Well, the obvious answer is size. Minis are smaller, and generally have only one light source (one bulb). There is no "official size" where a mini becomes a full size pendant. What you select is really based on what you want for your kitchen. Of course, you will need more minis to project the same amount of light, so it will cost more to hang them (or take more work if you DIY). There are three primary considerations for pendants (or minis) over an island: light projected downward, light projected upward, and appearance. Pendants with opaque shades will only project light down, so you will need other light sources above the pendants (such as canisters). Mini pendants, even those with clear shades, will generally project less light in every direction. You want sufficient task lighting on your island, without shadows or glare. Pendants without lenses (open at the bottom) may glare, because if they hang at about eye level or just above, you have this bright bulb just a couple of feet from your eyes. This can be worse with smaller pendants because they use smaller, but extremely bright lights, like xenon. Some of these are like staring into a flash bulb. As you can likely tell, we went through all these considerations. What we ended up wanting for our island, which is smaller than yours (6 1/2 feet X 2 1/2 feet) were two full size pendants, with lenses, that would hold at least two bulbs each, and had clear shades. We ended up with Restoration Hardware Clemson units (from the outlet store, luckily): These are 14 inches across at the bottom, and take two normal bulbs each. They throw a lot of light downward, and around the room, which kept us from having to put as many canisters in the ceiling. And since I did all the installation work, that saved me time and money. Plus, we just like the looks of these big, bold pendants more than having three smaller ones. That's just personal preference, however.

This is good to know and exactly what we did. We returned our integrated LED sconces (since they were traditionally styled) and went with sconces that would accommodate LED bulbs. I just didn't want to risk having to change out an entire fixture, because the light goes dead. We've used LED bulbs for some time now and despite the promises that they last 5 years and longer, we've definitely had to change some bulbs out as soon as a year. So just not worth the risk for me right now. I'm thinking in the near future things will be more perfected and integrated LED will be more the norm. But I'll wait for that to happen before I go with it.

@ levy, It is math hon. Second fixture( Home Depot ) Lets assume the attachment uses 5" , the fixture itself is 12 inches, and there are three 12 inch stems and you use one. Add it up. That's 29 inches. Now add the 36 to the counter, and the 36 that IS the counter height. ....101" Ten more inches than you HAVE, floor to ceiling, unless you use no stem at all.. So I would get thee to a Home Depot, and see in person if you are determined to have three, and make sure of total and how you will HANG it. Either find the electrician with a threading tool, or get TWO of the 13" emery......at least you will have a couple 6" rods Here are THE SPECS/INSTALLATION /LINK to Emery https://www.quoizel.com/media/catalog/product/attachments/instruction_sheet/IS-ER1814_30.pdf No......you should not do three of EMERY. NO.no. no. Not even on 85 inches of counter. Look at my photo above. Those are 14" diameter with two over an 84 inch dining table

Yes...to do a proper job, you would need to hang it central to the table...sorry! Normally, I, too, like the look of pendants...but you have three doorways, space above your cabinets, a mosaic backsplash, many recessed lights, and a contrasting color island. It's a lot for the eye to take in and it seems as if you're trying for ALL of the trends... Adding to all of that would be, in my opinion, too much. In your case, a cleaner look is better. Perhaps, down the line aways, you could consider a more streamlined backsplash and pendants?