Where would you use it?

Keep shopping or give up ALL the Starbucks for the foreseeable future.

Not the same, but try Rookwood Tile

is 162 the contractors price??? perhaps you could find a better price through some other outlet or person? What's it made of? Platinum??

^Sounds like a price to discourage the consumer from purchasing the tile. Contractors will do that when they don't want to do a job IME. I am assuming that is the quote you received from the installer and not the Walker Zanger. If it is from Walker Zanger, did they quote you that price because they have a minimum amount of tile you have to purchase - regardless of the size of the job?

How many sq feet are you trying to cover (how big is the backsplash area)?

Denita, I looked at some Ann Sacks and WZ tile and those prices are what they charge for some of their top of the line tiles. Hey Ann Sacks had some that were double that price. No I didn't spend anywhere near that for any of my tile, but it was fun to look. LOL

I would also ask on the kitchen forum as those guys there really know their tile.

That tile is a glazed lava stone (gloss and metallic glazes), and yes, pricey. If the price you found is retail, then the best you will do is buying through your contractor or designer with their trade account (and they will have their own policy as to the amount of their discount that they share with their clients). Still will be way over a $50.00/s.f. price point. You won't find some "outlet store" selling Walker Zanger current product. They sell to their authorized suppliers which are generally high quality tile stores. We purchase Walker Zanger from our local supplier at 40% off retail price. I'd suggest you ask yourself what it is about this tile that grabs you (the geometric design?/finish?/shades? etc.) and begin a search for tile that has those features but forget about this specific tile if it is outside your budget.

do you work with a contractor/designer? High end stores usually give you 30% discount almost automatically if you mention you work with a pro..they might need their name and business info

Will still be very pricey

otherwise, Kitchen Forum is a good place to ask

I'd analyze what I like about the tile the most..the combo colors, the pattern? the shape, the sparkle? and go from there

it will probably mean that you forego somethng about this tile but borrow an element of it which you like the most

cross post on Kitchens, we might be able to suggest something..if your budget allows 50$ per sq f tile it's a very healthy budget I'd say

will be helpful if you show kitchen/other elements of it as well..might give insight into options

was posting simultaneously with Dragonfly))

Wow cpartist, don't think I would spend that amount unless it was for something tiny!

I wanted some amazing small boutique handmade tile for our master bath..with the 30% off discount was 130$ per sq f probably? don't remember. The GC said:

-imagine how every time we cut this tile to fit (was a combo of triangles ..the whole pattern) you'll feel this huge sting in your heart?

LOL

I still remember it though..amazing tile.

Don't know what your kitchen selections are to this point, but I thought you should see exactly how much of the tile will be seen if it is a standard backsplash height. This illustrates gloss white upper cabinets and a black counter material. The height of the tile is 8" so you will only see about 2 1/2 tiles under the cabinets.

This is a very specific 'mod' style and a bit limiting IMO. Be careful.

https://www.flooranddecor.com/stone-decoratives/jet-black-basalt-picket-limestone-mosaic-100465376.html#prefn1=color&prefv1=Black&start=10

Wow cpartist, don't think I would spend that amount unless it was for something tiny!

I KNOW!

I wouldn't spend anywhere near that for any tile. Most of mine was in the $10-$25 range and my upstairs bath wall tile was under $5 a square foot. The one exception was my fireplace tile. As Jan mentions, it's a small area and was a wow factor but even then it was still under $50 a square foot. (And trust me it hurt my sensibility to pay that!)

If you click on the link it says its from Ann Sacks...you have excellent taste!

they say it's AnnSacks. but that specific design isn't on there. it might be a custom color combo using their 3D tiles . IT's cheaper,,,in the $80 sf range!

https://www.annsacks.com/products/til

e-stone-mosaic/modern-field-tile-made-by-ann-sacks#/asc-modern-rectangle

Take a look at pages 16-17 (Infinity Concave and Convex) in the Rookwood catalogue I linked to.

Also page 20 (Selene)

Page 24 (Giza A and B)

Page 49 (Petra)

Also look at Fireclay Tile

jules, the last photo you posted is Oceanside Glass Tile. Swank pattern and you can order in any color combination. I've used their tile in my bathrooms and it will be in a similar price range to the other tiles you have also liked.

Are you noticing a trend! Save up and buy the one you love. You see the kitchen backsplash EVERY single day, so I would go with something I loved and not something I settled on.
http://glasstile.com/devotion-patterns.aspx

Don't do anything trendy on your back splash it will date you in just a few or couple of years. Keep it clean and simple. Back splashes are just not that important anymore.

Don't necessarily do anything trendy but do do something you'll love for years. If that's clean and simple, do that. However, if color, pattern or anything else excites you, then do that.

Syzygy Tile based in Silver City, NM might have something that you like.

janecalle- my client is an artist, she designed her own backslash in my profile photo.

If you want this type of tile I hope you have a 1950's house because it will go out of date very quickly. People get tired of patterns quickly. Could you instead go with a simpler more classic tile and bring in the color and pattern you like that this tile has into a window treatment, curtain, roman shade or oven gloves or dish towels?

Jules, it is OK, even great, to step out there and make a statement with your backsplash. So tired of the "keep it safe subway tile thing" (although it is right for those who NEED it and in certain period homes). A backsplash can always be changed in years ahead. Our opinion is that there will be A LOT of subway tile backsplashes being replaced by homeowners of the future. Love your spirit. Don't be your neighbors. Go for it if you love it.

Julesdickerson, first I agree 100% with Dragonfly. Secondly, I do like your affordable choice. Go for it!