In this blog, we are going to be talking about this natural stone and how you can add a Quartzite worktop to your home, whether it’s inside or in the great outdoors. Quartzite is denser than granite and truly lets you feel what this natural stone has to offer. It brings a perfect mix of looks and performance which allows usage in demanding areas and applications.
What is Quartzite?
Many people ask is it the same as quartz, the answer basically is no. Quartzite is a non-foliated metamorphic rock composed almost entirely of quartz. It’s formed when a quartz-rich sandstone is altered by the heat, pressure and chemical activity of metamorphism.
Quartzite is durable, heat resistant and easy to maintain.
What is Metamorphism?
Metamorphism is a process where the sand grains are recrystallized and the silica cement binds them together.
Where does it form?
Quartzite is mostly formed during mountain-building events, where the sandstone deposits on a continental plate. This is where the sandstone is metamorphosed into quartzite by the intense pressure of a plate collision and often by deep burial.
The crust is thickened into the mountain range making Quartzite an important rock type in folded mountain ranges throughout the world.
What’s the difference between Quartzite and Quartz?
When talking about Quartzite and Quartz it can get a little confusing, as many people think they are the same. The simple difference is that Quartzite is naturally made by mother nature and Quartz is man-made. They do have some similarities, sharing the same base quartz material.
Some of our Quartzite projects
Check out this Quartzite we fitted to this outdoor kitchen in Hertfordshire. It features the Bianca Eclipsia quartzite supplied by @themarbleandgranitecentreltd in a 30mm thickness. The Bianca Eclipsia originates from Brazil and is an off-white to white-grey natural stone that displays big grey veins varying in both pattern and shade of colour.
Check out this Quartzite countertop our client chose for their kitchen in Hertfordshire. The Bianco Eclipse Quartzite material was chosen for this showpiece kitchen island. Due to the size of the island, it was necessary to select a material that would stand out without detracting from the overall colour scheme that you come across in the room.
The edging consists of a bonded edge with ogee and half-bullnose. The edge thickness was achieved by bonding a narrow 3cm edge piece to the underside of the 3cm top giving the appearance of a strong 6cm thick top and thereby keeping the overall weight to a manageable level.
Cawdor Stone Gallery are a division of the Cawdor Group, one of the UK’s leading natural stone providers. With over 30 years of experience, our highly qualified team have undertaken international projects of all sizes, providing high-quality materials and a comprehensive range of stone-related services to a range of projects. Contact us today for more info on our Quartzite stone worktops.
