FROM THE MANUFACTURER: A very durable material, stoneware will last for years while keeping its original beauty. Each piece is fired twice at a high temperature and finished by hand. MINOR IMPERFECTIONS are therefore a common characteristic of hand-finished stoneware products. There are many factors that determine variations in colors that result from high-fired glazed stoneware, many of which are a challenge to control. Therefore, EACH PIECE IS UNIQUE and there are often variations in color. ONLY LEAD FREE GLAZES ARE USED and the product is tested to ensure that there are no traces of either lead nor cadmium.