Quartzite is not quartz
The names cause endless confusion. Quartz worktops are manufactured from crushed quartz and resin. Quartzite is a natural rock: sandstone that has been heated and compressed until its grains fused. Every slab is unique, with soft veining and colour that often runs from white and grey to sand and blue-green.
Genuine quartzite is very hard and much less affected by acid than marble, which is its big appeal.
Check what you are buying
Some stones sold as quartzite, sometimes called soft quartzites, behave more like marble or dolomite and can etch. Before you commit, ask for the stone's name and origin, and ask whether a sample can be tested with a drop of lemon juice: a true quartzite won't dull. We would rather you know now than find out on the kitchen island.
Slabs, joins and veining
Quartzite is chosen for its movement, so see the actual slabs where you can and agree where the best areas will sit. A long run or a big island can need a join; we place it so the veining carries across them as naturally as possible. A waterfall end, where the stone turns down to the floor, can show the veins continuing over the edge.
Sealing and care
Most quartzite benefits from an impregnating sealer, as some are more porous than they look. Reseal when water stops beading on the surface. In Barnet's very hard water (ranked the hardest of 32 London boroughs in a 2024 comparison of Thames Water data), wipe round the tap and clean scale with a pH-neutral stone cleaner.
A note on silica
Natural quartzite is mostly quartz. Health and Safety Executive figures put the crystalline silica content of quartzite above 70%, so it needs the same wet-cutting and dust controls in the workshop as engineered stone. It is safe once fitted. The silica guide explains more.
Where quartzite works best
Quartzite comes into its own on an island or a run where people will see the stone up close, because the natural movement is the whole point. It handles heat better than quartz and takes knocks well, so it suits a busy family kitchen as long as it is sealed and the sealer is kept up.
Thin, pale quartzites can look almost translucent, while denser stones are more uniform. Pairing a quartzite island with plain quartz around the walls keeps the price down and lets the island stand out.
Getting a quartzite price
Tell us the stones you are considering, your layout and rough sizes, sink and hob choices, and any upstands or splashback. Quartzite is hard to cut and polish, so it usually costs more to fabricate than granite. Use the quote form to send the details.
Questions people ask
Is quartzite harder than granite?
Genuine quartzite is generally as hard as or harder than granite and resists scratching well. It is still worth using a chopping board to protect your knives and the polish.
Does quartzite etch?
True quartzite resists etching. Some stones sold under the name can etch, which is why testing a sample is worthwhile.
Why does quartzite cost more?
It is hard to cut and polish, slabs vary, and fabrication takes longer, all of which add to the price compared with many granites.
Sources
Links to other organisations are for further reading and do not imply any connection with them.