Quartzite vs Onyx: Which bench top should you choose?

Short answer: Quartzite is the practical luxury option — hard, durable, resistant to scratches, stains and acids when sealed. Onyx is pure statement stone — translucent, exotic, dramatic, but soft, brittle, porous and high-maintenance..

If you want bold, natural stone beauty that can actually survive a busy kitchen, choose Quartzite. If your priority is a glamorous, backlit feature with minimal food-prep use, Onyx creates a show-stopping look — just be ready to treat it like fine art, not a workbench.

Quick side-by-side

Factor	Quartzite	Onyx
Look	Bold, sweeping natural veining (often mistaken for marble)	Luxurious crystal-like translucency; dramatic veining; can be backlit
Hardness (scratch/chip)	Very hard; highly scratch & wear resistant	Soft & brittle; chips & scratches easily; can fracture on impact
Stain resistance	Excellent when sealed (polished performs best)	Very porous; stains easily even when sealed
Etching (acids)	No etching (non-calcareous)	Etches from acid (calcium-based)
Fixability	Chips & scratches repairable by pros; can re-hone	Repairs can remain visible; brittleness makes fixes trickier
Heat tolerance	Handles heat; avoid thermal shock at joins	Sensitive — brittleness increases crack risk
Resale & luxury	High — premium natural stone	High visual luxury; niche appeal for kitchens; exceptional as a feature
Typical slab cost	~$4k–$5k per slab (varies by rarity, can exceed this dramatically)	~$4k–$5k per slab+ (colour rarity push price higher, can exceed this range)
Care level	Low–moderate (seal + wipe spills)	High — seal frequently, avoid acids, daily gentle care
Best suited for	Busy kitchens that want natural stone durability	Feature panels, bars, bathrooms, splashbacks, backlit art installations

Which should you choose?

Choose Quartzite if you:

✅ Want serious durability

✅ Cook often and don’t want to stress about etching

✅ Love bold, dramatic veining with a natural stone feel

✅ Want strong resale appeal

Choose Onyx if you:

✅ Want a luxury statement surface

✅ Are designing a bar, powder room, feature wall or splashback

✅ Want to backlight the surface

✅ Don’t mind high maintenance — or it's a low-use kitchen

Honest rule of thumb: Quartzite = daily driver luxury Onyx = supercar — stunning, but not for grocery runs

Visit & select your slabs (Clayton South)

See full slabs in person, compare colours under real light, and check lengths for your island.

• Address: 9 Eileen Road, Clayton South (Melbourne)

• What to bring (optional): Samples to match, an idea of slab count, cabinetry/building plans

• Walk-ins: Welcome

FAQs

Is Quartzite maintenance-free?

No benchtop is. But quartzite is low-maintenance — seal, wipe spills, use pH-neutral cleaners to keep it in its best form

Will Onyx always scratch and stain?

If treated like a working benchtop — yes.As a decorative stone with gentle use — it can stay stunning.

Can you backlight Quartzite?

Some very translucent quartzites can glow — but Onyx is the king of backlighting.

Can I cut on either surface?

Use a cutting board. Quartzite can dull knives; Onyx can damage easily.

Can I put hot pots directly down?

Use trivets for both — mostly to avoid thermal stress and protect finishes.