OP, I've been reading in these forums so long, I feel like I already know what the experts will say.

Cheaper quartz is made in a cheaper way. As Silverlined mentioned, Cambria and more expensive quartzes are made using the Breton patented technology. But no matter whether your stone was or wasn't top tier quartz, or whether it was or wasn't made using that technology, you have already seen that it's not holding up and you need to go to battle to get a replacement or your money back. I hope it won't be a battle, but my experience in getting larger items replaced under warranty, means readying myself by having my contract at hand, all phone numbers of all people involved from suppliers to retailers to factory to installers, and not accepting some "fix" . Sure, a talented professional can glue a chip back on, sometimes, but that doesn't prevent new chips, which this items has already done. Get ready.

Edited to add reminder: follow up every verbal discussion with an email and keep a written log of the dates/times of the steps you take, people you speak to, and promises made.

This is super helpful all. This stone was specifically recommended to us by our high end kitchen designer. The bit of research in our area showed it to be a very reputable (and frankly high end) brand so I’m confused by the concept it’s lesser quality. I am so frustrated by this process!

I would get the kitchen designer and their company involved too, as they recommended the product to you. Maybe they can help, but even if they won't, at least they won't be so quick to recommend the product to a future client.

@Melissa Zappala what did you decide to do re your counterecounters? we sre considerinf Borghini gold but i keep hesitating from lack of info online…

Regardless of the great relationship you may have with your countertop guy, the fact that he is self-reporting to have "no issues or complaints" from customers who have received his Emerstone installations may or may not mean anything in terms of how you will experience this product if you allow it to be installed. Sadly, it is all too common for countertop companies to blame problems on the consumer and to be very reluctant to provide any warranty work for failures of the material. You'll see many posts here at Houzz by homeowners who have taken countertop companies to court over misrepresentation. Rather than a lack of information, I think it is fairly clear from several threads posted here at Houzz, at minimum, that plenty of people have had issues with Emerstone. I refer you again to a research of Bretonstone Technology which is not always employed by offshore manufacturers such as Emerstone but can be found from higher-end manufacturers like Cambria and is described more in detail here: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5856179/reviews-on-emerstone-quartz-durability-staining-chipping-etc#27297092

Thanks @Aglitter - noted!

HIi @Melissa Zappala. I was wondering what your outcome was with the Emerstone as we are considering it. Thank you for letting me know.

Me too considering misty waves but want to be sure about quality before purchase

my son is considering this brand, iin Alabaster gold. i in-boxed the OP. hope she/he gets back to us.

oops, inboxed Aglitter, not OP, she/he does have 'messaging' turned on... hope she sees this!!