As far as I know, there aren't any functional differences, it's just a matter of preference. If you go somewhere with a good selection of samples, you should be able to begin to form an opinion for your project. Try to find samples to bring home because things always look different in your space vs their store.

I've read that some quartz slabs show finger prints a lot more in the matte finish...

@luckyblueeye this is what I've heard too and the matte countertop is what I want, but I'm scared the fingerprints will always show & I'll forever be wiping it down.

jo c - lovely! I added that Cambria to my shortlist this afternoon, funnily enough - nice to see it in real life! Thanks for sharing. Oh - and - any chance you could share a close-up snapshot of how the fabricators edged it at the corners of your island and around the sink, please - whenever you have a spare minute and the camera handy. :)

jo c - you are a sweetheart - those are the perfect photos, thank you SO much!

I haven't noticed a difference between polished stone and honed. Perhaps if the stone doesn't have any pattern it might be more obvious.

I had shiny, polished granite for 15 years in my previous kitchen

and I now have honed quartzite which I like better.

I have noticed that if you have "rugged" or "concrete" finished it shows water spots more and if you use a YETI or any aluminum style cup... if you so much as slide it on the surface, the aluminum will shred off and embed into the surface.

We purchased black marbles honed quartz. It is horrid! There are rings and marks that don’t come out and I clean and dry every time I use it. I don’t put hot pots on it and I always use a cutting board. I mean it’s not like we cook with acid! I wish I had better photos these don’t do it justice

I’ve already commented on how I hate this product. Wanted to add another photo

Hi! All of your comments are helpful. We are currently shopping for a kitchen countertop and I'm ready to pull my hair out! Right now, there are 11 samples of quartz countertops in our kitchen. We really like a Caesarstone rough matte 'Airy Concrete' that seems to be standing up to our testing so far, but I'm not sure after reading many negative comments about matte surfaces on various internet sites. We also really like a polished quartz from European Aleanza "upper west side". Since we are getting high gloss white cabinets, were thinking of going with a more matte surface. Now I'm not sure. We really want low maintenance. We visited a European Aleanza showroom here in NJ, and it looks really nice. Anyone familiar with this company?

Finger prints show on dark matte quartz, but not on light matte quartz.

Nzenner - I’m pulling my hair out! I see your post was from a year ago, and I wonder what you went with? I’m looking at Ceasarstone Cloudburst Concrete - I love it but I’m really worried about the maintenance of it. I’ll be living in the condo but in a year or so I’ll probably rent it out so concerned about how it will wear. This is soooo stressful. I’m on a budget and need to make a decision ASAP - Kari

Matte hides dust, smudges and fingerprints. I have a matte countertop that gets cleaned every week, but always looks like it doesn’t need it!

Same with my matte wide-plank wood floors. They never look dusty or dirty, even if they are!

Cambria Ella matte quartz is beautiful, warm, elegant and adds depth. After two years no issues with fingerprints, scratches or wear. we have cabinets painted BM DecoratOra White and white herringbone tiled backsplash. Brass hardware. Classic.

I had a MSI honed finish Carrara quartz in my last home and it looked just like the real Cararra marble we had in the master bath but the finish was high maintainance. I could never get a flawless look with any sort of polishing or cleaning. Honestly though, I think no one noticed but me. In my new build I think I'll try a polished version of MSI quartz, Carrara Caldia.

@jo c wondering what you ended up with. would love to see a picture. i'm at the same point you were a few years back!