We didn't.
We went to the Builder's reference list, and emailed / called a few recent customers who did both Pebble_Sheen, or Quartz.
We both prefer both the feel, and the color of the quartz. Our pool is full sun, from 11:00 am, on out and the color is fantastic.
I think like anything the cost is a trade-off between longevity vs initial outlay. All things equal, the surface finish of a Pebble "may" tend to be more resilient over the same amount of time as a Plaster. But, The extra $4,000 goes a long way toward a re-plaster in the same interval.
Just don't go chucking cinder-blocks into either oneP
BD
We feel the same about the feel and color of Quartz. Just nervous from what I've read and heard. Even on wetedge website they say you have to be almost perfect with your water chemical or you will see calcium and discoloration. Is your pool done?