Quartz is a very hard mineral made up of Silica. It is found worldwide in many different types of rocks like sandstone and granite. Varieties of quartz are agate, chalcedony, chert, flint, opal and rock crystal. Quartz is the most common mineral on the earth's surface. It is present in every geological environment and grows in clusters and does not form huge stone blocks like granite or limestone. So in the natural state it is not suitable to make into countertops or other large slabs.

Engineered quartz

Natural quartz can be mined in solid pieces and used for countertops, providing a soft, slate-like surface. Most material called quartz is an engineered product made from ground natural quartz and polymer resins. This blend creates a hard surface, which is durable, nonporous and less prone to breakage than granite and other countertop materials. Engineered quartz has the general appearance of granite, but its texture is more uniform and does not have the natural dramatic grains of real granite. It typically has a medium gloss, in contrast with the dull shine of natural stone. But manufacturers can create quartz with small or large grains and in a large gamut of colors and patterns. Quartz offers a hard and durable surface that does not require sealants or maintenance. It is nonporous, resists stains and heat. Scratches can be buffed with a rag.

Advantages of quartz

Some quartz consists of 93% natural quartz and offers a more diverse, durable and practical material than either granite or marble. It has a stain, crack, scratch chemical and heat-resistant properties it is an optimum choice for countertops. For those people who like the appearance of granite but are concerned regarding its drawbacks, quartz is the answer. Unlike granite, which is permanently stained by cooking oils and grease and etched by acids like hairspray, quartz is resistant to these hazards. Also granite may have erratic variations in color and pattern between the slabs. Due to this matching the sections of a countertop is hard, engineered stone is uniform in color, pattern and texture. It is the most durable surface material, which combines the hardness and durability of quartz with the exceptional low maintenance qualities of man-made materials (resin).