Check out the FAQ section on our blog for informative articles.
When will my ring ship?
To determine when your ring will ship by, count the the maximum number of weeks for the lead-time out from the date you plan to order. For example if the items says a lead-time of 5-6 weeks and you order on January 1st, then it would ship by February 12th at the latest.
When will I receive the ring?
That depends on the country you are located and the shipping method you chose.
For domestic shipments USPS First Class Mail typically takes 2-4 days. USPS Priority Mail typically takes 1-3 days. USPS Priority Express typically takes 1-2 days. However, USPS does not guarantee delivery dates or times.
For international shipments USPS First Class International can take up to 5 or 6 weeks transit time. USPS Priority Mail typically takes two weeks. Fedex is usually a faster and more reliable option (but also more expensive option), but transit time for international shipments vary depending on your location. For international shipments, the buyer is responsible for any taxes or duties imposed, and if customs clearance is required it can cause delays beyond our original delivery estimates.
What is a lab-grown diamond or gemstone?
A lab-grown (also know as synthetic or cultured) gemstone is a real gemstone in every sense: chemically, physically, atomically and optically. The only thing that differentiates it from a mined gemstone is its point of origin. This blog post has more information on lab-grown gemstones.
Lab-grown gemstones have a significantly lower impact on the environment, and are typically created by skilled laborers that receive fair wages and benefits. There is much more regulation in regards to the environment and labor practices with lab-grown than mined gemstones. If you are concerned about the environment and sustainability, then a lab-grown diamond or gemstone is your best option.
Lab grown diamonds are rated the same way that mined diamonds are (the four c's). The only way to tell the difference is that the lab grown diamonds are laser inscribed as such on the girdle, which can only be seen under a microscope.
Synthetic is not to be confused with simuland. A diamond simulant is something that may resemble a diamond, but does not possess all the same properties as a diamond. Common simulants include cubic zirconia, Moissanite, white sapphire and lead crystal. Simulants are usually available for mere dollars, or hundreds of dollars per carat, while mined and synthetic diamonds are thousands of dollars per carat.
Some brands of lab-grown gemstones are Chatham Created and Moissanite.
What is Moissanite?
Lab-created Moissanite is a near-colorless jewel made from silicon carbide (SiC) based on natural Moissanite. Naturally-occurring Moissanite is an extremely rare mineral found in limited quantities or as small particles in the earth, so Moissanites used in jewelry are lab-grown. Moissanite is a very hard and durable gemstone, second only to diamonds. It has more fire and brilliance than diamonds.
What is a recycled diamond?
A recycled diamond is a naturally occurring diamond, cut & polished from mined rough, previously set in jewelry then removed, and re-introduced into the supply chain for resale.
This blog post has more information on white sapphires, diamonds, and Moissanites.
How should I get sized?
Ring sizing is very tricky since fingers can change a whole size depending on the temperature and time of day. It’s always best to get sized several times, by several different people, on different days before ordering a ring. That way you can come up with a sort of average.
This blog post has more information on getting sized.
We do offer one free re-sizing per ring, on band rings without stones, up to 1/2 size (larger or smaller), within one year of receiving the ring. You are only responsible for shipping both ways. Beyond that rings can be re-sized for a fee, or you can take it to a jewelry repair shop to have it re-sized locally. Be sure to contact us first before sending a ring back to be re-sized.
Do you do custom work?
We will create pieces that are a customization or variation on styles that we currently offer, however we do not typically take on full custom jobs.
Can you darken my ring?
A patina to darken silver is possible, however rings take a lot of wear and tear, and over time patinas can wear off the high spots, just as rings can often get dinged or dented. Often times the patina will wear off within a month.
Do you plate your rings?
No, we do not plate any of our rings. Besides being bad for the environment, plating on rings typically wears off in about a year, so needs to be continually re-plated. We also believe that all the different gold alloys are beautiful on their own and should not be covered up.
Will this ring scratch?
During the normal course of wearing a wedding band, the appearance will change as the surface starts showing signs of wear. All finishes on rings will change over time. Rings take a lot of wear and tear, so a shiny finish will become less shiny and a matte finish will become more shiny. All rings, regardless of the metal, over time, will have scratches and dings. Some metals are softer, so it will happen faster (like sterling silver), and other metals are harder, so it will happen slowly (like stainless steel). The actual time that a finish lasts depends on the activity level of the wearer, so a satin or brush finish may last two or three years for some people, but only a few weeks or months for others.
This blog post has more information on durability.
Is one finish better than another?
Finishes on rings are just surface treatments, but will change with wear. Superficial scuff marks can be made by hard leather, wood and plastic (such as purses, briefcases, dishes, steering wheels). A textured band will not show scuff marks as quickly as a wide smooth band will. Often a polished ring will not show scuff marks as quickly as a band with a matte finish. Finishes can be re-applied, but some metal is removed every time you have a finish applied.
This blog post has more information on finishes and care.
What is sterling palladium?
Sterling palladium is a 925 sterling silver alloy which contains 3.0% palladium and 92.5% pure silver. It is intrinsically harder than standard sterling silver and is more tarnish resistance. It is slightly more grey and has a little more luster than traditional sterling silver. It is more durable than traditional sterling silver.
What is sterling silver?
Sterling silver is a bright white colored metal and an inexpensive alternative. However, sterling silver is a very soft metal in comparison to gold, platinum and palladium. Since wedding rings take a lot of wear and tear, a sterling silver ring will scratch, ding and lose its shape much faster than other precious metals. Thicker bands (1.5mm or 2mm thick) will hold their shape longer than a 1mm band.
What is palladium?
950 palladium is 95% pure palladium. Palladium is a metal in the platinum family, and shares many characteristics as platinum - durability, tarnish resistance, and is hypo-allergenic. It is a precious metal, and in addition to being used in jewelry, is has often been used in catalytic converters. It is a “white metal” that is slightly more gray than platinum or sterling silver. Palladium is less expensive than platinum or white gold, but very durable.
What is palladium white gold?
Standard white gold contains nickel, so is not a good choice if you are allergic to nickel. Palladium white gold does not contain nickel, but is more expensive than standard white gold. The color is also slightly different than regular 14k white. Palladium is a much grayer metal, so 14k palladium white looks cooler in tone than traditional 14k white.
What does a gold alloy mean?
24k gold is pure gold, and is a extremely soft and malleable metal. For jewelry, gold is most commonly seen in 18k, 14k, and 10k alloys, where pure gold has been combined with other precious and non-precious metals (alloying). This alloying makes gold stronger, harder and more durable. It also is what gives gold its amazing range of colors. The carat denotes the amount of pure gold in the alloy. 18k is 75% pure gold, 14k is 58.5% pure gold, 10k is 41.7% pure gold.
This blog post has more information on metal alloys and metal color comparison photos.
What does eco-friendly metal mean?
We use 100% recycled metal for all of our jewelry, with the exception of some chain components, which may not contain 100% recycled metal. Recycled metals share the beauty of mined precious metals but are recycled and eco-frendly. Production of one gold ring from non recycled sources will generate five tons of environmental waste, contaminating water and lands which endangers the health and lives of humans and animals. All precious metals at the refinery, that we buy from, are recycled from non-mined sources such as reclaimed jewelry, silverware, precious metal coins and scrap. They do not buy any metal from mining companies.
How much do I need to pay up front?
If you'd like, payments may be split in two. A non-refundable 50% deposit is required before we start any work on a bespoke piece. One we receive 50% down the order goes into our production schedule, then the balance is due before the ring is shipped or picked up.
What kind of metal do you recommend for a wedding band?
We recommend gold, platinum or palladium over silver for durability. Since wedding rings are worn every day they take a lot of abuse, and silver is a very soft metal. It will ding up faster and lose it's shape faster. However, a silver wedding band is less expensive to replace if it is lost.
In addition to the price differences, there are color differences, which is completely a personal preference.
Can this ring be made in a different size?
Yes, for many of our bands we can make them in any size from 2.5-13. Send us an email for a quote in your ring size.