Quartz countertops have become a favourite in modern kitchens, luxury bathrooms, and high-traffic commercial spaces, and for good reason. They offer the elegance of natural stone with the strength of advanced engineering.

But have you ever wondered how quartz countertops are actually made? At International Granite Company, we import premium quartz countertops crafted through a high-tech, quality-controlled process that balances natural beauty with manufactured precision.

Here’s how the process works

Step 1: Sourcing the Raw Material

Quartz countertops start with natural quartz, one of the hardest minerals found on Earth. This raw material is sourced from quarries across the globe and then ground into fine crystals or sand.

• Quartz content makes up roughly 90–93% of the final product.
• The rest is a mix of resins, polymers, and pigments, essential for binding, colouring, and enhancing durability.

🔍 Fun Fact: Quartz is harder than granite, ranking 7 on the Mohs hardness scale.

Step 2: Mixing the Ingredients

Once the quartz crystals are prepared, they are blended with:

• Polyester resin: Binds the quartz particles together.
• Pigments: Add consistent colour throughout the slab.
• Recycled materials: Such as mirror chips, glass, or metallic flakes for special finishes.

This mix is blended in large mixers until it forms a uniform, thick slurry, ready for slab formation.

Step 3: Moulding and Pressing

The mixture is poured into a custom mould, which determines the size and thickness of the slab (typically 20mm or 30mm).

From there, the material undergoes vibrocompression under vacuum:

• Vibration + Compression: Removes air pockets and compresses the mixture for strength.
• Vacuum Sealing: Ensures a dense, non-porous finish with zero internal gaps.

This step is what gives quartz countertops their signature strength and consistency, and what differentiates them from natural stone, which can have unpredictable veining or fissures.

Step 4: Curing the Slab

The compacted slab is then placed in an industrial oven and baked at over 85°C for around 30–45 minutes. This is called the curing phase, and it hardens the resin, fully bonding the ingredients into a solid surface.

Once cured, the slab is cooled before surface finishing begins.

Step 5: Surface Finishing & Quality Control

Depending on the intended look, quartz slabs are polished to a high-gloss, honed (matte), or textured finish.

Every slab undergoes:

• Calibrating: To ensure uniform thickness
• Polishing: Using diamond abrasives for sheen
• Inspection: For colour consistency, surface defects, and overall quality

🔍 International Granite Company only imports Swiss Performance Quartz countertops from factories known for precision and durability, giving your design projects long-term performance and visual appeal.

Step 6: Cut-to-Size & Distribution

Once the quartz slabs are ready, they are safely transported to International Granite Company’s warehouses and branches across South Africa.

We do not fabricate or install countertops, but we do:

• Supply to professionals: Installers, designers, architects, and contractors
• Offer cut-to-size solutions tailored to your project needs
• Ensure consistent stock and reliable quality across our national network

From large-scale commercial designs to bespoke residential projects, we provide the right slab at the right time.

Final Thought: Engineered for Elegance and Endurance

Quartz countertops blend the best of nature and innovation. Through a precise manufacturing process, this engineered stone delivers beauty, consistency, and lasting performance, without the flaws or maintenance of other materials.

At International Granite Company, we stock a wide variety of premium quartz countertops in timeless and on-trend colours, ready for you to view, select, and supply.