stonesartisanjewelry

Returns
I do not accept returns unless an item is defective and I am notified within 7 days of receipt of your jewelry. Please contact me for a return authorization number. Items must be unworn with all original tags attached. Everything you receive is humanly constructed, so if you discover an accidental flaw, please contact me immediately...don't wait until after the 7 days.

Exchanges
I will accept an item for exchange if you contact me within three days of receiving your item which is determined by the postal tracking information. Pieces must be unworn and arrive back to me in their original condition, re-saleable and with all original packaging. I do not refund shipping charges and you will be responsible for return shipping costs.

Exceptions
Custom orders and pieces that have been adjusted (in any way) upon request are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Please be mindful of this when purchasing.

Stretch Bracelets
In the unlikely event that the elastic in your stretch bracelet breaks, I will gladly fix it for you free of charge. You will be responsible for shipping it to me with a tracking number.

Return Shipping Information
When you mail an item back, please put "$10 - return of item" on the international customs form and mail via USPS, not UPS or FedEx. Do not put the original value on the customs form or I will have to pay duty and taxes on the item.

Contact Me
I keep all communication with you in the Etsy "conversation" system so there is a record of our interaction.

I accept Paypal and Etsy direct checkout.

General
Your package will be shipped via Canada Post within 7 days of purchase to the address provided on your order. Kindly note that shipping from Canada can be a slow. If you haven't received your parcel at the three week mark, please contact me. I usually ship via expedited shipping at a $24 charge that I absorb and packages still take 1-3 weeks to arrive. I think it is worth the wait!

International
All international orders are shipped via Canada Post. The tracking number you receive with your package should be trackable in your home country's mail tracking portal. Etsy customs labels indicate that your purchase is "merchandise", and you will be responsible for any charges (customs, duty tax and/or VAT) this incurs on the receiving end. Please check your country's customs policies in advance of purchase.

Packaging
Since relocating to Canada, my packaging has undergone some changes, and I hope that you find my choices even more environmentally sensitive than before. I have sourced recycled flat mailers that fit the jewelry boxes that I use. Each mailer fits one jewelry box. Each jewelry box is secured with decorative paper and wrapped in tissue. Inside the jewelry box, your piece will be padded gently with with upcycled paper shred or with a cloth sheath (sewn lovingly by my mother). Both necklaces and bracelets have a Stones Artisan Jewelry tag attached. I hope you enjoy this simple but lovely packaging.

Gifts
I'm happy to include a gift enclosure upon request. I really enjoy sending covert presents and can "disguise" your gift upon request.

Care for your Stones Artisan Jewelry
Your Stones Artisan Jewelry should be stored flat and either straight or gently curved. This will prevent your necklace and components from receiving unnecessary wear. This is especially important for heavy necklaces. The jeweler's wire I use is made of 49 pieces of stainless steel wound into a coated 'rope'. Even so, large stones forced into an angle can snap the hefty wire in half. Many of my pieces contain Sterling Silver which will need to be polished regularly. I use Argentium silver (935) when I can which tarnishes at a much slower rate. If you need to polish your silver, I recommend using a treated jewelers cloth designed for such a purpose. If you would like to clean your stones, I recommend using a basic microfiber cloth to 'massage' the stones gently which will pick up any debris or oils. I suggest that you take off your jewelry while showering and while sleeping. If you do get your piece wet, lay it out overnight on a soft towel and in a warm place to make sure the water evaporates from inside the drilled holes. Some stones (such as amethyst and tanzanite) are photosensitive, so be mindful not to leave your semi-precious gemstones in direct sunlight. Stones do, however, love spending time in moonlight. You may cleanse the energy of your stones by laying them on hematite, on dirt (!), smudging them, or wrapping them in leather. I store my own jewelry in a drawer with moisture wicking packets that help to slow oxidization. The only time I will hang a necklace on a hook is if it weighs less than 2 ounces.

Necklaces
I string necklaces so they can be gently curved around...depending on the shape of the gemstone. This means that when straight, there may be some slack in the stringing material. This is normal. Refrain from squeezing your necklace together in your hands, which puts strain on the wire. I use very high quality components, and finish my pieces tightly and neatly without ornamental crimp covers.

Bracelets
The bigger the stone, the more difficult it is to achieve a precise fit. Large stones will naturally leave gaps when curved around small things like wrists (you can experiment with this yourself) and so you may see a bit of jewelers elastic between stones if you choose a stone with a diameter larger than 12mm. Working with jeweler's elastic for stretch bracelets is a honed skill. I use a special knot which I try to tuck inside a stone that I have drilled to hold it. If the knot will go inside a large holed or hollow focal bead, I leave a "stem" of elastic past the knot which keeps the knot from slipping out the hole. Unless you yank it. I am very good at knotting, and hope that my skills prove useful in a survival situation some day.

Environmental Commitments
I am committed to choosing as many sustainable choices as I can even when they incur an extra cost on my end.
- I choose to purchase jewelry boxes and mailers with 100% recycled content
- I am buying much of my sterling silver and argentium silver components from a company in the U.S. who uses reclaimed metals as much as possible.
-I have eliminated plastic bubble wrap and have my mother sew cloth sheaths to protect necklaces
- I decrease the size of my shipping labels to save paper and ink
- I reuse silk bead striking material as my tag holders
- I order directly from makers when possible. I am able to support women's artisan initiatives in Thailand and Bali
- I repair broken jewelers elastic in the unlikely event that your bracelet breaks
- I create pieces worth keeping, and give you tips on how to make them last

We can all work to make these pieces heirlooms.
Here's to a more beautiful and sustainable world! -- Christina