Know Your Stones

Two Major Properties to Understand

01. Acid Resistance

Foods with acidity will cause acid etching on some natural stones, more specifically, on Marble, Dolomite and Limestone. When acidic foods like wine, tomatoes, lemons and ketchup come in contact with these stones, the top layer of the stone will acid etch, or dull it, changing the look of the stone’s surface finish. This is because Marble, Dolomite and Limestone are calcium carbonate based stones.
Consider using these calcium carbonate based stones in areas like bathrooms and closets that are less prone to contact with acidic substances. But if you are considering a calcium carbonate based stone in a high-traffic kitchen, you might want to consider a honed and leathered surface. Honed and leathered surfaces, also known as matte surfaces, can hide acid etching more than polished surfaces because they are less glossy. If you want to avoid these acid etching problems entirely, choose an acid-resistant stone like Granite, Quartzite, or Soapstone.

Acid-Resistant Stones:
– Granite
– Quartzite
– Soapstone

NOT Acid-Resistant Stones:
– Marble
– Dolomite
– Limestone

02. Stain Resistance

Stain resistance is dependent on the level of a stone’s porosity—the potential for liquid and air to pass through a stone. Stones with a high porosity are more likely to stain. Some stains can even harbor bacteria or germs. Generally speaking, Granite and Quartzite are more stain resistant than Marble, Soapstone and Dolomite.
However, all stone has a different range of porosity. That is why you may find some variations of Marble that fall into a lower range of porosity than some variations of Granite. If you are using a more porous stone and want peace of mind, it is highly recommended to apply a 15-year sealant. Lastly, it’s always a good habit to clean up stains immediately so they don’t have time to soak in.

Granite / Various colors & patterns

Makeup:

Igneous rock composed of quartz, feldspar and mica.

Properties:

Acid resistant, scratch resistant, heat resistant, and mostly stain resistant.

Common uses:

Kitchens • Baths

Marble / Whites, veining

Makeup:

Metamorphic rock composed primarily of the mineral calcite.

Properties:

Porous, soft, heat resistant

Common uses:

Bathrooms • Baker’s Kitchens • Fireplaces • Accent Walls

Dolomite / Grays, whites

Makeup:

A type of marble when the calcite converts into dolomite.

Properties:

Porous, soft, heat resistant, harder than marble

Common uses:

Kitchens • Bathrooms • Accent Walls

Quartzite / Grays, whites

Makeup:

Metamorphic rock, composed almost entirely of the mineral quartz.

Properties:

Acid resistant, scratch resistant, heat resistant, harder than granite and glass.

Common uses:

Kitchens • Bathrooms • Accent Walls

Soapstone / Gray-greens, blacks, light veining

Makeup:

Metamorphic rock composed primarily of talc, with a variety of other soft minerals.

Properties:

Acid resistant, heat resistant, and stain resistant. When oiled, soapstone darkens dramatically and the veins become more prominent.

Common uses:

Kitchens • Bathrooms • Fireplaces

Consider Eternia™ Quartz

Eternia Quartz is an engineered surface, created from 93% quartz—one of the strongest minerals on Earth—in combination with pigments and resins which makes the surface highly durable. Eternia is non-porous, stain resistant, virtually maintenance free, and never needs to be sealed. No other countertop option is stronger, more durable, or easier to maintain.
All Eternia Quartz surfaces offer exceptional stain, scratch, and chip resistance. They are also very easy to keep clean with daily household cleaners. Granex’s dynamic global supply network allows us to source from industry-leading factories around the world that are producing unique colors and patterns similar to natural stone surfaces.
Visit EterniaQuartz.com for more information.

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