Genuine zellige is hand-cut from glazed terracotta clay in Morocco, traditionally in Fez. Each tile is individually glazed and fired, producing colour variation, slight size irregularity, and a glassy, uneven surface that is the entire visual appeal of the material.
"Zellige-look" ceramic or porcelain tile — mass-produced to mimic the texture with printed glazes — is far more common in North American and UK retail and costs a fraction of authentic zellige. Neither is wrong to choose, but they are not interchangeable products, and mixing them in one order without knowing the difference causes visible mismatches.
Installation reality
Authentic zellige's irregular sizing means installers need experience with it specifically — standard spacer-and-level techniques used for uniform tile can produce an uneven, amateurish result on genuine zellige. Ask installers directly whether they have handled authentic zellige before, not just "tile" in general.
Order 10-15% more than your calculated area for authentic zellige to allow for breakage and colour-matching during layout — a higher waste allowance than standard ceramic tile typically needs.
Cost and where it is worth it
Genuine zellige costs considerably more per square metre than look-alike tile, largely due to the handmade process and import logistics. It tends to justify the premium on a feature wall, backsplash, or small bathroom where its texture is seen up close — large-area application multiplies both the cost and the installation risk.