FAQ

When can I expect to receive my order?

Processing times (the amount of time from when your order is received to when it's shipped) vary from item to item, so please read each individual item description for more information. Many made-to-order styles have a standard processing time of 14 business days, but certain items have a longer 3-4 week processing time, since they are made using cast pieces that are ordered in small batches from a casting company. If you need an order delivered before a specific date, please send us a message before placing the order, and we will try our best to get it to you by that date if possible. 

We are unable to guarantee delivery dates for international orders, and are not responsible for delays caused by USPS once an order is shipped.  

 

How should I care for my jewelry?

Be sure to store your jewelry carefully away from humidity, direct sunlight, and other metal pieces that might scratch the softer surfaces of polymer clay or acetate. Please remember that pearls and other delicate gold-filled parts can be damaged by rough handling, so take care while wearing and removing jewelry. 

Gold-filled metals contain a minimum of 5% gold (100 times more than gold plated!) which is bonded to a core of high quality jeweler's brass. This means that it is more compatible with sensitive ears, and resistant to tarnish. Gold-filled jewelry can easily be cleaned with a jewelry polishing cloth (sunshine cloth). Take care of makeup or dirt buildup on clay and other materials with a gentle swipe from a soft cotton pad and a bit of rubbing alcohol.

Many of our solid metal pieces are raw yellow bronze or brass, which are durable, affordable, attractive gold-colored alloys containing mostly copper. This means that for certain people, bronze/brass has the potential to cause greenish black discoloration when it reacts with the acid levels of the skin, creating tarnish. This depends entirely on individual body chemistry and is not the result of any defect or quality issue — it is simply the nature of solid bronze and brass! If you are someone whose skin reacts to easily tarnish these metals, you can paint the inside of your ring (or whatever part of the metal makes contact with the skin) with a thin coat of clear nail varnish to reduce the discoloring effect, and make sure to remove your jewelry before showering or exercising.

Brass and bronze metals may darken over time as they are exposed to water and oils from the skin, but can be cleaned and polished with a soft jewelry cloth (sunshine cloth) and/or tarnish remover. 

 

What is cellulose acetate? Is it sustainable?

Cellulose acetate is a plant based bio-plastic made from cotton and wood pulp fibers, so it’s biodegradable and sustainable! Our custom acetate pieces come from a European company that has been producing the highest quality acetate since the 19th century.

Cellulose acetate can look very similar to acrylic or resin, other popular materials for jewelry — but don’t let looks fool you. We chose to work with acetate over acrylic because of its unmatched sustainability and renewable characteristics. Unlike acrylic, cut-offs and scraps that are produced during the manufacturing process of cellulose acetate can be easily reused and recycled, producing much less waste. Acetate is also much more naturally flexible, whereas other similar looking plastics become increasingly brittle as they age. 

 

Same question… but about polymer clay?

Polymer clay is a moldable, sculptable type of vinyl that cures to a permanently hardened state with heat. Calling it "clay" is actually a bit of a misnomer, since it is in no way related to kiln-fired ceramic clay. Polymer clay is one of the coolest, most underrated, and most versatile art mediums out there — It is extremely lightweight and bends before breaking, making it an ideal medium for many types and styles of jewelry. 

Each color of clay is individually mixed and pigmented in our studio before shapes and beads are sculpted. From there, we heat every small batch until the pieces are fully cured to a durable, slightly flexible permanent state. Once cooled, each piece goes through a rigorous finishing process which can include multiple rounds of polishing, sealing, and drilling. Finally, we assemble the finished components into one-of-a-kind sculptural jewelry. 

Polymer clay is technically a type of plastic (polyvinyl chloride), so therefore not environmentally sustainable. However, environmental sustainability is not the only kind of sustainability that matters, and we believe that our business practices help to offset the impact of a polymer-based material. We use relatively small quantities, making only what we can reasonably sell in very small batches, each piece of jewelry is handmade from scratch from start to finish, scraps and offcuts are always re-used, the maker is paid a fair living wage, and we support other local, U.S. based suppliers and sources for the production of our jewelry. That's human sustainability! 

 

Can I request customization on an item? What if it’s something you don’t have in your store?

Please visit our custom order listing for more information! We reserve the right to accept customs on a case by case basis, and custom orders may incur extra charges.

 

Do you offer wholesale?

Yes, please visit the Wholesale page for more information!