Quartz countertops are man-made engineered stone countertops formed by combining around 90 percent ground quartz (a natural hard mineral) with eight to 10 percent resins, polymers, and pigments. This forms a very hard granite-like surface. Since quartz is a manufactured product, it has a much wider range of colors to choose from and the finished appearance is rich and luxurious. Beauty isn’t the only thing that makes quartz slabs a popular countertop material though; quartz surpasses many natural stones on the market due to its durability and natural sealant. Being a natural stone, granite can withstand very high temperatures with no effect. Quartz however, is made with synthetic poly-resin materials and if the quartz countertop is light in color, the resin can discolor with extreme heat. While quartz is quite durable, using trivets for hot pots and pans is highly recommended.