Countertop Material Guide
Quartz is an engineered surface made with resin. Quartzite is natural stone. They sound alike but behave differently on heat, sealing and pattern. Compare them below, then browse real slabs from Los Angeles stone yards.
| Quartz | Quartzite | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Engineered surface made from crushed quartz bound with resin. Manufactured in a factory. | Natural stone quarried from the earth, formed when sandstone is metamorphosed. Every slab is unique. |
| Look and pattern | Consistent color and pattern from slab to slab, which makes matching multiple slabs straightforward. | Natural veining and movement that varies by block and by slab. Often chosen as an alternative to marble. |
| Heat | The resin can scorch or discolor under very hot pans, so trivets are recommended by manufacturers. | Natural stone tolerates heat better, though sudden temperature shocks are still best avoided. |
| Stains and sealing | Non-porous, so it generally does not need to be sealed. | Dense but still natural stone. Most fabricators recommend sealing it, and some pieces are more porous than others. |
| Scratches and etching | Durable day to day, but the resin can be marked by sharp or abrasive impacts. | Hard and scratch resistant. A few stones sold as quartzite behave more like marble and can etch, so ask the seller and test a sample. |
| Cost | Pricing depends on brand and line. Listings on The Stone Index show the seller's actual price. | Pricing depends on rarity and the exact stone. Compare asking prices from the live listings below. |
| Outdoor use | Not generally recommended outdoors; UV can discolor the resin. | Often used outdoors, but confirm the specific stone with the seller. |
General guidance only. Performance varies by manufacturer and by individual stone, so confirm details with the seller and your fabricator before you buy.
You want consistent color across several slabs, a non-porous surface with no sealing, or a predictable look for a large kitchen. See quartz slabs in Los Angeles.
You want natural veining, a one-of-a-kind slab, or better heat tolerance, and you are comfortable sealing the stone. See quartzite slabs in Los Angeles. Comparing manufactured options instead? Read quartz vs porcelain.
100 active listings · 6 sellers
Clearance Grecian Quartz, polished 2 cm, 127" x 64" - 15 slabs at $250/slab. Budget-friendly speckled quartz for kitchen countertops.
127" x 64"
56.4 sq ft
$250
Pure Surfaces
15 pieces available
Clearance Dream Catcher Quartz, polished 2 cm, 127" x 64" - 4 slabs at $395/slab. Terrazzo-look quartz for kitchen countertops and vanities.
127" x 64"
56.4 sq ft
$395
Pure Surfaces
4 pieces available
Clearance Grey Concrete Quartz, matte 2 cm, 126" x 63" - 27 slabs at $475/slab. Matte concrete-look quartz for modern kitchen countertops.
126" x 63"
55.1 sq ft
$475
Pure Surfaces
27 pieces available
Clearance Kalahari Quartz, polished 2 cm, 127" x 64" - 17 slabs at $425/slab. Low-contrast ivory quartz for kitchen countertops and baths.
127" x 64"
56.4 sq ft
$425
Pure Surfaces
17 pieces available
Clearance Milano Quartz, polished 2 cm, 127" x 64" - 22 slabs at $425/slab. Warm white quartz for kitchen countertops and baths.
127" x 64"
56.4 sq ft
$425
Pure Surfaces
22 pieces available
Clearance Ocean Flow Grey Quartz, polished 2 cm, 127" x 64" - 32 slabs at $450/slab. Flowing gray-veined quartz for kitchen countertops and islands.
127" x 64"
56.4 sq ft
$450
Pure Surfaces
32 pieces available
240 active listings · 13 sellers
High-demand quartzite with warm movement commonly chosen for islands and premium countertops.
79" x 130"
71.3 sq ft
$5,563
Bedrosians Tile & Stone
1200 pieces available
High-demand quartzite with warm movement commonly chosen for islands and premium countertops.
78" x 136"
73.7 sq ft
$5,525
$75 / sq ft
Bedrosians Tile & Stone
1200 pieces available
Perla Santana Quartzite — cream-beige 132" × 77" full slabs, 2 cm. 8 listed in Sun Valley, Los Angeles, at $2,800 per slab.
132" x 77"
70.6 sq ft
$2,800
Porssa & Amore Surfaces
8 pieces available
Cristallo Extra Quartzite — Polished 129 x 78 inch full slab, lot SL1478. Clearance asking price $9,300.
129" x 78"
69.9 sq ft
$9,300
$9,428.95
Stoneland USA
1 piece available
Bianco Pearl, polished 125.6x80.7, 16 slabs at $2,700 each. Warm veins on white.
125.6" x 80.7"
70.4 sq ft
$2,800
Porssa & Amore Surfaces
16 pieces available
Cristallo D'amore, polished 130.32x75.2, 8 slabs at $3,750 each. White crystals with pink tones. Test for backlighting.
130.32" x 75.2"
68.1 sq ft
$3,750
Porssa & Amore Surfaces
8 pieces available
Quartz countertops are engineered from crushed quartz and resin. Quartzite is a natural stone quarried from the earth. The names are similar but they are different materials with different look, maintenance and heat behavior.
Neither is better for every project. Quartz offers consistent color and low maintenance. Quartzite offers natural patterns and better heat tolerance but usually needs sealing. The right choice depends on your design, budget and how you use the kitchen.
Most fabricators recommend sealing quartzite. Engineered quartz is non-porous and generally does not need sealing.
Quartzite tolerates heat better because it is natural stone. Quartz contains resin that can scorch or discolor under very hot cookware, so use trivets with either material.
Yes. The listings on this page come from Southern California stone yards and suppliers. Open a listing to see photos, size and price, then contact the seller directly.
