IronStone’s recycled clay recipe, how it is formed, and how it is fired sets it apart from traditional handmade ceramics, resulting in fine stoneware that is stronger, safer, & distinct in its appearance, along with being 100% vegan & recyclable.
From locally sourced clays to the collective imagination of our indigenous craftspeople and specialists, the journey to create IronStone is what breathes life into each and every one of our dinnerware products.
Our conscious production process produces bespoke products, in lower quantities, in reasonable timelines, with zero waste. This differs from large ceramic factories with highly automated and large-scale production that limits customization options and creates vast amounts of waste. We are human-sized and smart, so our production isn’t limited by form or design, allowing us endless customization options for our wholesale clients and retail offerings. Our small-scale, ‘made-to-order’ production approach also ensures minimal waste since we only create what we need, and collecting unused clay and wastewater for recycling is much easier.
From start to finish, each Nugu piece passes through the hands of more than twenty skilled craftspeople employed at our micro-factories in Southern India. From the potter’s wheel to solid casting, our team uses a mix of traditional and modern tools and machinery to craft our bespoke, sustainable dinnerware. Our team’s dedication to exemplary handcrafting means that each Nugu product is truly unique and one-of-a-kind, and has gone through many levels of detailed inspection and quality control. This careful consideration, mixed with our emphasis on timeless design, ensures our products will last a lifetime (or two).
All Nugu glazes are designed and developed in-house, and made from locally sourced minerals that are lead, cadmium, and selenium-free (and certified food safe). From the clean aesthetic of our Everyday Dining Collection to the artistic intrigue of our Occasional Dining pieces, our craftspeople carefully glaze each piece by hand, allowing for an equal dose of craftsmanship and the ‘Maya’ that makes our pottery truly unique—if you didn’t know, Maya is a Sanskrit term meaning magic, and we’ve got a lot of it!
The final step in preparing our IronStone stoneware is twice firing all pieces in kilns that reach high temperatures of more than 1260 degrees Celsius. This changes the composition of the clay at a molecular level, and results in strong and durable stoneware. Whether our products are used in a busy commercial kitchen or cherished in a family home through generations, our full vitrification firing is the final step in ensuring our IronStone’s strength and longevity.
