Quartz Information

How Quartz is Born

  1. The Main Ingredient: Natural Quartz (90-94%)
  • What it is: Quartz is one of the hardest and most abundant minerals on Earth. On the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, it ranks as a 7 out of 10 (diamond is a 10). This natural hardness is the primary source of the material's durability and scratch resistance.
  • How it's used: This natural quartz is mined, then ground into a consistent, coarse powder or small pebbles. This crushed quartz is the bulk filler of the material.

2. The Binder: Polymer Resins (6-10%)

  • What it is: These are typically high-quality plastic-based polymers (like polyester or epoxy). They act as a glue.
  • How it's used: The resin binds the crushed quartz particles together. This process is what makes the final product non-porous, as the resin fills all the microscopic spaces that would exist between the mineral particles. This is the key difference from natural stone like granite or marble, which is porous and requires sealing.

3. Additives: Pigments and Additives (1%)

  • Pigments: During the mixing process, manufacturers add precise color pigments. This is why quartz comes in a vast, consistent array of colors and patterns.
  • Other Additives: Sometimes, small amounts of glass, metallic flakes, or mirrors are added to create specific visual effects and sparkle.

The Manufacturing Process:

  1. Mixing: The precise blend of crushed quartz, resin, and pigments is mixed thoroughly.
  2. Molding: The mixture is poured into a mold that is the shape of a slab.
  3. Vibrating & Compacting: The slab is subjected to an intense vibration process (vibro-compaction) that removes air bubbles and compresses the material, making it incredibly dense.
  4. Curing: The slab is moved to an industrial oven where it is heated. This heat catalyzes a chemical reaction in the resin, causing it to harden and cure into a solid, rock-like state.
  5. Finishing: The hardened slab is then polished to a specific sheen (e.g., polished, honed, suede) using diamond-tipped tools and is ready for fabrication into countertops.

 

How to Maintain the Quartz Countertop

 

1. Quartz Daily Cleaning & Maintenance

  • Soap and Water: The go-to method. Use a soft cloth or sponge with mild dish soap and warm water.
  • Rinse and Dry: Wipe down with clean water to remove any soapy residue and then dry with a soft cloth to prevent water spots and streaks, especially if you have a high-gloss finish.

2. Quartz countertops are made from ground quartz stone held together by a plastic resin. While the quartz itself is incredibly heat-resistant, the resin is not. Exposure to high heat can cause two types of damage:

  • Thermal Shock: A sudden, extreme change in temperature (like placing a scalding hot pan on a cool countertop) can cause the material to expand rapidly in one spot, leading to a crack.
  • Resin Damage: Prolonged or direct high heat will melt, discolor, or burn the resin. This results in a permanent white, cloudy, or hazy mark that looks like a "burn ring" and cannot be polished out.

3. Best Practices to Prevent Heat Damage:

  • ALWAYS Use Trivets and Hot Pads: This is your number one defense. Keep trivets, hot pads, or stands readily available near your stove and oven.
  • The best practice is to never place anything hotter than 150°F (65°C) directly on your quartz countertop.

To give you a practical sense of what that means:

    • A pot of boiling water is 212°F (100°C) – WAY too hot.
    • A fresh cup of coffee is around 160-185°F (71-85°C) – too hot.
    • A plate of hot food straight from the oven can easily be over 150°F – potentially too hot.