Countertops: May The Quartz Be With You Artwork

Counter Programming with Shira & Arielle

Counter Programming with Shira & Arielle is your new favorite coronavirus/COVID-19 distraction podcast. Join this duo as they embark on a quest to bring the world counter programming of all kinds. They'll focus on countertops (namely, they're doing a series on marble, granite, and quartz), time counters, calorie counters, counters of other kinds... Each episode will be a mix of comedy and fun facts that no one knew they ever needed. Shira and Arielle have been friends for 5 years. They met in Jackson, Mississippi during their first job post-college at the Institute of Southern Jewish Life (yes, there are Jews in Mississippi). They lived 4 doors from one another. Now that they're on opposite sides of the country and experiencing intense anxiety due to the constant barrage of bad news surrounding coronavirus, they decided they needed a distraction. This distraction comes in the form of a podcast. Shira and Arielle are bringing you... Counter Programming. Tune in for stories, useless (read v. important) facts, and so much more. Episodes will be released weekly and will be available wherever you get your podcasts.Follow us on Instagram: @counterprogrammingpodFollow Shira on Twitter: @shishimoskFollow Arielle on Twitter: @ariellethisandthatYou can email us at counterprogrammingshiraarielle@gmail.com

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Counter Programming with Shira & Arielle

Countertops: May The Quartz Be With You

March 03, 2021 • Shira & Arielle • Season 2

Welcome to season 2, Counties! We're kicking off this season with a series on countertops. We'll hit quartz today, then we're onto laminate, recycled glass, and more.

Today, QUARTZ!

Definition:
Quartz is a hard, crystalline mineral composed of silicon and oxygen atoms. Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in Earth's continental crust, behind feldspar. Quartz is also called engineered stone (according to countertop guides). (WIKIPEDIA).

Fun facts:
- Quartz countertops are only 95% quartz. The other 5% is a polymer resin.
- On the Mohs scale of hardness, quartz is a 7 out of 10
- Quartz countertops don't need to be resealed
- The Italian Company Breton SPA figured out how to press polymer resins into natural quartz to make it a viable kitchen countertop in the 1960s. To this day, Breton is a leading supplier of these types of materials.

Sources:
- University of Minnesota Mineral Pages
- The Spruce
- MSI Surfaces

Sponsors:
- Romer Skin Care (use code "COUNTER" at checkout for 15% off your order)

Credits:
Daniel Tureck - sound
Caio Slikta - logo
Jason Shaw - Tennessee Hayride (theme music)

Email us: counterprogrammingshiraarielle@gmail.com
Find us on IG: @counterprogrammingpod