Quartzite stone
How exciting is it to furnish a new home or simply renovate what has been your shelter for years? There are so many ideas and even more materials to choose from! Yet, there is a material that is becoming the favourite of many people: quartzite, for interiors and exteriors, is ideal for satisfying any design requisition thanks to its variety of colours and its adaptability.
What is this magnificent material? And how can it be applied to satisfy your every vision transforming it into reality? Artesia, thanks to its experience, will be able to tell you everything there is to know about quartzite natural stone. Read below!
What is quartzite
Let's try to understand, using some useful information and curiosities, what kind of material quartzite is.
Quartzite is a compact, hard, nonfoliated metamorphic rock, consisting mainly of quartz. We’re talking about a material that has a very ancient history and which was formed over millions of years. The plates that form the earth's crust, stimulated by the underlying incandescent magma, collide with each other, fold creating the mountains and bury the sandstone. Due to the effect of pressure and intense heat, the grains of sand of which the sandstone is made melt, recrystallize and unite with the silica cement, giving rise to a rock of great resistance and durability: natural quartzite.
Quartzite stone is present all over the world: in the United States (in Arizona there is even the city of Quartzite named after the rock of the nearby mountains), in Brazil, in Europe, in Africa and in India, where natural quartzites of great success can be found.
There are various qualities of this quartzite natural stone depending on the places of extraction that have determined its composition and colours that can range from translucent white to beige, from yellow to brown, from pink to red and from blue to green to black.
It is a type of natural stone that is generally distinguished by its resistance to abrasion, pollution, and acids as well as to sudden changes in temperature, fundamental characteristics that make this stone a perfect material for both exteriors and interiors.
Read on to know more about the properties of natural quartzite stone.
Quartzite properties
Quartzite, being a natural stone, can be worked “quite easily” by the expert hands of Artesia craftsmen, with different types of finishes: natural with split or sawn sides, brushed, flamed, and antiqued. Thanks to its versatility and its physical & chemical characteristics, it is suitable for both outdoor and indoor settings and can fit greatly in urban, rustic, as well as rural contexts.
Here are some of the qualities that make quartzite natural stone suitable for any type of environment:
- Resistance to thermal shocks, therefore perfect for external cladding.
- Resistance to acid products, fire, and heat, therefore ideal for example for kitchen countertops.
- Easy to maintain. It does not require particular polishing products.
- Perseverance of shades over time, guaranteeing an always beautiful and young appeal.
Another positive aspect to consider when choosing quartzite, in addition to the technical characteristics listed above, is its wide range of shades. In fact, Artesia offers a quartzite collection rich in shades and finishes (flamed and brushed, sandblasted, honed…) to give even more character to the stone itself and consequently to your home.
There are three main types of quartzite in the Artesia collection:
- Brazilian Quartzite - A natural split stone extracted from the best quarries in Brazil, rich in bright colours and warm shades from straw yellow to ochre, characteristic exclusive shades of this product. Brazilian quartzite stands out for its resistance to thermal shock, abrasion, acids and wear, properties that make it perfect to use for swimming pool edges.
- Gray Quartzite - A material of many qualities: it is very hard and resistant to wear; it is antifreeze and has a very fine grain. Gray quartzite resists well to acid substances and oils, therefore its maintenance does not require particular precautions. Over time it keeps its original appearance intact and does not undergo chromatic variations.
- Indian Quartzite – Ideal above all for flooring. It has a remarkable resistance to thermal shocks (freeze/thaw), to acid products and to heat.
Artesia's craftsmen have created a collection of quartzite stone which is rich in types and nuances, aiming to satisfy all our clients’ requests. Take a look Here and Request a Video Appointment with one of our specialists to guide you in your choice.
Quartzite interpreted by Artesia
Artesia interprets the working of quartzite where normal production fails, through the application of modern machinery, the result of its precise know-how developed through the experience acquired in over 40 years of research.
Thanks to technology, Artesia is able to transform a raw quartzite product into a perfectly calibrated product both in terms of size and thickness, which can therefore be easily applied to floors and wall coverings; Artesia can also offer a range of surface finishes that enhance the uniqueness of the product.
Artesia's slate products, made to measure, represent an additional service for the most demanding customer.
How to clean the quartzite stones
Among the many interrogations surrounding the correct use of this stone, there is undoubtedly the decisive question: how to clean quartzite?
For ordinary washing of the floor, it is recommended to use a normal neutral detergent without rinsing. Artesia offers ARDT11, a specific cleaner for natural stone with a pleasant scented formula created ad hoc for Artesia. The stone can be easily deep cleaned from time to time through the use of steam.
In case of more aggressive dirt, such as in the presence of organic residues, such as wine, oil, etc. another product can be used: ARTM21 Artesia stain remover which acts in depth, partially penetrating the stone and removing the stain. Since it is a natural stone, even if the degree of absorption is almost zero, in some specific areas of application we recommend a treatment to be done only once after laying.
For slate bathroom and kitchen floors, we recommend choosing a suitable finish or applying ARAM41 water-based stain remover after laying.
For the quartzite shower interior, specific water-repellent treatments such as ARID61 are available in our catalogue.
Instead, a water-based liquid wax, ARCE31, is used to revive the color and protect the quartzite surface.
As you can see, Artesia aims to respond to every need with a vast catalog that includes not only the best qualities of natural stone, but also the cleaning products suited to their characteristics. Do you have any questions about it? Contact the Artesia sales office!
Uses of quartzite
Let's start with the premise that quartzite can be introduced into every single corner of your house since it is a truly perfect material to cover literally any role. Splendid quartzite slabs could be that touch of elegance that you have always wanted for your kitchen countertop. Indian quartzite would instead be perfect for lighting up the flooring of your home.
Artesia offers countless solutions suitable for any style. Numerous modern designs can be created starting from the kitchen, the flooring and all the way through the living room wall cladding. Talking about the living room, can you even imagine how warm its atmosphere would become if you added a quartzite fireplace in there?
If, on the other hand, you want to bring a touch of novelty to the outdoors, Artesia will be able to satisfy your imagination with an equally vast choice of split quartzites. Like all quartzites they are also very compact and resistant. In addition, their surface is very rough, irregular and non-slip, all qualities that make them ideal for outdoor areas such as walkways and pool edges.
Book a Video Appointment with one of our consultants to receive tailored solutions for your needs.
Type and Color
There are many quartzite types for architecture and interior design, each variety presenting a spectacular beauty. Here’s a colour classification:
White Quartzite: Blanco Macaubas
There is a group within the quartzite types which is important for architecture and interior design: the white quartzite.
An example is Macaubas White, which has a warm and luminous background of broken white colour. Light longitudinal glazes in ivory tones and thin linear grey veins running all over the surface. The drawing of white quartzite tile lines provides a singular aspect since they seem to be made by hand with graphite.
Beige Quartzite: Taj Mahal Sensa
In the beige quartzite family, Taj Mahal Sensa definitely stands out. Linear grey streaks of varying intensity across its base in faint cream tones. It is named Taj Mahal because of the chromatic similarities it has with the famous Agra mausoleum, built entirely of natural stone with a predominantly ivory white colour.
“Fragmented” Beige Quartzite: Patagonia
The fragmented look of Patagonia beige quartzite combines minerals of different colour, appearance, and size. On a very light beige canvas, we see how a burst of thousands of black, grey, and ochre portions are spread.
The irregular aesthetics of this natural stone breaks the uniformity also with regards to light. It can alter in the same slab from 100% opaque fragments to large, beautifully translucent surfaces, perfect for making unique backlights.
Grey Quartzite: Titanium
Titanium is a grey quartzite with a highly homogeneous base. It presents a high content of quartz (85%) and fine granulometry. It impresses with its fantastic resistance to acid and basic substances which are commonly used. Its appearance is sober and elegant.
Light Blue Quartzite: Sky Blue
Blue quartzite is another beautiful example of quartzite types for architecture and interior design.
Sky Blue Quartzite is an impressive light blue quartzite that reminds of a splendid blue sky interspersed with fluffy white clouds. The base of this natural stone shuffles different shades of soft blues like blue lavender, pale blue, and pastel indigo.
The veins that run across the surface are thick, white, and help bring light and expressiveness to the composition. Occasionally, some very thin, light grey veins or small ochre nebulae can also appear.
Blue Quartzite: Macaubas Blue
Macaubas Blue is a semi-precious blue quartzite. Its base ranges from light blue to cobalt, and its thick white glacial veins incorporate some small orange striations.
Red Quartzite: Red Revolution
Red Revolution is a semi-precious red quartzite with predominantly white streaks and black, grey, and orange veins. Its profusion of dizzying lines chases and sculpts the vivid red forming bold bends, curves, peaks, and visual depths.
Green Quartzite: Botanic Green
Botanic Green is a green quartzite that houses a spectacular base in jungle tones with the freshness and exoticism of tropical orchid and bromeliad leaves.
The lines that intertwine contrast with the background. They appear in earth tones and white, pink, ochre, and gold.
Wishing to know more about quartzite types for architecture and interior design? Contact us.