Quartzite is a highly-prized natural stone, not to be confused with engineered quartz surfacing. It resembles marble, with soft veining and cool color tones which are on point with today’s white, grey, and smoky blue color trends. It is also a strong performer in a kitchen environment. Granite and quartzite have very similar performance statistics; both are resistant to heat, chemicals, and scratches.
Because quartzite is a fairly new stone on the market that often resembles marble, there have been some instances of mislabeling. This can create issues after installation due to different care and maintenance needs for the two materials. Be sure to talk to your stone provider to ensure that the stone you choose is truly quartzite.
Supply and demand have increased the price of quartzite in some markets, so expect to pay a little more and have fewer color options than with granite. The fabrication process is more complex for quartzite, so if you are eager for a quick installation, be sure to talk to your fabricator about estimated lead times.