Let me put it this way; "rocks are rocks"! They don't make them anymore, and nobody really has better rocks than anyone else, so it is very probable that the rocks came from the same place.
That's where it all ends! After that, it comes down to the quality of the plaster that holds it all together, the installation practices (water mixtures, troweling, exposure practices, etc.) of the supplier and installer. Trust me, if you gave me a bag of PebbleTec and told me to go trowel it you would not be happy! Now, give me that same bag with proper training and factory back up (or a certified installer) and you have a great end product.
PebbleTec is the Cadillac in the industry, and for a reason. It is a great product with great support, and limited installers. There is a reason for that, and there is a reason why everyone can't get it. It is beyond me why a guy would say it is the same when he knows it isn't.
I think the stones should be packed tighter, as I see more plaster than is "normal". The strength of PebbleTec (or any stone product) is the stone. Too much plaster creates a weaker product. PebbleTec runs about 90-95% stone to 5-10% plaster. The picture is tough to see though, and it may just be an exposure issue.