Caesarstone Countertops Complete Guide
Quick Definition
This caesarstone countertops complete guide walks you through the process step by step.
Caesarstone is an engineered quartz surface manufacturer founded in 1987 on Kibbutz Sdot Yam in Israel. They pioneered commercial quartz countertop production using Breton technology and now operate manufacturing facilities in Israel and Richmond Hill, Georgia. Caesarstone offers 50+ designs at $60-$100/sq ft installed, backed by a lifetime residential warranty.
TL;DR
- Caesarstone costs $60-$100/sq ft installed - mid-to-premium pricing with a lifetime warranty
- 50+ designs available, with strong representation in marble-look, concrete-look, and solid color categories
- Manufactured in Israel and the USA (Richmond Hill, Georgia plant serves North America)
- Lifetime residential warranty (10-year commercial warranty) - among the strongest in the industry
- Pioneered the quartz countertop category - the first company to commercialize engineered quartz surfaces
- Strong reputation among architects and designers - frequently specified in commercial and high-end residential projects
- Publicly traded company (NASDAQ: CSTE) - financial transparency that private brands don't offer
Caesarstone's History and Market Position
Caesarstone holds a unique position in the quartz market: they essentially created the category. In the late 1980s, they licensed Breton's compaction technology (the process of binding ground quartz with resin under vacuum and vibration) and built the first large-scale production facility dedicated to quartz countertops.
For the first decade, Caesarstone had minimal competition. By the time Silestone, Cambria, and others entered the market, Caesarstone had established deep relationships with architects, interior designers, and commercial specifiers. That professional-channel strength remains their competitive advantage.
Key milestones:
- 1987: Founded at Kibbutz Sdot Yam, Israel
- 1991: First quartz surfaces produced
- 2000s: Expanded to US, Australian, and European markets
- 2012: IPO on NASDAQ (ticker: CSTE)
- 2017: Opened US manufacturing plant in Richmond Hill, Georgia
- 2020s: Expanded design library with natural-look collections
Pricing Structure
Caesarstone organizes designs into pricing categories:
| Category | Price Range (installed) | Design Style |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $60-$70/sq ft | Solid colors, basic textures |
| Premium | $70-$85/sq ft | Veined patterns, marble-looks |
| Supernatural | $80-$95/sq ft | Complex veining, multi-tonal movement |
| Metropolitan | $75-$90/sq ft | Industrial, concrete-look patterns |
| Outdoor (select) | $85-$100/sq ft | UV-treated formulations |
Kitchen Cost Example (40 sq ft)
| Component | Standard | Supernatural |
|---|---|---|
| Material + fabrication | $2,400-$2,800 | $3,200-$3,800 |
| Edge upgrade | $250-$450 | $250-$450 |
| Undermount sink cutout | $175-$275 | $175-$275 |
| Backsplash (4") | $300-$500 | $400-$600 |
| Installation | Included | Included |
| Total | $3,125-$4,025 | $4,025-$5,125 |
Popular Caesarstone Designs
Statuario Nuvo (5131)
White background with flowing gray veins - Caesarstone's interpretation of Italian Statuario marble. One of their all-time bestsellers and a direct competitor to Cambria's Brittanicca and Silestone's Calacatta Gold.
Calacatta Nuvo (5131)
Warmer tones than Statuario Nuvo, with gold-gray veining on a warm white base. Mirrors the warmth of natural Calacatta marble without the maintenance demands.
Pure White (1141)
Clean, bright white with no veining or pattern. The go-to for minimalist and contemporary kitchens. Also popular for commercial applications (retail, medical, hospitality).
Primordia (4023)
Part of the Metropolitan collection. Cool gray with a rough-textured concrete appearance. Appeals to industrial and urban-modern kitchen designs.
Empira White (5151)
Broad gray veining on a white background - bolder than Statuario Nuvo. Designed for homeowners who want their marble-look quartz to make a statement.
Manufacturing and Quality
The Breton Process
Caesarstone uses Breton's patented Vibro-Compaction technology - the same fundamental process used by every quartz manufacturer, but Caesarstone was the first to use it at commercial scale. The process:
- Ground quartz (90-93% by weight) + resin (7-10%) + pigments
- Mixed and poured into slab-sized molds
- Vacuum removes air while vibration compacts the mixture
- Cured at 90-100°C under high pressure
- Calibrated and polished to final specifications
Quality Control
As a publicly traded company, Caesarstone publishes quality metrics in their annual reports. Their defect rate is among the lowest in the industry - fabricators consistently report that Caesarstone slabs arrive with accurate dimensions and uniform thickness.
The Richmond Hill, Georgia facility serves the North American market. Producing locally reduces shipping time and damage risk compared to importing from Israel. It also means faster restocking of popular colors.
Fabrication Specifications
Slab Dimensions
- Standard: 56.5" x 120"
- Jumbo: 56.5" x 128" (limited designs)
- Thickness: 1.3cm, 2cm, 3cm
Weight
- 2cm: ~8 lbs/sq ft
- 3cm: ~12.5 lbs/sq ft
Fabrication Notes
- CNC performance: excellent - clean cuts with standard diamond tooling
- Consistent thickness across slabs - minimal calibration issues
- Color-matched adhesive available for most designs
- Supports all standard edge profiles
- 1.3cm thickness specifically designed for wall cladding and vertical applications
Working with Caesarstone as a Fabricator
Caesarstone distributes through both direct and wholesale channels:
- Regional distributors stock popular colors locally
- Custom orders for less common designs may ship from Georgia or Israel
- Fabricator partnership program includes training, samples, and co-marketing
- Less restrictive than Cambria's authorized-only model - broader fabricator access
Caesarstone vs. Competitors
Caesarstone vs. Cambria
| Factor | Caesarstone | Cambria |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $60-$100/sq ft | $70-$120/sq ft |
| Colors | 50+ | 200+ |
| Warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime |
| US manufacturing | Partial (Georgia + Israel) | 100% USA |
| Distribution | Wide | Authorized dealers only |
| Antimicrobial | No | No |
Caesarstone wins on price and accessibility. Cambria wins on color selection and full US manufacturing. Both offer lifetime warranties.
Caesarstone vs. Silestone
| Factor | Caesarstone | Silestone |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $60-$100/sq ft | $60-$100/sq ft |
| Colors | 50+ | 80+ |
| Warranty | Lifetime | 25 years |
| Antimicrobial | No | Yes |
| History | Founded 1987 | Founded 1990 |
Nearly identical pricing. Caesarstone has a stronger warranty (lifetime vs. 25 years). Silestone has more colors and antimicrobial technology. Both are well-established, reliable brands.
Caesarstone vs. MSI
| Factor | Caesarstone | MSI Q Quartz |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $60-$100/sq ft | $45-$80/sq ft |
| Colors | 50+ | 100+ |
| Warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime |
| Manufacturing | Israel + USA | China, India, Vietnam |
| Consistency | Excellent | Good (varies by line) |
MSI wins on price and color count. Caesarstone wins on manufacturing consistency and brand reputation among professionals.
Caesarstone for Commercial Projects
Caesarstone has historically been strongest in the commercial segment:
- Hotels: Front desks, bathroom vanities, bar tops
- Restaurants: Bar surfaces, host stands, dining surfaces
- Retail: Display counters, fitting room surfaces
- Healthcare: Nurse stations, lab benches (where approved)
- Office: Reception desks, conference tables, kitchenette counters
The 10-year commercial warranty covers manufacturing defects in commercial installations. Commercial projects often specify Caesarstone because architects and designers know the brand and trust the quality consistency.
For fabrication shops handling commercial projects, Caesarstone's reliability reduces callbacks. When you're installing 200 vanity tops in a hotel, you need every slab to match and every dimension to be accurate. Caesarstone's manufacturing precision delivers that.
Care and Maintenance
Same as all quartz surfaces - Caesarstone is low-maintenance:
Routine care: Wipe with damp cloth and mild soap. That's it.
Tough stains: Non-abrasive household cleaner. Apply, wait 5 minutes, wipe clean.
Avoid:
- Abrasive cleaners and scouring pads
- High-pH cleaners (oven cleaner, drain opener)
- Direct contact with hot cookware (use trivets)
- Prolonged UV exposure (indoor use only for most designs)
- Cutting directly on the surface
Caesarstone publishes a detailed care guide that fabricators can share with customers. Following it protects the warranty.
Warranty Details
Residential Warranty
- Duration: Lifetime (for original purchaser)
- Transferable: Yes, to subsequent homeowners
- Covers: Manufacturing defects, cracking under normal use, color inconsistency
- Excludes: Heat damage, chemical damage, abuse, improper installation, outdoor use (unless rated)
Commercial Warranty
- Duration: 10 years from installation
- Covers: Same manufacturing defects as residential
- Excludes: Same exclusions as residential
Filing a Claim
- Contact the fabricator who installed the countertop
- Fabricator inspects and documents the issue
- Fabricator submits claim to Caesarstone with photos
- Caesarstone reviews and approves/denies within 2-4 weeks
- Approved claims result in replacement material at no cost (labor may or may not be covered)
Is Caesarstone Worth It?
Choose Caesarstone if:
- You value proven quality from the brand that started the category
- A lifetime residential warranty matters to you
- You're working with a designer or architect who specifies Caesarstone
- You want reliable US manufacturing with shorter lead times
- Your project is commercial (hotels, restaurants, offices)
- You like their specific designs - Statuario Nuvo, Empira White, Primordia
Consider alternatives if:
- You want the widest color selection (Cambria has 200+ designs)
- Budget is the top priority (MSI starts at $45/sq ft)
- Antimicrobial surfaces appeal to you (Silestone offers this)
- You want a brand that's exclusively American-made (Cambria is the only option)
FAQ
How much do Caesarstone countertops cost?
$60-$100/sq ft installed. A 40 sq ft kitchen runs $3,100-$5,100 depending on design selection and edge profile choices.
Is Caesarstone the same as quartz?
Caesarstone is a brand of engineered quartz. "Quartz countertops" is the generic category; Caesarstone, Cambria, and Silestone are specific brands within it.
Does Caesarstone stain?
Caesarstone is highly stain-resistant but not stain-proof. Prolonged contact with strong pigments (turmeric, red wine, permanent marker) can leave marks if not cleaned promptly.
Is Caesarstone made in the USA?
Partially. Caesarstone operates a manufacturing plant in Richmond Hill, Georgia that serves the North American market. They also manufacture in Israel. The specific origin of your slab depends on the design and your region.
How does Caesarstone compare to natural marble?
Caesarstone's marble-look designs are visually close but don't etch from acids or require sealing. Natural marble has a depth and translucency that quartz doesn't replicate. Caesarstone is far more practical; marble is more unique.
Can I use Caesarstone outside?
Standard Caesarstone is indoor-only. They offer select outdoor-rated designs treated for UV resistance, but availability is limited. Always confirm outdoor suitability before purchasing.
What edge profiles does Caesarstone support?
All standard profiles: eased, beveled, pencil round, half bullnose, full bullnose, ogee, dupont, and waterfall. Your fabricator handles edge profiling during CNC fabrication.
How long does Caesarstone installation take?
7-14 business days from template to installation. The installation itself takes 2-4 hours for a standard kitchen.
Is Caesarstone cheaper than Cambria?
Generally yes - $10-$30/sq ft less expensive for comparable designs. On a 40 sq ft kitchen, that's $400-$1,200 in savings.
Does Caesarstone need to be sealed?
No. Quartz surfaces are non-porous and never require sealing. This is one of quartz's main advantages over natural stone.
What's Caesarstone's best marble-look design?
Statuario Nuvo (5131) is their most popular marble-look pattern. For something bolder, Empira White (5151) has wider veining. For warmer tones, Calacatta Nuvo offers gold undertones.
Is Caesarstone a publicly traded company?
Yes - listed on NASDAQ under ticker symbol CSTE. This provides financial transparency that private companies (like Cambria) don't offer.
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Sources
- Caesarstone - Official Product Catalog and Technical Specifications (2025)
- Caesarstone - Annual Report and Financial Filings (NASDAQ: CSTE)
- Caesarstone - Warranty Terms and Conditions
- Natural Stone Institute - Engineered Quartz Standards
- Kitchen & Bath Business Magazine - Quartz Market Data (2024)
- HomeAdvisor - Quartz Countertop Costs (2025)