Costa Nova

Costa Nova is a Portuguese maker of fine stoneware tableware whose group traces its origins to Grestel, a ceramics company founded in Vagos in 1998. The group now runs three production units, Grestel 2, Grestel 3 and Ecogres, and says more than 85% of what it makes is exported, with the United States as its main market. The American web store is run from Brewster, New York.

What Costa Nova sells

• Dinnerware sets, dinner, salad and pasta plates, and bowls in named collections such as Pacifica, Fattoria and Organic Shapes
• Serveware including platters, leaf platters, cake stands, pitchers and wooden boards
• Oven-to-table bakers, ramekins, gratins, pie dishes and butter dishes
• Mugs, latte bowls, teapots and the Grespresso coffee cups
• Flatware sets, Sensa recycled glassware, table linens, vases and candle holders

Some designs are sold under the Casafina by Costa Nova name. According to the brand, its stoneware can go in the oven, microwave and freezer and most pieces suit daily dishwasher use, though pieces with crazed glazes should stay out of the oven and freezer. Its Ecogres line uses recycled raw material made from ceramic surplus and by-products.

Delivery and returns

The US shipping policy charges $9.99 on orders up to $75, and orders over $75 ship free. Orders placed before 3 pm Eastern leave the same day. Transit takes 1 business day to Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland, 2 days to much of the Midwest and Southeast, and 3 to 7 days to other states.

Returns are accepted within 15 days of receipt. When an item simply does not meet expectations, the customer pays return shipping; Costa Nova reimburses shipping for wrong, defective or damaged items, and any transit damage should be written on the carrier's waybill. Refunds are issued about 15 days after the return arrives.

Gift registry and contact

Shoppers can create and manage a gift registry on the US site, which also has a gift guide sorted by recipient, occasion and price. The customer support line, (845) 277-5700, is staffed on weekdays from 9:30 am to 5 pm Eastern, and email goes to [email protected].