That is a naturally occurring fissure in my opinion.

They said that it was filled. Just trying to figure out why it is so noticeable?

Normal. A normal crack/fissure in natural stone, that was filled.

Here is a filled "crack" in my Taj Mahal counter. Done at the quarry and not by the fabricator.

It mostly feels smooth, but does reflect light just a bit differently, which you only see if you bend down closer to the counter and are looking for imperfections.

This is the slab when it was installed.

For those with Taj, any concerns with a slab that highly “crystallized?” You can see an example in the original posters pic vs chipsa’s slab which has longer veins. I’ve been looking at a slab that is very crystallized. It’s leathered, and you can feel small hitches in many areas. Are these hard to keep clean? More prone to chip or other issues?

There is a fragility in fabrication of Taj. This is not to be confused with wonderful durability on your counter.

My own fabricator will not hone or leather any more. Love it polished, or leave it.

Fillers..fissures.....de rigeur in either

I would not let a local fabricator attempt to hone/leather a slab, but I would certainly buy a slab that came honed/leathered from the quarry. There is no comparison in the scale of equipment at the quarry, compared to the average local fabricator.

@S H, they are all "crystallized". I think it doesn't show up as much in my photo because my slabs are lighter in color. I probably wouldn't buy a honed/leathered slab that had "rough" spots that can be felt with your hand, at least not for counters. Maybe for a fireplace surround.

Thanks. The slab is already leathered, not done locally. I’m having my fabricator look at the slab to give his opinion. Maybe I used a poor choice of words. It’s more “crackled” or “shattered looking” than some of the other taj slabs I’ve seen. I do have concerns about being able to feel it, but also newer to quartzite, so trying to understand what’s normal/to be expected.

Umm wasn't this my post/question? I think it got off track.

I agree with Jan love it polished or leave it!

"They said that it was filled. Just trying to figure out why it is so noticeable?"

It's only "noticeable" If it bothers you. It is normal in any slab......it's just that mother earth can't fill it.

Only you can decide how much it will bother you, and only your fabricator can tell you where in your kitchen top it would be placed when cut and polished. ........ based on your layout from a laser template or even in that shop, with your layout in hand. Maybe you can leave it out entirely, which none of us can know.

No phone picture is the same as standing in front of the slab. Nor is it the same as installed where it won't even be on the same plane as you are showing in a pic.

Okay......now it's back to YOUR thread: )

IMO the choice to hone or leather real stone IMO is always wrong. Those fissiures are to be expected even when factory polished .Those do not look to be filled .I think getting so idea of where those will be in your space is imperative and if you have a choice do not leather or hone.

Are you ready for natural stone? Its imperfect.

As someone who installed leathered granite which I absolutely love (and no -- nothing gets stuck in the textured parts contrary to what some people here try to perpetuate...eye roll) I think the natural fissure in OP's Taj is completely fine. It's a rock, it's going to have some character. OP if you love that stone, don't overthink the natural characteristics of it.

I don't think the thread got off track. Someone asked for more information about Ta Mahal from those that were already responding to the topic. Normal forum behavior. No one "owns" a post/question once it gets rolling!

I have bought 9 slabs of Taj Mahal in the last 6 years (in two different states), so I have some experience shopping for and using that stone!

No worries, it just confused the heck out of me. I had to reread my post wondering what I had actually asked.

Decided to pass on this particular Taj. We saw more that seemed better quality with no fissures/fillers that were this noticeable