The main difference between name brands of quartz counter tops are color selection and style, warranty, and availability. Most major brands specialize in a certain look. For example, Cambria is known for big movement with lots of sparkles while Caesarstone is known for simple clean and modern looks.
Another huge factor is the warranty. Some brands offer a lifetime warranty, others a 15 or 20 year, while some have no warranty at all. When spending thousands of dollars on new counter tops its important to choose a manufacturer that stands behind its product.
Availability is also a factor for most consumers. Depending on your area, some manufacturers may have limited stock and your selection may have to be shipped therefore increasing cost and lead time.
Quartz is silicon dioxide (sand). Diamond is an allotropic form of carbon.
Quartz is a naturally occurring form of silica that often contains impurities.
Quartz movement is more traditional. Kintetic quartz relies on different principles and is a bit more accurate.
compacted
Both quartz and rock crystal are made up primarily of silicon dioxide. The main difference between them is that rock crystal does not have any significant amount of trace elements that would color it. Quartz does contain coloring trace elements.
The difference is in varying concentrations of quarts in each crystal.
yes
Fused silica is an engineering-quality, amorphous version of quartz. Source: http://www.makeitfrom.com/material-data/?for=Fused-Silica-Fused-Quartz
Quartz agate would scratch glass. Glass would not scratch quartz agate.
quartz is in solid form while sand in ppt
The major differences between quartz and calcite are hardness and cleavage. Quartz is about twice as hard as calcite. Quartz has little or at least very seldom any sort of obvious cleavage, whereas calcite has excellent and very obvious rhombohedral cleavage.
they are made differently