Brown Fantasy is not a scratch-resistant stone. It does not get scratched as easy as tractional marble will, but in the meantime, it is not a scratch freestone like granite countertops. We recommend choosing honed or leathered finish material to camouflage any future scratches.
Fantasy Brown Quartzite is a durable, reliable countertop choice. With proper sealing once to twice a year, you won't have to worry about etching or staining. Quartzite is scratch resistant, but we don't recommend cutting on your natural stone, as it will dull your knives!
It's the combination of durability and aesthetic that makes Fantasy Brown a solid choice for kitchen countertops. The neutral beauty it brings to your kitchen is a safe choice that will last for years to come. It works well with a range of decor, from farmhouse style kitchens to cottage charm to contemporary and more.
How can Fantasy Brown be considered by some to be marble, while others claim it should be classified as granite or quartzite? We're here to put the debate to bed once and for all. Despite having characteristics of all three types of natural stone, Fantasy Brown is, in fact, marble. Here's what you need to know.
Fantasy Brown contains calcium carbonate, which gives it some of the same qualities as marble, meaning it can stain, etch, and scratch. While it does need a bit of care and attention to keep it looking good, for some people, it's worth it.
Brown Fantasy is not a scratch-resistant stone. It does not get scratched as easy as tractional marble will, but in the meantime, it is not a scratch freestone like granite countertops. We recommend choosing honed or leathered finish material to camouflage any future scratches.
Dolomite is a sedimentary rock made mostly from the mineral dolomite and it's also known as dolostone. Sometimes, showrooms will label Dolomite as “hard marble,” and the reason for this is because it is denser than marble. Dolomite is porous, though not as susceptible to staining, etching and cracking as marble.
Fantasy Brown can range anywhere from $60-75 per square foot installed, and that price point will put it higher than a stone than Uba Tuba Granite, Luna Pearl Granite, or Santa Cecilia Granite.
Quartzite tends to be more expensive than it, with granite starting at roughly $50 per square foot. You get what you pay for, though; while quartzite and quartz both cost more, granite is the softest of the three. It's also quite porous and requires even more sealing than quartzite.
Heat Resistance: Like granite most quartzite is very heat resistant and can withstand hot pots and pans. Beauty: Because of its similarities to sandstone and marble, quartzite provides an elegant and luxurious feel with its incredible veining and beautiful color.
Technically, it is a combination of marble and quartzite. According to the Natural Stone Institute, Fantasy Brown is made of layers of marble and quartzite that have been fused together over time. The look and feel of Fantasy Brown are reminiscent of marble, but with brown and sandy hues, instead of gray.
Fantasy Brown countertops can pair with a brick backsplash or subway tile very well and you can pull it all together with white kitchen cabinetry. Other great options that give an additional touch of luxury when paired with Fantasy brown are hand-painted customized backsplash tiles or mosaic inserts.
In general, quartz is the more durable of the two materials: it better resists scratches and bacteria and requires less care and maintenance. However, marble does outperform quartz in heat resistance.
Hardness and longevity: Granite is comparatively harder and stronger than marble. It is mostly known as the most durable natural stone and compared to marble. It is resistant to heat and can easily withstand hot cookware therefore it is perfect for kitchen tops.
Long-Term Durability
Granite is a harder stone than marble and holds up better to chips and scratches.
Real quartzite will scratch glass easily. You'll hear it grind and you'll feel it bite into the glass.
Quartzite is a really hard metamorphic rock. Quartzite is ideal for any type of countertop; it is slightly harder than granite and is extremely durable. In the project that we showcase in this blog, quartzite countertop had multiple smaller cracks and one large crack that was going all the way through the slab.
Windex is great on countertops, too, including quartz, granite, marble, laminate and tile. Just make sure that if you're cleaning natural stone counters that have a sealant, such as granite, marble or quartzite, you're using a Windex version that is free of ammonia and vinegar.
Fantasy Brown is a DOLOMITE. Dolomite is a sedimentary natural stone that is formed over time with magnesium-rich groundwater. Aesthetically, it shares many characteristics with marble, such as subtle, soft veins and light colors.
Fantasy Blue Satin is a marble from northern India. Fantasy Blue Satin is such a hard marble, that it needs to be cut using a granite gang saw instead of a marble gang saw. Due to its hardness, it is well suited for kitchen countertop use. This marble can have diagonal or linear movement depending on the block.
Some quartz makers sell exclusively through big-box stores; other slabs are available only through independent kitchen and bath showrooms.
Diamonds are the hardest stone, while talc (for example) is a very soft mineral. The scale by which the hardness of minerals is measured is the Mohs Hardness Scale, which compares the resistance of a mineral to being scratched by ten standard reference minerals that vary in hardness.
Quartz wins as the most durable material for any kitchen construction or renovation. Having a durable countertop is a lifelong investment and if you plan to sell your home at some point in the future, its value will be higher if you've used a durable countertop like quartz.
The Mohs scale has been adjusted to account for stone countertop options today. According to this new scale, the hardest is soapstone, followed by slate, which ranges in hardness, depending on processing and the slab itself. Next is marble and limestone, then travertine, sandstone and granite.
Yes, hard marbles are technically marbles, but they behave like a quartzite. They are a combination of different stone materials such as quartzite and calcite and are some of the most popular natural stones available today. Our hard marbles are a reliable countertop choice.