The world of stone countertops can be an amazing and luxurious endeavor when you start diving into the different types of stones, their colors, designs, strengths, and history. However, all that glam and sparkle can hide a deceptive practice which some less reputable companies hide. It may seem wrong, but there are some companies who will market one stone as another, such as saying they are selling you white marble, when it is actually white quartzite.

We at Marble.com abhor practices like this, which is why we are going to teach you how to be a smart shopper. Telling the difference between white marble and quartzite can be very tricky to anyone inexperienced in stone.

For today, follow along as we guide you on how to tell the difference between white marble and white quartzite.

Kitchens are going to get hot, so it is imperative to purchase stone that can withstand the heat.

Marble and quartzite are both stones that have been formed using magma in the Earth’s crust or mantle. Kitchens almost never reach that type of temperature, and it will take those extreme temperatures to start melting both stones.

The main concern with stone countertops and heat is thermal shock (which is a sudden and drastic change of temperature on a structure.) For instance, placing a hot, metal pan directly on a chilly countertop can cause the stone to experience thermal shock, leading to the stone cracking from the pressure.