Vintage Stone Products: japanstones.shop's Origin First Policy

We sometimes receive questions about vintage stone items. To avoid any misunderstanding, we want to clearly state our policy.

How We Define “Vintage”

In our store, we define “vintage” as stone items made more than 20 years ago.

We Do Not Sell Vintage Items

As a rule, we do not sell vintage stone items, especially pre-owned items with unknown history.

The reason is simple: we do not want to risk selling anything with unclear provenance. Stone figures, lanterns, and other stone features can exist in many settings, and we will only handle items when the sourcing history is clear and explainable.

Limited Exceptions

While we do not sell vintage items in general, there are rare cases where we can offer certain pieces only when the sourcing is clearly documented through our trusted partners.

Exception 1: Dead Stock Held by Trusted Partner Workshops

We may offer items that qualify as vintage but are unused and never installed, held as dead stock by our trusted partner workshops.

• Clear custody: stored and managed by a known partner workshop or stone company
• Never installed: no history of being placed in a garden, facility, or site for long-term use
• Explainable specs: material, dimensions, finish, and background can be described accurately

Outdoor storage note: In the stone industry, inventory is often stored in outdoor yards. Even if never installed, items may show minor weathering, subtle color mellowing, or small surface marks from storage. We disclose the condition with photos and clear descriptions.

Exception 2: Recovered Items From Trusted Stone Companies

We may also offer stone items recovered by our trusted stone company partners during garden renovations or building demolition. These pieces are handled only when we can confirm a reasonable, explainable sourcing path through our partners.

• Availability is unpredictable: no one can know when such pieces will be recovered
• Condition varies: chips, repairs, or weathering may exist and will be disclosed
• Provenance matters: items without a clear, explainable sourcing path are not handled

Availability and Requests

These exceptions are not regular stock. We only list and sell such items when they arrive.

We do not accept individual sourcing requests or special orders for vintage items.

Final Note

Our priority is not rarity. Our priority is trust: we only sell stone items with sourcing we can responsibly explain.

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