Caring for your marble
Marble is softer and more porous than it looks. Treated gently it will outlast most things in your house; treated like a kitchen bench it will mark. The whole of it is these five habits.
- Wipe with a soft, damp cloth and dry straight away. Standing water leaves a dull ring on polished stone.
- Blot spills at once. Wine, citrus, coffee and vinegar are acidic and will etch the surface — a dull patch that isn't a stain and won't wipe off.
- No abrasive pads, bleach or ammonia. Never soak, and never put it in the dishwasher. Warm water and a drop of pH-neutral dish soap is all it needs.
- Use a trivet under hot dishes, and let tea light holders cool before you move them. Stone holds heat far longer than it feels like it does.
- Re-seal every 6–12 months with an off-the-shelf natural stone sealer. Five minutes, and it's what keeps oil and wine out of the stone.
Marble is a natural stone — veining and tone vary. No two pieces are alike.
Questions
Will my piece look like the photo?
Close, but not identical. Every piece is cut from a natural block, so veining, tone and the pattern of the grain change from one to the next. The photographs show a real piece from a real run rather than a rendering, but yours will be its own.
Is it sealed when it arrives?
Yes. Re-seal every 6–12 months with a stone sealer from any hardware store to keep it that way.
Can I put a hot mug or a hot dish on it?
A hot mug is fine — that's what the coasters are for. For anything out of an oven, use a trivet. Sudden, extreme heat can crack stone.
Are the tea light holders safe to burn?
Yes, with a standard tea light in its metal cup. Burn on a level, heat-tolerant surface, don't leave a flame unattended, and let the holder cool completely before moving it.
What's the brass inlay made of?
Solid brass, set into a channel cut in the stone by hand. It may darken slightly with age; a dry cloth brings it back.
How long does delivery take?
Orders are packed and sent within 1–2 working days, and arrive in 2–4 working days within New Zealand, a little longer rural or to the South Island. Shipping is $10 nationwide, free on orders over $100.
What if it arrives damaged?
Send a photo to contact@ritamstudio.co.nz within 48 hours of delivery and we'll replace it or refund you in full. Stone travels well, but it doesn't bounce.
Can I return something I've changed my mind about?
Yes — unused and in its original wrapping, within 30 days. Return postage is yours to cover; we'll refund the item once it's back with us.
Do you do custom sizes or bulk orders?
Often, yes. Our workshop takes custom work in runs of ten or more, and lead time is roughly two to three months because everything comes by sea. Write to contact@ritamstudio.co.nz with what you have in mind.
Do you gift wrap?
Coaster sets come tied and with a care card as standard. Add a note at checkout and we'll leave the receipt out of the box.
Still stuck? Write to contact@ritamstudio.co.nz and we'll answer properly — there are only a few of us, so it'll be a person.