MIRANIQUE · The Process

The Process

From a Tree to Your Hands

Harvesting the Lacquer

The Raw Material

Natural lacquer is harvested by hand from the Rhus verniciflua tree — a process unchanged for over 3,000 years. Each tree yields only a small amount each season, making the material rare and deeply intentional. This is where every piece begins: not in a factory, but in a forest.

Harvested once per season · 100% natural · Chemical-free

Preparing the Colors

Pigment on Water

Natural pigments are carefully selected and prepared. Each color is hand-mixed and tested before being introduced to the water surface. The water must be perfectly still. The temperature matters. The moment must be right.

No synthetic dyes · Temperature-sensitive · Hand-measured

The Pour

Where Control Ends

This is the moment everything changes. As color meets water, it spreads in ways no hand can fully predict. No pattern can ever be repeated. No pour is ever the same.

The defining moment · Unrepeatable · Uncontrolled

Capturing the Moment

From Water to Surface

The floating pattern is gently lifted from the water and transferred onto the surface of the piece. Each transfer is a single chance.

One chance · Perfect timing · Irreversible

Drying & Blooming

The Blooming Process

Natural lacquer requires time. After application, each piece enters a controlled drying period. As it oxidizes with light and air, the color gradually deepens and brightens. What arrives with you will continue to transform. This is its nature.

2-week bloom period · Gets more vivid over time

5,000+

Years of Craft

100%

Natural Lacquer

Identical Pieces

Piece Per Pattern

Blooming & Wear

Natural lacquer continues to oxidize with light exposure. The blooming process takes approximately 2 weeks. Natural sunlight may accelerate the transformation. Once fully developed, the color becomes more vivid, translucent, and refined. It is recommended to wear the piece only after blooming is complete.

Sensitive Skin Notice

A small number of users with sensitive skin may experience mild temporary reactions while the lacquer is not fully oxidized. Extend sun exposure for approximately 2 weeks before wearing. Once fully oxidized and stabilized, such reactions will no longer occur, even in humid conditions.

Cleaning

If cleaning is required, please do so only after the blooming process has stabilized. Clean gently using a mild detergent and allow to air dry naturally. Once fully oxidized, the color remains stable and is not prone to fading.

Good to know

Natural lacquer is non-toxic and chemical-free. The darker tone at first is completely normal — it is a sign the lacquer is alive and evolving.

Why does my piece look darker than in the photos?

Natural lacquer darkens slightly right after application — this is completely normal and expected. As it oxidizes with light and air over approximately 2 weeks, the color gradually becomes brighter, more vivid, and more translucent. This process is called blooming.

How long does the blooming process take?

Approximately 2 weeks. Placing the piece in natural sunlight for a few hours each day will accelerate the process. Once fully bloomed, the color is stable and will not continue to change significantly.

Can I wear it before it finishes blooming?

We recommend waiting until the blooming process is complete before wearing directly on skin — especially for those with sensitive skin. Once fully oxidized, the lacquer is completely stable and safe for all skin types.

Is natural lacquer safe?

Yes. Natural lacquer has been used for thousands of years. It is non-toxic and chemical-free. Once fully oxidized, it is completely safe even in humid conditions. A small number of people with highly sensitive skin may experience mild reactions before full oxidation.

How should I store my piece?

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct humidity. During the blooming period, a little natural sunlight each day is beneficial. After blooming, normal indoor conditions are perfectly fine.

Will the color fade over time?

Once fully oxidized, natural lacquer is exceptionally durable and resistant to fading. The colors are mineral-based and do not degrade under normal conditions.