All products recommended at our Stone Care Center are specifically formulated for use on natural stone of all varieties. These are professional-quality products. All products are very effective and all are totally "safe" for use on all stone including quartzite.
However, a few products are for use only in specific situations and the Etch Remover is for use only on marble, travertine, limestone and onyx.
Why? Two reasons:
1. These stones contain calcite, which reacts with acidic food/drinks and harsh products corroding or etching the surface leaving dull, whitish spots.
2. These stones are soft and small spots can be re-polished by a homeowner by hand with this DIY product. In general stone refinishing/re-polishing requires lots of skill, knowledge and experience for larger areas or entire surfaces. But the small spots created by typical household etching are effectively and easily restored using the Etch Remover.
The Marble Etch Remover is "safe" for use on quartzite, but it won't do anything to remove the etching on this stone. Why? Quartzite is a very hard stone. Harder than granite even and much, much harder than marble. Quartzite cannot be re-polished by a homeowner or by hand.
Quartzite is typically sold as "granite" because in most cases it is characteristically very similar to granite in that it is hard, highly heat-resistant, does not etch, and typically is very stain-resistant like the densest granites.
Unfortunately, quartzite can contain calcite (the same mineral in marble that reacts in etching). It is not necessarily common, but not super rare either. Granite (true geological granite) contains calcite only in extremely rare cases, so it can be safely said that granite does not etch. Not the same with quartzite.
However, a few products are for use only in specific situations and the Etch Remover is for use only on marble, travertine, limestone and onyx.
Why? Two reasons:
1. These stones contain calcite, which reacts with acidic food/drinks and harsh products corroding or etching the surface leaving dull, whitish spots.
2. These stones are soft and small spots can be re-polished by a homeowner by hand with this DIY product. In general stone refinishing/re-polishing requires lots of skill, knowledge and experience for larger areas or entire surfaces. But the small spots created by typical household etching are effectively and easily restored using the Etch Remover.
The Marble Etch Remover is "safe" for use on quartzite, but it won't do anything to remove the etching on this stone. Why? Quartzite is a very hard stone. Harder than granite even and much, much harder than marble. Quartzite cannot be re-polished by a homeowner or by hand.
Quartzite is typically sold as "granite" because in most cases it is characteristically very similar to granite in that it is hard, highly heat-resistant, does not etch, and typically is very stain-resistant like the densest granites.
Unfortunately, quartzite can contain calcite (the same mineral in marble that reacts in etching). It is not necessarily common, but not super rare either. Granite (true geological granite) contains calcite only in extremely rare cases, so it can be safely said that granite does not etch. Not the same with quartzite.
Also, many white marbles and white quartzites can look very similar. Thus, these stones can be misnamed as well. Sometimes a marble is sold as quartzite. When this happens you think you have quartzite but really it is marble. If the stone is etching, it is actually better if it turns out to be marble since repairing etch marks on marble is easy.
Quartzite can and does etch and since it is so hard, professional re-surfacing / re-polishing is the only option. I'd advise hiring a true stone restoration professional vs. your average fabricator/installer. Of course, if your installer claimed this stone wouldn't etch, then they should take responsibility for the repair, which means they will likely want to try and re-polish themselves. They may be skilled enough to do this, but often not.
Polishing of the slabs is done on big machines at the factory long before it gets to the stone warehouse or stone fabricator. Fabricators need to be able to polish edges, so they do typically have reasonable experience, but it takes more skill to restore etched spots on an already polished surface... blending, etc.
Quartzite can and does etch and since it is so hard, professional re-surfacing / re-polishing is the only option. I'd advise hiring a true stone restoration professional vs. your average fabricator/installer. Of course, if your installer claimed this stone wouldn't etch, then they should take responsibility for the repair, which means they will likely want to try and re-polish themselves. They may be skilled enough to do this, but often not.
Polishing of the slabs is done on big machines at the factory long before it gets to the stone warehouse or stone fabricator. Fabricators need to be able to polish edges, so they do typically have reasonable experience, but it takes more skill to restore etched spots on an already polished surface... blending, etc.
You may consider trying the Etch Remover. If it works, then you have marble and you're in business. If not, then it is quartzite and you need professional help. This is a rather cheap test and you may get lucky.
FYI.... for future stone installations.... you always want to perform the Lemon Juice / Oil / Water test on a sample of the exact slab you intend to purchase in order to rule out a slab that may etch (quartzite sold as granite, or marble sold as quartzite), is potentially "doctored" (black granites), or is particularly porous and prone to staining.
Etching on marble is expected and can be repaired easily. Stains can be controlled with a sealer and also can be removed rather easily, but it's better to install a dense stone that doesn't need sealing or one with modest absorption. A few granites are so porous that they really cannot be effectively sealed... these are the ones you want to rule out along with any hard stone (granite, quartzite) that etches since repairs are difficult and expensive.
I know this is not the news you were hoping to hear. Sure.... try the Etch Remover paste and certainly let us know if it works at all, but I wouldn't expect it to.