Materials · Marble and quartzite
Marble and quartzite: the veining, and what comes with it.
These are the stones people save photos of. They look alike from across the room and live very differently up close. Here's how to choose between them.
Marble
Soft, classic, and it shows its age
Marble is a softer natural stone with the deep, cloudy veining people picture when they think of luxury stone. It's at home on vanities, shower walls, fireplaces and tables. In a busy kitchen it will etch and scratch over time.
The master bath on our bathroom page is marble from the vanity to the shower walls.
Quartzite
The marble look, with far more backbone
Quartzite is sandstone that turned to rock under heat and pressure. It can look like marble, often with bolder veining, and it's far harder. That makes it a strong choice for kitchens and fireplaces, and it means fabrication takes more time and care.
The fireplace here is quartzite with a mitered waterfall edge, so the veining wraps around the corner without a break.
Quick comparison
Questions we get
Will marble etch in a kitchen?
Yes. Lemon, vinegar, wine and some cleaners leave dull marks on polished marble. Some people love the patina; others hate it. A honed finish hides etching better than polished.
Is quartzite really harder than marble?
Much harder. True quartzite is close to the hardness of glass, which is why it wears well and why it takes longer to cut. Some stones sold as quartzite are softer, so ask us about the specific slab.
Do marble and quartzite need sealing?
Yes, both are natural and porous to some degree. Seal at install and reseal when water stops beading on the surface.