Behind the Design: Why Material Testing Matters
Talie Jane Interiors
August 31, 2026
Talie Jane Interiors®
Granite has long reigned supreme in the world of kitchen countertops. It has become synonymous with quality and luxury and something home buyers have actively sought out. In fact, there was a time when granite was the only word you’d hear from home owners fantasizing about their dream kitchens. (1) It’s not surprising given the classic elegance and good resale value of granite. Until now, it turns out. Designers are turning to another material for kitchen countertops: quartz.
Leathered surfaces offer a different, more sophisticated look and feel. And from a practical point of view, can also be lower maintenance – fingerprints, watermarks and crumbs are less conspicuous on a leathered surface than on a shiny, polished one. Leathered finishes emphasize the natural beauty of the stone, and work well with traditional and modern interiors. Leather finishes are most commonly seen on darker granites. (6)
The process of leathering granite, which features diamond-tipped brushes that move across the surface of the stone’s surface, makes the stone more stain resistant.
Granite
Quartz
Quartzite
What do you think…Quartz, Quartzite or Granite?
(1) http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/room-ideas/a9083701/quartz-countertops/
(2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quartz
(3) http://www.minerals.net/mineral/quartz.aspx
(4) https://www.countertopguides.com/guides/quartz-vs-quartzite-countertops.html
(5) https://countertopinvestigator.com/quartzite-guide/
(6) http://www.pacificshorestones.com/stone-trends-polished-honed-or-leathered-finish/
Other Resources:
https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/28872832/list/kitchen-counters-quartzite-offers-strength-and-beauty
https://deavita.net/leathered-granite-countertops-kitchen-countertops.html
