Yes Quartz is not a beginners friend in any way but for the cost and availability. Most new comers to faceting struggle out of the gate when it comes to polishing quartz, especially when using cheap plated laps. 3k or 8k diamond powder on a batt lap or the new TinPlus at the prepolish stage on most all materials will alleviate the frustration in learning good polishing techniques. Topaz cleavage is not a great issue when it comes to faceting very seldom will you find yourself on the basil cleavage in topaz.