Many blues..couldn't find 2 by 8 though..they do have 4 by 8..

https://www.daltile.com/product/Festiva?shape=Rectangle&size=4-1/4%20X%208-1/2&color=Sea-Mist

another collection of theirs..only two "true" blues, but cominfg in 2 by 8

https://www.daltile.com/product/Color-Wheel-Collection-Linear

that's sadly too long..otherwise I love the color, and can come lower than listed if you can give a name of a pro working with you

https://www.annsacks.com/products/tile-stone-mosaic/context-field-tile#/context-rectangle-field%2Fgloss-jasper

2 by 8..but only one is somewhat-light-icy-blue..

https://www.annsacks.com/products/tile-stone-mosaic/davenport-field-tile

now these are ribbed which I've no idea whether you'd want..only two of them, again, are very subdued blues-one is very light, one is pretty dark. The price though is doable

https://www.annsacks.com/products/tile-stone-mosaic/savoy-field-tile

Thank you so much for these options. I actually saw the Context tile in dark blue and really liked it but decided it's too dark for us. I'm hoping for a true sky blue with some variation. I may have to bite the bullet and go for the Fireclay. Still don't get why it's so pricey!!

Have you seen McIntyre tile from Healdsburg CA? I was looking at Heath but the availability of the colors I wanted was a problem. My local tile store carried McIntyre which does come in 2x8 and in lovely colors. We got 4 colors of 2x6 in blue, green and off white and mixed them for our backsplash and fireplace and have been very happy with the result. I don’t remember how much it cost however.

The Walker Zanger 6th Avenue collection has a 2x6 in pale sky gloss. https://www.walkerzanger.com/ceramic/6th-avenue/field-1six1psg26.html

I was able to see one of the sizes grouted in person on a sample board at Virginia Tile. If you just get a sample of the tile (not grouted with white grout), it looks rather pale, but once it's grouted with white grout, it's a nice blue. It's supposed to be a more "affordable" line of tile and we paid about $19-20/sq ft for the 6" hex (including contractor discount, not including tax). And it's sold by the box, not the sq/ft so it ended up being almost $900 for the tile for our hall bathroom floor (5.5x9' bathroom with alcove tub).

Beautiful bathroom! love that hex! I will check out Walker and also McIntyre. Thanks so much!

Daltile Natural Hues has 2x8s in a wide variety of colors. They have 10 or so different blues, but nothing subtle (not like some of Fireclay's). Found a few different sources in the range of $12-20 per sf.

Check out Sonoma Stellar, they have 2x8 and several blues

Thank you for these recommendations. Will check them out now!!