Materials & Craftsmanship | vancasso Ceramic, Stoneware & Porcelain

The Foundation

Why Material Choice Matters

Dinnerware isn't just a surface for food — it's a daily-use item that faces thermal shock, mechanical stress, detergents, and acidic foods. The material determines whether a set looks as good after 300 dishwasher cycles as it did on day one.

At vancasso, we work with three primary material types — stoneware, porcelain, and earthenware — each chosen for specific collections based on the balance of durability, weight, aesthetics, and use-case. Every material and glaze combination is tested for food safety before any collection goes to production.

What We Use

Our Three Core Materials

Primary Material

High-Fired Stoneware

Fired above 1,280°C, our stoneware is dense, non-porous, and extremely durable. This is the material used in our most popular collections — Bohemia, Starry, and Insieme. The high firing temperature vitrifies the clay body, resulting in a water absorption rate below 0.5%.

Dishwasher Safe Microwave Safe Oven Safe to 200°C Chip-Resistant

Premium Option

Fine Porcelain

Translucent, lightweight, and refined — our porcelain is fired at 1,240–1,280°C using a kaolin-rich clay body. Used in our formal and gift collections, porcelain offers a smooth, glassy surface that takes glaze color exceptionally well. 25% lighter than equivalent stoneware pieces.

Dishwasher Safe Microwave Safe Lightweight Translucent

Rustic & Casual

Reactive-Glaze Earthenware

Used in our artisan-style collections where natural variation and rustic character are part of the design intent. Fired at lower temperatures (1,000–1,150°C), earthenware is heavier and more porous — so we apply a denser glaze layer to ensure food safety and dishwasher durability.

Handmade Character Unique Each Piece Dishwasher Safe Hand-Wash Recommended

vancasso lumi 24-piece dinnerware set full display

Safety First

Lead-Free & Cadmium-Free Glazes

Every glaze used in all vancasso collections is independently tested and certified free of lead and cadmium — the two heavy metals that pose the most significant food-safety risk in ceramic dinnerware.

We test to two standards: FDA 21 CFR (US) and EU Regulation 84/500/EEC (Europe). Products sold in both markets carry both certifications. Test reports are available on request for any active collection.

Color does not compromise safety. Our glaze lab has developed over 200 proprietary color formulations that achieve vivid, stable color using only food-safe mineral oxide pigments — no organic dyes, no metallic overglaze on food-contact surfaces.

Quick Reference

Material Comparison

Property	Stoneware	Porcelain	Earthenware
Firing Temperature	1,280°C+	1,240–1,280°C	1,000–1,150°C
Water Absorption	<0.5%	<0.1%	1–5%
Weight (relative)	Medium-Heavy	Light	Heavy
Chip Resistance	High	Medium	Medium
Dishwasher Safe	Yes	Yes	Yes
Microwave Safe	Yes	Yes	Yes
Oven Safe	Up to 200°C	Up to 180°C	Not recommended
Lead & Cadmium Free	Certified	Certified	Certified
Best For	Daily use, families	Gifts, formal dining	Artisan, casual style

Looking After Your Dinnerware

Care Guide

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Dishwasher

All stoneware and porcelain collections are fully dishwasher safe. Use a normal cycle (up to 60°C). Avoid high-heat drying cycles for earthenware pieces — air-dry instead to extend glaze life.

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Microwave

All materials are microwave safe. Avoid rapid temperature changes — don't move pieces directly from freezer to microwave. Allow frozen food to thaw briefly before reheating.

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Stacking

Stack plates with a soft cloth or silicone pad between pieces to prevent surface scratching. Our stoneware and porcelain are chip-resistant, but no ceramic is chip-proof when stacked carelessly.

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Stains & Crazing

For stubborn tea or coffee stains, soak in warm water with a small amount of baking soda for 20 minutes before washing. Fine crazing (hairline glaze cracks) on earthenware is a natural feature, not a defect.