Frequently Asked Questions

Materials

We use all natural and high quality materials: porcelain, semi-precious stones, wood, and fine metals.

We do NOT use polymer clay, which is not really clay at all, but plastic.That's just not our thing.

Porcelain is a type of ceramic material made from kaolin clay, feldspar, and quartz. It is fired at a high temperatures, which makes it strong and durable. Porcelain is known for its whiteness, translucency, and hardness. It is versatile and resistant to heat and chemicals, making it ideal for use in jewelry.

We use a proprietary blend of colorant agents called Mason Stains, made from metal oxides. During the firing process, the elements in the mason stain react with the porcelain and form a permanent bond, providing bright and vibrant colors.

Since starting matte porcelain, we've kept our porcelain "matte" or unglazed to honor the natural look and texture of the raw porcelain.

We use .925 sterling silver and 14k gold filled components in most of our dangle earrings and necklaces.

Some of our silver pieces are made with Argentium silver. Purer than standard sterling (940 or 960 parts per 1000), this silver has increased tarnish resistance, a whiter colour, along with antibacterial and hypoallergenic properties.

We originally used stainless steel for our stud posts. However, starting in 2024, we switched over to surgical steel. This is to minimize any nickel exposure to our customers.

14k solid gold options are available on select pieces. You may request and upgrade to solid gold for most pieces - simply email us!

Our silver and gold components are sourced by reputable suppliers and are free of nickel, lead, and any other harmful contaminants.

Stainless steel is known to contain trace amounts of nickel. For this reason, we converted our stainless stud posts to surgical steel starting in January 2024.

"Hypoallergenic" simply means less allergenic. If you have an allergy to certain metals, reach out to us and we can determine the best options for you.

Porcelain is an incredibly durable and strong ceramic, but it's still ceramic.

If you drop a mug on your kitchen floor, you expect it to break. Unfortunately, the same goes for your matte porcelain jewelry. Does this mean you stop using a mug for your morning coffee? Of course not! You simply try your best to protect it.

Please use care when putting on and taking off your jewelry. If your earrings are leverbacks, make sure they're securely snapped in. If they're French hooks, we'll provide you with silicone ear nuts to prevent them from falling out of your ears.

When traveling, please make sure to pack your matte in a padded jewelry case.

You'll receive a jewelry care card with each purchase. Read it and follow the instructions. A little bit of care goes a long way to protect your matte porcelain for a lifetime!

Sustainability

ABSOLUTELY.

Carrie wasn't always a porcelain pusher... In fact, she's got her doctorate in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. You can say she was trained to focus on her environmental impact.

Everything we do at matte is eco-centered. From using only natural materials, to selectively choosing our partners in sourcing, packaging and shipping, we focus on minimizing our impact on the earth.

Read more about our commitment to environment on our Sustainability page

The goal of carbon neutral shipping is to remove carbon from the atmosphere in a scalable manner and then store it safely for long periods of time. Carbon neutral shipping helps us to reduce our global carbon footprint and minimize climate change.

In 2022, matte began its partnership with Planet, a Shopify program in which funds are used to purchase carbon removal credits. With each order, matte pays a premium that goes directly to funding carbon sequestration solutions like ocean-based removal and direct air capture.

We believe that a multifaceted approach to sustainability is important. To that end, we're dedicated to global reforestation efforts as well.

One Tree Planted is a non-profit 501(c)3 environmental non-profit tree planting charity that plant trees in countries around the world. One matte order = one tree.

We have partnered with OTP's efforts in Rwanda since 2021.

Shipping policy

YES!

For any purchase over $50, we provide domestic, first class shipping for FREE. 

You always have the option to upgrade to USPS Priority Mail or UPS Ground.

If you need something quicker, then please reach out BEFORE your purchase to confirm we can expedite your shipping.

Once you make your purchase, we'll will complete your order and ship it out within 1-3 business days. 

At this point, we only ship to the US and Canada. Reach out to see if we can make an exception for you!

Returns and exchanges

Yes, we gladly accept returns & exchanges. We want you to love your matte as much as we do!

If you are unsatisfied with the jewelry you receive, or if it is defective in any way, you may return or exchange your purchase.

To be eligible for a return / refund, you must contact us by email within 3 days of receiving the shipment and your item must be in the same condition that you received it, unworn and unused, in its original packaging. You’ll also need the receipt or proof of purchase.

To start a return, please contact hello@matteporcelaindesign.com. If your return is accepted, you'll receive a return shipping label, as well as instructions on how and where to send your package. Items sent back to us without first requesting a return will not be accepted.

Once your return is received, we will refund the cost of the item(s), less any shipping costs.

You can always contact us for any return question.

Certain types of items cannot be returned, for example, custom or personalized orders. Please get in touch if you have questions or concerns about your specific item.

Unfortunately, we cannot accept returns on clearance items or gift cards.

First of all, we're so sorry!

Some of you have asked if repairs are possible. Unfortunately, it's quite difficult to repair porcelain that's been broken. Nobody likes an obvious superglue job.

But we do have a couple options...

If we have similar porcelain pieces in stock, you may send in the pieces (all metal, porcelain, etc.) and we will fashion a similar pair for you. It may not be exactly like your pair since most of our pieces are one of a kind or made in small batches, but close enough. You will be charged a reasonable replacement fee (discussed up front, depending on the labor). Your invoice must be paid before we can send you a free shipping label to return your damaged jewelry.

If we do not have a similar porcelain piece in our inventory, then you have the option of returning your damaged jewelry to us (all metal, porcelain, etc.) and we'll send you a 30% discount code to be used for your new replacement.

Looking for another alternative? Email us to discuss.

Contact

Email is preferred. Please reach out to hello@matteporcelaindesign.com