Frequently Asked Questions

Mora comes from Latin and means “to pause” or “to slow down.” We built Mora around the idea that everyday rituals like breakfast, tea, and dinner can feel calmer and more intentional when the objects you use are truly designed for daily life.

Mora brings together form and function in every piece. Our ceramics are thoughtfully crafted to be durable, chip-resistant, and restaurant-grade, while still adding beauty to your space and supporting your daily rituals. Each piece is designed to feel balanced, comfortable, and natural in your hands, so it looks good and feels right to use every day.

At the heart of Mora are three core principles:

• Made for real life: Our stoneware is built for everyday use, designed to hold up to daily meals, frequent washing, and real-world routines.
• Thoughtful materials: We developed our own Paladin clay and in-house glazes with performance, durability, and safety in mind.
• Design that feels good: We pay close attention to weight, balance, and ergonomics so every piece feels as good as it looks.

We also believe in wellness from the inside out. Mora’s Paladin clay and glazes are free of heavy metals, PFOAs, lead, and cadmium, so you can use them with confidence, knowing they are made to support both your home and your well-being.

Mora was founded by Alix, inspired by her personal mental health journey and a desire to create a sense of calm, balance, and intention in everyday life. What began as a deeply personal need grew into a shared vision to design objects that support quieter moments and more mindful daily rituals.

Alongside her is Jerry, her husband and Mora’s co-founder. A chemical engineer from Taiwan, Jerry developed and continues to refine Mora’s signature Paladin clay, ensuring each piece meets high standards for durability, performance, and everyday use.

Mora is produced in a family-owned studio in Xiamen, overseen by Alix’s brother-in-law, Sean, who leads on-the-ground quality control and craftsmanship. Together, the family works closely across design, materials, and production to ensure every piece reflects Mora’s values.

Every Mora piece is thoughtfully crafted to elevate daily rituals and serve as a gentle reminder to slow down, reflect, and savor life’s simplest moments.

To learn more about our story, visit Our Story.

Paladin clay is Mora’s exclusive stoneware clay, developed in close collaboration with our studio and refined over time by Jerry, Mora’s co-founder and a trained chemical engineer.

Named after historical Paladins, who were known for strength paired with discipline and restraint, Paladin clay is designed with the same philosophy in mind. It is a carefully engineered formula created to deliver durability and structural integrity, while maintaining a balanced feel that supports everyday use.

Our approach to materials is intentional and rigorous. We test, refine, and evaluate our clay continuously because these are the same pieces we use in our own daily lives. Paladin clay works alongside our in-house glazes, which are free of heavy metals, PFOAs, lead, and cadmium, so your tableware supports your routine rather than adding concern or complexity.

Paladin clay is not a fixed recipe. It continues to evolve as we learn, test, and improve, always guided by the same goal: creating ceramics that feel considered in the hand, hold up to real life, and earn a place at your table with confidence.

Yes. Mora pieces are dishwasher safe.

For best long-term care, we recommend avoiding hard contact between pieces when loading, especially around rims and edges. If you notice gray marks over time, they are usually easy to remove with gentle cleaning. You can find more detailed care tips below under “How do I remove utensil marks or metal transfer?”

Yes. Mora pieces are microwave safe.

We also recommend adding a bit of moisture when reheating food, since microwaves heat water molecules. Heating very dry food can reduce efficiency and create unnecessary stress for both the food and the piece.

Most Mora pieces commonly used for baking, such as baking pans and pie pans, are oven safe up to 450°F. Plates and bowls are generally oven safe up to 400°F. Mugs, however, are not recommended for oven use.

Because oven tolerance can vary by design, we always recommend checking the Care & Durability dropdown on each product page for specific temperature guidance.

To extend the life of your ceramics, avoid sudden temperature changes. After removing a piece from the oven, allow it to cool toward room temperature before washing. Placing a very hot piece directly into cold water or onto a cold surface can shorten its lifespan. This is not a flaw, but a general consideration for all ceramic ware.

Yes. Mora pieces can be used in the freezer.

As with all ceramics, the key is avoiding sudden temperature changes. If a piece has been in the freezer, we recommend letting it warm naturally closer to room temperature before moving it into the oven. This is especially important when the piece already contains food and you plan to bake it right after freezing.

If you can, placing the piece into the oven while it preheats is the gentlest approach. In most cases, once the piece is no longer deeply frozen or is closer to room temperature, it is generally fine to place it into a preheated oven.

These habits help extend the life of any ceramic piece. These simple habits help extend the life of ceramic pieces and are recommended for ceramic dinnerware in general.

Not damage. These are usually metal transfer marks, which can happen when flatware leaves a faint gray residue on the surface during normal use.

This is especially common with certain stainless steel, silver plated pieces, or flatware that is softer than the ceramic surface. You may notice it more on lighter colors. The good news is that metal transfer is typically surface-level, and it does not affect the safety, performance, or integrity of your piece.

First, a little reassurance: these marks are common, harmless, and part of everyday use with ceramic tableware. They don’t mean your piece is damaged, and they’re usually very easy to remove.

The most effective method is to use a nylon scrubber with a gentle polishing cleaner (many people use Bar Keepers Friend). Apply light pressure, rinse thoroughly, and dry. In most cases, this will lift the metal residue right off the surface.

To keep your pieces looking their best over time, we recommend avoiding heavy-duty abrasive pads or aggressive scrubbing as a regular habit.

If you’d like a visual, step-by-step walkthrough, you can also visit our blog post: Black Marks on My Ceramics: How To Get Rid of Them.

Thermal shock occurs when ceramics experience a sudden, extreme change in temperature, which can lead to cracking.

To reduce the risk:

• Avoid moving a piece directly from the freezer or refrigerator into a hot oven
• Avoid placing a hot piece into cold water or onto a cold surface
• Let pieces adjust gradually toward room temperature whenever possible

These habits help extend the life of any ceramic piece.

No. Mora pieces are designed for use in the dishwasher, microwave, oven, and freezer. We do not recommend using them on stovetops, over open flames, or on direct-contact heating elements.

A few simple tips can help improve heat retention:

1. Preheat the mug by filling it with hot water for a few minutes, then empty it before adding your drink
2. Use the travel lid and ensure it is properly secured to help trap steam
3. Avoid filling past the inner ridge. Keeping liquid below this line helps reduce heat transfer to the outer wall

Now you’re ready to enjoy your drink!

You can find product dimensions on each product page under the Specs & Details section. If you have any questions or need additional guidance, feel free to reach out. We’re always happy to help.

Mora pieces are dishwasher safe for everyday convenience. For accessories such as infusers, spoons, and lids, we recommend handwashing to help maintain their appearance over time.

Your safety is our priority. Mora products are tested by certified third-party laboratories, including SGS, using internationally recognized standards to evaluate lead and cadmium release from food-contact surfaces.

Under these regulated testing conditions, no lead or cadmium is detected, and all Mora products meet FDA and California Prop 65 compliance requirements.

Like most natural ceramic materials, our clay and glazes are derived from mineral-based sources. Rather than relying on simplified claims, we focus on what truly matters for safety: ensuring that our products do not leach harmful substances during normal use.

For full transparency, you can review product-specific testing information by visiting any product page and opening the Specs & Details section, where the latest Safety Report is available.

Yes. Mora products comply with California Prop 65, meaning they meet the state’s requirements for consumer product safety based on regulated exposure limits.

You can review the latest safety testing details for each product by opening the Specs & Details section on the product page and viewing the Safety Report.

Yes. Mora ceramics do not use PFOA or PFAS. These synthetic chemicals are commonly associated with non-stick coatings and treated surfaces, and they are not used in ceramic materials like ours.

Our pieces are made from natural mineral-based clay and glazes, fired at high temperatures to create a stable, vitrified surface suitable for everyday food use. All Mora products are tested by certified third-party laboratories and meet applicable food safety and California Prop 65 standards.

No. Mora ceramics do not contain BPA. BPA is most commonly associated with certain plastic types, such as polycarbonate plastics, and is not used in ceramic materials.

For the few non-ceramic components we offer, such as our travel lid, we use PP (polypropylene) and food-grade silicone, which are BPA free.

Our travel lid is made from PP (polypropylene), a durable, food-safe material commonly used for everyday kitchenware. It also includes a food-grade silicone ring to help create a secure seal.

Both materials are chosen for daily use and peace of mind. The lid is BPA free, and the silicone ring is food-grade silicone. When used as intended with hot drinks, the lid materials are stable and designed for regular, everyday routines.

Each Mora piece is glazed by hand, and subtle variation is a natural part of that process. Factors like glaze thickness, firing conditions, and the way a piece is placed in the kiln all influence the final result, making every piece slightly unique.

While we maintain a strict, quality-controlled color range to ensure overall consistency, no two handmade ceramics are ever exactly the same. Our glazes also respond to light, which means a piece may look different depending on its surroundings or the lighting in your space. We do our best to show our products in multiple lighting settings, but colors may also vary slightly from screen to screen.

These variations aren’t flaws. They’re part of the character of handmade ceramics, and something we believe is worth embracing.

Here are a few common things to check:

• Most promo codes are one-time use, so make sure it hasn’t already been applied to a previous order.
• Some codes apply only to specific products or sets, so double-check that your items qualify.
• Check for spelling or spacing errors. Copying and pasting the code is often the easiest way to avoid typos.
• If it seems like a technical issue, try refreshing the checkout page or starting the checkout process again.

If you’ve tried all of the above and your code still isn’t working, don’t worry. Reach out to us at Mora Care Hub and we’ll be happy to help get things sorted.

The best way to catch active offers is to join our email list, since promotions and launches are shared there first. You may also see a welcome offer for first-time orders through our on-site pop-up or the small widget in the lower-right corner of the page, so be sure to grab it while it’s available. For the latest updates in real time, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, with Instagram being the place we share new releases and announcements most often.

We understand that plans can change, and we always want to be as helpful as possible.

Because we focus on processing and shipping orders quickly, we’re generally unable to cancel orders once they are confirmed. Our Shipping Policy reflects this approach, so we can get your Mora pieces to you as soon as possible.

If you need assistance, please contact us right away with your order number. We’ll check the order status and see what might be possible, but we cannot guarantee that a cancellation will be available.

If your order has already shipped or isn’t able to be canceled, you can still make use of our 30-Day Promise once your order is delivered — meaning if you’re not completely happy with your items, you may return them for a refund under the conditions outlined in our Return Policy.

After placing an order, you’ll have a 60-minute window to edit your shipping address or order details using the edit link in your order confirmation email.

During this 60-minute window, orders have not yet entered processing and can be updated, but orders cannot be canceled. We strongly recommend making any changes within this time, as it’s the most reliable way to update your order.

After the 60-minute edit window has passed, orders begin moving into processing. If you contact us after this time, we may attempt to assist with changes, but we can’t guarantee that updates will be possible, as the order may already be in fulfillment or preparing for shipment. Once an order has been processed or shipped, we’re unable to make changes to the shipping address or order details.

• Free shipping on U.S. orders over $100
• $5 flat-rate shipping on U.S. orders under $100

Most orders arrive within about 3 business days on average. That said, delivery times can vary depending on factors like your location, carrier delays, and holidays. In some cases, your order may take 5–7 business days to arrive after shipping.

Once your order ships, you’ll receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking details so you can follow its progress.

If you ordered multiple items, it’s normal for them to ship from different warehouses. As a result, your order may arrive in separate packages on different days.

Each shipment will have its own tracking information. If a few days have passed and you’re unsure about the status of your remaining items, feel free to reach out — we’re happy to help track everything for you.

Occasionally, carriers may mark a package as delivered slightly earlier than when it actually arrives. If this happens, we recommend waiting 1–2 additional business days, as packages often show up shortly after.

In the meantime, please check around your delivery area (porches, side doors, mailrooms, or front desks) and ask neighbors if the package may have been delivered nearby.

If your tracking shows a clear issue — such as a delivery failure, an unusual status update, or a package marked as delivered but still not received after a short wait — you’re welcome to contact us through the Mora Care Hub, and we’ll do our best to help investigate.

In most cases, we ask customers to allow up to 5–7 business days after shipping for delivery to complete. If your package still hasn’t arrived after that window, please reach out to us and we’ll assist with next steps.

Please note that once a package leaves our facility, the carrier is responsible for its delivery. If an order is delayed or undeliverable due to an incorrect or incomplete address provided at checkout, the customer is responsible for the outcome.

Return, refund, or replacement requests related to non-delivery can be initiated after the delivery window has passed and the package is confirmed missing. At that point, we’ll work with you to help resolve the situation.

If your tracking shows a clear issue, such as a delivery failure, an exception notice, an unusual status update, or a package marked “Delivered” but still not received after a short wait, please contact us through the Mora Care Hub. We’ll do our best to help investigate.

In most cases, we ask customers to allow up to 5–7 business days after shipping for delivery to complete. If your order still hasn’t arrived after that window, reach out through the Mora Care Hub and we’ll help review next steps.

Please note that once a package leaves our facility, the carrier is responsible for delivery. If an issue is caused by an incorrect or incomplete address entered at checkout, the customer is responsible for the outcome.

We strongly recommend using a physical address instead of a P.O. Box. Carrier delivery rules can vary, and “Delivered” scans may be difficult to resolve afterward.

We don’t currently offer express shipping. Our standard shipping is already quite fast—most orders arrive in about 3 business days on average. Delivery times can vary based on location, carrier delays, or holidays, and in some cases may take 5–7 business days after shipping. Because express services can still experience carrier delays, we’ve found that standard shipping often provides the most reliable and consistent experience.

We currently ship within the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, and APO addresses. At this time, we do not offer direct international shipping, including to Canada.

For APO addresses, we’re able to process standard orders. However, custom orders and replacement shipments may not be eligible for these locations due to shipping limitations. If you have questions or run into issues with your order, please reach out to us through the Mora Care Hub, and we’ll do our best to help.

We ship orders to U.S. addresses provided at checkout. If a customer chooses to use a forwarding or third-party shipping service, please note that our responsibility ends once the order is successfully delivered to the U.S. address.

When a carrier marks a package as delivered and provides confirmation (such as a delivery scan, photo, or carrier record), the order is considered fulfilled and complete. We’re unable to take responsibility for any loss, delay, damage, or non-delivery that occurs after delivery to that U.S. address, including issues related to forwarding services, international transit, customs, duties, or third-party handling.

We offer Mora’s 30-Day Promise: if you don’t love your Mora piece, you may return it for a refund within 30 days of delivery, as long as it is unused, in like-new condition, and returned in its original packaging. All returns must be received and inspected before a refund can be approved.

Please submit your request through the Mora Care Hub and choose the option that best matches your situation. Include:

• Your order number
• The reason for the return
• If the item is defective or damaged, at least one clear photo

Once your request is confirmed, we’ll email you the next steps and return instructions.

Return shipping is not currently covered by Mora.

After we receive and inspect your return, approved refunds are processed back to the original payment method. Please allow up to 14 days after inspection for the refund to be completed.

We’re so sorry your item didn’t arrive in perfect condition. We know how disappointing that can be, and we’re here to help.

Please submit a request through the Mora Care Hub and include the following information so our team can review it as quickly as possible:

• Your order number
• A brief description of the issue
• Clear photos of the damaged item and the packaging (if available)

Once we receive your submission, our quality team will review the details and guide you through the next steps.

Please contact us through the Mora Care Hub and include:

• Your order number
• A photo of what you received
• The name (or link) of the missing/incorrect item

We’ll verify the shipment details and help you resolve it as quickly as possible.

You can contact us by visiting Customer Service on our website and submitting a form through the Mora Care Hub, where we review each message with care. If you need additional support, you can also email us at care@moraceramics.com.

No. The recipient will not see item prices in the package. Order details and pricing are only shown in the order confirmation sent to the purchaser.

At this time, we don’t offer gift messages at checkout. It’s something we’re actively considering for the future.

We’re happy to help. If you received Mora as a gift and would like a different item, please contact us through the Mora Care Hub. We’ll guide you through the options based on the item’s condition and our return policy.

In most cases, once the original item is returned and approved, we can issue a Mora e-gift card so you can choose the piece that feels right for you.

Yes. We offer Mora e-gift cards—a simple, flexible way to gift Mora. If you can’t find them on our site, reach out through the Mora Care Hub and we’ll point you in the right direction.

At this time, we don’t offer custom orders or customizations, including:

• Custom logos or branding
• Custom color sets not currently offered on our site

Each collection is thoughtfully curated to mix, match, and feel personal in your own way.

If you’d like to personalize a piece for personal use, you may enjoy this guide:

6 Creative Ways to Paint & Personalize a Ceramic Mug.

Personal-use note: DIY personalization is meant for individual, non-commercial use. It does not grant any license or permission to apply trademarks, branding, or modifications for resale, private label use, or commercial distribution. Any commercial use, branding, or resale customization must be disclosed in advance and approved by Mora in writing. We reserve all rights to protect our brand and products.

Yes. We offer a dedicated Hospitality & Trade Program created specifically for restaurants, cafes, brick-and-mortar retailers, and design-led projects that value both durability and thoughtful design.

Mora pieces are restaurant-grade, built to withstand the demands of daily service while maintaining a calm, refined presence at the table. This program is designed for partners who use our pieces in real, high-touch environments — not mass resale channels.

Through our Hospitality & Trade Program, you’ll have access to:

• Special trade pricing tailored for hospitality and in-store use
• Product selection support to help align pieces with your space, menu, or brand aesthetic
• Reliable supply planning for restaurants, coffee bars, boutiques, and design-focused projects
• A balance of strength, consistency, and visual warmth suited for everyday service and guest experiences

Whether you’re outfitting a busy dining room, stocking a local shop, or sourcing ceramics for a design or creative project, we’re here to collaborate thoughtfully and intentionally.

To learn more and apply, visit our Hospitality & Trade Program page.

At this time, Mora is primarily available online, and we don’t currently have a physical retail store. We’ve put a lot of care into making the online experience feel just as thoughtful, from product details to packaging and support.

If we launch pop-ups or add in-person retail partners in the future, we’ll share updates through our email list and social channels.

If an item is out of stock, we recommend signing up for restock notifications on the product page (or joining our email list). We’ll notify you as soon as it’s available again.

Most of our packaging is recyclable, including shipping boxes and paper-based materials. Paper and cardboard are always our first choice, and we use them whenever they can safely protect your order.

That said, some items require additional protection to arrive safely. Because our ceramics vary in size, weight, shape, and edge structure, not every piece faces the same shipping risk. In some cases, this means using more cushioning in certain areas, and in others, very little. When foam is used, it’s intentional and applied only where it truly matters.

The foam we use is EPE (Expanded Polyethylene). While EPE foam can be recycled through certain specialized programs, most curbside recycling services in the U.S. don’t accept it. For that reason, unless your local guidelines specifically state otherwise, we recommend placing the foam in regular trash. Reusing it for storage, moving, or protecting other fragile items is also a great option.

We’re committed to reducing packaging wherever we can and continuing to improve how we protect our products. Our goal is simple: use paper whenever possible, use foam only when necessary, and keep refining our approach as better solutions become available.

We understand why packaging materials matter, especially when you open a box and notice protective foam inside. It’s natural to wonder why everything can’t be packed using only paper or cardboard.

We share the same goal: prioritizing paper-based packaging whenever possible and reducing overall material use. However, because our products are ceramic and highly fragile, not every piece faces the same shipping risks. Shape, weight, edges, and how a package may be compressed or handled during transit can vary significantly.

For that reason, our packaging setup may differ from one order to another. This isn’t random, and it isn’t about using more material than necessary. It reflects ongoing testing and refinement, with protection added only where it truly matters.

Our packaging principles are simple:

• Protect only where protection is necessary
  Cushioning is applied at critical stress points and fragile areas. We avoid filling packages unnecessarily and focus on protecting what truly needs protection.
• Paper and cardboard first, whenever they can do the job
  For box structure, internal support, and most fillers, we prioritize paper-based solutions whenever they can safely support the product.
• Avoid overpackaging and continuously refine usage
  Our goal isn’t packaging that looks excessive. It’s packaging that’s just right. As long as safe delivery is ensured, we continue refining and reducing material use.

There’s also an important reality worth stating clearly. For fragile items, the purpose of packaging isn’t appearance, it’s safe arrival. When breakage happens, it creates significantly more waste: discarded products, replacement shipments, additional packaging, and repeated transportation. From the perspective of the U.S. EPA’s waste hierarchy, preventing waste at the source comes before recycling or disposal. Reducing breakage helps avoid repeat shipments, fuel use, and the environmental cost of moving the same product twice.

Finally, and most importantly, we’re committed to continuous improvement. We regularly test new paper materials, box sizes, internal structures, and packing methods. With safe delivery as our baseline, we refine our approach step by step to eliminate unnecessary material use.

Thank you for caring about these details and for giving us the opportunity to keep doing better.