Introduction
Engineered quartz is a composite material manufactured from approximately 90-95% crushed natural quartz aggregate combined with 5-10% polymer resins, pigments, and additives. Unlike natural stone slabs that are quarried and cut, engineered quartz is produced in factories through a controlled industrial process. The technology was pioneered by Breton S.p.A. of Italy in 1963 with the invention of the Bretonstone system, which remains the licensed manufacturing platform used by most major quartz brands today.
Composition and Manufacturing
The manufacturing process begins with the selection and washing of quartz crystals, which are mined from quarries worldwide. The quartz is crushed and sieved to specific particle sizes - typically a controlled blend of coarse (2-5 mm), medium (0.5-2 mm), and fine (less than 0.5 mm) aggregates. This graded particle distribution maximizes packing density and minimizes resin requirements.
The aggregate blend is mixed with polyester resin binders (typically 7-9% by weight), coupling agents to bond the quartz to the resin, and color pigments. The mixture is poured into molds and subjected to vibro-compaction under vacuum at pressures exceeding 100 tons per square meter. This process compresses the material and eliminates air pockets. The slabs are then cured in ovens at temperatures of approximately 90-100 degrees Celsius for 30 to 45 minutes, after which they are cooled, calibrated to precise thicknesses (typically 2 cm or 3 cm), and polished using diamond abrasives.
Major Brands
Caesarstone - Founded in 1987 in Israel, Caesarstone was among the first companies to commercialize engineered quartz surfaces. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Israel and the United States (Richmond Hill, Georgia). Caesarstone offers a palette spanning classic marble-look designs to industrial concrete aesthetics.Silestone - A brand of the Spanish company Cosentino Group, Silestone introduced bacteriostatic protection technology in their quartz surfaces. Their HybriQ+ technology, launched in 2020, uses a hybrid formulation with reduced crystalline silica content and incorporates recycled materials. Cosentino's manufacturing headquarters are located in Almeria, Spain.
Cambria - An American, family-owned company based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Cambria operates a single manufacturing facility in Le Sueur, Minnesota. They position their product as a premium quartz surface with 93% pure quartz content and were an early adopter of Bretonstone technology in the United States.
Quartz vs. Natural Stone
Engineered quartz offers several advantages over natural stone. With a Mohs hardness of 7, quartz matches the hardness of natural granite while providing superior consistency in color and pattern. Unlike marble (Mohs 3-5), quartz is highly resistant to acid etching. Unlike granite, quartz does not require periodic sealing because the resin binder fills the pore spaces that would otherwise absorb liquids.
A key limitation of engineered quartz is its sensitivity to high heat. While natural granite can withstand direct contact with hot cookware, the polyester resins in quartz begin to degrade at sustained temperatures above 150 degrees Celsius. Manufacturers universally recommend using trivets or hot pads on quartz surfaces. Quartz is also not recommended for outdoor installations because prolonged UV exposure can cause the resins to yellow and the pigments to fade.
Properties at a Glance
Engineered quartz typically has a density of 2.3 to 2.5 g/cm3, water absorption of less than 0.05%, flexural strength of 30 to 60 MPa, and compressive strength of 150 to 200 MPa. Its impact resistance, measured by the Charpy test, averages 2.5 to 3.5 kJ/m2. The material's hardness and low porosity make it highly resistant to staining from common household substances.