Quartz finish
Also called: quartz aggregate, Diamond Brite, QuartzScapes, Luna Quartz.
A quartz finish is pool plaster with crushed quartz blended in, which makes it tougher, more stain-resistant and better at holding color than plain plaster. It sits between plaster and pebble on the finish ladder for price and lifespan, at about 12–15 years.
Why it matters
In Florida the quartz finish you are most likely quoted is Diamond Brite, because its maker SGM is a Pompano Beach company. It feels smoother underfoot than pebble and still has more cement at the surface than a pebble finish does, so aggressive low-LSI water etches it. A Diamond Brite quote and a PebbleTec quote are different rungs, not the same product at two prices. Check the warranty before you sign: SGM's standard material warranty runs one year from the date of manufacture, not installation, with 10-year residential coverage sold separately.
In numbers
SGM puts Diamond Brite at 10–15 years with proper water chemistry, while an exposed-pebble finish generally runs 15–25.