Since you know what you don’t want in a countertop, (white), why not for a start, visit the websites of the various quartz companies, and see what appeals to you. Cambria, has a gazillion choices, as do most of the other companies. The top companies all use the same technology. It’s just a matter of your taste and budget.

Do a little googling, and then visit stores to see samples, and actual tops installed in the showrooms.

What do you like? In other words, by contrast do you mean cream or grey, or do you want color?

thanks all. want something darker (not black) but something in darker share that contrasts with white. also thinking if we should have a dark counter on perimeter and go with a dark cabinet and lighter countertop for island although we don't have a big kitchen/island.

“although we don't have a big kitchen/island.”

Either 2 counter colors and 1 cabinet color, or 1 counter color and 2 cabinet colors. Not 2 and 2. Only when a kitchen is quite large, with good windows, can it carry off 2 counter colors and 2 cabinet colors. Sometimes you gotta know when to stop. You can’t have everything be a decorative eyecatcher.

Since you don't want white, choose a color that coordinates with your adjoining rooms. Almost any color can work, from taupes, tans, grays, blues, greens, etc. It depends on what other colors you have nearby so your house flows. You can't choose your kitchen in a vacuum. Decide on the countertop first - then afterward you can choose your back splash. With an island that small, I would use the same cabinet and countertop color as the perimeter.