For what it's worth, I have some areas like that in my bathroom marble.

Ahhh, maybe that’s it. I thought resin pools would be larger.

Resin pools can vary in size and shape.

So are resin pools an indication of lower quality quartz?

Same as Design Girl, I have areas that look like that in my countertops. It's part of natural stone, mine are quartzite, but not a true quantize it looks and acts more like marble.

Resin pools are not an indication of lower quality quartz. There are threads from several years ago about Cambria having a huge problem with resin pooling, and they are one of the more expensive manufacturers of quartz.

@chocolatebunny123 is correct. Any quartz can have pooling. It’s not indicative of an inferior product. Some colors have more pooling than others. Cambria customers have complained about pooling for years...so much so, that it’s stated in their warranty that pooling is not considered a defect.

Concentrate instead on the LASER template in your home. On the discussion you will have then as to seam location, edge finish. The QUALITY install. Lose the microscope.

"This is why you’re not supposed to use it as a backsplash, as it will scorch."

Engineered stone makes a fine backsplash that will never scorch if it is installed per the appliance manufacturer's installation instructions.

"Nor are you supposed to place anything hot on a quartz counter...not even a plate thats come out of the microwave."

Nor are you to place anything hot on natural stone, according to the industry trade association, the Natural Stone Institute. Or on Corian or other solid surfaces, per manufacturer's instructions. This requirement makes their heat resistance equal for all practical purposes.

Not true, @Joseph Corlett, LLC. Soapstone receives hot items without issue. It‘s composition makes it immune to thermal shock, or scorching.

darbuka:

Please cite where the Natural Stone Institute exempts soapstone from its trivet use guidelines. I'll wait.

Joe, soapstone is literally IMPERVIOUS to heat in a kitchen . It isn't a stone, its a rock. You couldn't "scorch" it in a kitchen if you tried. Truth, Babe.

Soapstone does not burn or melt at wood-burning temperatures, and it has the ability to absorb heat, hold heat, and radiate heat. These properties make it an excellent material for making wood-burning stoves. The stove becomes hot and radiates that heat into the room. It also holds heat, keeping the coals hot and often allowing the owner to add more wood without the need for kindling.

You probably won't find a soapstone exemption from the Natural Stone Institute because their lawyers won't let them!

Keep in mind, soapstone has been used in chemistry labs for decades precisely because it does not react to chemicals or heat.

This “Soapstone is highly heat resistant, and has been used in fireplace surrounds frequently to take advantage of this property.”...directly from the Natural Stone Institute site.

BTW, I'm forgiving Joe for the soapstone comment. Florida kitchens rarely see the use of soapstone. Why? Favoring granite, quartz and a slightly more glitz environment. Boston or Cape Cod? The Northeast in general ? Very different story. He still knows his sinks : )

FWIW, I like the stone on the left more. I find that once installed, the brighter whites on quartz do not look as much like the natural stone. Of course I can't see the samples IRL.

The NSI could exempt soapstone; they haven't. Facts are pesky things.

Yeah, we know that by having listened to the “facts” coming from the Whitehouse.

When the terrorists flew planes into our buildings, for a brief period, there were no Democrats or Republicans, just Americans. Our country is again under attack, but unlike 9/11, some feel that despite failing at collusion, Muller, and impeachment, sowing division among us and un-electing Trump is more important than saving ourselves. Bill Mahr is probably getting his reprehensible recession wish.

Disgusting.

"...and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.” - Sam Adams

Oh, please. He’s the reason we’re in this situation. Head in sand. Slow to act. Taking no responsibility. Lie, lie, lie. Blame everyone else.

There is no one more partisan than the orange haired, orange faced moron “leading” this country. Watch a channel other than Fox News.

Wow darbuka maybe you should take something for your anger. Is this really where you want to post things like this? It’s a design forum.

@oreolucca1, you’re absolutely right. My original point was that... just because a national organization says, or doesn’t say something, doesn’t make it the truth. We’re learning this every day.

A quick Google search will turn up a lot of cases of cracked soapstone stoves.

While soapstone can withstand very high and sustained heat as long as it is slowly applied. In fact many wood burning stones are clad in soapstone because of its unique thermal properties. Thermal shock is the sudden and dramatic temperature change. This is not advised. Thermal shock such as pouring boiling water into a sink suddenly sending thermal shock into the stone is an example of how you could damage your soapstone. (Stonemastersinc.net)

I’ve looked. I’m not finding any of those “cases” of some soapstone sinks cracking from boiling water. Perhaps you’ll provide examples of ”lots of cases”.

I know four people who have soapstone sinks. They empty pots of boiling pasta water into their sinks all the time, without injuring the sinks. When you quote a source that says “...this is an example of how you COULD damage your soapstone.” “Could,” is supposition, not fact. Most stone “experts” have very little experience with soapstone.

This, from Bob Vila’s site: “Often used in the construction of fireplaces, soapstone is among the most heat-resistant stone available, so setting a hot pan on the countertop won’t crack the surface.”

I’m not looking to get into p***ing match. But, ci_lantro, I was talking about soapstone counters. Soapstone won’t react negatively, when a hot plate, pan or pot is put on it, which is not the case for any other countertop material...especially that plastic Corian, Joe is so fond of. That, is fact.