I know this is an old thread.... figured I would post anyway. I have been looking at granite and quartzite. We took Quartz out of the equation. Anyway....found a quartzite I love love love called Superwhite. However, they told me that they do NOT suggest quartzite for kitchen counters at all. They said it tends to etch and stain far more than granite :(((( But then I see people here using it..... I want to just go for it...but its an expensive project to have to change out in a year or two. Any feedback on those that have used it.....

Well, it depends on price point. I think the only feature that is absolutely expected across the board is to have a counter that isn't tile -- that is instead some material that is entirely smooth/solid (without grout lines) for easy cleaning. I also think people really appreciate things that look roomier than they were expecting. Americans tend to like big stuff and to associate it with luxury. So if the kitchen is bigger than you'd expect in house like that, that'll always make a good impression. I don't think the average American is particularly informed or design-minded, so they'd be looking to hear buzzwords like "granite counter tops" and "stainless steel appliances" and "custom cabinets" and "solid wood" and "new." I think it matters less if it's actually really unattractive granite that doesn't go well with the cabinet color, or if it's a crappy, unreliable dishwasher. That said, while most don't cook much and wouldn't know what a good layout was, anybody who does cook would also be on the look out for that. I am an enthusiastic baker, so how the work spaces are laid out is the first thing I notice aside from the general feel of a kitchen (calm, light, clean, etc.). I look for large swatches of uninterrupted counter, and I look at how someone else might use part of the kitchen while I'm in there too without getting in my way. I would run screaming from one of those tight u-shaped kitchens. They only accommodate a single cook. And I really dislike features that eat away at usable counterspace -- upper cabinets that come all the way to sit on the counters, split-level peninsulas/islands, appliance garages, etc.

Oh no the sparkle is definitely very subtle. In the 9x13 sample I have there are only a few of those sparkly flecks so its not very noticeable really unless the light hits it right. It’s not at all like those other “sparkle” quartzes. I had my heart set on it was so sad when I discovered it’s more off-white 😢 the Stonemark I assume is the same as the MSI Perla White (I feel like stonemark and msi must be the same company?) and I considered that too but up close it was just too cloudy looking, imo.

Beth H. That's what I've been looking into - just came back from a supplier. My initial issue with granite was the noise (that wouldn't work with the space and paint etc) but I've found better options that are grade 3,4,5 etc. The grade 1-3's I've seen aren't worth the much lower price for this space. Right now I like Alaskan White Granite, pre fab, but that comes out to $4k. I can get level 1-2's for $2,000 installed, but it isn't worth it. I'm only looking at buying by the sq ft, which is generally pre fab, rather than buying 2 stones with waste (I have 75 sq ft of countertop w/ Island).