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Reply to: We also have had serious etching issues with superwhite quartzite in a polished finish. We've had the countertop fabricator out twice - our next step is to have them change the finish from polished to honed. I was given a honed sample, and it does not seem to etch, after performing multiple experiments with water / glass ring marks. It will be quite a mess to have them honed in our house, but I'm so frustrated seeing all of the etch marks -- and after seeing a friend's kitchen with honed quartzite, it's really gorgeous. I would recommend the dupont Bulletproof sealer (purchased on Amazon) -- seems to be much better than what the counter fabricator used to seal our counters.

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Reply to: Sorry Jill, but genuine quartzite doesn't have "water circles" and "coffee circles"; you've got a marble half breed. The sealer Marcos applied will not prevent the etching you experienced. Keep Marcos on speed dial, he's coming back out in another 5 months, believe me. Unless you apply Stoneguard.

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Reply to: This five-month installed quartzite had water circles, coffee circles, and a larger mark from a pan. Today, Marcos came and buffed it with diamond cleaner compound and an electric buffer, then resealed it with 511 H20 Plus Sealer. All of the marks came out. Marcos has worked with stone for 18 years and obviously knows what he is doing. So thrilled. He works with Kelly Hawley of KMH Home Designs. So excited.

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Reply to: Seth-spills should not be darkening. I had the opposite effect where, because the stone is so dense-the sealer actually laid on top, creating rough areas where there was too much. They came back to scrape off the excess and wipe down with acetone. I was afraid all the sealer was off, but he did a water test where he let the water lay overnight. it was still in a puddle the next morning-it never darkened. The stone is not porous like you mentioned. It is the opposite. It is very dense and strong. Stronger than granite. That is why it is so hard to cut through and they hate templating it.You might want to go to stone Tech's website, I use their cleaners. They sell a stain remover. It's in a samll can, it's a paste u put on and it lifts up stans. It is safe for all stones. I used it on my old kitchen granite for an oil stain- it worked. I would also have them come back. Wipe down with acetone and apply dupon't proffesional solvent based sealer. Sounds like they used a water based on yours. Water should always bead off, not darken. Hope this helps. Good luck-kitchen looks great! Michelle

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Reply to: kelli,,,i've had travertine floors. is it installed yet? just make sure you pick a good penetrating sealer. if your kids are messy, the floor will be more of a problem than the countertop! make sure you use the newer stain proof grouts. Mapei FlexColorCQ is good one. that marble you posted w/the warm tones, how does that look next to your travertine sample? any pics of that?

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Reply to: We have Nuage Macchia Oro quartzite, labeled as Tahitian Cream at Daltile Stone. Not one etch, stain, or chip in almost a year in a busy kitchen - very happy with the durability. It is a very luminous looking stone with a lot of depth. We were lucky to find slabs that had a lot of white.

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Reply to: I think that would look fantastic! Not too much at all. Look at this lovely kitchen:

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Reply to: Since I had been trying to find some picture of the Zermatt Quartzite (also known as mont blanc) when I was trying to pick a countertop and backsplash, I feel it might be helpful to others to share a couple photos. I think my fabricator did a great job.

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Reply to: To the others in this thread complaining of durability issues with their quartzite- I have noticed that since we had Dupont Bulletproof sealer on our tops, my top is a lot easier to wipe down/clean! Doesn't solve the metal scratch problem but I don't have to buff it dry to keep it looking spot and ring-free anymore!!

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Reply to: JaclynJ: Just an FYI in case you consider Calacatta, we sealed ours with Tenax Proseal which protects against both water- and oil-based stains/liquids (two coats). After two years, any food stains left overnight, even, have come up with soap and water. I had a bit more trouble with Sharpie that bled through a napkin, but nothing isopropyl alcohol and a little bit of rubbing with a paper towel didn't fix.

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Reply to: Hey Molly, here’s our karis with our white kohler sink

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Reply to: We had our karis countertops installed yesterday, and I’m so happy we went with this product!

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Reply to: Thanks! We love it. We created the tile over the range to replicate an antique leaded glass window that looks into the back kitchen stairs.

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Reply to: Pics of Calcutta grey

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Reply to: White Dove pantry cabinets. Island cabinets are chestnut-stained cherry. Viatera Soprano counter

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Reply to: Here's some photos of Soprano I had installed today. The sinks are biscuit by Kohler . The bathroom I'm currently using has carerra marble which I love the look of but it requires too much upkeep. I really wanted the marble look with easy care.

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Reply to: Pictures of Minuet quartz. The backsplash isn't done yet.

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Reply to: Ces, daltile rittenhouse 3x6 in arctic white

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Reply to: And I also saw Viatera Minuet today . We haven’t made our decision but I hope this helps.

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Reply to: Viatera Karis slab

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Reply to: Jen, yes! I’m so happy with the quality. I was skeptical about quartz because of the obvious look of it. I had pretty much decided on minuet by Viatera and had accepted the repeaty type pattern as inevitable but tolerable given quartz’s many benefits. But then I found karis! I don’t find it to be repeaty at all. I’m attaching some closer pics.

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Reply to: Old thread but I just went thru this dilemma In case someone else is searching. I ended going with muse after seeing the full slabs. Here are the photos. Muse is the one with more veining

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Reply to: Kelsey, we just finished our remodel. We used Karis countertops and white Cloe tile backsplash with light grey grout. We also inserted a bluish-gray mosaic over the stove. We are really happy with the way it came out! Best of luck to you! Sofia

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Reply to: I love my Karis countertops! Cabinets are SW Snowbound. White subway tile with Avalanche grout.

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Reply to: Kelsey, we went with a white subway tile with white grout and arabesque tile over the range. I love an all white kitchen though. Always have. I feel like if I want to change up colors I can do it with flowers, accessories, etc. good luck choosing!!

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Reply to: Barbara, thank you for your response. Such great advice, and I think you hit the nail on the head. I saw this marble arabesque backsplash that I really liked (the pics don’t do it justice) but I’m not in love with the softer, more plain countertops that might pair with it. Karis was my favorite countertop. The decorator asked the same thing. “Do you want the backsplash or the countertop to be the focal point?” And the problem is.... I don’t know! Lol The lady in the kitchen store has suggested I install the Karis and decide on a backsplash after the countertop is installed. She said she’ll order extra samples for me to bring home and try. She thought there was a chance the arabesque could work with it. I’ll attach some pics since you were so nice to give me the thoughtful response! Everything in our kitchen is changing except the cabinet color. Floors are being refinished, different/darker stain. Already have new lights for above the island - just not hung yet. Beige wall color will change. The dingy dark backsplash has to go!! The two quartz samples are Karis and minuet. I prefer the veining in the Karis. If anyone wants to pipe in feel free :) oh and we’re adding some trim or wainscoting around the island.

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Reply to: Hi @embeth we have karis countertop with carrara subway marble. Here are some pictures for your reference. Hope this helps! :)

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Reply to: Ideas

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Reply to: We went Zodiaq neve quartz, Hale navy island and Sherwin Williams Extra White on perimeter cabinets and trim. Cabinets are currently being painted, counter has been ordered. I can’t wait to see it all come together, no going back now. It will be nice to see it all work out.

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Reply to: @ Elizabeth Thorp I would suggest Statuary Classique. I have it in my kitchen and love the cool grey and blue tones of the veining. It matches my candle too lol! My kitchen backsplash is herringbone marble tiles. individually laid out, not on a mesh.

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Reply to: This has been a helpful thread for me so I thought I would pay it forward a bit. I was able to get samples of both zodiaq London sky and QM Organic white and they are almost identical. I see maybe a little more speckling in the QM Organic white but otherwise the same. They both seem to be around the same price range. Left smaller sample is London Sky and larger right is Organic White from QM Hope this helps!

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Reply to: lisar789, I also love your backsplash tile! I found it at Daltile but couldn't find it at Floor and Decor. Do you know the name they sell it under or could you find the link? Thanks so much! Edited to add: I think I found the link. Is this it? It looks so different in this picture. https://www.flooranddecor.com/tile-decoratives/villa-artisan-frost-porcelain-tile-100185792.html#prefn1=color&prefn2=size&prefv1=White&prefv2=3in.+x+12in.%7C3in.+x+6in.&start=5

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Reply to: The tiles are actually 3" x 12". I don't have the brand name, but I got them at Floor & Decor. They are made in Spain. You can also get them from Daltile (they call them Artigiano), but you will pay double and they are the exact same tiles.

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Reply to: I used a bright white hand-molded subway tile. I matched the tile to the bright white cabinets and not to the marble-like quartz. I then used a Warm Gray grout to tie the tile back to the marble counters. My quartz is different than yours, however, as I used Zodiac London Sky. Hope this helps!

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