Frequently Asked Questions

The questions below cover what we are asked most often. If you do not find your answer here, please write to us at contact@fossilglowobjects.com and we will respond within 24 business hours.

Materials & Craft

What is UHPC, and why do you use it?

UHPC stands for Ultra-High Performance Concrete. It is a fine-grained, dense concrete with very low water content and high compressive strength, originally developed for long-span architecture and bridge engineering. We use it in thin, hand-cast layers for home objects because it is heavy, slow to age, and keeps the mineral character of concrete without dusting or chalking. A FOSSILGLOW piece on a shelf in ten years will still look like the piece you bought, just with a slightly softer surface.

Will my UHPC piece crack?

UHPC is far more resistant to cracking than standard concrete, but it is still a mineral material. Fine hairline marks can occasionally appear during the first few weeks as the piece finishes curing, even after leaving the studio. These are not defects; they are the material settling. Genuine cracks from impact or stress are very rare, and we will replace a piece that cracks in normal indoor use within the warranty window (see below).

Is UHPC waterproof? Can I use it in a bathroom?

UHPC is highly water-resistant and will not be damaged by brief contact with water (a wet glass, for example). It is not, however, fully sealed against long-term saturation. We do not recommend leaving FOSSILGLOW pieces in standing water, on constantly wet surfaces, or in direct contact with very humid environments such as inside a shower enclosure. A bathroom shelf is fine; a shower caddy is not.

Are the pearls real freshwater pearls?

Yes. The pearl inlay on our pieces is freshwater pearl accents are selected for surface quality and scale.. Each pearl is a natural object; its shape, surface, and inner light are unique. We do not dye, treat, or coat the pearl, and we do not select pearls for visual uniformity. The pearl on your piece is the pearl we set, and no two FOSSILGLOW pieces have identical pearl placement.

Will the pearl fade or yellow over time?

Freshwater pearl is a stable material. With normal indoor use and reasonable care, it will not fade, yellow, or lose its inner glow for many years. Avoid prolonged direct sunlight, contact with perfumes or solvents, and abrasive cleaners.

Care & Use

How do I clean my FOSSILGLOW piece?

Wipe with a soft, dry or slightly damp microfibre cloth. For dust in the surface texture, a soft brush (such as a clean makeup brush) works well. Do not use chemical cleaners, abrasive pads, bleach, ammonia, or solvent-based products. Do not submerge the piece in water.

Can I leave my piece in direct sunlight?

Brief, indirect sunlight is fine. We do not recommend placing a FOSSILGLOW piece in strong, direct sunlight for long periods, especially pieces with pearl or resin inlay, as prolonged UV can slowly affect the pearl surface and the resin. A shelf near a north-facing window is the ideal spot.

Is the piece food-safe? Can I use it as a tray for food?

Our pieces are decorative objects, not food-contact items. We do not apply a food-grade sealant, and we do not test or certify our pieces for direct food contact. The Bronto Jewelry Tray and similar pieces are designed and marketed for jewellery, keys, and small objects. Please do not place food directly on the surface.

Custom & Wholesale

Do you accept custom orders?

Yes, in a limited way. We take a small number of custom commissions each year, including bespoke colour finishes for designers, branded gift editions, editioned artworks, and architectural objects for hospitality projects. Lead time is typically lead time varies by project, depending on the brief. Minimum order quantities apply. Please reach us through the Contact page and select Trade & Custom with as much detail as you can share about the project.

Do you offer trade or wholesale pricing?

We offer trade pricing to qualified interior designers, hospitality buyers, and select retail partners. Trade partners receive catalogue pricing, advance notice of new releases, and access to a small number of pieces not listed on the public site. To apply, please send a short introduction (your company, your work, a link or two) to contact@fossilglowobjects.com with the subject line Trade Application.

What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for trade?

For standard catalogue pieces, minimum order quantities vary by product and project. For custom finishes or branded editions, minimum order quantities vary by product and project. We do not run a dropshipping or consignment programme.

Warranty

What does the warranty cover?

We offer a limited warranty applies on every FOSSILGLOW piece, covering defects in materials and workmanship under normal indoor use. This includes cracking unrelated to impact, delamination of the surface seal, and dislodgement of inlay (pearl or resin) that is not the result of an external blow.

What is not covered?

The warranty does not cover damage from drops, impact, improper cleaning, exposure to liquids beyond normal use, outdoor exposure, or surface changes that are part of the material's natural ageing (such as micro-bubble visibility, fine hairline curing marks, or gradual surface patina). The warranty is also void if the piece has been altered or repaired by a party other than FOSSILGLOW.

Do you offer repairs?

Yes, on a case-by-case basis. If your piece is damaged outside the warranty window, or by an accident not covered above, email us with photographs and a description. We will quote a repair fee based on the work required. For in-warranty defects, repairs and replacements are at our cost, including return shipping.

Shipping & Delivery

How long will my order take to arrive?

From the moment your order is confirmed, processing time (casting, curing, finishing, packing) varies by piece and current studio capacity. The current estimate is shown at checkout. Transit time after dispatch varies by destination and carrier; tracking information is provided once your order is dispatched. During the November to January peak season, please allow additional time.

Can I rush my order?

Rush processing is sometimes possible, depending on studio capacity. If you need a piece by a specific date, please email us before placing your order, and we will tell you honestly whether we can meet it. If a rush is possible, an express production surcharge will apply; the rate is quoted before you confirm.

What happens if my piece arrives damaged?

Please photograph the parcel, internal packing, and the affected piece within 24 hours of delivery, and email the images to contact@fossilglowobjects.com with your order number. We will respond within 24 hours with a replacement, a full refund, or store credit at your choice. Please keep the original packaging until the issue is resolved, as the carrier may require inspection. Full details are in our Shipping Policy.

Do you ship to my country?

We ship to most regions worldwide, including North America, the EU, the UK, Switzerland, Norway, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mainland China, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. We do not ship to Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Iran, Syria, or Cuba, and we cannot deliver to P.O. Boxes. The full list is in our Shipping Policy.

Returns & Refunds

How do returns work?

You can request a return within 14 days of receiving your order (30 days during the November to January holiday season). Email us with your order number and the reason for the return; we will reply within 48 business hours with a Return Merchandise Authorisation (RMA) number and the return address. Items must be unused, in their original packaging, and returned to us before the refund is processed. The full process is in our Refund & Return Policy.

Can I return a custom or made-to-order piece?

No. Custom pieces, made-to-order pieces, and items marked as "Final Sale" or "Limited" cannot be returned, except where they arrive damaged or defective. Once a custom piece has been cast, it cannot be resold, which is why the policy is what it is. We are happy to clarify whether a piece is custom or made-to-order before you buy; just ask.

Who pays for return shipping?

If the item is damaged, defective, or not what you ordered, we cover return shipping in full. If you are returning the item for a different reason (changed your mind, ordered the wrong colour, etc.), return shipping is at your cost. We can arrange a courier at a preferential rate if you prefer.

Gifts

Do you offer gift wrapping?

Every FOSSILGLOW piece is packed in our standard studio packaging, which is designed to be presentable as a gift: a fitted inner box, a soft cloth wrap, and a small printed card with the piece's name and a short note about its making. For the Stego Coaster Gift Edition and the T-Rex Coaster Gift Edition, the piece ships in a magnetic gift box with a matching pendant.

Can I include a personal message?

Yes. At checkout, you can add a short gift note (up to 200 characters). We will print it on a small card and include it inside the box. There is no extra charge.

Can I ship a gift directly to the recipient?

Yes. At checkout, enter the recipient's address as the shipping address and your own address as the billing address. The packing slip will show the item and the price; if you would prefer the price to be hidden, please mention this in the order notes.

Working with FOSSILGLOW

Do you collaborate with interior designers?

Yes. We work with a small number of designers each year, on both residential and hospitality projects. We can supply catalogue pieces at trade pricing, develop custom finishes for specific interiors, and in some cases commission new objects for a project. Please reach us through the Contact page and select Trade & Custom.

I am a journalist / editor / content creator. Who do I contact?

Please use the contact form and select Press, or email contact@fossilglowobjects.com with the subject line Press. Please include the publication, the brief, and your deadline. We respond to media enquiries within 3 business days. We do not accept paid placement or sponsored content.

Do you accept influencer or affiliate collaborations?

We work with a small number of long-term partners whose work we genuinely admire, on a case-by-case basis. We do not run a general affiliate or gifting programme. If you would like to be considered, please send a short introduction and links to contact@fossilglowobjects.com with the subject line Partnership. We read every message, but we do not reply to all of them.

Last updated: 2026.