What Is Quartzite? A Natural Stone Often Mistaken for Marble

Quartzite is one of the most beautiful natural worktop stones, and one of the most misunderstood, partly because its name is so close to engineered quartz. Here is what it actually is.

What quartzite is

Quartzite is a natural metamorphic stone. It begins as sandstone, and over millions of years heat and pressure deep in the earth fuse the grains into an extremely hard, dense rock. It is quarried in slabs and finished into worktops, just like granite and marble.

Crucially, it is 100% natural stone, not to be confused with engineered quartz. The two names cause endless mix-ups, which we untangle in quartz vs quartzite.

Why people love it

• The look of marble, the toughness of granite. Many quartzites have soft, marble-like veining but are far harder and more durable than marble.
• Very hard and scratch-resistant, often harder than granite.
• Heat-tolerant, because it is solid natural stone with no resin.
• Unique, since every slab is one of a kind.

What to know before you buy

• It is porous, so it needs sealing on installation and periodically afterwards to resist staining.
• "Quartzite" is sometimes used loosely. Some softer stones sold under the name behave more like marble and can etch with acids. True quartzite is acid-resistant, so ask your supplier to confirm what you are actually getting.
• It is premium, usually sourced to order, so expect it to sit above quartz and most granite on price.

Quartzite vs the alternatives

• If you want the look without the upkeep, engineered marble-effect quartz gives a similar effect with no sealing.
• If you want genuine natural stone, quartzite is tougher than marble and rivals granite for hardness.

Interested in quartzite?

We do not stock quartzite in the standard catalogue, but we can source it to order. If a particular quartzite has caught your eye, get in touch for a quote and we will help you price and plan it.