Helpful Information About Sioux Quartzite

There are a number of reasons to be interested in Sioux Quartzite. For one, if you are a fabrication professional that is looking to work with the material it is good to know a bit about it. Also, if you are a homeowner and you like the look of quartzite you may have been drawn to Sioux Quartzite and need to know how to maintain it. In this article we will take a look at some of the properties of quartzite and mention some specifics about Sioux Quartzite. Along the way, we will see what fabricators need to be aware of when they are working with Sioux Quartzite.

Diverse Quartzite Topics

Some quartzite names are used in the industry as the names of slab colors and others are not. If you search for a specific quartzite name online, you will get either a mixture of search results, primarily sales oriented results, or primarily scientific results. Sioux Quartzite yields its own set of search results. In fact the following quote was taken from The Historical Marker Database regarding Sioux:

The Sioux Quartzite consists of thick beds of silica-cemented quartz sandstone, the grains of which were deposited and rounded by wave action in the floor of an ancient continental sea. This fact is illustrated by laminations and ripple marks preserved in the quartzite.

The basics when it comes to quartzite are of interest to diverse groups of people; slab distributors, suppliers, scientists, and even consumers. The diversity of topics on the Internet regarding quartzite show this well.

What Sioux Quartzite Is Made Of

Like other quartzites, Sioux is made up of specific minerals and is formed through a specific process. Authentic quartzite has certain characteristics that distinguish it from other kinds of natural stone. Sioux Quartzite will have the same properties as other quartzites. However, as is indicated by the names of specific quartzites, the color or texture might be different. Color variations are usually caused by varying mineral content and the texture may be due to a specific event during the formation. Additionally, locations are sometimes included in the names and this can hint at where that particular stone originates.

If you have looked around the Internet to try to find a basic definition of what quartzite is, you have no doubt seen that there are many authoritative sites that give definitions. For example, wikipedia gives the following as the definition of what quartzite is:

Quartzite is a hard, non-foliated metamorphic rock which was originally pure quartz sandstone. Sandstone is converted into quartzite through heating and pressure usually related to tectonic compression within orogenic belts. Pure quartzite is usually white to grey, though quartzites often occur in various shades of pink and red due to varying amounts of iron oxide (Fe2O3). Other colors, such as yellow, green, blue and orange, are due to other minerals.

No matter what definition you use though, the idea is simple. Sioux Quartzite is born from sandstone. After its transformation, the material has properties that distinguish it from sandstone and it is also very different from other natural stone as well. Let's look at some of the properties of Sioux Quartzite.

Sioux Properties

The properties of quartzite vary and each particular stone will have unique features that differentiate it from the rest. In fact, Sioux Quartzite has its own distinctive characteristics too. However, one quality that quartzite shares is that it is a versatile material that can be used for various projects.

In addition to those distinguishing characteristics, Sioux shares other very specific properties with other "flavors" of quartzite. For example, quartzite is very hard. How hard is it? Well, it is harder than some natural granite Quartzite registers about 7 on the Mohs hardness scale. Compare that to granite registering from 6 to 7. The reason Sioux Quartzite can be harder than granite is because of its quartz content.

The hardness of the material means that it is not easily scratched by normal household use. Some kitchen countertop materials can scratch easily but Sioux is not one of them. The hardness makes it a durable material; desirable by many.

In addition to being very hard, authentic quartzite, Sioux included, is also not as porous as other natural stone. It does have pores, just not as many as other types of natural stone in some cases. Fewer pores means easier stain removal. Furthermore, owners often enhance the stain resistance with maintenance routines that we will talk about in a bit.

Color Compatibility of Sioux

The unique and rich colors of Sioux mean that it can be used with virtually any design style that is popular. Having stone that fits with various design styles can be a key to a successful project. What is meant by a "design style"? Note the following examples:

Minimalist Design

This design approach is characterized by functional furniture and interior objects. Minimalist styling makes great use of geometric shapes and a few basic colors. Using a low number of each of these design aspects highlights the real meaning of the name of this style of interior design. The elements are used to create warm, nuanced spaces. A one-word description for this style is "simplicity".

Industrial Design

The design that stands out as taking its cues from old manufacturing and industrial spaces is this one. Often seen in lofts and other living spaces the industrial design style makes use of a number of elements. One of the main ones is exposed brick. Another is open ceilings with visible pipes overhead. Additionally, duct work that is revealed and out in the open is a highlight of this design style.

Shabby Chic

An artistic and elegant vibe generating design style that gets attention by feeling both relaxed and pulled together at the same time. The pieces in a shabby chic design are bold and colorful. They are made to stand out against a neutral and subdued background of less prominent elements. Distressed or vintage looking items is the focus of the shabby chic design style.

Eclectic Design

Eclectic design is composed of elements that come together from disparate styles to form a contrasting feel in the space. Even though the style feels contrasting it still achieves harmony through a cohesive, well thought out combination of elements. This design style requires a great eye for creating harmony and the skill to produce it.

Traditional Design

Classical details coupled with an abundance of accessories, the traditional design style is is one that has been around and perhaps utilized by many at one time or another. In addition to accessories of plenty there is a variety of textures and curved lines to accentuate the design. Traditional design is one of the more popular styles and continues to endure throughout time and history.

Fabricating Sioux Surfaces

When it comes to working with Sioux Quartzite, having the correct tools for the work makes it much smoother and the results come out better. Fabricating natural quartzite will be much easier if the tools and supplies used are quartzite compatible. Let's look at a couple of products that will play a role in the successful fabrication of Sioux.

Working With Sioux Quartzite

Cutting and shaping Sioux means having diamond blades and other tools that are designed to cut hard materials. Some blade producers will mark a blade specifically for certain materials. Others will give the blade a name and market it for use on multiple materials. When it comes to cutting Sioux, the best blade to use for these hard surfaces is a diamond blade for quartzite. The blade that many fabricators rely on for cutting quartzite is the White Lion from Weha. Another good quartzite blade is the Grey Leopard from Weha.

The same goes for other diamond tools like core bits, and stone polishing pads. Selecting a polishing pad or core bit designed for use on a hard material will generally perform well for Sioux and there are many from which to choose.

Sealing Sioux Quartzite

As we mentioned earlier, sealer helps with the stain resistance of Sioux Quartzite. So fabrication and installation services that include an initial sealing of a Sioux stone boosts the resilience of the finished product. Better yet, when a homeowner knows how to care for the finished surface, the results are even better.

How to Care for Sioux

Caring for Sioux consists of some basics involving cleaning and protecting the stone. First, cleaning Sioux surfaces regularly using a cleaning product that is designed for use on natural stone surfaces is a great starting point. Then, maintaining the seal on the material enhances the resistance to potentially harmful substances. Finally, the regularity with which these practices are performed will have a direct bearing on the outcome. Let's look at each of those phases now.

How to Clean Sioux

Cleaning Sioux is not complicated. Regularly perform cleaning on Sioux using a compatible cleaner to preserve the appearance of your quartzite surface. There are many cleaners that will do the trick. The key is to choose one that is pH neutral. These types make the best cleaners for natural stone because they won't break down the sealer. That helps with the stain resistance.

If you need to clean a Sioux slab or countertop by removing a stain, you will want to use the proper stain remover for the type of stain the stone has. Water based stains, oil based stains, and rust each will respond differently depending on which stain remover you use.

Maintaining the Seal

Just because a Sioux gets an initial seal does not mean that it will be impervious to stains and discolorations. Actually, the stone benefits regular, periodical resealing. Using an impregnating stone sealer for natural stone is a good way to keep your Sioux looking its best. You can even get sealers that enhance the stone and bring out the colors.

About Maintaining Sioux

So cleaning and resealing become the the key elements to keeping you natural stone surfaces looking the best. That goes for Sioux Natural Quartzite too. Maintaining your quartzite comes down to a good stone care routine. here is one routine that some have found very beneficial.

• Use a pH neutral cleaner to keep the sealer from breaking down and clean any debris from the surface.
• Reseal the surface of your quartzite surface when it gets "thirsty"*.
• Using a fortified stone polish periodically gradually maintains the sealer on the surface of the natural stone.

In this article we have covered some diverse ground related to Sioux Quartzite. In fact, we even looked at some more general information regarding quartzite materials. We looked at the hardness of the material and how that makes quartzite (and Sioux) scratch resistant. We also looked at the color compatibiltiy of Sioux Quartzite. We even took a bit of a detour from our topic and considered some popular design styles in which Sioux could be used. We mentioned the necessity of working with the correct tools if fabricating Sioux. Finally, we explored some ways to simplify the care and maintenance of Sioux and why a good maintenance routine is a nice way to go. Keeping these basics in mind will ensure that your experience will be a good one.