Quartzite is a natural stone formed by crystallizing from molten magma. Many slabs have marble-like colors and veining. Quartzite is a very hard stone, so much so that the recommendation of using cutting boards may be surprising. Truth be told, quartzite is so hard and durable that using knives on the countertop is likely to dull the utensil before the stone would scratch. In short, this is a heavy-duty stone. Quartzite is a naturally heat resistant stone. Think of it this way: quartzite is a metamorphic stone, which means it was forged in the earth’s natural pressure cooker—so the stone can handle a bit more heat without being damaged, though using a pad or trivet as a precaution may give you peace of mind. Some natural stones have a porous quality, which means it needs to be sealed and cleaned to prevent staining. Quartzite is not an exception to this: it should be sealed annually. But when it is sealed, the stone will resist staining.