Taj Mahal Review: The Best Quartzite Countertop

The Most Popular, Warm Kitchen Countertop & Alternatives

Taj Mahal. While this might have you thinking of a mausoleum in India, it has me thinking of my new favorite countertop.

While many homeowners are still lovin’ on white quartz, some are leaning into a more natural countertop – nope, not granite – quartzite, in particular, Taj Mahal (and a few others like it, which we’ll chat about shortly).

What is quartzite?

Let’s do some comparisons…

GRANITE: 100% natural stone – like my big ole’ booty, it’s all natural, baby. Here’s a gorgeous kitchen with granite countertops and painted cabinets…

QUARTZ: approximately 65% quartz and 35% resin (by VOLUME). Manufacturers tend to lean more on the ‘by weight’, which is around 90% quartz, 10% resin (as it sounds better). And it’s not BAD that there’s more resin than you might think, it’s just not as natural as some lead you to believe.

QUARTZITE: 100% natural stone, otherwise known as, well, rock.

That’s right, Quartzite is au naturel, baby. And while it needs to be sealed (like granite), it’s DAMN HARDY – even harder and more resilient than granite.

Dolce Vita Quartzite, which shares some colors with Taj Mahal

Another STUNNING quartzite with Sherwin Williams Pure White cabinets

But why has quartzite become so popular?

There are a few reasons…

1. NOT EVERYONE WANTS A WHITE-ON-WHITE KITCHEN

White quartz counters (marble-look or otherwise) are still hugely popular. However, some homeowners want something different…

And they want something warmer.

One category that quartz countertop manufacturers are slowly improving on is the WARMTH of the finishes they provide. Sure, there are some quartz counters with warmish veining, but for those leaning into non-white kitchen trends, options are limited.

Check out my CURATED Kitchen Palettes, including white quartz countertops! 

2. GRANITE DOESN’T HAVE MASS APPEAL (ALTHOUGH IT DOES HAVE A CULT-LIKE FOLLOWING)

Unlike granite countertops, which are still suffering the shame of their overuse in the early 2000s (Tuscan trend), quartzite feels new.

Now, don’t get me wrong; there are some beautiful granite counters, but beauty doesn’t necessarily make them popular or timeless. Regardless of personal tastes, black granite (either shiny or honed) is the most versatile and timeless granite for a kitchen; many others are harder to update as trends shift…

However, whether they’re popular or not, thanks to the 2000s, we’ve all seen the saaaaame granite countertops. And unlike quartz (with its human-made/adjustable bits), there’s no opportunity for a ‘new granite’ to come on the scene.

Quartzite feels different and unique in a world where we see a lot of the same when it comes to kitchen design. 

Will there come a time when some of the quartzite and quartz countertops are seen as ‘outdated’ and indicative of 2020ish trends? You bet your booty there will be. But for now, they are the IT finishes in the kitchen world.

And while there is a range of stunning quartzites to choose from, there’s one that stands above the rest in popularity…

Taj Mahal

Aside from being wickedly durable against spills, etching, and heat, what sells homeowners on Taj Mahal quartzite (and similar counters) is its warmth. And not only that, Taj Mahal covers a wide range of styles and can adapt to its surroundings, including…

• Organic, natural-looking kitchen styles
• Transitional spaces
• Bougie homes (fancy-schmancy)
• Traditional kitchens

Taj Mahal quartzite countertops contain a range of warm tones. And while no slab is the same, there’s consistency in its approach, giving warmth without commitment.

Don’t mind the paint samples

Taj Mahal is a real stone countertop (being quartzite), registering a 7 on the Mohs scale, which is pretty darn skookum. And while no countertop surface is bullet-proof (or Kylie-proof, as I am a bit of a legend in the kitchen), Taj Mahal is harder than granite, quartz, marble, and soapstone, making it SUPER resistant to scratches and etching.

As you can see in all of these examples (I only use photos from my readers/Consulting clients), I’ve had many clients hire me to help them find the best color to go with Taj Mahal. This includes colors for cabinets, walls, and islands. However, I see that you’re doing your own research first – PERFECT, that’s exactly why I write these blog posts!

So, before you figure out the best paint color for your kitchen, you need to know what you’re working with…

WHAT COLORS ARE IN TAJ MAHAL QUARTZITE?

If you’ve chosen Taj Mahal quartzite for your kitchen or bathroom countertops, you’re likely wondering which paint colors go with it. Remember, it’s not about what you want.

Instead, you need to listen to your home and its finishes – they’ll tell you what they need via the colors they have in them!

While it’s not paint color-related, this next photo does relate to listening to your home.

My client (below) chose Taj Mahal for her kitchen with its original (glorious) wood cabinets. She hired me to help her tweak her wall color and ‘potentially’ paint her cabinets (which I advised to leave wood as they’re wicked pretty). I posted this photo on my Kylie M Instagram, and many commented that they didn’t love the backsplash that she chose…

And that’s okay, they don’t need to love it – it’s her home and she’s the one who has to be happy! However, through this feedback, she understood how a warmer, simpler tile could’ve been more compatible with the surrounding finishes.

Why?

Because that’s what her countertop would like the best!

Zellige, Subway Tile, Herringbone – What’s Trendy for Backsplash Tiles?

99.9% of the photos in my blog are from my Online Color Consulting clients, readers, talented photographers, & friends— because real homes deserve to be celebrated (dirty laundry & all!) While not magazine-perfect, they’re packed with ideas & proven color choices to help you create a home you’ll love.

As for the colors found in Taj Mahal, every slab is different. Taj Mahal quartzite has reasonable consistency in its GENERAL approach, but the exact temperature and depth of each color can vary depending on the slab you choose. In general, you can expect to find…

• soft, warm whites and off-whites (no stark or cool whites)
• brownish amber tones (orange undertones)
• some muted tan and beige tones in varying depths and intensities
• taupe-greige with minimal undertones in varying depths

Benjamin Moore Mysterious lower cabinets

Which leads to the most COMMON question I get hired to answer…

WHAT TYPES OF PAINT COLORS GO WITH TAJ MAHAL QUARTZITE COUNTERS?

While I can’t reveal all of my secrets (or I wouldn’t have a job), here’s some great guidance…

THE BEST WALL COLORS FOR TAJ MAHAL QUARTZITE

Taj Mahal (also known as Perla Venata) can be a bit fussy about the colors it’s paired with, and it’s important to hit the right depth and undertone for your particular slab. To get your paint party going…

• Compare a range of flexible warm off-whites (COLOR BUNDLE HERE and HERE).
• Dabble with some subtle beige-tones (COLOR BUNDLE HERE). Because of Taj Mahal’s taupe-beige marbling and amber-gold veining, some slabs suit a well-chosen shade of beige!
• Some light taupes can work (COLOR BUNDLE HERE & HERE), but are very slab-dependent as to ‘how taupe’ you can go.

Remember, I have reviews for MOST of the colors in the above bundles so you can do your research (use my SEARCH function, it’s awesome-possum). 

Shown above: Perla Bianca. Keep reading to learn the subtle difference between this and Taj Mahal! 

I would be careful with cool and warm grays, as well as some lighter greiges and taupes. While your kitchen’s perfect color can vary depending on the slab you choose, as well as your flooring and backsplash, the mentioned color groups will get you going in the right direction.

The 14 Most Trendy Beige Paint Colors

THE BEST CABINET COLORS FOR TAJ MAHAL QUARTZITE

• If you’re not into white cabinets, I’d check out the previously mentioned warm off-whites and beiges. Would I dabble in the lighter greiges or taupes? Maybe there are some taupes I would play with, for sure.
• If you’re hoping for white cabinets, your best bet will be in the warm white world. (COLOR BUNDLE HERE). Again, it can depend on your other finishes as to which color is the best choice, however, Taj Mahal never suits true whites or cool whites.
• As shown in this kitchen (above and below), you can also explore beautiful shades of greige (COLOR BUNDLE HERE & HERE).

The Best Warm White Paint Colors

I created the above color bundles to save you time and get you SAMPLING. Never sample only one color, it might not be the RIGHT ONE. Compare it to others to see which is best! 

Now, you’re probably hoping for exact color mentions, I get it. Please remember that Online Color Consulting is how I support my family. If I give it all away for free, I won’t be able to work OR blog! Instead, I’ve created my Color Bundles as tools to get you going in the right direction – and if that doesn’t work, you know who to call (wink wink).

THE BEST ISLAND & ACCENT COLORS FOR TAJ MAHAL

Taj Mahal isn’t as fussy as some quartz, granite, and quartzite countertops, but it does have its limits. Remember to consider your flooring, backsplash, appliance color, and other surrounding finishes to make sure the color you choose makes sense!

• To get started, explore darker shades of greige (COLOR BUNDLE HERE).
• Some kitchens can also pull off darker shades of blue as well (COLOR BUNDLE HERE).

WHAT COUNTERTOPS ARE SIMILAR TO TAJ MAHAL QUARTZITE?

Whether you’re looking for an affordable alternative or want to compare similar countertops, I’ve got a couple of options to explore.

• Taj Royale 5212 by Caesarstone (it’s much prettier in person than on their website).
• Taj Royal by Formica – a budget-friendly laminate countertop (shown below)
• Perla Rocca is a very similar, more affordable alternative
• MSI Cashmere Taj is gorgeous if you prefer quartzite
• MSI Lumataj is great for those wanting a more noticeable warm vein

Here’s a close-up look at Taj Royal (laminate)…

While I don’t recommend doing the small, raised part of the backsplash with laminate or quartz, I love how my client went for the slab backsplash look with this laminate! 

The Best WARM Quartz & Quartzite Countertops

However, let’s take an up-close and personal look at quartzite countertops that are virtually THE SAME as Taj Mahal…

But we can’t talk about Taj Mahal without talking about its kissin’ cousins…

TAJ MAHAL VS. PERLA VENATA, PERLA BIANCO (NAICA), PERLA SANTANA, PERLA ROCCA

While Taj Mahal is by far the most popular of this type of countertop, it’s often confused with similar quartzites.

And when I say ‘similar’, I mean pretty much ‘the same’ in a few cases.

When doing online research, it was hard to get conclusive information on the differences between these quartzites. So, just like you come to the color expert (me) for paint colors, I went to the Taj Mahal expert – the guy who actually WORKS at the Taj Mahal quarry, Fernando Salume Xavier of Brother’s Surfaces.

Here’s what Fernando had to say…

Let me quickly tell you the difference between the types of quartzites that come from nearby quarries to Taj Mahal.

They all come from the same region in Brazil, from the state of Ceará. If you ever visit, you will notice that all these quarries are located within 100 miles of each other, which means they’re geologically composed of the same stone.

It’s a true quartzite, and it requires no maintenance. It does not even require a sealer, unlike most white quartzites (note from Kylie: this was news to me, I thought they all had to be sealed!)

Taj Mahal and similar stones are certainly the most durable countertop surfaces known to mankind today.

So, all other nearby quarries from the original Taj Mahal are named differently, although they are the same type of stone. In fact, there is only one quarry from the original Taj Mahal (which was the first discovered in the region many years ago).

• Perla Venata is one of those nearby quarries. Since it’s the most similar in appearance to the original Taj Mahal, many suppliers call it Taj Mahal, including us, but it’s technically not the same material (quarry).
• Then there are a few others, such as the Perla Bianco (also known as Naica), Perla Santana, Perla Rocca, etc.
• Taj Mahal and Perla Venata are the lightest, but depending on the blocks, Perla Bianco and Perla Santana will also look very similar.

It’s confusing I know but I hope I was able to explain a bit better.

Perla Bianca

To sum that bad boy up, Taj Mahal and Perla Venata are the most similar, and depending on the blocks/slabs, can look exactly the same. They are also the LIGHTEST of the bunch.

I larned from Brothers Surfaces that Perla Rocca can be a similar, but more affordable alternative to Taj Mahal.

Well, that’s all I’ve got for today! If you have a topic you’d love me to write about, please comment below!

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