Try posting this in the kitchen forum you will get more information from other members with it.

We are considering the same - did you get any responses?

All I know about quartzite is what the rep told me when I toured a slab warehouse. As she walked past the quartzite to get to the quartz slabs, she gestured at them and said, "So beautiful, but so soft and porous."

Thank you! I’ve read and heard that it’s way more durable than marble.

Followup to the July post of the Kalahari. So we ended up with a polished quartzite- not the Kalahari- it was too bland for the kitchen- and would have gotten lost in it - but I still love, love it. Whomever said quartzite is soft and porous has no idea what they are talking about. We did our research for well over 7 months, visiting every stone provider and fabricator in our area- our and over again, searching for the perfect stone for us. We bought 3 full huge slabs for our kitchen- quite an investment. Quartzite is as hard and non porous as granite. If you have a stone leathered, sueded or put a matte finish on it after it has a polished finish- as in remove the polish and change the finish- then you are messing with the porosity and fragility. We really wanted a matte finish but could not find it in the look that we wanted and when we finally saw this stone that we had never seen before- we knew it was outs- polish and all. I could not have leathered, sueded or matte- fondant and other product I use would get caught in the textures and difficult to clean and I worried about red fondant and other colors staining the matte finish. Went with what seemed the safest. Our kitchen is almost finished and it is stunning. I have my own business from home as a cake artist and will be prepping and working on this counter top- so it had to be just right for my needs as far as durability and not staining. I just put Cambria in my laundry room instead of the remaining quartzite and now regret it. We thought it would be silly to put quartzite in there. I think it's awful. Best wishes. Pick the brain of every stone fabricator and provider that you can. You will get many different versions. Decide who is most knowledgable and whom you trust. Also- you can't get samples of quartzite to take home- it is too precious of a stone and they don't make samples of it. That was a bit of a challenge when matching finishes but in the end it is gorgeous. I hope this helps. Enjoy.

P, I think it must be a matter of where you live, because I had no problem getting a sample of Fantasy Brown quartzite, or any other quartzite to bring home to test. The texture that you mention on leathered is not so much that anything can get caught in it. I can put a piece of paper on the counter and write on it, and there is no effect on the writing. I went with the leathered finish as it is what the experts recommended for that stone, and with no issues in 2 years, they were right. I didn't want a shiny finish on my counter top.

We installed Taj Mahal quartzite in our kitchen. I love it. I had read that quartzite was bullet proof. Mine is leathered also. I love that it's not shiny. We've had it 3 years now. I've had no issues, no staining, nothing. It's as beautiful as it was on the day it was installed. I'm so glad we went with it.

I have been calling around looking for Fantasy Brown Quarzite and not able to find anyone who carries it yet. Some folks trying to steer me to the marble product saying it is as good and durable as the quartzite. I don't believe that. Anyone know who may carry this in the SF Bay Area?

When you test the samples in your home, is it not sealed. Right? Did people seal it before testing with condiments and oils? Just wanting to know because we are about to look at slabs soon for our remodel.

I tested on the leathered sample that I was given and don't know if it was sealed - sorry.

But they did put a liquid product on my stone after installing, which made no difference in the look of the stone, which has a matte look. Neither the sample I brought home or the actual countertops have etched, stained, or cracked - no issues at all.

Ask where you get your samples if they have been sealed.

I am currently looking at the Kalahari Quartzite. It is simple, but I do think it may not add anything to my kitchen. What did you choose instead of the Kalahari?

@Marguerite Mastromatto, which quartzite did you decide on? Do you have photos?

@JJ Mekai I chose Taj Mahal Quartzite - will post photos once everything is put together. I found a Taj Mahal that looked different from the many I saw that had that muddy look. Even the fabricator said they hadn't seen one just like that - it has a lot of veining. I fell in love with Ijen Blue Quartzite, but the colors didn't work.

@Marguerite Mastromatto, really looking forward to your photos.

Margureite Mastromatto, did you ever post pictures of your Taj Mahal?