Nerikomi Porcelain Jewelry: Craft & Care Guide
What Makes IRISISTER Different
IRISISTER was founded by a master artisan from a generations-old porcelain family, together with an experienced American boutique buyer. Every piece is designed, quality-controlled, and warehoused in the United States — built to meet the standards of Western boutique retail from day one.
This is not mass production. Every piece is made by hand, in small batches, with patterns that can never be duplicated.
The Craft: What Is Nerikomi?
Nerikomi is a rare, labor-intensive porcelain technique passed down through generations of master artisans. Differently colored clays are layered, folded, and compressed by hand — creating patterns that run through the entire body of each piece, not printed or painted on the surface.
The result: every single piece carries a completely unique pattern. No two are alike. No machine can replicate it.
How Each Piece Is Made
① Color Preparation
Each clay batch is hand-tinted with natural mineral oxides to achieve our signature earth-tone palette — warm ochre, deep charcoal, soft cream. Every color is tested to ensure stability after firing.
② Layering & Folding
Colored clays are stacked, rolled, and folded entirely by hand. More folds create finer patterns; fewer folds produce bold compositions. This step cannot be automated — it requires the judgment of a skilled artisan.
③ Slicing & Shaping
When the clay block is cut open, the interior pattern is revealed for the first time. Each slice is unique. Pieces are then hand-shaped into earrings, rings, or pendants and individually finished.
④ Drying & Firing
Pieces dry slowly to prevent cracking, then are kiln-fired at high temperature — producing dense, non-porous, durable porcelain built for everyday wear.
⑤ Finishing & Quality Control
Every piece is hand-sanded, polished, fitted with hypoallergenic hardware, and individually inspected before leaving our US studio.
Wearing Tips
- Durable for daily wear, but avoid hard impacts or dropping onto hard surfaces
- Remove before swimming, showering, or exercise
- Apply skincare and fragrance before putting on your jewelry
- Remove before sleeping
Cleaning & Care
- Routine: wipe gently with a soft dry cloth
- For stains: use a slightly damp soft cloth, air dry
- Do not use ultrasonic cleaners
- Avoid chemical cleaners, alcohol, or bleach
Storage
- Store each piece separately to avoid scratching
- Keep in a jewelry box or soft pouch
- Avoid direct sunlight, heat, or humidity
Every IRISISTER piece is handcrafted in small batches and individually inspected. Questions? We're always here.
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