Quartz and marble add elegance to any place!They can be installed as tiles on the walls or floors, as backsplashes ,sidespalshes,aprons or on the tops of kitchen countertops and bathroom and powder room vanities. But what is the difference between them?

Marble

Marble is a metamorphic rock. This means it was formed over millions of years from another rock. In the case of marble, the original rock was limestone.

The colors of marble can range from pure white to black. Marble is often named after the place where it is found, and a famous type of white marble comes from Carrara, Italy.Carrara Marble is an iconic luxury Italian marble featuring shades of white and gray.

Marble is cool to the touch and much softer than granite. It is etched and stained very easily unless it is sealed. But because of its coolness, marble is the ideal surface for making pastry.Marble has been used for countertops for a long time now. Initially, it was first used to make stone carvings, but somehow found its way to our kitchens and homes. Marble countertops are structurally sound but less forgiving when compared to quartz. Marble is porous and sensitive to acids and most of the kitchen liquids and chemical home cleaners. Stains such as wine and fruit juice can stain marble countertops if not wiped quickly. To protect it and make it more durable, a high-grade sealant is necessary to keep the surface from acids and chemicals. Most manufacturers will install the sealant when requested.

The benefits of marble

• The natural Beauty – marble has this classic and white brightness that is not available in quartz.
• Naturally cool Temperature – Marble is wonderful for baking and pastry, since it is naturally cool

Quartz

Quartz is a mineral, while marble and granite are rocks. A mineral is a crystalline object that has the same chemical makeup in all its parts. In quartz' case, it is made of silicon dioxide. It is the most abundant mineral in the Earth's crust.Quartz has most of the qualities that are in granite but it is only 90% natural. the 10% is made of resin and dyes to give them the unique colours and pigmentation. Without the natural colours, quartz is somehow dull and unappealing. All the same, the composition of quartz is uniform and hence doesn’t have many natural flecks, grains and veins when compared to marble.Quartz is a non-porous material and thus it can resist staining way better than granite and marble. It will stand up to wine, juice, tomato sauce, oil, coffee and many other types of stains that characterize the kitchen. Additionally, since it is non-porous, it will not harbour bacteria – non need for regular sterilization.

Quartz is the main ingredient in the engineered stone use to make countertops and backsplashes. Powdered quartz is mixed with a resin and then formed into slabs.Because of this, engineered quartz stone doesn't need to be sealed, as does porous granite or marble. It resists scratches, can tolerate hot pots and pans and is resistant to etching by such acidic liquids as citrus juice or wine.

Marble and Quartz are all appealing and functional materials for any kitchen and bathroom countertops. They are loved by most home owners since they are durable and add beauty and value to homes. Marble countertops are made entirely from natural stone whereas quartz countertops have partial additives. Both materials have their own unique flecks, grains, veins and colour variations. As much as they share a lot in common, they are unique in their own ways.

Both quartz and marble countertops can make a beautiful addition to your kitchen. But a quartz countertop will continue to look beautiful year after year, with little to no maintenance required, while a marble counter will likely become stained and etched in a short time. Make the right choice for your home, and invest in a quality, beautiful quartz countertop to get the looks and style you want, with the durability you need.