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FAQ's and Info |
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Why are there no prices on your items? Don't you sell your jewelry?
- Yes, I do sell my jewelry, but everthing I sell is custom-made, and most are one of a kind. The photos on my website are there to give you an idea of the kinds of things that I
can make. Unfortunately, with the crazy fluctuations in precious metals prices these days I simply cannot keep prices on the website up to date. Please contact me for an quote on the item(s) you are interested in.
- If I want you to make something for me, what should I do?
- Send me an email (click here) and let me know what you are interested in. We'll work the design out together, and I will quote you a price before I begin.
- I would like something for a special occasion, but I don't see exactly what I'm looking for. Can you make other designs?
- Certainly! I love designing and making jewelry for special occasions and special gifts.
If you want to customize one of my designs, or have an idea for your own unique design,
call or send e-mail, and I'll be happy to make a special piece just for you!
- How do I pay you?
- I will send you a Paypal invoice, and all you have to do is click and provide your payment info. You do not need to have a PayPal account to send payment.
- Do you take credit cards?
- Yes, PayPal accepts credit cards.
 
- Are Internet credit card purchases secure?
- They are when you use a secure system like PayPal's.
Visit their Web site at www.paypal.com for additional information.
- What if I don't trust paying over the Internet?
- You can mail me a personal check. Send me an email (click here) to request the mailing address. Your jewelry will be shipped after the check has been deposited and the payment has cleared (typically about 5-7 business days after receipt).
- Do I have to pay sales tax?
- Only Maryland residents must pay 6% sales tax, which is automatically added to your order.
- How much does shipping cost?
- Shipping costs $5.50 for orders under $100, $7.50 for orders between $100 and $200,
and shipping is FREE for orders over $200. Shipping cost is automatically added to your order.
- How are orders shipped?
- All orders are shipped via the U.S. Postal Service Priority Mail. I always request a delivery confirmation, which allows us to track the package,
but no signature is required from anyone at the shipping address.
- How long will my order take?
- Please allow up to 2 weeks for delivery. Your order will be shipped within a week, and Priority Mail
delivery takes 3 days or so (sometimes a little longer).
- How do you handle returns?
- If you are dissatisfied with an item, you can return it within 14 days for a full refund (minus shipping costs), as long as it is in original condition. My jewelry comes with a lifetime guarantee, so if there is a
defect in materials or workmanship, you can return the item for free repair or replacement. Jewelry that has been damaged or abused can possibly be repaired, for a nominal charge, depending on the damage. Please call or e-mail me before returning any items.
About My Jewelry
All my jewelry is made by hand, by me. I begin with simple straight wire, and twist and shape it
using my hands, pliers, and occasionally a small jeweler's hammer. The small rings used in my chains are cut from spirals of wire wound by hand around a metal rod.
No glue or solder is used in any of my pieces -- everything is done with wire.
I use only quality materials in my jewelry: sterling
silver and 14K gold-filled wire, beads and findings,
along with beads made from semi-precious stones or
high-quality glass.
Definitions of Terms
STERLING SILVER: 92.5% pure silver alloyed with copper to make it stronger and more suitable for jewelry.
14K GOLD-FILLED: a layer of 14K gold equivalent to 5% of the weight of the piece is bonded to a core of high-quality brass using heat and pressure. This layer of gold is considerably thicker than in gold-plated or rolled gold jewelry, and will not wear off.
SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES: a wide variety of natural stones are used in my jewelry, including familiar ones like amethyst and quartz, as well as lesser-known stones such as sardonyx and aventurine. Samples of some of my stone beads are shown above.
CULTURED FRESH-WATER PEARLS: these are natural pearls harvested from fresh-water mollusks that have been seeded with small bits of shell or glass. For more information about pearls visit
www.amnh.org/exhibitions/pearls.
GLASS PEARLS or FAUX PEARLS: these are simulated pearls, made from glass beads covered with a pearlescent coating. They are durable, quality beads, and are more consistent in shape and color than cultured freshwater pearls. For more information about pearls visit
www.amnh.org/exhibitions/pearls.
HEMATITE: virtually all beads labeled "hematite" today are man-made rather than natural. They are chemically identical to natural hematite, but are manufactured, ensuring a ready supply of good-quality beads at reasonable prices.
VERMEIL: Solid 14K gold 100 millionths of an inch thick layered over sterling silver.
BALI vs. BALI-STYLE: To be called "Bali" silver, the item must have been actually made in Bali, which is part of Indonesia; most Bali silver is handmade. "Bali-style" components are similar in appearance to Bali components, but are made elsewhere, often by machine.
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