The white base is not an overpowering or intimidating white; this is because the sporadic crackled effect softens up the face of the tile, creating a softer white. From far away these tiles seem to have an underlying movement, but do not contain harsh or brash veins. The veins are thin, and offer continual movement when up close. The veins are not discolored; they are merely what you would see if a glass shattered, but the bottle did not fall apart. The veining pattern is different on each tile, but not noticeably enough that it takes away from the combined look of the tiles. The polished finish of the tiles creates a smooth touch and a sheen finish. These 3 x 6 field tiles are the perfect size to add to any commercial or residential installation. These tiles are ceramic.