is not a problem).

What is Quartzite?

On to quartzite. Quartzite is a 100% naturally occurring stone. Like granite and marble, it is quarried and polished.

There are three main types of stones: igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary. Granite is igneous, and quartzite, like marble, is metamorphic. Metamorphic stones are created when pure quartz sandstone is super heated deep within the earth. That’s why quartzite tends to have a similar look to marble, with a glassy finish and smooth white or gray colors.

In fact, one of the main reasons quartzite is so popular is its resemblance to marble. While they often look like a marble, most quartzites are much harder and hold up better as kitchen countertops. Many quartzites are actually harder than granite!

To put that in scientific terms, granite measures a 6-6.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness while quartzite can be as hard as 7. Quartzite is also scratch and heat resistant.

Quartzite does need to be sealed; it is recommended that you seal it twice a year. While it is more susceptible to etching than granite, you can keep your quartzite looking like new for years and years if you keep it regularly sealed with a high grade sealer.

Some Quartzites are very hard and good examples are Tajmahal, Sea Pearl. Some quartzites are hard but little more prone to etching and a good example is the popular Super White.

It is still much more resistant to etching than marble. (Etching is when acidic liquids like lemon juice or vinegar react with the calcium in metamorphic stones. The acidic liquid can dissolve the top layer of polish, leaving a rough spot. If this happens, don’t worry, most etching can be repaired on your own using a bit of polishing powder from an online stone supplying companies like GranQuartz.

Should I Choose Quartz or Quartzite?

Granite, quartzite, and quartz are all high quality, durable countertop choices. They have some minor differences in maintenance, but considering how easy it is to seal your own countertops, the real deciding factors will be your individual needs and style.

Quartz is a much simpler look with consistent patterns. It is a great choice for those who want a solid color or who don’t like the look of granite or marble. Quartzite, on the other hand, is a great option for homeowners who love the natural look of marble, but don’t want marble’s risk of etching and scratching.

Remember, although the names are similar, these are very different materials and each has many different colors. If you like both and can’t decide, ask your local fabricator to talk more about the nuances of each material and how it will work in your individual kitchen or bathroom.

The post Quartz vs. Quartzite: What are They and What’s the Difference appeared first on Arch City Granite & Marble.