Did you find a quartzite that was similar to matarazzo? Just found it today and loved it! I had no idea it was a dolomite! So sad!

I just saw Matarazzo labeled as Dolomite, not quartzite. The two slabs they had were honed and I was able to take home a sample. They said it hadn't been sealed so I bought an inexpensive sealer from the hardware store to apply before I tested it. After sealing and waiting about 6 hours for it to penetrate, I left vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, mustard, cranberry juice, and hot sauce on it for hours. Much to my surprise, all of it wiped right up with NO STAINING OR ETCHING! I assumed all those acidic items would have stripped the sealer so I tested it some more by leaving a glass of ice water on it overnight...water ring wiped away completely! I do think the honed finish helps hide etching but the sealer helps prevent staining. Fabricator is trying to talk me out of any type of marble but this sample is performing as well as the quartz I had in my previous kitchen. Now I wait for pricing...

dbkstl, of COURSE it wiped right up. You JUST put on a sealer. Doesn't change the point of the thread though - it's not quartzite, It's dolomite marble . And it is going to etch...no matter what. Good to see that your stone yard is not trying to mislead folks on it.

Be sure you use an impregnator sealer.

http://www.leshermarble.com/blog/index.php/how-to-seal-granite-marble-countertops/

https://sefastone.com/marble-sealer-types-and-how-to-use-them/

Chess,

You're right! That's why I posted this here, because it's definitely a dolomite marble and my stone yard did label it correctly.

Do you think a good sealer will be enough to prevent staining and if so, how often would it need to be applied in your opinion? I'm okay with etching more than staining. Actually, the sample is honed but looks more matte in the white areas and a bit more polished in areas with veining. So I'm hoping etch marks might not be as noticeable.

I appreciate your sealer recommendations!

Wow, in winter I selected a "quartzite" Matarazzo Honed finish from a Michigan dealer, crazy about its fit with my planned gray cabinets, white splash and wood floors. Then I tested cups sitting on lemon juice and vinegar - big rings in it. Good thing I read up on this issue and test some many moons ago. Bad thing that I almost got a bad product and because I also can't find a good replacement.

Ciot has a really nice looking porcelain product called Gigantic Absolute in 12 mm Honed finish.

Universal Granite offers an actual Hard Quartzite - I'm assured it's not soft like this dolomite/marble Matarazzo/Matarazza slab - called White Pearl. Of course, no sample available, but I'll demand they find one from some fabricator, another location or otherwise so that I may test it. It's got much more movement and tonal variation, up to blackish veining. I like a natural product better than a porcelain for the edging and sink cut with rounded rectangle, plus some ability to repair.

Otherwise, I just see other porcelain or man made quartz, none of which look as good to me as does this soft Matarazzo or as a true Calcatta marble that has the best color mix but not suitable for my project.

I have photos of these two if interested. Is there a PM option here? Maybe I'll get around to posting them in an album later.

Hi - I know this is an old thread but we are currently waiting on some countertops to be installed that we were told were quartzite - but on the side there is a label that says "Marmore Branco Matarazzo" - which translates to "marble white matarazzo" (Portuguese). Does anyone know if we are getting real quartzite or is this marble?

We have Matarazzo Dolomite (Honed) and it was labeled as dolomite, not quartzite, at the stone yard. I spoke to some professionals and they told me it is a heartier marble and performs more like a quartzite. I had taken many samples home of different types of marble and this was the only type that did not stain or etch. The honed finish helps mask the etching if there is any and it was sealed by the fabricator to prevent staining. We love our countertops but we don't baby them just because they are marble. I'd say the dolomite is just as durable as the quartz we had in our previous home, which is presumed to be indestructible. Everyone will say that marble is softer than granite or quartzite and more prone to scratch, but we are not experiencing that at all with the dolomite! If you love the stone you picked, go for it! There are a lot of misconceptions out there surrounding marble but this dolomite has been perfectly fine in real life!

Dolomite certainly etches. Do your research, and TEST YOUR SLAB.

http://www.beautythroughstone.com/single-post/2015/05/26/Why-Is-My-Quartzite-Countertop-Etching

Thank you dbkstl. We are putting White Fantasy Dolomite marble in our kitchen when it is remodeled after the holidays. We are happy to hear that you do not baby your countertop. We use our kitchen heavily and love marble, We are also realistic. We love stone and I loved reading your post!

I also find it condescending. We also did a lot of research on EVERYTHING we have chosen. Our countertop choice looks very similar to yours and is leathered. I used lemon juice, blueberry jam ad ketchup on the sample, leaving it on for over 24 hours. It showed nothing that I could see. Yours looks absolutely gorgeous. What do you use to clean your counter tops?

" Insinuating that someone didn’t “do their research” is very condescending."

I did not "insinuate" any such thing. I stated that people SHOULD do their research and not rely on stone yards or online pictures to tell them what they stone is. Time and time again we see posts here from people that are complaining about their counters staining/etching, and most of them never tested their slabs at all.

Frankly, if it wasn't for this forum, I wouldn't have known how to test my stone or even how to address the classification. The quote stated that the White fantasy was a quartzite and when I met with the person showing me around the yard, he described as a dolomite stone. I challenged the quartzite classification and the stone was reclassified as a dolomite marble. I would never have known this, if not for my reading here. I feel grateful to have found this site. With that said, I am a research fanatic and have researched the heck out of all my choices. I realize not everyone does their research.

Adam, back to your original question: you are not getting quartzite.

That is, as reported, dolomite which is a marble. Some choose it anyway, others reject it for this reason. In my case, having a marble counter in one bathroom and imagining anything even half that soft and likely to etch in my kitchen scared me off. In the end, I chose a man-made quartz that I'm going to live with. This is just one view. YMMV.

( As for the silly didactic arguments over words of advice related to doing one's research, they're entirely uncalled for. I read no personal attacks taking place here. We're all on Houzz in the first place because we're researching. )

Not sure where you are located, but with stones that Etch, you can use a protection product that eliminates the possibility of Etching and Staining. For example Stoneguard http://www.stoneguardusa.com/html/ 

my company www.finalsealpros.com is certified in installing Stoneguard and Ceramic Pro coatings

Looks so elegant! Love it, I looked at it today, and it looked a little different. However, concerned about the etching too. I live with "animals" who love to make juices.

Has anyone who has placed Matarazzo countertops in their kitchen regretted their decision?

I don’t regret choosing Matarazzo at all! We do not baby the countertops and so far so good! They were sealed when installed. No staining or etching. We have the honed finish which I think helps. I did just get a minor chip on the edge near the sink while doing the dishes but the quartz I had in our previous home chipped around the sink also. It’s not noticeable.

I fell in love with Matarazzo today and was told It’s a mix of quartzite and dolomite. I am worried about it being too prone to stains, etching etc. I’m getting so frustrated as I’m building with Toll Brothers and their choices for countertops sucks! As Angie asked...who has gone ahead with it and how is it going?

As long as you seal it every year, it’s great!

It sure is pretty. What do you seal with?

Hello Dbkstl,

I LOVE your matarazzo countertops. I think I am picking those for my kitchen, which will have BM White Dove cabinets and BM Wrought Iron. What color of white are your cabinets?

Our cabinet brand is called US Cabinet Depot and the color is just their generic white. I'm sorry I don't have a specific name for the color. I will say that the countertops have both cool and warm tones so they will blend nicely with any white you choose. I am still loving the Matarazzo after living with it for over a year. It has proven to be just as low maintenance as the quartz we had in our previous home!

Thank you for your comment dbkstl. Here I am almost 2 years after your post and wondering how your Matarazzo countertops are holding up. I’m about to put it in my kitchen, but everyone is scaring me about how hard it is to maintain. What do you think now since you’ve had it 2 years?

Katherine- still loving the Matarazzo! Overdue for annual sealing but still no stains or discoloration. With all of us home the past six months, we’ve used our kitchen extensively and the countertops are perfectly fine with more use than usual. And like I’ve said in previous comments, we (2 teenagers who like to cook and a husband) do not baby the countertops. So whether it’s called Dolomite or Marble or Quartzite, it really doesn’t matter because it’s not as scary or high maintenance as others would warn you! Go for it! Enjoy!

Thank you so much for taking the time to comment!! You made my decision for me!!! Thanks!!!

@dbkstl do you have a picture of your slab ? I saw a Matarazzo today and it’s pretty but I’m so scared to use it .

@Katherine Northrop did you end up using it ?

Beatriz- Scroll up in this thread and you’ll see the photos I posted :)

@dbkstl looks very nice ! Are you still happy with them ? Are they truly heat resistant ? Did you use a sealer ?

I am so happy that I found this amazing post! So much great information. If anyone else chose the Matarazzo and used it in their kitchen, I would love to know how it’s going. houzz://user/dbkstl, thank you for all of the information you have posted. I’m hoping you are still loving your counters.

What is the crystal content in your Matarazzo dolomite? I am about to install a Calacatta Berrini dolomite in my kitchen which looks quite similar to the Matarazzo, but i am concerned that the crystals will be more noticeable when i hone the slab, as they “ pop” more , but i know a honed surface. will reduce etching. The crystals are less noticeable in the polished finish and im not sure which way to go.

Its other name they call to Matarazzo? I saw something similar they called speciality quartzite other name like dolomite. also calacara Matarazzo? what is difference

Honing a marble does not reduce etching at all. The idea is that the surface is already dull/matte so it isn’t as noticeable. However, honed actually can stain more easily than polished.

Quartzite Stoneguard surface protection on 2018. what is the name of the quartzite?

Anyone here other than dbk go ahead with matazzaro and how is holding up? Stains, etches, scratches? Do you have to baby it? Dbk you have had it for a few years now. Holding well? Any tips on what to do and what not to do?

@Christine Hoffman I am also considering Matarazzo. Curious anything you have learned? Over and above this string, of course :)

We have had our countertops for 21 months and we absolutely LOVE THEM! They were properly sealed when they were installed, which is extremely important. No major issues, but we have had a couple of chips in the seating area of the island due to my daughter knocking into the counter with her chair. We clean the counter everyday with Weiman Granite and Stone. We will reseal the counters at 24 months to keep them shiny. The countertops are also in our bar/coffee area and an office area and they are perfect. You can‘t treat them like you can granite, which we used to have, but this is the look that we wanted. Coffee and wine spills have been left overnight and wiped away with ease, but I attribute that to the counters being sealed properly from the beginning.

This is a gorgeous kitchen!

Can I see pictures of people’s kitchens with this Matarazzo Quartzite? I am trying to buy this now and it looks so different from batch to batch. I think I like it with large crystal chunk areas vs the veining style. Thanks in advance!

Wanting to add to this thread that we got the Matarazzo quartzite in our newly remodeled kitchen 10 months ago and we are loving it!!! We have found it can* etch and have two spots that have come out. Once from a wet wooden cutting board, used as a drying board and caused the wood to leave a stain. That was my fault. Got it mostly out with baking soda trick. Another one was a missed left over drink spill that wasn’t wiped up possibly something acidic. But we still love the live stone look. It’s something quartz can never ever have ; the unique look and feel is something special. Every time I wipe it, i fall in love again! It does have stronger variations in some places but with our neutral style, it was the right amount of interest for the overall kitchen look.

Your kitchen is absolutely stunning. I think this countertop is truly the best balance between marble and durable quartzite. I’m so excited to get mine installed in the next couple weeks!

Question - what is the height of your walls? You’re making me Jones for those beams. But our ceiling height is standard, not tall.

we have a 9'2" tall ceiling! not super tall I would say (this is a remodel project!) but slightly higher then average I think.

Your kitchen is beautiful. I’m leaning towards the matarazzo quartzite for the countertop and island. The only issue I have is that the stone is available in 3/4 inch. My husband prefers the 1-1/4 inch since we have that in granite right now. Can you please tell me the thickness of your countertop and island quartzite? And any opinions on 3/4inch?

Update! I got the Maratazzo quartzite and it’s amazing….though we have been told to be cautious with citrus, wine, etc
So far so good!

Last thing, is the thickness 2cm or 3cm?

2cm… we would have preferred 3cm. On the other countertops, we went with porcelain, which you can get built up to 3cm. Porcelain is very durable, stain proof.