What Is Taj Mahal Quartzite?
Taj Mahal quartzite countertops give you the soft, warm marble look in a natural stone harder than granite. As a countertop fabricator and installer in Chicago, we stock Taj Mahal slabs, cut them in our own Crestwood shop, and install across Chicago and the suburbs.
- See full Taj Mahal slabs in person at our Crestwood showroom
- Natural Brazilian quartzite, about 7 on the hardness scale
- Cut in our own shop, installed by our own crew
- Free estimate. Call (708) 362-7674
Why Taj Mahal is so popular:
- Cream to soft white background with warm gold, amber and taupe veining
- It will not etch from lemon, wine or vinegar like marble does
- Warmer than bright white stones, so it suits wood, cream and painted cabinets (see our cabinet pairing guide)
Taj Mahal vs. Super White:
- Super White: often a dolomite, cooler grey look, and it can etch (more on white stones)
- Taj Mahal: true quartzite, warmer tones, and it does not etch
- Taj Mahal is the safer pick for a busy family kitchen
Want the full story on colors, cost and care? Read our Taj Mahal quartzite guide.
Taj Mahal Quartzite vs Taj Mahal Quartz
If you love the look but want to know what you are actually buying, the choice comes down to natural stone versus engineered.
Taj Mahal quartzite is natural stone cut from the earth. Every slab is one of a kind, it handles heat well, and it does not etch. It does need sealing about every 12 to 18 months.
Taj Mahal quartz is engineered to copy the look. It never needs sealing and usually costs less installed. The pattern repeats from slab to slab, and it needs trivets for hot pans.
Al Jory Marble fabricates both. If you want the real stone, see our quartzite countertops. If you want low upkeep, see our quartz countertops.
What Taj Mahal Looks Like
Classic Taj Mahal: Cream to soft white with gentle taupe and grey veining. Calm, warm and easy to pair with almost any cabinet.
Gold-toned Taj Mahal: Sometimes sold as Taj Mahal Gold or Golden Taj Mahal. Heavier gold and amber movement for a richer, warmer kitchen.
Polished finish: A bright shine that brings out the depth of the veining.
Honed or satin finish: A soft matte look with a more relaxed feel. Compare all finishes in our polished vs. honed vs. leathered guide.
2cm and 3cm slabs: 3cm is the most common thickness for kitchens. 2cm is lighter and works well for vanities and backsplashes.
Simple edges: Eased, beveled and mitered edges suit Taj Mahal best and resist chipping. See our edge profiles guide.
Where Taj Mahal Countertops Work Best in Chicago Kitchens
Taj Mahal countertops work anywhere you want warmth and durability in the same stone. Here is where they shine in Chicago homes.
Best spots for Taj Mahal:
- Kitchen islands and waterfall islands, where the soft veining flows down the sides
- Full height backsplashes that turn the range wall into a slab feature
- Bathroom vanity tops that feel warm and bright at once
- Fireplace surrounds and outdoor kitchens, since it stands up to heat and sun when kept sealed
Cabinets that pair well:
- White or cream for a soft, bright kitchen
- Navy for warm contrast
- Sage or olive green to pick up the gold veining
- Natural wood or walnut for a cozy, timeless look
- Brass or gold hardware to match the warm tones
Bring your cabinet door and flooring samples to our Crestwood showroom and hold them against the slab before you decide.
Taj Mahal vs Marble vs Quartz
All three can give you a soft, light countertop. They behave very differently once they are in a working kitchen.
| Taj Mahal Quartzite | Marble | Quartz | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Natural stone | Natural stone | Engineered |
| Hardness | About 7 | About 3 to 4 | Hard, resin based |
| Etches from acids | No | Yes | No |
| Sealing | Every 12 to 18 months | Regular schedule | Never |
| Heat | Handles heat well | Fair | Use trivets |
| Every slab unique | Yes | Yes | No |
Want the full story on each stone? Read our Taj Mahal quartzite guide or see our marble countertops.
Taj Mahal Countertop Fabrication and Installation Across Chicago and the Suburbs
Taj Mahal Countertop Questions
What is Taj Mahal quartzite?
Taj Mahal is a natural quartzite quarried in Ceara, in northeast Brazil. It has a cream to soft white background with warm gold, amber and taupe veining. The name comes from the ivory tones of the Taj Mahal building in India, but the stone itself comes from Brazil.
Is Taj Mahal quartzite or granite?
It is quartzite. It started as sandstone and was fused by heat and pressure into a very hard stone, about 7 on the Mohs scale. Some showrooms label it granite, but geologically it is quartzite.
Does Taj Mahal quartzite etch or stain?
Real Taj Mahal quartzite does not etch from lemon, vinegar, wine or tomato the way marble does. It is still a natural stone with some porosity, so it needs a quality sealer and you should wipe spills instead of letting them sit.
How often does Taj Mahal need sealing?
Most kitchens need resealing about every 12 to 18 months, and busy spots may need it sooner. A simple test: put a few drops of water on the stone. If it darkens within 15 minutes, it is time to reseal.
Can I put hot pans on Taj Mahal quartzite?
It handles heat much better than marble or quartz. We still recommend trivets, because very hot pans can damage the sealer or the resin that fills small natural pits in the slab. See our countertop heat guide.
What is the difference between Taj Mahal quartzite and Taj Mahal quartz?
Taj Mahal quartzite is natural stone cut from the earth, so every slab is one of a kind and it handles heat well. Taj Mahal quartz is engineered to copy the look. It never needs sealing and usually costs less installed, but the pattern repeats and it needs trivets for hot pans.
Do you fabricate Taj Mahal countertops yourselves or subcontract it out?
We fabricate everything ourselves. Your slab is cut, edged and polished in our own shop in Crestwood, and our own crew installs it. Nothing is subcontracted.
Can I see the actual Taj Mahal slab before I buy it?
Yes, and we recommend it. Taj Mahal varies from lot to lot, with some slabs running creamy white and others carrying heavier gold veining. Visit our Crestwood showroom and slab yard to pick the exact slab for your kitchen.
Do you come to my home to measure?
Yes. We come to your home, measure your kitchen and leave you with a written estimate in the same visit. If you have not been to the showroom yet, we can bring samples with us.
How long does the whole process take, from estimate to installed countertops?
Templating takes about an hour and happens once your cabinets are set and level. Fabrication typically runs about a week, depending on the material and what else is in the shop. Installation on a standard kitchen is a single day, including removal of the old tops.
Do you remove my old countertops before installing the new ones?
Yes. Removal and disposal are part of the job on most residential installs. We protect your floors and haul the old tops away.
What do Taj Mahal quartzite countertops cost in Chicagoland?
Most Taj Mahal kitchens land around $90 to $150 or more per square foot installed. The final price depends on the slab, thickness, square footage, edge profile, cutouts and backsplash. See our countertop cost guide, or request a free written estimate.
Do you install Taj Mahal countertops in my area?
Yes. We install across Chicago and the suburbs, including Orland Park, Tinley Park, Oak Lawn, Naperville, Downers Grove, Bolingbrook, Joliet, Aurora and Schaumburg. Call (708) 362-7674 to book a free measurement.
Visit Our Crestwood Showroom to See Taj Mahal in Person
A small sample cannot show you how Taj Mahal’s gold veining moves across a full slab, and every lot is a little different. Visit our showroom and slab yard at 4711 135th St in Crestwood to see full Taj Mahal slabs before you commit. Someone will walk the yard with you, help you pick the right slab, and schedule a free measurement.
