Natural stone surfaces decorate more and more kitchens today, and the engineered quartz countertop has become a popular choice added to the selection of granite, marble, soapstone and concrete surfaces. Hard and Scratch Resistant

Quartz counters are made with almost 100 percent quartz and provide a nonporous countertop that's durable and almost twice as strong as granite. Quartz is a crystalline mineral composed of silicon dioxide. It's a common mineral, but as a countertop surface it is naturally scratch resistant. This makes it an ideal choice for any kitchen or bathroom. Quartz hardness ranks a 7.0 on Moh's hardness scale. The Moh's test for hardness is measured by a test that determines the scratchability of a mineral. You'll find that only diamonds, topaz, and sapphires rank higher than quartz on the Moh's scale. Engineered Quartz Countertop

Some quarts countertops are constructed of quarried slabs of natural stone, but today an engineered quartz product is manufactured by mixing about 95 percent ground quartz with 5 percent polymer resins. This process brings about a very hard countertop with a natural stone look that is not only low maintenance but available in a number of color choices to go with any dcor.