Countertop Geology, Part Six. Let's talk about rocks some more!
10 years ago
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Countertop Geology, Part 5: Marble, Quartzite and other Favorites
Comments (168)@karin_mt So let me ask you a few more questions then: Does genuine quartzite scratch and chip in that kind of fashion? Would it be reasonable to assume that I would have at least 100 little chips (not natural pits... chips that expose white) and scratches ranging in size from consolidated micro scratches to big gashes several cm long two months after we moved in if this was actual quartzite? Would it be reasonable to expect that to happen all over the stone, even in extremely low traffic areas, on a genuine quartzite slab? Is there any reliable way to test the stone that is installed on my counter to see what it is? ie whether it is actual quartzite or a marble? If so, how would I do that or who could I contact? I just find this to be extremely simple: I paid a small fortune for this stone because I thought it was beautiful and dynamic and all of the research I did on Quartzite as well as the info I was given from the slab yard indicated that it was harder than granite (which I have had in 3 other houses and NEVER seen anything like this on) and beautiful like marble. Thus the cost. So I am not a geologist, but it really seems as simple, at least to me, as it has scratched and chipped in a random, ridiculous fashion so it must not be the quartzite that we paid thousands of dollars for because quartzite does not do that. Where am I wrong?...See More"soft" quartzite counters etch?
Comments (8)Aghhh, the term "soft quartzite" gives me such heartburn. It's complete BS, because there is no such thing as soft quartzite, not even close. If it's soft, it's marble. If it etches, it's marble. End of story! Here's a link to the ever-growing thread all about rocks http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2692150/countertop-geology-part-six-lets-talk-about-rocks-some-more...See MoreGranite counters; long term use reports ?
Comments (18)Great info and thanks @frieda. There's SO many stones and names and styles, good God. You can do a lifetime study on granite or any countertop for that matter and still never buy anything. Having said that, is there a list of granite with lower absorption rates or ? Color wise, our cabinets are all white with the exception our prep island and dining island will be sage green. Based on y'alls experience can you recommend a good color palette for these colors and a stone with the lower absorption rates? I can sift through information on boats, computers, motorcycles and the like pretty quick. When it comes to counter tops, I am lost and can sure use all the help I can get. It's going to either be a good granite or quartz. I've got a line on a good fabricator from a friend who is a builder within a 2 hour drive. But I'd like to zero in on a few general ideas first or we'll end up camping out there. TIA and CP, we sure hope your home weathers the storm. I've got friends down that way and it's pretty nasty and friends in the keys and they got slammed very hard....See MoreMarble Looking Countertops
Comments (7)Super white that etches is not quartzite; it is marble. Quartzite does not etch. Take a look at any of the contertop geology threads on the kitchen forum. Here is a link to the most recent: http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2692150/countertop-geology-part-six-lets-talk-about-rocks-some-more?n=597 IMHO nothing compares to marble. Can you find a nice light granite or quartz countertop? Sure. But the marble-look-a-like quartz products pale in comparison to real marble. If you decide to go that route, I would highly recommend seeing a full slab of the quartz as the small samples can look pretty good (as do pictures online), but seeing the full slab in person is very different. Folks here seem to have luck with Minuet by LG Viatera as a marble-look-a-like quartz. Another option could be white quartz counters and marble backsplash....See MoreRelated Professionals
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