FAQ
-
1. How to take care of my jewellery? What guaranty do we have for?Congratulations on your special purchase! The best way to look after all jewellery is careful wear and mindful storage. Sterling silver jewellery will tarnish when not being worn. It is best to keep silver jewellery in an air-tight “zip-lock” bag to prevent oxidation. When different types of jewellery lay together in a box it can cause the metals to react and change colour. Keeping them stored separately is best. We do not recommend using a silver dip or polish for cleaning, as these chemicals are often too harsh and abrasive. Instead, the simplest way to clean all metal jewellery is by using an old toothbrush, baking soda, dish soap and a little bit of water to make a paste. Just brush your jewellery to remove tarnish and make any piece of jewellery look new again. Be gentle around pearls, stones or beads. Keep in mind, jewellery is not indestructible and has the potential to wear down over time. This is especially true for pieces that are being worn every day. Sadly, not all jewellery can be repaired. Remember to remove your jewellery during any heavy activities to avoid disappointment. Also remember, perfumes, creams, make-up and hairspray should be put on before your jewellery. Your gold and gemstone jewellery should last a lifetime with proper maintenance and care. Have your special jewellery cleaned and checked by a professional every 2-3 years. This will ensure stones are tight and that claws are intact and not thinning. (This is also a good time to have any appraisals updated.) Hold your ring up to your ear and tap gently on your centre stone. If you hear a small clicking sound, this is a great way to catch a stone that may be coming loose before the problem worsens. If you have any concerns with your jewellery, having it seen to promptly is highly recommended. If a small stone is lost ( up to 1.5mm ) within the first 6 months after purchase, we will replace it free of charge. Losing small stones outside of the first six months may be the result of normal wear and tear and may be subject to normal repair charges. If your jewellery requires a repair due to a defect in materials or fabrication, it will be looked after free of charge. Jewellery that has deteriorated over time with normal wear may be subject to normal repair charges. Ring sizing is free of charge immediately after purchase or first wearing. Sizing a ring due to weight loss or gain, natural changes to the body or wearing two rings together on one finger may be subject to normal ring sizing charges. We are available anytime should you have any questions or concerns.
-
2. Do you have Custom design?Yes, I do.
-
3. What are the steps for ordering custom jewellery?1. Inquire with us via email about your project. 2. Pick which designer you would like to work with, by checking out their work in person or on-line. Or have us match you up with the most appropriate designer based on your unique needs. 3. Establish the details of the project. 4. Pay a 50% deposit to start the work. 5. Have 1-3 meetings and see 1-3 drawings or wax model before completion, or we can email you if you can’t come. 6. Pick up the finished piece and pay remaining balance. *Once there is a full and clear understanding of your request, an estimate will be prepared for you. Once you receive your quote, it will be valid for 2 weeks, due to the fluctuating price of gold. *Diamonds and gemstones will be held for 1 week maximum, before being made available to other customers. *Gemstones valued at $5000 and up must be paid for in full.
-
4. How long does it take to create a custom piece?As soon as you place an order, your project gets in line. Each designer needs between 2 and 6 weeks to complete a custom project. If we are sourcing something rare, doing extensive research, making multiples or multiple adjustments to designs, then more time may be required.
-
5. Can I pay a rush fee to make it happen more quickly?If your request needs to be executed within a tight deadline, we will do our best to make that happen. The designer may have to adjust their schedule and other projects may need to be put on hold to make room for your rush job. We may incur rush charges from our suppliers and for that reason similar charges will be applied to your order.
-
6. Can my deposit be refunded?Once confirmation has been established and your deposit has been paid the deposit can not be refunded because work on your project has begun
-
8. How will I know what my custom jewellery will look like?We have a hands-on approach to custom design and in every case make our best attempt to ensure that you feel comfortable at each stage. We have numerous tools to help you envision all of the possibilities. Depending on what is being made, you may have 1-3 meetings, 1-3 drawings (either drawn by hand or computer rendered) and/or 1 wax model. By asking questions during your meeting and taking time to understand drawings you should be able to feel confident about what you are ordering?
-
9. Can I use my old gold and gemstones to create a new piece of jewellery?Yes, it is certainly possible to use or incorporate existing materials. Using your gemstones is quite straightforward. First, we will assess the stones to make sure they are suitable to reuse. Using your old metal to create something new is a labour-intensive process and can be more pricey than you would think. The process of refining the metal to get it ready for reusing can result in being more expensive then simply using new material. Most of our clients can only justify the additional cost when there is sentimental value associated with the old metal. For a small service charge ($60 + HST) another option is to turn your old metal into cash. You can then use the cash towards having a custom piece of jewellery made.
-
7. I saw something online; can you make the same piece for less money?We are offering an exceptional, valuable and unique retail shopping experience that can not be matched by an online ‘add to cart’ experience. If you have found a piece of jewellery that you like but are hoping that we can make the same piece for less money, we may not be the place for you. Our specialty is in making jewellery that doesn’t already exsit and in working with people who see the value in having something truly precious, crafted and created especially for them.
-
10. Have you lost a special piece of jewellery?We can reproduce it for you. We can make a reproduction from a photograph or make a mold from an existing piece of jewellery based on your needs. Please keep in mind that it is very likely that you will spend more money on the reproduction than you spent on the original piece
-
11. How to measure your Ring size?Option 1: 1. Wrap flexible measuring tape around your finger. Wrap the tape close to the knuckle. This is the thickest part of your finger, and your ring will need to slide over it comfortably. After all, taking on and off your ring shouldn’t be painful! Choose a cloth or plastic measuring tape for a more accurate measurement. You can try a metal measuring tape, but it’ll be a lot harder to wrap around your finger, and could cause injury. For an even easier measurement, check out different jeweler's websites for printable ring sizers. You can use these much like a tape measure, only the ring sizes are visible on the ruler itself, which means you don’t have to convert the measurements.[1] Don’t wrap the paper too tightly. Aim for a snug but comfortable fit. Here’s a fun fact: Even the same fingers on different hands are different sizes. Make sure to use the exact finger that will wear the ring. For an engagement ring, you should be sizing your left ring finger, not your right. The size of your fingers tends to change throughout the day. Weird, right? For best results, measure at the end of the day.[2] 2. Record the measurement where the tape overlaps. Do this on a separate piece of paper with a pen or pencil. You can record the measurement in inches or millimeters, depending on the retailer. Many will have both measurements available, but a European retailer might only have measurements in millimeters. If you're using a printed ring sizer, mark the point where it overlaps directly on the ruler itself. 3. Compare the measurement to a sizing chart. Now that you’ve got the numbers, it’s time to find your size. You can find these charts at many online jewelry retailers. If you want, you can print the chart for easy reference, but it isn't necessary. These charts convert measurements into ring sizes; for instance, 2.34” (59.5mm) would be a size 9.[3] If your measurement falls between two sizes, go for the largest size.[4] If you’re using a printed ring sizer, check where you marked the overlap to figure out your size. Option 2: 1:Find and print a ring sizing chart. Many online jewelry retailers offer printable charts that show a number of circles of different sizes.[5] For even better accuracy, look at a sizing chart from your personal retailer. That way, you’ll know the sizing on the chart will match the sizing of their products. A distorted chart could lead to inaccurate sizing, which means the ring you order might not fit. Ensure any scaling options on your printer are turned off. 2. Find a ring you own that fits the finger you’re trying to size. Choose a great-fitting ring—one that fits snugly, but isn’t too tight. Again, make sure the ring fits the correct finger; even your two ring fingers can be different sizes! If you don't own a ring, make one by wrapping some wire or paper around your finger, and use that instead. 3. Place your ring over the circles on the chart. The circle should match the inside of the ring for the perfect fit.[6] If you’re stuck between two close sizes, go for the larger size. The reason you want to go larger is because your finger will swell throughout the day. If the ring is too small, it'll be too tight. Don't match the circle up with the outside of the ring, otherwise the ring will be too small for you.
The 4 C’s
Cut
A stones “cut” refers to the diamond’s reflective qualities, not the shape. The quality of the “cut” does affect the overall look of the stone.
A good cut gives a diamond its brilliance, which is the brightness that seems to come from the inside of the stone. The angles and finish of any diamond are what determine its ability to handle light, which leads to brilliance.
When a diamond is well-cut, light enters through the top of the stone and travels to the pointy end where it reflects from one side to the other before reflecting back out of the diamond through the top and to the observer’s eye. This light is the brilliance we mentioned, and it’s this flashing, fiery effect that makes diamonds so mesmerizing.
Clarity
Clarity refers to the presence of identifying characteristics within the stone, called inclusions, that occur during the formation process. Most diamonds have flaws or inclusions. It is extremely rare to find a stone with no internal flaws.
Inclusions are flaws such as air bubbles, cracks, and non-diamond minerals found in the diamond. Diamonds with no or few inclusions are more highly valued than those with less clarity because they are more rare.
Diamonds are graded for clarity under 10x loupe magnification. Grades range from Flawless to Slightly Included. Diamonds that are clear create more brilliance, and are therefore more highly prized and priced.
-
F – Flawless: No internal or external flaws. Extremely rare.
-
IF – Internally Flawless: no internal flaws, but some surface flaws. Very rare.
-
VVS1-VVS2 – Very Very Slightly Included (two grades): Minute inclusions.
-
very difficult to detect under 10x magnification by a trained gemologist.
-
VS1-VS2 – Very Slightly Included (two grades): Minute inclusions seen only with difficulty under 10x magnification.
-
SI1-SI2 – Slightly Included (two grades): Minute inclusions more easily detected under 10x magnification.
Remember that no two diamonds are ever the same. It is not like buying a TV where the working parts are identical and your decision is about the choice of brand and the cost difference. This is a different kind of purchase and we are here to help you learn about how to make the best choice for yourself.
Colour
A diamond’s colour refers to the presence or absence of colour in white diamonds. Colour is a result of the composition of the diamond, and it does not change over time. Colourless diamonds are considered the most desirable since they allow the most refraction of light (sparkle), they are also the most rare. Off white diamonds absorb light, inhibiting brilliance. However, many of our customers appreciate the unique beauty of off white diamonds and we do not want to suggest that any colour is “better” than another. The whiter a diamond’s colour is, the greater its value.
To grade ‘whiteness’ or colourlessness, most jewellers refer to a professional colour scale that begins with the highest rating of D for colourless, and travels down the alphabet to grade stones with traces of very faint or light yellowish or brownish colour. The colour scale continues all the way to Z.
Note: Diamonds graded G through I show virtually no colour that is visible to the untrained eye.
Carat Weight
A carat is the unit of weight by which a diamond is measured. Because large diamonds are found less commonly than small diamonds, the price of a diamond rises exponentially to its size. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams, or 0.2 grams. Be sure not to confuse “carat weight” with “karat,” the method of determining the purity of gold.
These details are meant to give you a brief overview of the factors that go into to pricing diamonds specifically. Coloured gemstones are graded individually based on each of their unique characteristics and we are happy to give you more details about that based on your needs. When you visit our gallery we have a variety of charts and visual tools to help you understand more about diamonds and their grading qualities. When you sit down to meet with one of our in-house designers they can got into much more detail with you as well.