FAQ

Got a question about our slate? Here are the straight answers — same rock, same quarry, no fluff.

Where does your slate come from?

Welsh quarrymen dug this Maryland quarry in the early 1800s. The pit is a pond now — ours. Old roofers only took about the top 20% for tiles — we work the rubble piles they left, mountains of stacked slate. We bring it in by wheelbarrow, split it with hammer and chisel the old way, then finish it on the saw. Handcrafted slate, still made the quarry way.

What do you sell?

Natural slate for a few different jobs:

Landscaping — stepping stones, paths, garden accents, outdoor stone that looks like it belongs.
Mosaics & craft — chips, rods, and materials for art, school projects, and DIY mosaics.
Pet & aquarium décor — caves, ledges, and pieces for aquariums, terrariums, and vivariums.

Is it real natural slate?

Yes. 100% real natural quarry slate. Each piece is hand-split with a hammer and chisel, then cut to size on a tile/stone saw for our products — a handcrafted process that keeps old quarry traditions alive. No fake stone, no resin "lookalikes," no painted concrete. What you see is what came out of the ground.

Shipping in the US

We ship across the United States. Flat rates land roughly around:

Envelope-size packages ~ $12.90
Medium boxes ~ $24.80
Large boxes ~ $34

Those are ballpark numbers — see checkout for the exact rate on your order.

We ship in USPS Flat Rate Shipping boxes, and packages are insured by USPS for damage while shipping. If your package is damaged during shipping, file a claim with USPS.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes. We ship to Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and New Zealand. International rates show up at checkout.

How long until my order ships?

We typically process orders in a few business days — usually about 3–5 business days, same ballpark as our Etsy shop. You'll get a tracking update once it leaves us. Weather, Post Office delays, and holidays can slow shipping down, so give it a little extra time when any of those are in the mix.

Discounts & promos

Through September 30, 2026, use code FALL15 for 15% off mosaics & craft slate. Current promos may also appear at checkout or in the site banner — grab whatever's live when you shop.

Care, outdoor use & aquarium safety

Outdoor slate: It's natural stone. It holds up outside the way slate always has — rinse off dirt if you like, and place it where you want it. No fancy sealers required unless you prefer that look.

Aquarium / pet pieces: Rinse aquarium and terrarium pieces well before you put them in the tank or enclosure. Natural slate is commonly used this way; a good rinse gets off quarry dust so your critters get a clean start.

Returns & refunds

We want you happy with your rock. For full details on returns and refunds, please see our Refund policy and Terms of Service on this site.

Wholesale & large landscaping orders

Need a bigger haul for a landscaping job, wholesale, or a custom quantity? Email us at thecleanslatecompany@gmail.com and tell us what you're after. We'll figure it out with you.