Difference Between Quartz and Quartzite

When I look up “quartz” online, I see many examples of “quartzite.” Is it the same thing?

No. Quartz and quartzite are not the same material. They’re both durable surfaces that make beautiful kitchen and bath countertops, but the two terms are not synonymous. For starters, “quartz” refers to the manmade material that’s comprised of at least 90-percent quartz (otherwise known as silicon dioxide, which is one of the hardest minerals on earth) mixed with resin and coloring. It’s created in a factory and then fabricated in a similar fashion to natural stone. Quartzite, on the other hand, is a natural stone that’s found in the earth. They have different properties, plus require different maintenance and care.

Quartz

Quartz, in reference to residential and commercial surfaces, is an engineered material. The mineral quartz occurs naturally in a multitude of colors ranging from nearly crystal-clear to jet black and a rainbow of hues between. This mineral is fused with a combination of resins, polymers, pigments and other powdered or ground materials to form an extremely hard, non-porous, durable material.

Quartzite

Quartzite is a naturally-occurring metamorphic stone. Millions of years ago, modern-day quartzite countertops began as sandstone. Over time, quartz crystals formed within its spaces and fused together under heat and pressure. The result? An extremely strong, durable, and beautiful material that occurs in a wide range of colors and patterns.

Summary

A.   Quartz is comprised of oxygen and silica. The main component of quartz is silica or silicon dioxide Quartzite is formed due to the metamorphism of quartz sandstones.

B.   Quartz comes in different colors including white, smoky yellow, rose, violet, yellow, opaque and brown. On the contrary, Quartzite comes in snowy white or gray color. It also comes in light colours depending on the impurities present in the parent sandstone.

C.   Though quartz and quartzite are both hard, it is easier to work with quartz

D.   Quartzite is widely used in the construction industry as slabs, roofing and flooring tiles and as crushed stones. Quartz has its application as a gemstone and it is used in electronics.

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