The lowdown on Super White
karin_mt
11 years ago
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Comments (181)
Robin
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agokarin_mt
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
Countertop Geology, Part Six. Let's talk about rocks some more!
Comments (807)My Sea Pearl had bluish tones that turned greenish once in my home. Will they give you a sample? My stoneyard did not so I took a chance. Did you see the chart Karin_MT made up? Maybe you could go by her description of the various levels of quartzite. Will they let you do a water absorption test? The crystalline quartzite is easy to spot. Look at the names on the right, find one in your stoneyard and look for the grains, cross bedding, crystalline structure to see which one comes closest to looking like your stone. You might try either lemon juice or vinegar on a small paper towel in a zipper bag or maybe you could use an extra small empty hand sanitizer bottle. Don't ask...don't tell??? Don't forget to test it in different spots on the stone, not just one spot. Same with the glass test...use different spots. Read this article that Karin wrote about telling white stones apart. https://usenaturalstone.org/telling-white-stones-apart/ https://usenaturalstone.org/how-to-be-your-own-stone-sleuth/ And this one is excellent. https://usenaturalstone.org/properties-of-quartzite/...See MoreRoman White quartzite?
Comments (2)Romy--that link (and then the follow up links!) were so helpful. We're going to check out the slabs hopefully this week, and I will bring a glass tile or bottle to do the scratch test. The stone center won't give us a sample to test on at home. I know many of these stones look similar, but I'm wondering if anyone recognizes this particular stone? Just thought I'd post a picture and see if anyone has more information... I love the price, but I'm not interested in a marble (we have small kids and after having wood countertops I know I'm not the type of person who appreciates patina)....See MoreWhite macaubus quartzite: STAINED!!
Comments (61)Hi all, this is the OP again. Just thought I'd update here again since we are still light-colored quarzite counter owners! (I get email notices when this thread becomes active, which it has this week...). So after the white macaubus staining problems we had 6 years ago when I first started this thread, we happened to move to a new house two years ago -- and we again bought a light quartzite countertop (after MUCH debate b/c I was nervous for the same issue to occur of course). We bought Perla Bianca this time. And we only agreed to do it b/c we used a very professional new fabricator who guaranteed/warranted the new counter (they did not expect there to be any issues). A year later, SAME PROBLEM happened. Staining around the edges. Fabricator was shocked. We were not worried b/c they said all along if they could not get the stains out, they would give us a new counter. (GREAT COMPANY!!) They looked into the issue for us, spoke with distributors, reps, etc., and reassured us that they would get to the bottom of whatever was going on... ***So they said they learned through their research that it is becoming an unfortunate trend to inject the stone with some kind of lightening/bleaching agent since so many people are requesting LIGHT colored quartzite. And that this compromises the stone (makes it more pourous I think he said?). I'm not sure when this happens or who does this -- at the quarry, or once it gets to the distributor? Disclaimer: I'm no expert on this part, just passing along what I was told! ;) So our fabricator was able to work with the distributor (who agreed their batch must have been compromised) and we selected a new slab from a new batch of Perla Bianca. The fabricator then did all kinds of treatments to it when they cut it, and even delayed install here twice to ensure it was 100% dried out before sealing and delivering it, etc. We told them to take as long as they needed, ha. We have now had the NEW counter (so, our third quartzite between the two houses) for another year and are having zero issues with it. No staining at all. The fabricator did say they had one other install last year with the same issues we'd had, but that otherwise they install quartzite all the time with no problems. So... maybe we were just vey unlucky and got two slabs that had been compromised with a lightener? I would just say buyer beware for sure -- and if you are working without a warrantied slab or do not have an ethical and professional fabricator who is willing to work with you if problems arise, I would definitely NOT choose a light quartzite. It's a happy ending here for us, but also a lot of drama and effort and stress along the way. Hope this is helpful!...See MoreSuper White Confusion
Comments (6)I've had Super White in my new build kitchen and BR for 4.5 years. I didn't do, nor have done, any of the recommended testing of my countertops. We were set on SW and willing to live with whatever wear and tear came with it. We did have a sealer applied that is supposed to last 10 years. After 4.5 years, I just recently noticed my first etching near the sink. Appears that someone left some type of glass or bottle that did the damage. I'm not an obsessive cleaner, so I'm actually surprised that it took this long. I love my SW counters and have no regrets....See MorePeke
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