Are the paints and glazes used in GlobeIn's ceramics lead-free? Is Crazing Food-Safe?

All paints and glazes used in GlobeIn's ceramics (and any other type of dishware) are food-safe, no matter the country or artisan group.

All GlobeIn artisan groups conduct independent food-safety and lead-testing. This is the only way these groups can legally work with international clients like GlobeIn and other brands.

There are two types of clay usually used in ceramics: earthenware and stoneware. The artisan groups that we work with can use either of these types of clay. Each ceramic product that we offer has the type of clay indicated under the “materials” section of the product description. If ceramic products don’t have this yet, we will be updating the listings ASAP.

Some ceramic pieces are microwave- and dishwasher-safe (usually the stoneware ones) and some are hand-wash only (usually the earthenware ones). Each ceramic product that we offer has this information indicated under the “care instructions” section of the product description.

Crazing: to confirm for us on the topic of crazing and whether or not it is food-safe we asked an expert opinion from Doug, the founder of Le Souk Ceramique and our trusted partner for many years: Crazing usually does not occur in stoneware, but it will always happen in earthenware pieces. When heated and/or cooled, the ceramic mold will expand or contract ever so slightly, while the glaze cannot. The glaze is essentially a layer of melted glass and there is no elasticity to glaze.  Crazing is the micro-fissures in the glaze that appear with thermal expansion. It’s inherent in all earthenware and not considered a defect. Crazing is not a matter of hygienic safety but rather aesthetic value, though it is unavoidable in earthenware pieces.