Quartzite is the harder, more stain-resistant option ($30–$65/sqft installed) available in a wide color range; bluestone offers a classic cool-gray aesthetic ($28–$58/sqft installed) preferred for contemporary and East Coast-inspired designs. Both are premium natural paving stones that significantly outperform travertine and limestone in hardness and scratch resistance. The right choice depends on your color palette, design style, and how much direct sun the patio receives.
Here is how 35 years of Los Angeles stone installations informs this comparison.
These two stones look similar in some color ranges but differ fundamentally in geology, hardness, and availability of colors.
A metamorphic rock formed when sandstone is subjected to extreme heat and pressure, fusing the quartz grains into an exceptionally dense, hard material. Mohs hardness: 7 (harder than glass). Major sources: Brazil, India, South Africa, USA.
Colors available: White, silver, gray, gold, copper, blue, green, and multicolor varieties — one of the widest natural color ranges of any paving stone. No two slabs look identical.
Finishes: Natural cleft (split along natural planes), honed, sandblasted, brushed. Natural cleft provides excellent slip resistance with minimal processing.
A sedimentary sandstone (or sometimes basalt, depending on the source) characterized by its distinctive blue-gray color. Pennsylvania bluestone is the most prized American variety — a dense, fine-grained sandstone. Mohs hardness: 5–6 (softer than quartzite). Major sources: Pennsylvania, New York, Australia, China.
Colors available: Blue-gray, silver-gray, thermal (warmer brown-tan tones after heat treatment), and a limited range of warm grays. Less color variation than quartzite.
Finishes: Natural cleft, honed, thermal (flame-treated). Thermal bluestone has a rough texture produced by heat that opens the surface for better slip resistance.
written and reviewed by independent licensed contractors in the Tegula Stone network.
Quartzite: Mohs 7. Extremely hard — resists scratching from patio furniture, gravel, and foot traffic. One of the most durable natural paving stones available. Does not etch from acid (unlike travertine and limestone).
Bluestone: Mohs 5–6. Hard enough for most residential applications but softer than quartzite. Pennsylvania bluestone is notably denser than imported Chinese bluestone. Will show more scratching and wear over decades in high-traffic areas.
Quartzite: Very low porosity — highly resistant to oil, wine, and food staining even without sealer. Sealing recommended every 3–5 years for optimal protection, but unsealed quartzite performs better than unsealed limestone or travertine.
Bluestone: Moderate porosity. Should be sealed annually in areas exposed to cooking, oils, or pool chemicals. Pennsylvania bluestone is more resistant than imported varieties. Unsealed bluestone stains more easily than quartzite.
Quartzite (natural cleft): Excellent. The natural split surface of cleft quartzite is inherently textured, providing high COF values (0.65+ wet) ideal for pool decks and wet areas.
Bluestone (natural cleft): Excellent. Like quartzite, natural cleft bluestone provides good wet traction. Thermal bluestone (heat-treated) adds additional texture. Honed versions of both stones are more slippery when wet — use textured finishes for pool areas.
Quartzite: Widest color palette of any premium paving stone. White quartzite (like White Princess or Calacatta) creates a Hamptons-inspired bright patio. Gold, copper, and multi-color varieties suit Spanish and Mediterranean designs. Blue-gray quartzite competes directly with bluestone aesthetically.
Bluestone: Defined by its signature cool blue-gray color palette. Creates clean, contemporary patios with a classic East Coast character. Limited color variation — choose bluestone if you specifically want that blue-gray palette, not if you want design flexibility.
Quartzite: Heat absorption depends on color. White and light quartzite stays comfortably cool underfoot even in direct LA sun. Dark quartzite (charcoal, black) absorbs significant heat. Always choose lighter tones for barefoot pool deck use.
Bluestone: The blue-gray color absorbs moderate-to-significant heat in direct Southern California summer sun. Not as foot-friendly in August heat as light travertine or white quartzite. Best suited for partially shaded patios or areas where bare feet are less frequent.
Quartzite: Fully acid-resistant. Unlike limestone and travertine (both calcium carbonate), quartzite is silica-based and does not etch from pool chemicals, citrus juice, wine, or vinegar. This is a significant advantage for pool decks and outdoor kitchen areas.
Bluestone: Pennsylvania bluestone is sandstone-based (silica) and also acid-resistant — unlike limestone and travertine. This shared advantage makes both quartzite and bluestone better choices than travertine for areas exposed to food and pool chemistry.
Quartzite: Low maintenance. Seal every 3–5 years. Clean with pH-neutral stone cleaner. No acid sensitivity concerns. Natural cleft surface rarely requires re-treatment.
Bluestone: Moderate maintenance. Seal annually in high-use or chemical-exposed areas. Natural cleft bluestone is less demanding than honed. Pennsylvania bluestone is more maintenance-friendly than imported varieties that absorb water more readily.
Both stones require professional installation, especially in mortar-set applications. Quartzite's extreme hardness makes cutting more demanding — diamond blade saws are required, and cutting time is longer than for softer stones. This slightly increases labor costs for complex patterns and curved layouts. Bluestone is easier to cut and shape, making it more practical for intricate custom designs.
Bluestone has historically been less common in Los Angeles than in East Coast markets (where it dominates outdoor paving). Quartzite is increasingly available through Southern California stone yards in a wide variety of colors. Tegula Stone sources both stones through established supply chains — lead times are typically 1–3 weeks for standard sizes.
✓ You want maximum durability — quartzite is nearly as hard as granite
✓ The patio area is exposed to pool chemicals, outdoor cooking, or food and wine
✓ You want a wide color choice — quartzite offers white, gold, copper, green, and more
✓ Foot-friendly temperatures are a priority — choose light-colored quartzite for cool pool deck surfaces
✓ You prefer a more unique, one-of-a-kind surface — no two quartzite installations look alike
✓ Long-term minimal maintenance is the priority
✓ You specifically want the classic blue-gray palette associated with East Coast and contemporary design
✓ Your design style is clean, modern, or Scandinavian-influenced
✓ The patio is partially shaded and heat buildup is less of a concern
✓ Budget is slightly tighter — entry-level bluestone undercuts quartzite
✓ You want precise, clean-cut edges on a uniform slab surface (bluestone cuts more easily than quartzite)
✓ The project requires complex custom cutting or intricate patterns
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