Miniature Materials Encyclopedia

Material changes the way a miniature catches light, holds texture and ages over time. Product pages identify the materials used for each piece.

Material	Best for	What it contributes	Care
Polymer clay	Food, fruit and organic forms	Fine hand-shaped texture and color variation	Keep cool and away from direct sun
Air-dry resin clay	Lightweight sculpted details	Soft organic shapes and hand-finished character	Keep dry; avoid crushing thin parts
Cast resin	Crisp repeatable forms	Sharp edges and consistent geometry	Avoid heat and strong solvents
Glass	Jars, bottles and vessels	Real transparency, weight and reflections	Handle by the base and protect from impact
Ceramic	Plates, bowls and tableware	Real glaze, weight and subtle surface variation	Dust gently; do not soak
Metal and wood	Hardware, tools, furniture and scene props	Structure, grain, patina and believable scale	Keep dry and dust with a soft brush

Choosing for realism

There is no single “best” material. Food benefits from sculptable clay, transparent vessels benefit from real glass, and table settings gain presence from ceramic or metal. The right choice depends on the object and the kind of realism it needs.

Care basics

Keep miniatures away from direct sunlight, high heat and humidity. Dust with a soft brush or air blower. Avoid soaking, alcohol and household cleaners. For item-specific guidance, follow the care notes on the product page.