Quartzite
White Macaubas Quartzite
White Macaubas Quartzite is a Brazilian quartzite featuring a pristine white background with delicate grey or charcoal veining, often in linear patterns. It is a hard, non-foliated metamorphic rock composed almost entirely of quartz, formed from sandstone or chert under high pressure and temperature.
- Origin
- Brazil, Brazil
- Quarry
- Brazil
- Mohs hardness
- 6-7
- Water absorption
- Low. Although quartzite generally retains far less porosity than its sandstone precursor, some varieties like White Macaubas can absorb liquids more readily. Requires sealing.
- ASTM spec
- Quartzite typically falls under ASTM C616 (Standard Specification for Quartz-Arenite Dimension Stone). Specific ASTM data for White Macaubas is not readily available in snippets, but general quartzite properties apply. Compressive strength ASTM C170 156.4 MPa, Flexural strength ASTM C880.
- Installed price
- $65 - $150 (some sources indicate $65-85/sq ft for common white quartzites, others $100-150/sq ft, and some as low as $45-52/sq ft for slabs).
- Slab price
- $45 - $89 (some sources indicate $47.88/sq ft from StoneTrash, $45.08/sq ft from Solidshape, and $89/sq ft from Prizekitchens).
- Finishes
- Polished
- Applications
- Countertops, kitchen islands, flooring, wall cladding.
- USA distributors
- MSI Surfaces, Great Lakes Granite & Marble, CountertopSmart, GraniteFD, Zicana Boutique, BAS Stone, Marble & Granite, Inc., Republic Elite, ZC Building Supply, Prizekitchens, Landmark Surfaces.
- Maintenance
- Requires sealing after installation and periodically (e.g., annually) to prevent water absorption and staining. Highly scratch-resistant. Water stains may dry out on their own but can be removed with poultices of acetone and baking soda.