Hi karemore55,

Thank you for your response. I am wondering if the problems are with the jewel collection and not with other Cambria lines. People have said there are digs in the surface and particles coming out. That scared me. Who wants to spend that much money only to be that disappointed and aggravated?

Thanks for the info on paint matching. I'll check it out.

I have Dupont quartz and always wonder about those bad experiences too. I love my quartz and haven't had any problems with it at all. I do recall a thread on the jewel collection having issues though.

Cambria is a great company. Take a look at the back of the color sample, if it talks about the jewel collection - be warned. If not, make sure you look on their web page at the variation in the full size slabs & still like them. They are mimicking the natural movement of granite so it is becoming more like granite than the old quartz products.

Pinesissy, It doesn't make sense to me that there would be any kind of pitting, or pieces falling out. They coat the quartz pretty heavily with clear resin, which would fill in any depressions that may have occurred during the manufacturing process.

The good news is that the quartz you are considering is from their Waterstone collection.

If you are really concerned, you could go with Silestone or Caesarstone quartz. But, the Bellingham you picked sure is pretty!

I checked back on the thread and most of the people who had problems had something from the jewel series so I definitely will stay away from that.

I was able to see a bathroom vanity with Bellingham and it was beautiful. It really does make a huge difference to actually see it on something vs on a small sample. Even though I loved it now I am wondering if it is too busy for a small kitchen. My kitchen is approx. 10x12 feet but is open to the dining area-one big space. The whole space is very bright. Lots of natural light. I have oak floors and want to paint the cabinets white. Any thoughts on if it would be too busy?

Pits and particles falling out would only be an issue in the jewel collection particularly minera and parys but this is up to the fabricators to fill these minor holes during production on the individual pieces. That's where I can see the bad reputation you talk about coming from, the pointing fingers between fabricators and Cambria with the home owner in between. If the problem slips out of the fab shop it can still be resolved in an hour with ease right in the house with zero mess and is not Cambrian fault. As for Bellingham very popular no worries as it's not made up of chunky Quartz like the Jewel collection. Just ask to view your slab to compare with the sample you seen as the movement can vary from your sample. Cambria has the best gloss and they lead the way in exotic designs like no other Quartz producer. American made, and I believe they are the only Quartz producer to limit their product to hand selected fabricators with licences to produce and sell their product, thus keeping better control on quality of their brand.

Thanks Tim. Good information.

No, I don't think the Bellingham pattern will be too busy for your space. Just make your backsplash tiles are not patterned - a subway tile would be perfect. It doesn't have to be white tile - you could experiment with taupe, for example, and see how it looks.

I just had a quick look on the Internet, and here are a couple of examples of smallish kitchens that use Bellingham quartz. It looks fantastic!

You can also go to Houzz photos and type something like "Bellingham Quartz kitchens" - there should be more in there, just to reassure you.

Yeah that does look good. Thanks!

Sorry caremore I didn't mean any thing by design and color schemes im the last person you want picking that out. I was talking about the slabs them selves the mouvnent changes from tight patterns to stretched out pattern so depending on where the sample comes from in the slab there is room for disappointment.

Tim, no apology necessary - part of the conversation revolved around pinesissy's concern that the Bellingham pattern would be too busy for her small kitchen, so I was adressing that too.

Your information was really informative......I didn't know that with Quartz you have the option to choose your own slab, as you would with granite. We weren't offered that choice, but I'm extremely happy with what we got anyway, so I guess it doesn't matter!

I used Cambria Bradford no problems love the ease of care Yes, I did get choose my slab but wasn't really necessary as Bradford has really no movement in the design

There is a Cambria fabricator showroom not too far from where I live so I am taking a run over on Friday afternoon to take a look. That will give me a much better idea of it. And I didn't know before today that you can pick from slabs.

Probably too late, but I did (with my Bellingham)- American Olean in Mink 3x6 glass Color Appeal tiles, Shiloh Polar white cabinets, Sherwin Williams- Elephant Ear wall and Moderne white ceiling-. I have received nothing but compliments and achieved my Beach Cottage look! Hope yours went well, mine has been a tough journey!

Donna,mthat sounds gorgeous! You really should post a pic or two!

We will when it is ALL done!

Had Cambria countertops and a backsplash behind the range up to the ten foot ceiling installed years ago. I know it's a different pattern than you are interested in, but never had a problem. Quality stuff.