<\/p>\r\n
<\/p>\r\n
In geology, \u201cquartz\u201d refers to one of the most abundantly occurring minerals in Earth\u2019s surface.<\/strong>\u00a0More strictly speaking, it refers to the chemical compound silica, i.e. silicon dioxide (SiO2). When looking at quartz as a mineral, you\u2019ll find that granite, onyx, quartz, slate and soapstone countertops all contain the mineral quartz in varying degrees.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n But when we speak of quartz countertops\u00a0in the stone industry, we are talking about a manufactured product, sometimes referred to as \u201cengineered stone.\u201d\u00a0<\/strong>Quartz countertops are produced by using loose quartz, mineral pigment and an industrial resin binder.\u00a0<\/strong>Since there is over 90% of loose quartz content in quartz countertops, the stone industry simply refers to these surfaces as \u201cquartz.\u201d<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n Given that quartz surfaces are man-made, they come in any color and pattern imaginable. Keep in mind, though, that quartz countertop patterns are often more uniform and repetitive than the patterns of natural stones. Since industrial resin binds the quartz minerals together, the countertop’s surface is non-porous and requires no sealing; however, quartz countertops are sensitive to heat above 300 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition, quartz is more flexible than quartzite, less prone to chipping, and out of all the surfaces, maintaining quartz countertops is by far the easiest.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n Quartzite <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n Due to its natural origins, no two slabs are the same. The color range of quartzite countertops usually falls within the white,\u00a0gray and beige spectrum.\u00a0However, pink and red hues are common due to the iron oxide in the stone, as well as yellow, blue, green and orange hues that are a result of other naturally present minerals.\u00a0Because of the subterranean pressure that helps form quartzite, the slabs have streaked patterns similar to marble. Quartzite is heat resistant and slightly harder than granite. Quartzite surfaces are sometimes porous, which means that they require periodic sealing and more meticulous care than quartz surfaces.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n Both quartz and quartzite are great for kitchens and bathrooms. But with any stone, the question is not about which material is better. Rather,\u00a0the question is which stone is more suited for your needs. Both quartz (Mohs scale of mineral hardness: 7) and quartzite (Mohs: 7-8) are comparable and often harder than granite (Mohs: 6.5-7).\u00a0With quartz, you get a low-maintenance surface that comes in a myriad of colors, even though it isn’t fully heat resistant. With quartzite, you get the unique look of natural stones and a harder, more durable surface, although periodic sealing is suggested. In terms of pricing, it all depends on the project at hand. However,\u00a0if there are a lot of small details in your design, quartzite might put a heavier strain on your purse, given that the stone’s hardness usually translates into more labor.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n Quartz is an abundant occurring material and Quartzite is made over millions of years<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2100,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[227],"tags":[230,229,231,232],"class_list":["post-2087","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education","tag-education","tag-mohs","tag-quartz","tag-quartzite"],"yoast_head":"\nQUARTZ: FEATURES<\/h3>\r\n
WHAT IS QUARTZITE?<\/h3>\r\n
is a naturally occurring metamorphic rock<\/strong>\u00a0that
began its life as pure quartz sandstone. Over millions of years, sandstone morphs into quartzite under the extreme pressure and heat underneath the surface of the Earth.<\/p>\r\nQUARTZITE: FEATURES<\/h3>\r\n
CONCLUSION<\/h3>\r\n
\r\n\r\n
\r\n QUARTZ<\/td>\r\n QUARTZITE<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n \r\n Source<\/td>\r\n Man-made<\/td>\r\n Natural<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n \r\n Color<\/td>\r\n Large spectrum<\/td>\r\n White, gray and
beige<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n Pattern<\/td>\r\n Any pattern<\/td>\r\n Similar to
marble<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n Natural streaks<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n \r\n Hardness<\/td>\r\n Mohs Scale: 7<\/td>\r\n Mohs Scale: 7-8<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n \r\n Maintenance<\/td>\r\n Minimal care<\/td>\r\n Simple care<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n \r\n No sealing
required<\/td>\r\nRequires
periodic sealing<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n\r\n Heat resistant<\/td>\r\n No<\/td>\r\n Yes<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n <\/b>Quartzite Cutting bLADES<\/span><\/b><\/h3><\/div> \t\n \n