Formally, granite is a plutonic rock that is composed of between 10 to 50% quartz (typically semi-transparent white) and 65 to 90% total feldspar (typically a pinkish or white hue).

Quartz countertops, also called engineered stone countertops, are man-made products. They are made of 93% to 95% ground-up natural quartz stone and a small number of other minerals and colorants.

But some designers wonder whether white has peaked. Angela Bonfante, owner of Angela Bonfante Kitchen Designs, is showcasing a kitchen on the tour that features quarter-sawn oak cabinets.

Unlike granite, quartz countertops are engineered products, made up of over 90% ground-up quartz, usually a byproduct of mining or fabrication. Quartz is a mineral made of silicone dioxide.

If you are loving the quartz countertops in your kitchen but aren't sure how to best complement them, here's a guide on picking the best kitchen paint color.

He shows me his entire factory. It churns out about 30,000 slabs of quartz countertop material every month. That means every day, 20 to 30 trucks unload large white sacks full of quartz.

Did you know you can have countertops that look exactly like real stone -- granite, marble, or quartz -- for under $100? Here's a DIY guide for doing the reno.

No, quartz countertops are not difficult to maintain. Stephanie Booth, a full-time realtor and associate broker in Canton, Georgia, notes that quartz countertops are actually low-maintenance.