Inspect the rim, inside wall and base before putting a bowl on display. Give every loose bowl a quick sound test on a cushion or padded ring and check that any accessories listed with it are present.

Hammer marks, small differences in colour, slight asymmetry and variations in weight or tone are normal signs of handmade production. Sharp edges, a crack passing through the metal, an unsafe rocking base or a persistent buzz are different matters and should be reported before the bowl is sold.

Not necessarily. First move it away from a hard or glass shelf and place it on a suitable cushion or padded ring. Alternatively, hold it on a flat, open palm without allowing fingers or jewellery to touch the sides.

Try a different striker and make sure nearby bowls, price tags or display fittings are not vibrating along with it. If the buzz remains and the resonance dies unusually quickly, inspect the bowl carefully for a crack.

There is no single striker that brings out the best in every bowl. Plain wood generally produces a brighter, more immediate note. Suede-covered strikers are smoother around the rim, while padded or felt mallets can bring out a softer, deeper tone.

Larger bowls usually respond better to a larger or heavier striker. The best answer is wonderfully low-tech: try a few and listen. Check the Accessories for Singing Bowls below.

No. Boxed gift sets normally contain the essentials described in their individual listing, but loose bowls and display photographs should never be assumed to include every accessory shown.

Check the product specification before writing a retail description. Making the contents completely clear avoids disappointment when an online order arrives. Check the Accessories for Singing Bowls below.

No. Use the country of origin, materials and production details given for that particular product. Do not apply one supplier’s story to the whole family.

“Moon Bowl” may be the recognised name of a design or collection, but it should not automatically become a claim that the bowl was physically made beneath a full moon. In the same way, an antique-style finish does not make a newly produced bowl an antique. A romantic story is lovely; an accurate romantic story is better.

For routine cleaning, use a clean, soft cloth and keep the bowl dry. Avoid scouring pads, abrasive cleaners and enthusiastic attacks with metal polish, especially on engraved, painted, darkened or deliberately patinated finishes.

If a plain polished-brass bowl needs more attention, use a suitable gentle polish sparingly and test a discreet area first. Removing every trace of patina may change the intended finish and can make a handmade bowl look rather less interesting.

Protect the rim and wrap the bowl so it cannot move inside the parcel. Pack the striker separately or secure it firmly; never leave it loose inside the bowl where it becomes a small hammer for the entire journey.

Use a strong, correctly rated box with dense cushioning around heavier bowls. High-value or particularly large pieces are worth double-boxing. Once packed, nothing should shift when the carton is moved gently.