Lace Me Up, Baby!

The Ceres Lace is part of the new Key line by Jopen. The Ceres is offered in several design and texture options. This particular vibrator has a lacey texture, which reminds me of a fishnet stocking design. Beginners and advanced users alike will find a way to enjoy this toy.

The Ceres line is larger than the smaller Key Charms, and can be used internally as well as externally. You have a few options for clitoral stimulation externally. You can hold the shaft of the Ceres Lace against you for a broader stimulation. If you enjoy more pinpoint stimulation, you can use the rounded tip where you want the sensation to be felt. Another way this toy can be used externally is to rub the shaft against your clitoris, as the texture will cause some pretty intense sensations. Used internally, the texture does make itself known as well. I wouldn't say that it's overwhelming, or should scare users away from the toy, but it can be felt during use. Because the tip of the toy is wider than the shaft near the base, it may be difficult for users who prefer a more slender toy to insert this one. You can't work up to the large diameter or choose to only insert the tip, as the tip is the widest part. I was able to reach my g-spot with this toy, but it will depend on your anatomy.

It is not recommended that you use this toy anally, as it has no flared base. It could be used for teasing other erogenous zones, like nipples or testicles.

This toy could be used for couples play, as well. As it has no clitoral arm to get in the way, it could be wielded by a partner during oral sex. In certain positions, it could also be used externally while you enjoyed vaginal or anal intercourse.

The Ceres Lace is made of three main materials: silicone, ABS plastic and stainless steel alloy.

The insertable portion of the toy is made of silicone. Silicone rates a 10 out of 10 on the Eden Safety Scale. It is non-porous, hypoallergenic, latex free and phthalates free. Silicone also has antibacterial qualities. The silicone used for the Ceres is velvety and soft, with very little drag. It has a buttery feel, and is quite lovely. The texture on the shaft is a grid pattern, with raised circles where the lines intersect. It mimics fishnet stockings. It is enough texture to satisfy anyone who enjoys texture. If you don't like texture, this won't be the toy for you. It does add quite a bit of stimulation while you're using the toy, and can be felt strongly when you thrust. The shaft portion of the Ceres is a muted lavender color. The shaft has no bend or flex close to the base, as the silicone surrounds a core of hard plastic. The last 2 1/2" inches of the toy are slightly flexible, as they don't have a hard plastic core.

The base/handle of the Ceres Lace is ABS plastic. It is shiny and the color coordinates with the color of the shaft. Mine is a deep purple. It has the appearance of glass, with lots of shine and beveled edges. As it's hard plastic, it's firm with no give or flex. One side of the base is contoured to ergonomically fit your hand, so your thumb lines up with the single button.

The small round button on the end of the base is made of stainless steel alloy. It has the word "KEY" imprinted on it, as well as a small picture of a skeleton key. The button has a shiny silver appearance, and is smooth except for the words and picture.

No part of the toy has any smell or taste. Straight out of the package there was no smell, and it does not retain any odors after use or washing

The Ceres Lace is a classy vibrator, no doubt about it. It is about as far from a realistic toy as you can get. If the whole concept of a disembodied penis that vibrates freaks you out a bit, and you like your toys to have a certain elegance to them, this might be the toy for you.

The basic shape is much like many of the traditional vibrators on the market, with the exception of the fact that the shaft is wider at the tip and gradually decreases in diameter as you get closer to the base. This design means you need to enjoy the widest width of the shaft, because that's the diameter you need to insert first. You can't work up to it, or only insert the tip of the toy to avoid the largest diameter. I wouldn't call the Ceres Lace a toy that is out of the comfort level of most users, so it may not be an issue, but if you don't enjoy a lot of girth in a vibrator it may cause troubles for you. I would say the Ceres Lace is firmly within the average size category, and is neither too large or too small.

The Ceres Lace measures 7 3/8" in total length, with an insertable length of 5 1/4". At it's widest point, the shaft measures 1 1/2" in diameter. Closer to the base, the diameter of the shaft measures 1".

I was impressed by how the toy fits in your hand. The design is ergonomic and comfortable. When you grip the handle, your thumb rest where it needs to in order to press the button. It seems made to fit in the palm of your hand, so clearly a lot of thought was put into the comfort of the user.

Although the toy doesn't scream sex toy, I would say that most people would be able to guess what it is. If you don't feel comfortable explaining what it is, or having a conversation about sex toys, I'd suggest not leaving it out when you have company. When traveling, it is going to be obvious to the TSA inspectors what it is as well, so either be prepared to deal with that, or place the Ceres Lace in your checked bags with no batteries in it.

The Ceres Lace is controlled by a single button on the base of the toy. Pushing the button once turns the vibrations on to the first setting. Subsequent presses of the button cycle you through the different vibration functions.





The settings are:

1-High (steady vibration)
2-High 2 (a slightly studdery steady vibration)
3-Wave (undulating vibrations)
4-Pulse (fairly speedy pulse)
5-Throb (a pattern of some pulses, and some light studders)
6-Flutter (a slightly speedier pulse)
7-Tease (a pulse with longer gaps in between them)

There is no low or medium steady vibration setting. There is only two steady settings, and they are both pretty darn high. If you like to back off your vibrations during solo play, or you prefer a more subtle sensation, this vibrator won't be the one for you. The Lace has a decent amount of power, and the vibrations are very deep with quite a rumble. The vibrations can be felt in the base a bit, but most of the power is centered fairly equally along the shaft. The noise level for this toy was just as they describe, it's quite quiet. You will be able to hear this toy over the covers, but not through a door. Even hearing it over the covers, it's not an annoying noise, just a low growl.

The Ceres Lace is waterproof, and can be submerged. I allowed the toy to run underwater for quite some time without any loss of power. When tested in the bathroom, my husband wasn't able to hear it outside the bathroom door, so it would be discreet enough for shower/bath use if you had roommates.

This toy takes 2 AA batteries. After you unscrew the cap, you remove a plastic tube which surrounds the batteries and helps to insulate them, ensuring they don't rattle inside the shaft of the toy. You place the two batteries inside the plastic tube, and then slide that plastic tube inside the shaft of the toy. After the batteries are inserted, you replace the base. In other reviews, people have mentioned the impossibility of removing the batteries once they are inserted. In the forums, a representative from Jopen advised that they were aware of the issue and have since corrected it. The Ceres Lace I have doesn't have the issue. The batteries, within the plastic tube, come out with an easy shake of the toy, so it appears the situation has been remedied on all toys from here on out. After using the toy many times, for a cumulative span of several hours, I'm still on the first set of batteries, so the Ceres Lace doesn't guzzle batteries.

Jopen recommends cleaning the Ceres Lace before and after each use. It can be cleaned using water and a mild soap or your favorite toy cleaner. If you wish to sterilize the insertable portion of the toy, you can wipe it down with a 10% bleach solution. As it has a motor, it cannot be boiled or placed in the dishwasher to sterilize it.

As a silicone toy, you will want to avoid any contact with other silicone products to avoid damage. Stay away from silicone lubes, or storing the Ceres Lace next to any other silicone toys. If you wish to use lube with the Ceres Lace, make sure you choose a water based lube.

One thing to mention with the Ceres Lace is that it isn't very easy to clean. The small nooks and crannies of the lace pattern really hold on to fluids and lubes. This isn't a toy you can simply apply a bit of soap to and run your hand along it under the stream of water. I use a toothbrush purchased for this use only, and I label the handle. When I clean the Ceres, I apply soap and then gently brush along each line. I have found that if I don't do that, when the toy dries you will see a slight white residue.

The information included with the Ceres Lace advises:

--Avoid exposure to direct sunlight of storage for prolonged periods at temperatures above 100 degrees
--Storage at high humidity or heat environments can cause defects in the battery

This may not come into play for most users, but if you are storing your toy in a storage unit that isn't climate controlled, or you live in a hot climate without air conditioning, it may cause damage.

The Ceres Lace can be stored in the box it comes it, or in the included storage bag. If you would rather store it elsewhere, you can, but avoid storing it in contact with any other silicone toys to avoid damage.

The packaging for the Ceres Lace is very classy. There is an outer box with a color photo of the toy on the front. On the back of the outer box, there is a great deal of text giving a brief description of the toy and a list of its features.

The features mentioned include:
-7 Intense Patterns
-Soft and Luxurious, body safe Silicone
-Sophisticated glass-like effect designer controller
-3 styles available: original, lace and g
-Waterproof
-Hold for 3 seconds to turn off anytime
-Stainless alloy easy push button
-Soft luxury lint free storage bag included
-Whisper quiet
-Uses 2 AA batteries, not included
-One Year Warranty
-Directions enclosed

Both sides of the outer box include the same information, in 4 different languages.

The inner box is a black package that opens like a book. On the outside of the inner box, the patterns that the toy has are listed, as well as a repeat of some of the basic information about the toy. If you open the flap on the inner box, you will see the toy resting in a foam insert. Beneath the foam insert, you will find the bag with the booklets and storage pouch. I think that Jopen has included more than enough information about care and use of the toy.

I would say the package is great for gifting, and it is pretty nice for storage as well.

After my less than stellar review of the Charms Silk, I decided to give the new Key line from Jopen one more shot. I'm so glad I did, as I picked a winner this time.

Don't get me wrong, you have to really love texture to enjoy this toy, because it sure has a bunch of it. I also think that it works better for solo play than couples play. There are times, either building up to orgasm or just after orgasm, where I enjoy more or less of the textural play. For example, this toy didn't feel great when my husband tried to remove it just after an orgasm and my body was firmly clenched around it. I love the feeling of all of this texture while the toy is being slowly thrust and I'm building up to orgasm. Love it!

I was able to angle the Ceres Lace and use the texture to massage my g-spot by rocking the toy, and by slowly thrusting it. The combination of that deep rumble and the texture pattern felt amazing.

If I had to compare it to something, I would say it mimics the Rainbow Nubby Wand, as those little circles on the Ceres Lace are raised. It gives a similar sensation when thrust, and both of them feel great to orgasm around. I enjoyed using the Ceres Lace while my husband went down on me, as I enjoy any vibrator with a deep rumble during oral sex.

There are three negatives with this toy.

The first is that it takes a lot of time to clean. It is, without a doubt, the most annoying toy that I have in terms of making sure you get all the teeny areas clean.

The second is that there is no low setting. I don't enjoy patterns at all, and I like having the option of starting out on a low vibration setting and gradually increasing the vibration intensity as I get more and more worked up. Without that option, I usually end up using another toy for warm up, and then moving over to the Ceres Lace once I'm hot and ready for it. This isn't the worst thing in the world, but if they had added just two more steady setting, I wouldn't need to do that.

The third is that I expected it to pack more of a punch. It's enough to satisfy most users, I suppose, but I expected more power. It won't please power queens.

Overall, I'm glad I gave the KEY line another shot. This is a quality toy, but you have to know what works for you and choose accordingly. If you love texture and don't need 4 or 5 vrooms, this might be just the thing that you've been looking for.