Construction projects create apprehension about the best house building material and natural stones top the list of house building materials. Natural stones have been incorporated in construction projects over thousands of years. Among the wide range of natural stones available, quartz and marble are the most preferred and durable.
Quartz vs Marble
The main difference between quartz and marble is that quartz is a mineral while marble is a rock. Quartz is mainly used in countertops and backsplashes while marble is commonly used as tiles on walls and floors. Quartz is formed by the crystallization of igneous rocks while marble is formed by the metamorphism process.
Quartz is composed of silicon dioxide commonly called silica. It has a crystalline nature. The presence of impurity imparts color to quartz else it would have been colorless and clear. It is non-porous and hence does not require sealing, unlike marble. Apart from construction projects, it is widely used in jewelry, phonographic pickups, and electronic appliances.
While marble is composed of minerals like calcite and dolomite. It was a layered nature due to the metamorphism of sedimentary minerals. The presence of impurities imparts color and intricate veining to the rock. It is porous and requires sealing. It caters to elegance, purity, and a luxurious look to the place of installation.
Comparison Table Between Quartz and Marble
| Parameters of comparison | Quartz | Marble |
| Composition | It is composed of silicon dioxide commonly called silica | It is composed of lime, silica, alumina, and other oxides |
| Nature | It has a crystalline nature | It is non-foliated |
| Types | Amethyst, rose quartz, agate, citrine, smoky quartz, carnelian, ametrine, onyx, and many other types . | Pentelic marble, Creole marble, Makrana albeta marble, Pavonazzo marble, Murphy marble, Bardiglio, Parian marble, and many more |
| Properties | Piezoelectric, glassy luster, durable, non-porous, resistant to water and stains | Durable, hard, heavy, highly soluble, heat-resistant, prone to corrosion, can be polished |
| Application | Glass making, foundry sand, electronic appliances, abrasive, hydraulic fracturing proppant, phonographic pickups, gemstones, and construction projects | Decorative stone in sculpture and architecture, construction aggregates, in cemetery marking, as soil treatment or fertilizer, as supplements, and as a filler and coloring agent in various industries |
What is Quartz?
Quartz is a crystalline mineral. The name is derived from the word “quarz” meaning white vein in German. The constituent of the natural mineral is silicon dioxide. It is extracted from the earth’s crust by the open-pit mine’s process with the maintenance of optimal temperature as sudden temperature fluctuations can damage the crystals.
The crystals form two types of structure, trigonal structure with alpha-quartz and hexagonal structure with beta-quartz. An ideal quartz crystal has a form of a six-sided prism. Due to the presence of impurities, the orbitals change in molecular level and impart color. The colored varieties are named amethyst, rose quartz, milky quartz, smoky quartz, citrine, and many other unique shades.
Quartz is widely used in construction projects as countertops and backsplashes. The crystals are used in electronic appliances. They are also valued as gemstones and have marked a significant use in jewelry making. The crystals have a significant role in phonograph pickup due to their piezoelectric properties.
Quartz is renowned for its durability. It is ideal for kitchen use as it is a scratch-proof, waterproof, spill, and stain-proof. It provides a contemporary look to the place of installation with its intricate veining and is a luxury option.
What is Marble?
Marble is a sedimentary rock. The name is derived from a Greek word. It consists of crystallized carbon minerals in the form of calcite and dolomite. The rock forms as a result of a natural process called metamorphism. The vein on the marble appears due to the presence of impurities like clay, sand, iron oxide, or silt. Impurities also impart color to the sedimentary rock.
Marble can form limestone under high pressure and temperature. Pure white marble is an example of pure limestone or a dolomite protolith. The popular types of marble are Pentelic marble, Creole marble, Makrana marble, Murphy marble, Parian marble, and many more.
Marble is classic rock. It has been used in sculpture making, novelties, and various construction projects. A magnificent example of marble is the Taj Mahal in India. The entire monument has cladding of marble. The Ashgabat city in Turkmenistan has the highest number of white marble buildings in the world.
Marble is durable, heat-resistant, and has an elegant veining pattern but gets easily corroded by acids as calcium carbonate forms a reaction. Therefore marble is unsuitable for outdoor cladding, statues, or kitchen countertops. The gorgeous rock requires maintenance and has the potential to increase property value.
Main Differences Between Quartz and Marble
- Quartz is a mineral formed by crystallization of igneous rocks process while marble is a rock formed by metamorphism of sedimentary carbonate minerals.
- Quartz is composed of silicon dioxide while marble is composed of calcite and dolomite.
- Quartz is less expensive and usually ranges from $30-110 per square foot while marble is expensive and ranges from $40-150 per square foot, in tiles.
- Quartz is widely used in construction projects, electronic appliances, gemstones, and phonographic pickup while marble is used widely used in sculpture and statue making, and construction projects.
- Quartz is durable, non-porous, resistant to water, scratches, spills, stains, and provides a contemporary look while marble is hard, heavy, heat-resistant, high-solubility, and can be seamlessly craved into elegance but needs sealing since non-porous and can be easily corroded.
Conclusion
Quartz and marble are durable natural stones. They have a pivotal role in construction and building projects. Both the materials resemble the same. They provide an elegant sophisticated, contemporary and chic look to the place of installation.
Though similar in appearance, granite is less expensive as compared to marble. Both the stones have been catering to various industries for ages. Quartz and marble are hard and have a lustrous look. While choosing between the two, it is essential to compare and comprehend the right fit according to the need of the area of application.
References
- https://www.mdpi.com/339694
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0955221904005266