Quartzite is a metamorphic rock composed mainly of quartz and has a hardness of seven on the Mohs scale. At Click&FindStone we are going to tell you more about it. From its formation to its origin, revealing its most common uses and its main differences with other stones. Ready to discover everything about quartzite?
What is quartzite and what is its composition
As we have well commented at the beginning, quartzite is a fairly hard metamorphic rock formed from the recrystallization of quartz, from a sandstone protolith. In addition, the quartzite can present small amounts of muscovite, orthose or albite, for example.
Regarding its color, quartzite is mainly white, but it can be affected by iron oxide (creating red or pink spots), dark minerals (giving it gray touches), other types of impurities can give it orange, brown and even green touches. .
Finally, regarding its formation, the metamorphic transformation is caused by high pressures and temperatures, also by tectonic movements or by contact.
What is the origin of quartzite
If we go back to the beginnings of humanity, we can talk about quartzite as a stone used to make tools in the Paleolithic.
This stone was also used in the construction of tombs, among the most representative, that of Napoleon. And currently, it has been used to repair the façade of the Valencia History Museum.
The most common uses of quartzite
Quartzite can be seen mainly in construction, but it is also a great choice for countertops. We tell you more about its main uses:
Coatings and facades: One of its most used applications due to its great hardness and insulation, without forgetting its beautiful finishes.
Pavements: It is also very common to see quartzite outdoors such as garden patios due to its great resistance.
Countertops: Because of their daily use, countertops need a durable, strong, and heat-resistant material.
For this reason, quartzite is a great option, it has the elegant veins of marble and the resistance of granite. The perfect combination.
3 Differences between quartzite and granite
If you don’t know what differentiates quartzite from granite, let us tell you some points to take into account when making the decision to choose one or the other:
Composition: The first difference we find is that while granite is an igneous rock, quartzite is a metamorphic stone.
Texture: Taking into account that quartzite is the result of the recrystallization of quartz, this stone has a more homogeneous texture than granite.
Hardness: We have added this point since we also want to analyze it in the following comparison, but we can say that both stones are similar in terms of hardness.
Maintenance: Quartzite resists better the use of chemical products when in the case of granite, care must be taken due to the possible loss of shine, for example.
3 Differences between quartzite and marble
In our previous article we already talked to you in depth about what marble is and what it is made of, now we are going to make a small comparison between the two materials so that you can make a list and end up choosing the one that best suits what you are looking for:
Composition: Although both are metamorphic stones, quartzite is produced by the recrystallization of quartz and marble by the recrystallization of limestone.
Texture: As with granite, quartzite has a more homogeneous texture than marble.
Hardness: If we take into account the ability to withstand impacts, we can say that quartzite can resist better than marble.
Maintenance: Quartzite, as happens with granite, resists the use of chemical products better than in the case of marble.
Why choose quartzite over other options
If you have come this far and still do not see the vast advantages that quartzite offers you over other stones, let us tell you about some advantages:
Its variety of colors: from gray scale to reddish, green, yellow, etc. You can choose the one that best suits your space.
Great resistance: It withstands chemical agents that may come into contact well (such as cleaning products) and also has great resistance to high temperatures.
Great insulator: Quartzite does not absorb moisture and is also said to have great properties as an acoustic insulator.
And here our blog article on quartzite. You already know a little more about its composition, its origin or some of the differences with other types of stones, and its advantages. You can see all the quartzite stone finishes that we have in our online quartzite catalog with real stock and available for purchase. We have the largest online stock of natural stone in Spain at Click&FindStone.
Marble can be considered as one of the oldest and most beautiful natural stones available. At Click&FindStone we want to tell you everything about it. From the simplest thing that is its definition to its origin. In addition, we will answer some frequently asked questions about this type of stone. Ready to discover marble?
What is marble and what is its composition
To begin with, we can define marble as a metamorphic rock formed from limestone.
This type of stone is formed with contact metaphorism, that is, it is formed when limestone or another type of carbonate rock is subjected to high temperatures and pressures, reaching a high degree of crystallization.
It consists mainly of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), which exceeds 90%. The rest of the composition of the marble are other minerals such as micas, quartz, pyrite, iron oxides or graphite, forming the impurities that we can visually observe and that give it its characteristic colors and veins.
What is the origin of marble
The popularity of marble dates back to ancient Rome and Greece where it was the cornerstone of their structures, from stairs to pillars. We can admire this stone in places and sculptures as well known as the Roman Colosseum, the Parthenon in Athens or the Venus de Milo.
If we jump back in time, a more recent structure in history and that is listed as one of the 7 wonders of the world, is also built mainly with white marble: the Taj Mahal, in India.
Now, we have talked about its historical origin, but where does the marble come from? In the wild it can be found on the mountain slopes of countries such as Italy, Brazil, India and even Spain. It can be found both deep in the ground (which makes it more expensive to extract) and on the surface, and its cutting is done mainly with diamond wire saws so as not to damage the stone.
The most common uses of marble
As we mentioned before, marble is a favorite stone and it is very common to find it in:
Walls: As a coating for both interior and exterior, from conference centers to homes where the aesthetic factor and design are present.
Floors: This type of stone is ideal for floors and surfaces where there is a lot of foot traffic.
Countertops: One of the places where it is most common to find it is in kitchens and bathrooms due to its great resistance and elegance.
Stairs: Like the floors, and also with the factor of giving a special touch to your home, office, building, etc.
3 Differences between marble and granite
Both marble and granite are two types of natural stone used in construction and for interior design. If you still do not know what the main differences between the two are, we will tell you through 3 key factors:
Chemical composition: marble is a metamorphic stone composed of calcium carbonate while granite is an igneous rock composed mainly of quartz, feldspar and mica.
Texture: Marble has a uniform texture with different veins and patterns while granite has a granular texture and its appearance is more mottled due to the variety of minerals that compose it.
Maintenance: If we had to say which rock needs the most maintenance, the answer is: marble due to its porosity.
3 Differences between marble and quartz
Marble and quartz are two types of stones, but what are the 3 essential factors in which they differ?:
Chemical composition: As we have commented throughout the article, marble is a metamorphic natural stone while quartz is an artificial stone created by combining natural quartz with resins and pigments.
Texture: While marble has a more natural and organic texture, quartz tends to be more uniform and homogeneous due to its artificial composition.
Maintenance: Regarding its maintenance, quartz tends to require less maintenance due to what we have been discussing in relation to its composition of natural stone with resins.
Why choose marble over other options
If you are deciding what type of stone to use in your project, we cannot finish this article without telling you the reasons why choosing marble is a great option. Choose it for its:
Beauty and elegance, its natural veins and patterns make it unique.
Durability, with the necessary care it will accompany you in perfect condition for years.
Timeless appearance, never goes out of style.
Compatibility with other materials, a good option to combine with metals or wood.
Resistance to heat, it can easily resist the direct action of fire.
We hope we have helped you to learn a little more about marble and to know how to differentiate it from other types of natural and artificial stones. And no matter which stone you choose, we invite you to review our online marble catalog with real and accessible stock. Options for all kinds of tastes, ideas and projects.
We open our blog with basic and essential information about the main types of natural stone and we would like to do it with a simple and accessible vocabulary, where we will be able to quickly understand its geological origin, something that will definitely help us for a better understanding when we look at all different features and patterns of each particular stone.
There are 3 main types of rocks that are classified according to their origin. It means that it depends on their composition, but also on the process by which they were joined. Then, what is the geological origin of natural stones?
First of all, it is important to differentiate a mineral from a rock, as both are commonly referred to as stones. A mineral is a homogeneous chemical substance, and the combination of several minerals forms a rock.
In this way, several rocks can include the same minerals, but since they do not have the same formation conditions, the result is translated into rocks with different characteristics and, therefore, of different types.
This is a summary of the most commercialized natural stones, classified according to their geological origin.
Following up, we detail a brief definition of each group of rocks, along with the most common types of natural stone that we usually find in the construction industry.
1. IGNEOUS ROCKS
They are produced by cooling the magma (a fluid formed by molten rock) coming from the interior of the Earth. They constitute 95% of the upper part of the earth’s crust, where they are mostly hidden by a layer of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.
There are two types of igneous rocks:
1.1 PLUTONIC (OR INTRUSIVE)
Rocks solidify through the slow cooling of magma inside the Earth. This process originates clearly visible large minerals.
GRANITE
It is composed of feldspar, mica and quartz, with size grains visible on the surface. Depending on its mineral composition, it gives the granite a pink, red, grey or white color with dark mineral grains visible throughout the rock.
It is normally generated in continental arcs and the most important granite deposits are found in Spain, Egypt, India, South Africa, Argentina, China, Italy, the United States, Ukraine and Brazil.
GABBRO
Black Absolute granite, from India
It is the geological denomination, although in the industry it is commonly known as black granite.
It is a thick-grained rock. It is composed of ferromagnesian minerals (which provide dark colors) and contains only a few quartzes (less than 5%). It has tonalities that range from dark green to black. It is generated in the mid-oceanic ridges and the most important deposits of gabbro are found mainly on the African continent.
Both granite and gabbro are characterized by their strength and hardness. They withstand atmospheric alterations, wear and scratches and, in addition, they are insulators of humidity. This makes them ideal materials for any type of application in the field of construction, from exterior facade cladding to kitchen countertops
1.2 VOLCANIC (OR EXTRUSIVE)
When the magma sprouts (volcanic eruptions) to the earth’s surface, the rocks solidify through rapid cooling, not giving the mineral crystals time to grow, so they are not visible on the surface.
BASALT
It is a fine-grained stone, rich in magnesium and iron silicates. It is dark, black or gray in color and is one of the most abundant rocks in the earth’s crust since it forms most of the ocean floor. Despite its firmness, the fineness of its grain makes it polish naturally over time and with the time it becomes slippery, the reason why is not recommended for certain applications.
2. SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
They are formed by the accumulation of sediments that come from the weathering, erosion, transport and consolidation of sediments from any other type of rock already existing on the earth’s surface, whether they are igneous, metamorphic and even sedimentary rocks. This combination of processes are called diagenesis.
The accumulation of these rocks forms mainly in layers, also called stratum.
In turn, sedimentary rocks are divided into two groups:
2.1. DETRITIC (OR CLASTIC)
They are formed by accumulation of sediments from the erosion of rocks exposed to the surface. They are generated through the sedimentary cycle.
SANDSTONES
It is formed by grains of sand united by cement. With a medium grain size, sediments can be well appreciated on the surface.
It is composed of quartz, feldspars and clays. Sandstones rich in quartz are called quartz sandstones, those rich in feldspar are called arkose, and those rich in lithics are called lithic sandstones. If the proportion of calcium carbonate is important, they are called calcarenite.
Being composed of quartz, it is characterized by flexibility and resistance. It is mainly used for construction, facade cladding, and interior and exterior decoration.
2.2NO DETRITAL (OR CHEMICAL)
They originate from the precipitation of dissolved minerals that are transported and concentrated in a basin, which allows their accumulation.
LIMESTONES
Crema Marfil (biosparite), from Spain
It forms predominantly on the seabed where material rich in calcium carbonate (calcareous material)accumulates. It can be formed by the effects of water precipitation (limestone, chemical or inorganic), segregated through the use of marine organisms, such as algae and corals (biochemical limestone), or it can be formed from the carbonate skeletons of marine organisms (bioclastic limestone). The sediment that composes it may have been derived from the dead remains of marine organisms (fossils) such as corals, microscopic algae or shells, among others.
It has a variable tonality, but we can usually find it in light colors, especially white.
Limestone stands out for its resistance to flexibility, impacts and compression. Although due to its cracks, it is permeable. As it is a soft and durable natural stone, it is frequently used in masonry, construction, decoration and facades.
TRAVERTINE
It is composed almost entirely of calcium carbonate, with some impurities of iron and magnesium in its composition that cause its banded appearance and can be found in various colors ranging from cream, grey, brown, yellow, red, and even green. Its main minerals are calcite, aragonite and in smaller amounts dolomite.
Travertino Oro, from Iran
It is very similar to limestone in composition. They differ mainly in the geological formation environment. Limestone forms in marine environments, while travertine forms with the dissolution of rocks containing calcium carbonate in environments such as caves, caverns, or volcanic hydrothermal systems.
DOLOMITE
It is basically composed of the mineral dolomite, whose chemical composition is calcium and magnesium carbonate. Dolomite must contain at least 50% of dolomite and is considered pure when that percentage exceeds 90%. If it contains less than 50% it is a dolomitic limestone. It is a grayish rock, although it can also be white with gray or brown tones. Dolomite is often very similar to limestone, and the two are often indistinguishable in the field.
3. METAMORPHIC ROCKS
When igneous or sedimentary stones are subjected to high pressures and temperatures, transformations occur in the minerals, forming these rocks through a process called metamorphism.
Some of the most common metamorphic rocks are the following: marble, quartzite, slate, gneiss, phyllite or schist.
Depending on the external appearance of these rocks, they can be classified into two main types:
3.1. LAMINATED (OR FOLIATED)
They are generated by mineral composition (mainly micas). As its name suggests, being minerals with a laminar shape, they generate layers that can easily separate and break.
SLATE
Composed mainly of clay, it separates into thin layers, mainly black in color, although it also exists in other colors. It has a shiny surface due to the presence of mica crystals and has a lower degree of metamorphism. Being waterproof and resistant to weather attacks, it is widely used to cover especially exteriors.
GNEISS
Titanius (commonly denominated as granite), from Brazil
It is composed of the same minerals as granite (quartz, feldspar and mica), but differs in the orientation of the minerals forming bands and alternating layers of dark minerals (ferromagnesian) and light minerals (quartz and feldspar).
It is the rock that has a higher scale of metamorphism.
3.2 NON-LAMINATED (CRYSTALLINE)
They do not have layers and are characterized by breaking irregularly, without separating into layers. They are generally homogeneous and are composed of few minerals.
MARBLE
Composed mainly of calcium carbonate that has undergone crystallization processes, in most cases during the metamorphization of limestone and dolomite (carbonate rocks).
Statuarietto marble, from Italy
Thanks to this component, they are easy to polish and have a lot of shine.
Being a hard and white natural stone, they have been widely used for monuments and sculptures throughout history. Currently, its use is very extensive in decoration and cladding, mainly for interiors.
QUARTZITE
Feldespato quartzite, from Brazil
It comes from the metamorphism of quartz sandstones. It is formed as a product of the recrystallization of quartz, from a sandstone protolith, which is composed mainly of quartz clasts, and this is altered by the heat, pressure and chemical activity of metamorphism. Metamorphism recrystallizes the sand grains and the silica cement that binds them together. In this way, it constitutes a network of quartz grains linked together. In composition, most quartzites become more than 90% quartz and some even 99%.
Explosion Blue quartzite, from Brazil
Quartzite is commonly white to gray in color. Some areas of this rock can be pink, red or violet due to the presence of iron, even other impurities usually make the quartzite yellowish, orange, brown, green or blue.
We conclude here our first post. We hope it will help you to identify from now the different types of natural stones. In our next article, we will talk about other types of stone such as Onyx, Alabaster and other Semi-precious stones, which deserve a separate chapter.
If you are looking for a specific type of natural stone, do not hesitate to visit our website and have a look at our extensive online stock catalogue www.clickandfindstone.com where you can currently find over 40.000sqm of slabs available in real time.
If you are a stone lover like us, we invite you to stay tuned for our future posts on this blog.
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