Everyone knows that the chic white kitchen is the most popular aesthetic when it comes to modern designs. When it comes down to the essentials, an icy white countertop, you might have happened across the stone called “Super White”.
This stone is one of the highest demands in the market, but there is a lot of confusion and mystery surrounding it as well.
What could be so confusing about a stone, you might ask?
What this stunning stone is composed of comes down to a simple conclusion: it’s complicated.
Super white countertops are a beautiful addition to any home, but what are they made of — granite, marble, or quartzite?
Stone-Cold Facts: The Basics
The countertop business relies more so on actual categories, not geological location. This means, in short, that when you visit your local stone supplier, all the natural stones are placed in categories, which can be rather broad.
These categories include granite, marble, or quartzite. Due to the way the natural world works, these stones are very rarely 100% marble or granite. They are often close descendants of those exact stones.
Yet, this raises the question: Does this mean companies are lying about what products they are selling to me?
The answer is a solid no.
These companies have only simplified each rock into one of those broad categories, so customers will not have to be major scientists to figure out which stone they’d like to add to their new homes.
Is Super White A Granite?
Let’s dive into a little science, shall we? Super White is not a granite stone. The three main types of rocks on Earth are igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary.
Marble and quartzite are metamorphic, while granite is igneous. In short, this means that the granite formed in a different way than marble and quartzite were.
Granite formed through a process of magma cooling down, while marble and quartzite formed in a slower process which involved heat, chemical reactions, and pressure to change them from one rock to the other (metamorphosed, if you will).
Due to how simple it is to be able to tell these two processes apart, it’s safe to say that Super White could not be a form of granite stone.
What’s the Difference Between Granite and Quartzite?
To put it simply, granite is a type of igneous rock, while quartzite is a kind of metamorphic rock. Granite is one stone that fabricators find in nature. While quartzite is present in nature too, it is a lot less easy to get.
But quartzite holds more quartz than granite does. Quartzite forms from quartz and sandstone put together under extreme pressure and heat. This is what makes quartzite to be a harder stone than granite is.
Both of these stones are very resistant to extreme heat or cold, etching, and chemical reactions, but only if sealed. This means that if your coffee or wine stains the surface, you will be able to clean it up without it sticking to your kitchen countertop forever.
When it comes down to appearance, both stones sparkle and are decorated in veining designs. Recrystallized quartz adds slight undertones, shades, and shiny specks in both granite and quartzite.
Granite comes in lighter shades with darker hues sprinkled into it. Quartzite is usually lighter, and it resembles marble more than granite does. Granite works for those who love tradition, while quartzite works for those who enjoy a marble-esque countertop.
What About Quartz and Quartzite?
You must analyze the structure and appearance differences in Quartz and Quartzite to assess what makes them so different from the other. The main difference between the two is that quartzite is found in nature, while quartz is a man-made stone.
When creating those stunning quartz counters, fabricators will use quartz crystals found in quartzite. They also add slight pigments, resin, and bits of glass during the process to give the quartz a customized look. This leaves a more durable, non-porous, easy-to-maintain surface.
Appearance-wise, quartzite is usually misty light gray and white swirled with many other shades between. In the minerals of the natural stone, you can often find red, brown, pink, and gold shades.
Natural quartzite can resemble marble because of its veining appearance, movement, colors, and hues. Because it is a man-made stone, quartz counters can look like any other stone, like granite or marble.
Super White is a Sometimes-Marble, Sometimes-Quartzite
In most cases, Super White is categorized as a quartzite because it fits with that family of stone, and sometimes it is actual quartzite.
How could that work though? There can’t be a stone that is actually two types.
But, when you explore the reality of stone quarries, you realize how massive they are. This means that the makeup of each stone will shift from one part to the other.
For example, some Super White stones are calcite marbles (which are softer), some are dolomite marbles (oftentimes more scratch-resistant) and some are true quartzite. When sealed correctly, quartzite can hold up like granite can.
How Long Can Super White Last?
Super White can last as long as you need it to if properly assessed before buying it. It is much more durable yet stunning like a marble. It is stain proof, anti-etching and it is functional.
Yet, this does not mean that it can survive everything.
If someone has ever told you that their quartzite counters have been etched, rest assured that their countertops are not purely quartzite. It is a beautiful stone for a kitchen countertop only in its most natural form because it is durable.
This is important information to keep in mind when searching for your Super White surface and be sure to pick a fabricator you can trust who will tell you all the facts.
Where Can I Find Super White?
When it comes down to such a stone as Super White, there is an important thing to remember: Make sure your slab is actually a hard stone instead of a soft marble. How can you be sure to do that?
It always comes down to trusting your granite fabricator. A good company will be open and honest with you about how hard their current slabs are and how well they will hold up in your home.
Oftentimes homeowners will go with the cheapest option of Super White, and although more expensive does not always mean better quality, it is important to remember and trust that your fabricator has a good reputation for being honest with their customers.
Would Super White Work Well in a Kitchen?
If a durable kitchen counter is at the top of your need-list, it is important to remember that Super White will not be nearly as hard as something like Taj Mahal Quartzite – but most Super White is harder than marbles such as Calacatta Marble.
If you get this stone properly sealed, it can make all the difference. You will experience less etching, staining, scratching, or chipping than traditional marble countertops. With a high-traffic area such as the kitchen, this is an important detail to keep in mind.
Homeowners will oftentimes test the durability and mineral makeup of their Super White surface. If you plan on doing the same, be sure that the stone has already been sealed.
Using a specialized high-grade sealer can help keep your countertop from staining, which if the stone is durable, you won’t have to worry about how it will react to spills.
Super White Countertops: Care and Maintenance
If you decided on getting a Super White Quartzite kitchen countertop, there are important things to remember about its upkeep. You will have to seal this quartzite regularly to help protect it from etching and stains.
Of course, upon purchasing your stone, your installer will seal it for you. Sealing your countertop once a year is perfect for Super White, and you can use home application products or opt to hire a professional – but that will be more expensive.
When it comes down to the daily routine, cleaning this surface is a breeze. The basic housekeeping such as cleaning up spills immediately, not placing hot pans on the surface, and washing with a basic countertop cleaner works well for Super White.
If not sealed, quartzite stones might etch due to harsh substances. As a pro-tip, a honed finish will serve your counter well, instead of using a polish finish. While the honed finish is not as shiny as a polish, it is much easier to do the finishing process.
Basically, the harder the stone is, the harder it is to polish it. Honing your quartzite will help prevent etching because the honed surface is flatter and smoother than it would be polished.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, your search for Super White countertops will be a breeze after doing a little bit of background reading.
As previously stated, in most cases, your Super Whitestone will fall into the quartzite family. This should make it easier to find the perfect fabricator who characterizes Super White under that stone.
Looking for a local fabricator you can trust? Contact us or check out our blog for more countertop tips today!