Help identifying countertops!

[Jh550]

Hi everyone. Our daughter's boyfriend's family has a granite/quartzite, etc business. We purchased a new home last August and it is in need of some serious updating! Well, as our daughters boyfriend went to a site to tear out old countertops, island, etc to replace with new, he called right away. This is a 14 million dollar home- and they said they didn't care what he did with their "old stuff"
There is more than enough to do our ENTIRE kitchen- and outside kitchen... and island, etc. and it's beautiful. The challenge is, I really want to know "what" it is and can't find photos of it anywhere! I'm sure it's not cheap- the sink is custom made, it came with a 900.00 faucet- so I'm sure whatever it is, it's good stuff. Can anyone help Ide tidy it? Considering the home it came from, I'm positive it's rare, especially since I can't find photos! Please take a look and see if you can help!! I'm dying to know! Thanks in advance.

[AACabinetsAndStone]

Looks like a quartzite to me. I think if anyone on this site would do it would be Alex DiPietro.

looks like your future son in law is a keeper

[Jh550]

Lol that was what I thought (future son in law too!) but I can't find that color- anywhere... it's sort of a muted reddish brown- thanks for responding so fast! Are there different "grades" of quartzite, like granite? I think this is triple laminated??

[Ken Lago]

I have seen the pattern in marble but not this brown version. I guess marble.

[Dan R.]

If knowing the correct name is your biggest "challenge", then kudos to you for having life figured out!

If is beautiful to you and the price is right, I would suggest to have it installed and enjoy it!!
You could always name it after your favorite grandchild; perhaps Charlie Brown, Becky Biege, or maybe Rocky Mountain.

It is a unique looking stone that looks like petrified wood. Never saw slabs that large before.


I would figure out what type of material it is before you made plans for out door use. There are many multi million dollar homes where the kitchen is hardly ever used. The material may not be suitable for outdoor use and maintain the same look. I am a believer that all stone can be used outdoor, with the proper expectations set, in advance. After all, it is stone, it came from the outdoors !!

That kitchen looks on the smallish size for a $14M house. It must have a $13M view!


What climate or geographical area are you speaking of?

Great find!

[mikedean]

Looks like eramosa brown?

[GuyboR]

I'm with Dan on this one. What does the color name matter? When we walk thru our remnant area with customers and they ask for a color name for a stone that's not marked, I ask if they like the color. If they do, I ask does it mater if I call it A or B? It's natural stone. Put it in and enjoy it.

I did some googling, I think the color is called "Libero da figlio". Another site had it listed as "Pietra libera"

[ageless]

Copy the image into Google Search and see what color comes up.

[Darryl Miller]

That looks a lot like Maderatto quartzite that I saw in Brazil recently. But, like the others have said if you love it call it whatever you want. Enjoy!!

[Mark Meriaux]

Looks like eramosa brown?

x2 for Eramosa Limestone
Look here for examples:
http://www.eramosastonequarry.com/untitled-c1w4l
http://www.ledgerock.com/index.php?opti ... &Itemid=79

The sink is from Elkay's "Mystic" series and looks like a MYSTIC 2812:
http://www.elkay.com/mystic2812

[Jh550]

Wow!!! Impressive!! How is this stone compared to quartzite and why would someone choose this over more traditional countertop options?

[Dan R.]

Quartzite is harder than Limestone.

People choose different things, because of personal taste or advice received.

[luke getz]

as some of the others have said it looks like a quartzite, so it would be identical to a quartzite... but you may be confusing quartzite which is a natural stone and quartz which is a manufactured product, and if you are asking how it compares to quartz, then my answer would be that your quartzite is far more beautiful than manufactured quartz countertops

[Shiny Alex]

What about asking the owners of the house it came from? Or if it was a new build, ask the builder who supplied it.

If the home owners are happy for you to have it for free, they sound like very nice people who wouldnt mind giving a bit more information on it.

[Mark Meriaux]

Maybe Ambra Dorata Quartzite? http://www.brunozanet.com/en/materials/ ... bra-dorata

Possibly a travertine or limestone. Perhaps Titanium travertine?
http://www.marbleoftheworld.com/index.p ... rtine.html

This PDF article may help in determining if it is a quartzite:
Quartzite Need Not be a Confusing Stone

You can perform simple tests (on the underside or areas that will go to waste during fabrication). I suspect that either the the acid test (you can use white vinegar) will reveal calcium content or that it will scratch with a metal blade. Beautiful material, but you're wise to get to know what you'll be getting.

[rgistone]

Ambra dorata! I got a bundle on a container from marmi Bruno zanet like
10 years ago. It was sold as a quartzite and it was not very expensive
at all. We still have pieces around. Love the stone. Most do. Though it rarely sells
It's got those straight lines like stratico olympico or whatever it is.

[Jh550]

Wow!!! You are GOOD! thank you!! So that's it! I did a ton of research. The reason nobody has seen it around, is because it's a D. It's in Brazil and shipped to Italy for cutting and polishing. Talked to the couple who
Had it and although they had no idea what it was called, they saw it while they were vacationing in Italy and had to have it. It was sourced through the company you said, but through a designer... and they loved it.
So now I have the story and thanks to everyone, I know what it is!!
You have all been wonderful!
Thank you!

[justinpierce982]

Thanks for sharing it with us. Very helpful.