There are several here in your price range. I haven't installed mine yet, so I can't speak to chipping issues, etc.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sinks

Thanks for the link! In searching the forums here I have seen a few people mention fireclay sinks chipping easily. I'm used to the sturdiness of the cast iron American Standard that came with the house, and will have to figure out how the fireclay compares.

You will be babying a white sink to a degree. I had a white porcelain sink for 15 years...it would stain and I always had to clean it with bleach.

I don't have personal experience with apron front sinks, but I have heard they can scratch easily...belt buckles, zippers, etc...

achauer:

I've done warranty work for a major solid surface manufacturer and they always sent Staron brand solid surface sinks as replacements. I've seen many different sinks in my day; these are impressive. They also meet your needs of resistance to chipping (much more so than porcelain) although they will "bruise" but not dent like stainless steel. Scratches (and light "bruises") are easily sanded away. I suppose you could under mount it to the zinc top without a lip to catch crud too. A double bowl in white is available, but I'd get the 60/40 and all are in your price range.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sinks

This post was edited by Trebruchet on Sun, Feb 2, 14 at 23:25

achauer:

If you're set on stainless steel and want the sink under mounted without a lip or reveal I'd recommend the Karran Edge 550. It's a work of art, yet still in your price range.

Here is a link that might be useful: Edge

@joaniepoanie: Sink bleaching doesn't bother me - in fact, I've always been pleased by how easily it removes stains and scuffs.

@Trebuchet: Very helpful links! I will investigate one of the dealers listed in the Los Angeles area. My heart is pretty set on the zinc counter :)

So, to follow up, here's what I ended up doing:

I visited the Mitrani, uh, headquarters? in the USA (a small, nondescript business park/strip mall location in Woodland Hills, CA) so that I could see the "titan quartz" composite in person. My husband and I spoke with the very friendly company rep, now living on a ranch outside of LA after moving from a ranch in the Golan Heights. I fondled all the sinks, and decided that the slick finish of the fireclay was many times more appealing to me than the matte silgranite.

We were offered a price of $750 for the double bowl, but I wanted to do a bit more research. On Ebay I found the same sink selling for $670 with free shipping (coming from, interestingly enough, Woodland Hills). I bought it on Tuesday, and it arrived on Thursday in superb condition. Mission accomplished!

I got their Tuscan double bowl model.

Love it! I like that it's reversible & you can choose between the fluted & non-fluted side.

I just bought that exact same sink off ebay today! I had the same criteria as you, so I'm glad you like it! I can't wait for mine to get here! :)