Keep in mind that my experience with quartzite is limited. I've done a fireplace front and the two walls by a woodstove hearth with it. But both times, it was an extremely rough, and very porous stone that was very irregular shaped, not at all like what I saw pictured in that link. Here are pictures of what I'm talking about:

You might want to see samples, first, before you place your order.

Thanks Bill V! I will definitely request samples. Should I also ask if it is available gauged? Would that help with the uneveness?
I should say - thanks for posting the pics. I do think that the coloration is what I'm looking for. (But if there are other stones you think I should consider, I'm open to suggestions.)

The only other stone I can think of offhand that would have that kind of coloration would be one of the limestones, but then again, you're into an extremely porous stone. Beyind that, the best I could suggest is to check into some of the unglazed textured porcelains around, you should be able to come atleast close to that same kind of off white coloration.

I have some dark gray quartzite tiles that I want to put in my foyer and they are hard as nails. I had a tile guy over to give me an estimate, he took a tile to "see if his saw could cut it" and I never heard from him again.

I don't know if yours is different because it's white, but it says on that web page for "Heavy and commercial traffic" so it sounds a lot like the same stuff.

My stone is honed and very uniform, but I see you're going with the natural face.

Here is a link that might be useful: Silver Quartzite

It IS a very hard stone. It's also porous, with a rough surface. Atleast the stone I worked with was.

As for the guy who took a piece to see if he could cut it with his saw, that's bunk. Unless he has one of those 80.00 special Home Depot saws, ANY wet saw will go thru that stone, even a cheapie like an MK or Dewalt.

Well, it's good to know that it can be worked with. I went to one of the few tile store options I have here (small town) and they did have one sample of quartzite - although not the same color. It is rough. The saleslady was mostly interested in showing me travertine (which she loves. She told me three times.) I think the quartzite was not her thing. She said after installation, they seal the stone and it's good for 12-15 years. Is that for real? I certainly haven't read anything about that here and was planning on a fair amount of maintenance. Thanks.

I'd say it's about midway between her claim and your expectations. I wouldn't expect only sealing every 12-15 years will cut it, but so long as you seal it every few years, you're fine. The only other thing you'd have to remember is to use a ph neutral cleaner. I do question the use of so rough a stone, though, in an area like a shower

Okay. Well, let me rethink my approach here then. I have time... construction doesn't even start until May. Basically, you think some kind of Porcelain would be a better choice - better suited?

Without a doubt. No absorbsion whatsoever, no sealing required (unless you want to seal the grout), no need for any special cleaners, takes alot to stain, won't etch-- it's almost "ruin-proof"!!

Plus, if you look, you'll find it mimicking many of the more popular natural stones people like to use, including polished surfaces.

I used quartzite as a feature strip in the shower and on my bathroom floor, with the rest of the shower walls & floor porcelain. I sealed it and so far it's held up great after about 9 months of daily use.

{{gwi:1385616}}

I think 'quartzite' is one of those words without much meaning, at least when it comes to marketing.

The ocean and grey green quartzite samples I bought were like slate, but harder with a smooth, honed surface. Seems pretty stain resistant without being sealed.

But the copper slates are also called quartzite, and while most of those were very hard, a couple of the samples I got were soft enough you could dig right through them with a fingernail. Kind of reminded me of the texture of a crayon.

So buy the samples, then hope the floor you get is the same as the samples...

You might want to check with your local flooring companies: they have access to most of these stones, charge only a little more than the onliners [sometimes less, if you count the freight], and it is so very nice to deal with actual people.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have been to a local showroom, and have some samples on order. Also, I think I need to take a serious look at porcelain and really consider some other options. I loved the idea of using natural stone - and I love slate, especially peacock slate, but didn't want to go that dark or dramatic in my own spaces. That's whay I was exploring the quartzite - natural, but lighter. Even so, if I want a lighter look, maybe I'm trying to make a square peg fit in a round hole. I'll keep looking - in stores, and especially on this forum. Thanks.