Paige - Thanks for the kind words!

Perhaps you could still use the 'charcoal' high-gloss panels but place a piece of clear glass directly behind the gas cooktop and on top of the high-gloss panels?...

I would otherwise suggest thin concrete panels or quartz although those are obviously more expensive options. One other suggestion would be a fiber-cement panel. They're thin, inexpensive, fire-proof and you can apply any colour to it. They're also available in large sizes so you should be able to cover the entire backsplash area and have no seams. Although it doesn't have a high-gloss or reflective finish, it does have a smooth finely textured surface.

Hope this helps!

:: thirdstone inc. [^]