FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does your mica come from - is child labor excluded?
We buy our pigment from a pigment supplier who is a member of the responsible-mica-initiative.com and actively works against child labor. His statement reads, "We do not tolerate child labor and, as a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, are actively working to end this practice. We require all of our suppliers to behave accordingly and therefore prohibit child labor in our contracts."
How do you package your orders? Is there a lot of plastic involved?
We place a high value on environmental friendliness and sustainability, so all of our own products are packaged plastic-free. We only use paper as packaging material. However, third-party products in our store may sometimes contain plastic in their outer packaging. We strongly believe that acting sustainably and protecting our environment is of utmost importance, and we are committed to doing our part in this important cause.
Does your paint contain microplastics?
The environment is important to us! Our handmade Pearlcolors do not contain microplastics, they are made from Mica Pigments and Gum Arabic, both natural ingredients. For this reason, you will not find any holographic colors in our shop, as they usually contain microplastics. We strictly adhere to the EU measures to reduce microplastics in products, which came into force in October 2023.
Do you also have holographic colors in your range?
Since holographic colors contain mainly microplastics, they are not available from us for reasons mentioned above.
How much paint is in a color pot?
Our colors have a content of approx. 4ml
Do you ship to...
Yes, we ship worldwide.
Where is my package?
After your package has left our office, you'll automatically receive a tracking link. You will find the tracking number in this email - sometimes the local postal service offers more detailed information on the location of your package, eg for the USA it is www.USPS.com
Is there only the more expensive shipping method with DHL Express available?
No, in the checkout process you can choose the shipping service provider. To almost all countries "Economy Shipping" is still available.
What is the price in my currency?
A currency converter can easily be found online. Please note that the price may change slightly depending on the bank and payment method.
Is there a color chart with all Pearlcolors?
Yes, here's a color chart with all Pearlcolors on white and black Paper: Pearlcolor Color Chart
I have seen other colors that look similar to yours
Our Pearlcolors with Ø 30 mm come in white pots and have the beautiful wavy surface or the starlike/gem like surface that is exclusive to coliro. All available Pearlcolors by coliro/Finetec GmbH can be found in our shop. If color shades are not listed in our shop, they are from a competitor.
Are fillers used in the Pearlcolors?
We don't use fillers. Our Pearlcolors consist of pigment, Gum Arabic and minimal amounts of excipients.
Are your Pearlcolors really handmade?
Yes, the colors are purely handcrafted in a small village in Bavaria, Germany.
How long is the shelf life of your colors?
Our paints have an almost unlimited shelf life, provided they are stored in a dry place - we have paints here that are more than 15 years old and still have the same quality. Just let them dry well after use.
What kind of colors are these Pearlcolors?
They are color blocks (similar to water colors) that become really creamy when mixed with water, they can be used with a brush or nib.
What are "Shimmer Pearlcolors"?
Most Pearlcolors are opaque colors, but we also offer Shimmer-Pearlcolors, which are difficult to see on white paper – on dark paper though they appear in the brightest colors. Shimmer-Pearlcolors are also perfect for adding amazing highlights to your paintings.
On which materials can I use your colors?
On almost any surface that is not too smooth or waterproof: paper, wood, stone, cardboard, clay ...
How can I preserve the colors?
You can use Liquitex, spray glue for puzzles or regular hair spray which preserves, but is not waterproof. After that you can apply a waterproof spraying varnish for exterior use to make it weatherproof.
Are the colors food safe?
The colors are not toxic but not tested for food safety, so please do not eat decorated Easter eggs, use empty eggshells for painting.
Where can I buy your colors in a local shop?
There are many stores carrying our products - as we deliver to end users and wholesalers only, we don't know every retailer of our products, nor do we know whether they carry all of our colors and sets or just a selection. Some special sets and accessories are only available in our shop.
Are your colors suitable for calligraphy?
Yes, absolutely. Just apply the paint with a brush to both sides of the nib.
After some use, a small hole in the middle appears in my Pearlcolor - is this normal?
Due to the hand-made production no two color blocks are the same. Pearlcolors are slightly curved on the bottom which is caused by the natural drying process and can sometimes lead to a little hole appearing in the middle of the color block after some use. This is not a defect but a natural occurrence.
This also can happen if the water is applied in the middle of the color only, as the pigments then only dissolve below the water and over time, a conical hole appears, which is wider at the bottom - until you can see almost the complete bottom of the pan and it looks like as there was a big air hole in the color.
When I use the colors some get a whitish film on top of it - what is this?
Large amounts of water on a color can produce a whitish film of Gum Arabic on the surface of some Pearlcolors. Just mix the color well and it will disappear.
Do the name stickers come with the colors, or do I have to buy them separately?
The stickers are already included with any new single Pearlcolor - they do not have to be ordered separately. Pearlcolor Sets come with a leaflet with a color overview - if you prefer name stickers you can purchase them seperately in our shop.
How do I get a discount code?
Follow us on Instagram or subscribe to our Newsletter - from time to time we will promote some codes there.