Azul Macauba

Quartzite is a quartz-rich sandstone that has been metamorphosed. It is a very hard and solid stone and when polished has high gloss marble-like appearance. Among other characteristics Quartzite is known for its hardness and great durability, resistance to extreme temperatures, and immense beauty. While some quartzites are very dense and resistant to water absorption, others are very porous and require the application of heavy-duty sealer, to protect its surface against water absorption and staining.

Quartzites consist of sand grains with inter-granular silica (i.e., quartz) cement. Although the term quartzite is widely used as the name for metamorphosed sandstones,some geologists sometimes call silica-cemented sandstones either sedimentary quartzites ororthoquartzites, and distinguish them from metamorphosed sandstones by using the terms metamorphic quartzites or metaquartzites. Whatever, both have been used as gemrocks.

There are many choices in quartzite color tones.There are creamy neutrals and warm subtle earth tones, where the colors are soft and earthy. Lighter creams, ivories, and smoky gray blues. Even pastel shades of yellow to pink are available. They lend themselves to a more contemporary look, very reminiscent of some of the understated and lived in look of limestone.

Then, there are those quartzites that are marble looking, with distinctive elegant veins, making unexpected swirls. These quartzites have quite a palette of unique colors. Staring with the white & gray and then going into dramatic blues, reds, green, yellows, mauve, nearly black with sweeping veins running through, giving the stone its distinctive, rich look. The color and veining of each and every quartzite stone is unique.....

The surface of quartzite can be finished in a variety of ways. Apolished surface finish will be reflective and shiny. Some quartzites take a very good polish, creating an almost glass-looking surface, while others do not lend themselves to a high sheen.

Quartzite is a very hard stone - main mineral composite of quartzite is quartz - numbering seven (7) onMoh's Scale of Hardness,making it one of the hardest stones.

Quartzite is valued for its rich palette of beautiful colors and appearance and is perfect, pretty much anywhere in the house.

Applications

·         Interior and exterior walls

·         Kitchen countertops

·         Backsplashes

·         Bathroom vanities

·         Spas and showers

·         Fireplace surrounds

·         Flooring

·         Landscaping

·         Polished

·         Honed

·         Brushed