The testing is done before purchasing…with a piece (usually a corner) of the slab, which you take home. That’s the way to avoid what you’re experiencing now…after install.

Even slabs that pass the glass test in the stone yard, often will absorb water. Which is why testing for porisity at home, is important.

@darbuka what do I do now? I understand that quartzite vary in porosity, and even if it's porous it can still be legit quartzite is that my case ? How can I confirm I have real quartzite

Is there a discrete section of the counter, where you could take the edge of a piece of glass, and attempt to scratch the stone? True quartzite is extremely hard, and cannot be scratched by glass.

@darbuka I have an extra piece supplied to use in the back of the range, now I need to get ahold of a broken piece of glass safe enough to hold in my hand? Secondly, how do I know if I scratch the sealant or the stone ?

The sealant sinks into the stone, it doesn’t just lay on top. If you see scratches, it’s not quartzite. Period.

Just want to add…I don’t have quartzite. I’m just giving you info I’ve been reading on this forum, for many years,

Quartzite can be both very hard, and very porous, and still be a quartzite. One does not preclude the other. What it cannot be is actual quartzite if it etches. Real quartzite will not etch when exposed to acids.

@dewayne back to my original question, how do I know if it doesn't etch because its properly sealed or because it's authentic quartzite?

Squeeze some lemon juice on that extra piece, or on a discreet part of the sealed counters. If it’s quartzite, the lemon juice will not etch the counters.

@darbuka, so etching will pass through sealant if its not authentic quartzite?

Yes. If the stone shows etching, it is not quartzite.

The acid will penetrate the sealant?

Yes!

People who get REAL marble counters, will seal them knowing etching will still happen. Even water rings (condensation) from iced water filled glasses, will etch sealed marble.

Joseph Corlett, a countertop installer pro on this site, proffesses that an item called Anti-Etch, solves the etching problem. You might want to investigate.

I believe this is the product that Joseph has recommended: Anti Etch. Supposedly, this does not give the plastic appearance Love Your Nest was referring to.

Topical sealers from a can do not prevent etching. MORE does prevent etching without a plastic coating. Stoneguard and Tuffskin prevent etching with a plastic film.

"Ruining the beauty" of etching seems oxymoronic to me.

So... if an acid test proves anything on a sealed countertop my stone didn't edge from either lemon juice or vinegar, I still need to find a proper tool to do a scratch/hardness test. But the Stone is certainly thirsty and porous especially around the sinks

So my counters definitely do not etch with my 15 minute acid tests, not with an hour either, however it looks like it does etch with spills left overnight, does it make any sense?

As for the glass test, I don't have a glass tile handy, but what i tried to do is extensively and rigorously try to scratch a wine bottle with the sharp edge of an extra countertop piece i have, attached is the result, the discoloration is much more obvious than what you can feel on the surface, but its definitely bo longer smooth yet it didn't crumble at all

@ all responders, i'm still unsure if my stone is legit quartzite or not! please help me!

Test. Google them please.

@Joseph as per my comments, I already tried the etch test, it certainly doesn't etch in 15 minutes, I posted pictures of a wine bottle I scratched and I'm unsure how to decipher the results, and I don't have access to a Mohs scratch kit. How can I get a definite assessment now?

Mr & Mrs Perfectionistos

What color is you quartzite? Can you share a distance and close up picture?

@Dawn please see this album, I don't have the best photography skills but here you have various pictures including some from the slab yard, the yellowish one's are a camera issue

https://photos.app.goo.gl/NCYdE3L11ARWwvC28

@Dawn Did you have a chance to review my photos?

Mr & Mrs Perfectionistos no, did you send them?

@Dawn in case you missed it https://photos.app.goo.gl/NCYdE3L11ARWwvC28

I'm seeing the most stains along the (beveled) edges

Mr & Mrs Perfectionistos

Do you like the super shiny finish of the Quartzite? I am looking at the Cristallo. The color is perfect,but it's shines like glass. I am not sure if it will be too fancy for my space? Has anyone installed leathered cristallo....is it a smooth or pitted texture and would it ruin the look? Below are pictures of my kitchen with tons of different samples, the Cristallo slab, testing of Cristallo sample and a piece cardboard on island to show new size(1'bigger than current island).

Any thoughts?

@Dawn I really do like my countertops, I'm in love with them, but I hate the etching and I hate the premium I paid for it thinking I'll deal with zero etching

Mr & Mrs Perfectionistos Are you seeing etching? I thought you said it was just water and when it dried it was fine? Thanks for sharing the link...your kitchen island is beautiful! I don't see any etching?

@Dawn the pictures are in my original post, if it's water it will dry out over time if it's something else it looks like the stain is there permanently