If you want to opt for a quality worktop for your new kitchen, you may well be deliberating between quartz and granite. An explanation of the differences between the two may help Granite Granite is an igneous rock formed by the cooling and crystallisation of underground magma. All granite includes the minerals mica, feldspar and quartz in different proportions, which explains the varying patterns and textures in granite worktops. Granite is mined across all continents of the world and then cut into slabs and polished to form worktops. It is a completely natural product and because it is such a dense, hard rock, a granite worktop offers excellent heat resistance, scratch resistance, and when correctly sealed, stain resistance. The smooth, dense structure also means granite is easy to wipe clean with little or no opportunity for bacteria to thrive. Being a naturally occurring stone, no two pieces of granite are identical. The different minerals within the granite result in different colours such as whites, pinks, greys, greens and yellows. Quartz Quartz is a hard crystal found within the Earths crust which, when crushed and combined with resin, is used to form kitchen worktops. Combined in a typical ratio of 93 percent quartz to 7 percent resin, a variety of textures can be achieved by varying the size of the crushed quartz. Different colours can be achieved with the addition of colouring agents. Quartz is non-porous which means quartz worktops are both heat and scratch resistant. They are easy to look after and are very hard to damage. Unlike granite worktops, it is possible to create perfectly uniform quartz worktops in almost any colour, including pure white. As for which material is best for you, there is very little in it. It really comes down to personal taste and whether you prefer natural beauty or uniformity of tone and texture.