Made from one of the hardest minerals on earth, quartz counter-tops are arguably the most durable option for kitchens. They’re also some of the most eye-catching. They come in a wide variety of colours, including fire-engine red and apple green, as well as earthy browns, blacks, and creams, with sparkles and veining for the look of granite or marble. But unlike natural-stone slabs, which are mined, these slabs are engineered in a factory.

Their primary ingredient is ground quartz (about 94 percent), combined with polyester resins to bind it and pigments to give it colour. For some designs, small amounts of recycled glass or metallic flecks are added to the mix. The resins also help make these counters stain and scratch resistant—and nonporous, so they never need to be sealed.

Compare that with granite, the reigning king of high-end counter-tops, which typically requires a new protective top coat at least once a year.

In the past, the biggest knock against quartz was that it lacked the patterns and colour variations you get with natural stone. But that’s a moot point now, with all the manufacturers offering multi-hued slabs with enough flecks, swirls, and random patterning to make them almost indistinguishable from the real thing.

They were once available only with a polished finish; now you can get one with a honed, sandblasted, or embossed treatment. So if it’s the look of matte limestone, textured slate, or glossy granite that you want, there’s a quartz counter-top for you. Read on for help picking one to match your budget, your cooking and cleaning needs, and your style.

Quartz counters are heat and scorch resistant, but only up to a point. Most manufacturers say their products can handle up to 400 degrees F, but a sudden change in temperature or sustained heat from a pan left on the counter may cause the surface to crack. To be safe, always use a trivet or a hot pad.