I just checked mine. I think some of them are from WE, just don't remember. Many of mine are the same as yours. But the bright reds and yellows and all of the pearlized ones have color all the way to the edge. Afraid this doesn't help you much since I don't know if these are from WE. Hopefully somebody has ordered these from somewhere else and will chime in.

Here are descriptions of different types of tiles...basically, glazed ceramic tiles have the color applied to the top...doesn't go all the way through the tile, which is why the edges are white. Hope this helps:
"Glazed Ceramic Tile Glazed Ceramic Tile is comprised of two basic elements, clay and water. Various clays are mined, ground and blended to a fine powder, and pressed together to form the body of the tile. The pressed clay body is then dried to reduce the moisture content. Next, the surface of the tile is coated with a colored glaze (similar to glass). The glaze is then permanently fused to the surface of the tile by firing it in kilns at approximately 2000° Fahrenheit, to form the finished product.

Porcelain Tile
Porcelain tile is made from a blend of fine-grain clays and other minerals to produce a very dense body, which makes it highly resistant to moisture, staining and wear. Because of these features, porcelain tile will withstand years of heavy foot traffic in both interior and exterior applications while maintaining its color and beauty.

ColorBody Porcelain Tile
This is the densest of all tile types, ColorBody Porcelain Tile has a through-color body and is defined by its To determine the overall performance and durability of the glazed surface of ceramic tile, there are standardized industry tests and classifications which rate tile's specific resistance to scratching, breaking, abrasion, moisture, etc..." From "Mohawk" website.

it sounds like quality control problems and I would call them about it. If they came loose and not mounted for install, they're possibly seconds but that should be told to you at the website

Ok, see this pic? Unless you actually see them in person, you really think nothing of that 'ring' around the outside edge of the (look at the dark blue one) tiles. Some have it, some don't.
I did email them about it...it was slightly more evident in the ones I have than in this pic, but you CAN see it in this pic.
Hopefully they'll be able to replace them; I'm somewhat disappointed because these are GREAT little tiles!

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}

I have similar tiles, not from Wit's End, and they are the same. I think the process of coloring these tiles involves slapping the glaze on top, so the sides don't get covered totally.

I think it's just the nature of these particular tiles. The projects these tiles would be used for would either have to be grouted to the very top of the tile, or used in a project where it doesn't matter if the sides are showing white.

my guess is that these tile are mass produced and the glaze is sprayed on in batches, also some glaze colors "explode" in the kiln and that is what you're seeing on the edges, exploded colors. Some ceramic artists do this on purpose.

I think it's just the nature of the beast. I'd bet it's not spray application but rolled on some how and the edges are indented on the big sheets before they are broke loose, the glaze isn't meant to fill the indents so that leaves it thinner to non existant along there

That's probably exactly it, NT...they probably look a lot like frozen waffles. I wonder if different colors are applied differently based on the chemistry of the coloring...only because like I said, some of these tiles are totally covered as though they were already separated before the color was applied.
Oh well. I'll keep you posted on what they say, but I still like 'em, and will find another use for them if they can't replace them (wanted solid color without weirdness for the next project).

Thanks for the thoughts!

In the process of making the tiles, they are glazed on top and not on the sides and bottom. This allows them to be fired and not stick to the shelf or kiln. I used these tiles in my box and you cannot tell about the sides not being glazed after the piece is grouted. If you want color all the way thru you will have to go with something like Maryland Mosaics "Sandstone". The majority of ceramic tiles you get will be like this. The white around the top edge only enhances the color. Good luck, Carol

Drool...yes, the Sandstones are still on my WL...

Ok, flip side of the coin...how often do you buy the tess first, and then find the BASE to go with, rather than the other way around?

Kim from W.E replied:

Dear Tina,
We would be happy to refund you for any our our product that you are unhappy with, however we will not be able to replace them with different tiles of the same color.
During the process of firing some colors tend to pull back from the edge. This is caused by temperature and the mineral content of the glaze. We do not manufacture the tiles, they are imported from Japan, there fore all of the tile that we have at this time is from the same batch. We are expecting a new order in Feb. or march, however I expect that the colors will be the same as it is due to the glaze color not the batch.
Please feel free to contact me with any further questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Kim

Nope, you can't have 'em back- LOL! MINE! I'll deal with it, but I love them, so will accept that they are the way they are, and probably still buy more, more, more!!!

LOL ah ha! that explains it... chemistry - mysterious thing!

I have tiles like that too and they look exactly the same. You don't even see it when they are grouted.