Like an aerial photograph of the icy arctic, Wicked White quartzite features swirling shades of grey and white. The light and dark shades play off of each other, creating a dramatic landscape. A great alternative to marble, Wicked White adds elegance and beauty to any project. Whether used as the “main attraction” or as a backdrop (such as it is in the kitchen below from Downsview Kitchens of Boston) it’s an eye-catching option that’s practical too.

Quarried in Brazil, Wicked White is a tough metamorphic rock with large amounts of natural quartz inside. But don’t confuse quartzite with man-made quartz like ColorQuartz. Though they sound similar, quartz and quartzite are not the same thing. Both make excellent surfacing materials, but it’s important to recognize the distinction.

Designed by Heather Kahler of Downsview Kitchens of Boston, this gorgeous Wicked White quartzite full-wall backsplash is the perfect backdrop for a dramatic La Cornue range. Photo courtesy of Downsview Kitchens of Boston.

A quick geology lesson…there are three main types of rocks in the world: igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary. Granite, for example, is an igneous rock. Marble and quartzite are metamorphic. Formed deep in the earth’s crust, quartzite is made when sandstone and quartz are together, under tremendous amounts of heat and pressure. The empty grains of sandstone are filled with quartz, making the quartzite even harder than just quartz alone. When it comes to hardness, quartzite is about a 7 on the Mohs scale, which characterizes the scratch resistance, or hardness, of minerals. (10 is the highest possible rating.)

Wicked White quartzite is strong, durable, and beautiful; photo via Marble and Granite, Inc.

Quartzites are found all over the world, so it’s a fairly common material. It’s also heat and stain resistant. Though there is a chance for etching, its resistance to etching is still pretty high. (Any trace of calcium carbonate, which is found in sandstone, will react if it comes into contact with acidic substances.) And since it’s found in nature rather than manmade, quartzite slabs are “one-of-a-kind.”

If you’re looking to add eye-catching drama and personality to your project check out Wicked White, along with the other quartzite options we offer at Marble and Granite, Inc. View our complete inventory online or visit one of our New England area showrooms.