All quartz countertops, despite the brand, are derived from the Breton company's original Bretonstone technology created over 50 years ago by Marcello Toncelli. Bretonstone technology and machines are licensed to 52 companies around the world. While licensees add their own flair and nuances, they are still working off of Breton's original patent.

   Despite the brand, these qualities are the same:

   Composition: Around 93% mineral content. The high degree of mineral content gives quartz its distinctive look and feel. By contrast, solid surface's 66% mineral and 33% polymer content lends a silky, soapy feeling to the material.

   Hardness: The process of creating quartz countertops saves the hardest mineral (quartz) and eliminates softer minerals and impurities. This means that quartz counters are harder and more durable than natural slab granite.

   Low water absorption rate: Quartz' low water absorption rate of 0.5% is on par with another low porosity material—porcelain tile. If the material weighs less than half of 1% more as a result of water absorbing into its surface, it is considered to be nonabsorbent.