Quartz is one of the most durable and aesthetic materials for house interior design. You can see quartz kitchen countertops or quartz bathroom vanity tops in many houses today. You are already familiar with the common use of quartz, but have you ever wondered, “where does quartz come from for your countertops?”
In this post, you will find answers to some important questions about quartz and quartz countertops. If you are planning to have a kitchen remodeling or other interior design upgrade, you should read through this article.
Key Questions About Quartz
With their eye-catching colors and patterns, quartz countertops have always been in demand among homeowners. They offer wide selections of color, pattern, style, and size. In addition, it is usually easy to access regardless of the time of the year.
Here are some valuable Q&As about quartz.
What’s Quartz?
Quartz is one of the most abundant minerals on Earth. It is composed of one silicon and two oxygen atoms. Additionally, quartz minerals are sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous. Also, it is highly resistant to chemical and mechanical weathering. Due to its high durability and hardness, it is used in different fields of industry.
How Is Quartz Formed?
If you have ever asked, “how is quartz made?”, we can say that it is not made but given. Quartz is silicon dioxide in crystallized form. This silicon dioxide (SiO2) is highly abundant in the Earth’s crust. There are two chiral forms of quartz, α-quartz and β-quartz. α-quartz can transform into β-quartz at 573 °C. Some varieties of quartz are among the popular gemstones. They are used to make jewelry or do some carving work.
If you ask about the quartz countertop manufacturing process, then it is a different story.
Where Do Quartz Countertops Come From?
Although quartz slabs are not purely natural stones, manufacturing quartz countertops is not very complicated, indeed. Firstly, pure quartz is mined in quarries around the world. Then high quality pure white pieces are selected. Those selected quartz pieces are ground into smaller sizes. Next, very small quartz pieces are mixed with additives, including the resin.
Typically, the additive ratio is less than 10% of the total mixture. Then, the mixture is vibrated and vacuumed so that the air between the pieces goes away. When there is no air in the mixture, the quartz blended with additives is pressed, considering the slab size desired for the countertop production. Finally, the pressed slabs are heated at very high degrees. Hence, quartz slabs become very hard and non-porous. They get even harder than granite countertops.
The slabs are shipped to dealers or stores worldwide. The quartz industry is among the major branches of the construction market. There are millions of people making their living out of this sector. When we look at the global picture of the quartz industry, we see that China, Turkey, and India are the biggest quartz exporters, according to OEC data of 2019.
Where Does Quartz Come From In The U.S?
The U.S is rich in quartz crystals, and there is some good quartz manufacturing in Arkansas, New York, Colorado, North Carolina…etc. For example, Cambria, one of the best quartz brands globally, is manufactured in Minnesota. Of course, there are other American brands, too. However, the U.S is still the biggest quartz importing country.
Why Are Quartz Surfaces Popular?
Quartz surfaces have gained immense popularity due to the exceptional benefits they offer. Getting a quartz surface, you can be sure that it is resistant to mildew, stains, and, most importantly, bacteria. This means a lot to those people who are concerned about the cleaning and maintenance.
Also, unlike other natural stones, there are more color and pattern options in quartz countertops. That makes it easier for you to find a surface matching your existing house design. Even custom-made surfaces are possible in quartz.
What Colors Does Quartz Come In?
Under normal conditions, quartz is found colorless or white. However, it is very common to find various colors of quartz crystals in different parts of the world due to chemical impurities. Depending on the chemical characteristics of the quartz, you can see aventurine, tiger’s eye, or citrine types of quartz. They show a great deal of variety in color. In fact, this is one of the biggest reasons why people prefer quartz surfaces over other natural alternatives like marble or granite.
Where Does Cambria Quartz Come From?
Cambria is a popular quartz brand. There are many quartz countertop manufacturers around, but Cambria is a truly American manufacturer. The factory is located in Le Sueur, Minnesota, and they have some other facilities in the U.S and Canada. They offer high-quality with a lifetime warranty and exceptional service and support. In this family-owned company, they produce quartz surfaces that are incredibly durable and nonabsorbent.
Bottom Line
Quartz is an amazing detail under the Earth’s surface. Thanks to its wide range of use, quartz is an unusual gem. Furthermıre, quartz countertops are one of the best examples of blending nature and engineering. Looking at a well-manufactured quartz countertop, you can witness the perfect combination of nature and humans.
