Quartz is the second most occurring mineral found in the earth’s continental crust right behind feldspar which is the main ingredient found in granite. Quartz may be found in many varieties, a few of which are semiprecious gems.
Unlike granite and marble countertops which are slabs cut from large mined blocks of stone, quartz countertops are manufactured. The chemical makeup of quartz causes it to form crystal structures. The natural quartz crystals are mined and ground, and then mixed together with resin materials. This quartz mixture is then fused together with intense heat and pressure to form a countertop.
Natural quartz comes in many colors including citrine, rose quartz, amethyst, smoky quartz, milky quartz. Pure quartz, or clear quartz, is transparent. During the manufacturing process pigments can be added to the quartz mixture, resulting in a limitless array of color possibilities.