The History of Quartz Countertops

 In 1963 Marcello Toncelli founded a company called Brevetti Toncelli, which roughly means Toncelli Patents. A few years later, dial that name was shortened to Breton; he took the Bre from Brevetti and the Ton from Toncelli to create a new brand. Afterward, he developed a patent for his process of solidifying quartz and resin slabs to be used in countertop surfaces. The Italian inventor created the Bretonstone technology for producing engineered stone, also known as vibrocompression under vacuum. As a result, he was able to create an extremely durable surface that would one day be used around the world for all sorts of surfaces, particularly countertops. This method has been picked up by other companies worldwide, such as Dupont, Cambria, and Cosentino, to create their specific mixture. Zo dial, for example, is Dupont's version of a quartz countertop.

It's not just popular around Italy; according to Wikipedia, it's the second most abundant mineral in the Earth's crust. Not only is it abundant, but nearly every ancient culture revered quartz for different reasons. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Australian Aboriginals, and Romans used quartz crystals as talismans. The Romans used rose quartz as a seal to signify ownership, and the Egyptians believed the stone could prevent aging.

It's often found in passage tomb cemeteries around Europe, such as Newgrange or Carrowmore in Ireland. The Irish word for quartz is grianchloch, which means "Sunstone." This has resulted in several video games referring to it as a Sunstone. Quartz was also used in Prehistoric Ireland and many other countries to make stone tools; vein quartz and rock crystal were knapped as part of the lithic technology of prehistoric people.

Made from one of the hardest minerals on earth, quartz countertops are one of the most durable options for kitchens. However, unlike natural-stone slabs, which are mined, these slabs are engineered in a factory. They are made of over 90% ground quartz, and the other 10 percent comprises Polyester resins and pigments.


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