Quartz is being used in almost every flip and remodel in my area of SoCal and in almost all tv reno shows. This feels more like a trend than timeless.

Flippers and remodelers used what is now thought of as dated granite for years before quartz took over.

If you want something calming, I would immediately eliminate the darkest, busy option on the right in your lighting photo. I would also eliminate the left-most of the three smaller pieces in the center - it's far too warm with your white cabs to my eye. After that it's a question of whether you want a mostly-white counter or a mostly-grey counter. The remaining two whites are similar, but I prefer the smaller piece with more prominent marbling.

BTW, where have you gone to look at granite/other countertop materials? With granite, there is so much variation from slab to slab, it can be really eye-opening to go to a yard and look at what's available. Something you may not have liked as a small sample may really appeal to you in a larger format.

I'm going through a similar situation. Yesterday I reserved a quartzite slab, Mont Blanc, for my kitchen. Our shaker cabinets will be bright white and floor is gray/white porcelain tile. The quartzite will be $3000. over our counter top budget but it's not a cost dellema rather a design dellema. We'll have a 5'x10' island in an open design concept home so the island really takes on center stage. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Now three months after our first quote the sq ft price went from $50 to
$87. Is that normal? I can’t see why when we were quoted quartz cheaper
than that.

Price of natural stone being granite etc will fluctuate especially three months later.

1st Choice = 4th piece

2nd Choice = 1st piece.

3rd Choice = 2nd piece.

I don't like the dark one at all. I think the decision between the others will be difficult for us due to variations in colors on computer monitors.

Whatever, just keep it simple.