If those are oil stains, that Stonetech stuff is awesome. Make sure you reseal afterwards.

My quartzite is darkening too. It's uniform so you can really only tell if you look at old pics or under the toaster oven. In my case I think it's from consant wiping and wetness settling in the stone... I think it's because I never resealed it but not sure. I want to seal now but don't want to lock in the current darker color, so I've done nothing. I'm ok with my stone but quartzite is not all it's cracked up to be :/

I am going to try the Stonetech stuff I guess. I have had my quartzite for less than a year and my fabricator said he sealed it three times. I agree with you, quartzite isn't what it's cracked up to be.

So glad to read this… we are ready to update our granite counters bc i do not like the color. The stone guy can’t stop singing the praises of quartzite. My friend who had it installed several years ago doesnt cook, so hers is pristine. Sounds like it would darken in in my busy kitchen.

@Kswl is he singing the praises of quartzite or quartz?

Lauren and Kim, can you please tell us the names of your quartzite countertops so that others can be aware of the issues with that particular stone? I cringe when I see stuff like this. So sorry this happened!

You've got to test all natural stones for porosity and to see if they are in fact what the salesperson says they are.

I believe it is quartzite, as it is stone, not the man made product.

I remember when quartzite was the darling of the Kitchen forum. I have man-made quartz. I wish I'd chosen a lighter color, but the darn stuff has worn like iron.

So far so good with my Silestone quartz. Going on two years.

Bunny, what brand and color do you have?

eld, it's Caesarstone Smoky Ash. I don't care for the pattern anymore, but it's not bad enough to want to replace. The only ding is where I dropped a can from an upper shelf. It's so small I can only detect it by rubbing.

I love the overall look of dark counters but it disguises drips and spills too well. Fortunately my kitchen has an abundance of light so the dark counters don't have a negative effect.

Hi Rebunky,

The name of my quartzite is blanco statuario. Here is a pic of the two slabs I bought. I did the scratch test and the porosity test once it was in my home. My slabs both passed. The Yard where I bought these from didn't have a sample to take home. For reference, I don't cook much and have these in shady and sunny spots. The discoloration is in both my bar and kitchen. I am still waiting for the Stonetech to arrive. I feel like I will need to buy many more cans as I have a lot of counter to fix. Hoping this will help someone else looking at quartzite. I have sent two emails to the place I bought the slabs and they are not answering me now. As far as the name, I went to many different stone places and I have seen ones that look like ours called all different names. If anyone has any tips on how to fix this I am all ears. It is so cringy hearing stories like this...just like I cringe every time I walk into my kitchen.

Thank you for saying that. I appreciate your responses. I am hopeful that I can use the Stonetech and get it back to looking how pretty it was last year when we had it installed.

Lauren I hate that you are dealing with this! I have to admit I'm a bit perplexed at the discoloration, because the way the darkening flows almost matches the movement in your stone and it's throughout so much of your countertop space. If it was oil staining, I just don't see how it would be spread out all over the island.. I know, nothing I'm saying is very comforting.. May I ask what cleaner you use? And you definitely do have a more porous stone due to the visual cross bedding. But still, that is a lot of darkening. I really hope the Stonetech works for you. If it does then it is very important you put a great sealer on as soon as you're all finished. You'll notice your countertop will get darker when you put the sealer on, and it will lighten up as it absorbs, do this more then once. I also recommend using a cleaner that won't shorten the lifespan of your sealer. I'm attaching pictures of a sealer and cleaner that you can get on Amazon. Both are great products. Let me know If the stonetech does not work and I'll spend more time pondering the problem to find another option. :)

I’m so sorry this is happening to you. Before you put anything on the stone, I would call a stone restoration company (or 2) to confirm that it can even be fixed first. Get a quote to have it done professionally as well, even if you choose not to use them, you will surely gain a lot of useful information during the process. I have a lot of stone in my home and learned early on, don’t put any chemicals on it until you know for sure it’s the right chemical for the job. If the guy who sold it to you is non responsive, that’s a good sign that he knew what he was selling you was subpar so I’d also be looking into what recourse you have legally to make it good.

Thanks so much to Lukki Irish and Royal Granite and Quartz. I am so thankful for your responses and suggestions. The only cleaner I have used is Weiman Stone and Granite cleaner as that is what the place where I bought the stone recommended. Lukki, I found a professional stone restorer from your recommendation. They are reviewing my pics too. I really hope this works. I would love to have my original counters back. I am hoping I can have it done professionally. You guys are amazing for helping me. I appreciate it so much! Happy Friday.

I'm glad you found someone so quickly and hopefully they can restore it. I've had Ice Flake Quartzite for 4 years and it's been perfect. I took a slab home and did all the appropraite testing as recommended by Karin_MT - a geologist who posts on the Kitchen forum. I'd be heartbroken if my quartzite behaved like.

Marie_cate,

I am so glad your quartzite is holding up. I am heartbroken. I did so much research. I hope this helps other people looking at quartzite. I am keeping my fingers crossed it can be fixed. I appreciate everyone's comments.

Lauren- did you get this problem fixed? This is my second round with quartzite and I’m having the exact same problem with this newest kitchen.
Brown streaks across the stone. My installer isn’t getting back to me either. Email me: Georgiagertz@yahoo.com
I’m really hoping you found the fix. Or if someone knows what to do.
The first two are when it was installed. The last one is 2 years after. There was nothing that spilled that caused it to stain.

When enough fabricators have to eat enough of this crap, they'll stop selling it. When they stop selling it, they'll stop importing it. Can't happen soon enough.

Are you suggesting my fabricator should refund me or replace at no cost?
He came out and took a look- tried some oil ex and a poultice- nothing changed. He said he’s never seen anything like this. The browning is literally spreading. I have no idea what my recourse is here, if any. Is anyone responsible or am I just S.O.L.

I’m looking in to this. Has anyone out there successfully sued the FABRICATOR for stone changing color?

Id think you’d sue whoever sold you the stone.

@Lauren Alexander did you ever find a solution to your stone? I am having the same issue with a mont blanc quartzite.

I got White Montreal Quartzite installed in a brand new build home through the builders and the Quartzite has been a nightmare to deal with since Day 1. The builder has not been helpful and I am at my wits end not knowing what to do

Pri V:

The only real recourse you have is to make the builder and fabricator believe that the cost of making this right with you is less expensive than the alternative.

While working as a framer, a friend of mine was having trouble collecting from a builder. My friend hired a former Navy Seal to collect. The Seal left the builder's little finger on his desk, but walked out with a check. I'm not advocating for amputation, but you have to make them think you are. Good luck.

My family has a fab business. first of all, you should distinguish between quartz and quartzite. Quartz is man made, and where issues are happening. Most come factory sealed, so your fabricator should not be applying additional sealer. A known issue with quartz is heat. a toaster or crock pot can change the color, but unfortunately will void any warrantee. We try to let custom know this but its tough. sometimes we only meet the builder or decorator snd dont pass that info on. there is no fix as its a reaction with whatever binding agents are used in the manufacturing process. Quartzite is s natural stone. Very expensive and should be sealed. thats not what people are having issues with here.

@HU-340032269 - are you really trying to convince people that the slabs posted by the OP are man made quartz and not natural stone slabs????? If that was true, the manufacturer who made those "quartz" slabs would be selling them like crazy. No faux natural stone quartz looks like those slabs - not one. Faux marble quartz is easy to spot.

@dani_m08

AMEN!

Could some of this staining be silicon bleed?

Joseph Corlett, what is your opinion on that?

I have used Taj Mahal quartzite in 2 homes (9 slabs total, bought years apart in 2 different states) and have had no issues with any of the slabs. All the issues seem to be with the white/gray quartzite slabs.

"Could some of this staining be silicon bleed?

Joseph Corlett, what is your opinion on that?"

It could be, but I think it's unlikely here. Looks like the edge of the splash is sucking up moisture.