So sorry about your beautiful stone. No it shouldn't crack & yes that is an awful match at the seam. I would push hard if that made those mistakes for a replacement or a HUGE discount if they refuse.

I'm hoping you used a card to pay.

Thank you for your response....I just got a call that the owner is coming tomorrow to take a look....as much as I love the stone I don’t think I can live with that break (worried it will expand as time goes by) or the mismatched pattern....I paid a hefty price per sq ft for quartzite; so I am hoping they will do what is right and replace it....but I am not sure if I will get a comparable stone anymore...

We paid a 50% deposit by check (which they have already cashed) and gave another check today for the balance which I put a stop payment on...

Unless you've got a Slabsmith picture with their signature on it, you're probably stuck with the seam. With this color, particulate, and movement, nearly any seam is not going to be inconspicuous.

I would have dribbled some super glue into that crack before you ever saw it. They deserve to eat this job just for being stupid enough to let you find it. It's not going to get any worse especially if your sink is strapped in place, however, unless it's filled, it will fill with contamination.

Fix the crack, bargain for a big discount, and move on, please.

Joe, does superglue last forever, or will this require regular upkeep?

The thing that would bug me in the seamed area shown in the last photo is not the seam per se but the change in pattern/ vein flow from vertical on the left to horizontal on the right.

The problem with corners is that it's tough to match seams. I had to use 5 slabs just for my perimeter counter with an angle, backsplash and a small bat wing island.

It took that many slabs to match seamlessly. This time around I designed around the stone and only need 3 slabs for twice as much square footage.

Your stone is lovely but the sales people should have tip you off that it's tough to do a corner seam with the pattern.

That seam is awful, the directional flow of the material doesn't even match. Were you trying to fit all into 1 slab?

Thanks everyone...yes the seam didn’t bother me as much as the change in pattern and the worst part was I had gone in person and picked out the layout and the owner measured it and assured that it will match perfectly...apparently at the time of cutting they realized they needed more and decided to choose a random pattern without checking with us.....turns out the templater measured incorrectly and the additional inch was not even necessary....so they failed on so many levels...the good news is they’ve agreed to replace the slab....but I think it’s a terrible shame that we have to lose this beautiful stone and our first choice....hopefully everything works out the second time around...will keep you all updated!

Follow up question: what is the best place for a seam in this case? The owner says he will try to make it as invisible as possible...we are going in tomorrow to pick a new slab...thanks!

"Joe, does superglue last forever, or will this require regular upkeep?"

Superglue is not the most waterproof adhesive, but it's thin, penetrating, and fast which make it a repairperson's go-to adhesive. If you keep the tops sealed and wipe up after yourself, I wouldn't see many problems.

"Follow up question: what is the best place for a seam in this case?"

That depends on the slab size, availability, customer preference, and layout of the top. If your fabricator had Slabsmith, you would have approved the seam before a blade ever touched a slab.

Thanks Joe...I don’t think they have slabsmith...is a seam at the sink possible or is it considered a stress area? Especially since the stone cracked while drilling for faucet....

Sink seams are possible and often desirable, don't let anyone tell you otherwise, please. I've drilled hundreds of faucet holes and never cracked a top doing it.

Thanks Joe...that is very helpful!

Update:New countertops are in....this slab has a much calmer look...I do miss the dramatic veining of the old one...we got the seam at the sink and it looks so much better.. the installation guys chipped the stone a little while putting it in I am trying to see if they will come out again and fill it up or something.....thanks for all your responses and help!

It looks beautiful.

Are you putting in a tile backsplash? If so, the tile and caulking will most likely hide the damage against the wall.

I think it is beautiful, but I am a fan of calmer patterns. I hope you will be happy when it is all done! Sorry you had to go through that trauma, though!

It’s beautiful and I think they did a good job with your seam at the sink.

The sink seam is very nice. Stone with movement can't be matched any better.

Thanks all....Yes I am so happy with this seam and I am starting to really like the calmer pattern as well....trying to figure out the backsplash now...

Meghnt, Thank you for posting those follow up photos from back in Dec. I love happy endings... I was on the other thread Unhappy with Quartzite install so found your link.

How is your beautiful quartzite almost 6 months later? Do you see anything staining? Etching? or any issue that has come up? What do you love about them? What do you dislike? Maybe there are no dislikes.. please share that too. How do you clean your counters? Do you baby them? Have you ever left anything on them overnight? What sealer did you use?

I am going back and forth about Quartzite or Granite.. so anything I can learn can really help me make my decision. And I know I am not alone for there are many of us looking at these gorgeous Quartzites and falling in love.

~boxer

Thanks Boxerpal...I am happy with the quartzite...though I still suspect that it might not be sea pearl quartzite as it looks very different fm the ones I see online.....so far no etching or staining...I was super careful, first few mths but have become more relaxed now...my family is notoriously messy and there’s been coffee drips/other food leftover overnight and thankfully, it all came up easily..I also like that there’s color and movement in my stone which would hide potential stain, if it occurs ...it was sealed during installation...the installers used something called Sprint Antidrop...I am not sure if it’s easily available in big box stores...I was told they get it fm Italy...I need to seal on a yearly basis..

I was strictly told to use only water/soap to clean...occasionally I use the stone care wipes which I got fm Home Depot...Good luck w/your kitchen...I hope you will find what you love

very pretty

Thats a tacky job. The crack is fixable without you even knowing but the grain matching is poor