My backsplash is Sonoma Tile crackled subways. Three years old and the crackle has remained exactly the same, no growing, no shrinking. Definitely no migration of grout or topically applied foodstuff into the crackles. The great thing about crackle is it lets you pick a solid color but it has an extra vibrancy.

My crackle tiles were sparkly when I originally installed them. No changes to the crackle or the sparkle. I believe (not sure) many crackle tiles are hand made (hand fired - not sure about the terminology) & each batch is a little different.

If you're looking for sparkly, look at Encore. The Encore Bravo line is the quick order line (in stock versus hand fired for your specific order). The color selection & tile size is limited but the price point is more affordable, somewhere in the $20's per square foot.

They say it does, but I have Fireclay crackle tiles and don't notice any more crackling since I had them installed a year ago.

It's not true. Crackle tiles are artificially "crackled" (if that's a word) in the firing process. They don't grow more crackled unless refired (if that's a word).

Most likely you are looking at tiles from two different firings. Quite often they are not exactly the same from firing to firing, which is why you try to get all tiles for a room from one firing.

Maybe they used special lighting like jewelry stores to bring out the sparkle for the photos. Can you feel the crackle when you run your hand over it? If so wouldn't that be hard to clean.

Thanks everyone! I will accept that they will remain the way they are -
still pretty but no sparkle and they won't crackle more. I did look at
the Encore Bravo line but none of the colors would work. We were
looking at one of the other Encore tiles- but it is much more $ than the
Grazia and not super different (except for the sparkle). It is smooth to the touch- I think the crackle is under the surface :-) Here are some pictures-

http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz207/thepeppermintleaf/Mobile%20Uploads/20150308_213944_zpsdrgrcrrz.jpg

http://i828.photobucket.com/albums/zz207/thepeppermintleaf/Mobile%20Uploads/20150308_213944_zpsdrgrcrrz.jpg

hmm...sorry I am confused how to post photobucket pictures now that we're part of houzz :-/

Those tiles pictured above are really nice. I love the color. I had read on GW that the crackle tiles can continue to 'crackle', especially near the stove, from heat. I almost didn't order crackle because of that but went ahead and ordered Quemere tile with a crackle finish for my backsplash. It's bee 8 weeks and still waiting. I was told I will need to seal each tile before it is installed and again after the grout goes on. Had you heard that? Are you going to seal it that way?

Thanks reneern! It sounds like the continuous crackling may be a myth, so we should be good. :) I looked at the Quemere website, those all look very pretty! I had heard that about sealing too! We will probably do the sealing before and after as well, just to be safe! :-)

Even Fireclay told me the tile would continue to crackle some, but again, I haven't noticed it.

Conventional wisdom is that you seal the edges of crackle tiles so that grout doesn't migrate into the crackles. My tile guys were supposed to do that, but I suspect they didn't. There was no migration anyway. When I look at a spare tile, the edges seem to have an impervious glaze on top of the crackles. Maybe it's just my particular tile. The crackles on the top are protected as well. I personally sealed my backsplash grout and nothing else. They look like the day they were installed (3 years ago).

I have Pratt & Larson crackle tile and P&L said they do continue to crack after installing them. I sealed the entire tile before I installed them and then about 6 months later. I don't have any staining and they are very easy to clean.

Thanks!! Wow those P&L crackle tiles are beautiful!!! :-)