Composition of Quartzite

Quartzite is a natural stone consisting of 90-99% quartz grains bound together with silica, the stone is formed underneath the surface of the earth where sandstone rich in quartz is reformed under high heat and pressure. Quartzite stone has a granular sugar-like texture and quartz-rich sandstone elicits an earthier feel and granular in appearance. Quartzite is a medium grain with interlocking quartz. This natural stone surface is a metamorphosed sandstone. The composition is dominated by quartz, but originally the sandstone contains some clay minerals and other minerals such as feldspar, fragments of rock that invade the stone in the form of impurities.

Colour and pattern of Quartzite:

Quartzite is commonly found in shades of grey and white quartzite countertops, grey quartzite is most loved by many and some quartzite stones appear to have pinkish or reddish hues due to the presence of iron oxide. Veining and pattern on quartzite are irregular and inconsistent on visualization. The natural stone worktops are also found in tones of Beige, blue, brown, dark grey, golden, green, grey, and white.

Cleaning and Maintenance of Quartzite countertops

Quartzite is a low-cost maintenance material for quartzite kitchen tops. They have different degrees of porosity. Quartzite worktops are porous in nature, they need to be properly sealed to avoid staining and bacterial and fungal contaminations. Sealing is recommended once a year if the quartzite slab is dense and less porous. Though they are scratch-resistant, avoid using abrasive cleaners on the surface which eventually will wear out the polish. After the counters are wiped with soap solution, dry the surface clean to avoid any moisture from settling down. Avoid using Citrus based cleaners like vinegar and lemon or abrasives that can damage the work surface of the countertop. The acidic properties in these cleaners can deteriorate the sealer, causing your countertop to lose polish and be vulnerable to stains.

The cleaning of quartzite needs a minimal maintenance routine when compared to the natural stones of other types. Though the maintenance practice followed for granite and quartzite are similar to each other. If a stain occurs, make a paste of baking soda and water or use a commercial stain removing poultice. Apply a thick layer of paste to the stain and cover the area with plastic wrap. Allow the paste to sit overnight. Wipe the paste away and rinse using a damp cloth. If any trace of the stain remains, repeat the application until the stain is gone.