Quartzite is a metamorphic rock that is created when sandstone and quartz undergoes extreme heat and pressure caused by tectonic plate movement in the earth’s crust; that is why quartzite is such a hard stone, like granite; however, quartzite is still susceptible for scratching and etching. Many people confuse Quartz countertops with Quartzite, however, they are two very different stones. Quartzite is completely natural whereas Quartz is a manufactured stone. No two quartzite slabs will ever look identical, the same can not be said for man-made Quartz.