FAQ & POLICIES

Where do your stones come from?

I curate my collection of cabochons and loose gems as if it were to stay with me forever. This includes both precious and semi-precious stones as well as a wide variety of turquoise from the US, Mexico, Australia, China, etc. Whenever possible, I will indicate the provenance of my stones in the product description. Quality is of the utmost importance to me and I continually seek out lapidary artists who artfully handcraft each stone in order to be showcased rather than to just fill a space.

What metals do you use?

I use solid sterling silver and fine silver in my jewelry. Each piece starts as silver sheet and wire. I saw, file, sand, solder, set stones, and finish my pieces by hand. I do not use silver plated base metals, silver-filled, or cast or pre-fabricated elements. In the event that I use a solid sterling casting created by another artist, I will highlight this aspect fully in the individual product description.

Who do I talk to about…?

Me! I am a one-woman show. I design, create, photograph, list, and pack my orders myself. I also make coffee and take out the trash. Contact me at greeneyedtaj@gmail.com.

Custom orders

Periodically, I do take custom orders. After an initial design discussion, I will provide an estimate for the piece(s) and collect a 50% non-refundable deposit. Upon completion and approval, I will collect the balance and ship your piece immediately! Please contact me for additional information.

Can you copy a piece for me?

While certain design elements may be repeated from piece to piece, my work is largely one of a kind. The nature of working with natural, high quality gemstones is a testament to this feature. If you would like one of my designs made with a different stone, let’s talk! I would love to discuss options with you as well as provide the assurance that whatever piece I make for you cannot be exactly reproduced for anyone else. If you see a design by another artist that you would like me to reproduce, I am sorry – I cannot copy that for you. Copying undermines my integrity as well as the effort put forth by that artist to create their work.

How do I care for my sterling silver jewelry?

Sterling silver is a very resilient metal that is more than adequate for daily wear. However, just as with anything of value, it does require care. Avoid wearing your jewelry while bathing or swimming as these activities could cause damage to the stones or to the metals. Store your jewelry in an airtight container, such as a plastic bag, to minimize and/or slow the process of tarnishing. You can clean your jewelry with a soft brush and soapy water. Should your jewelry tarnish, wipe with a polishing cloth. I do not recommend you use tarnish removal “dips” or similar. The chemicals in these products can damage the stones as well as the top layer of the metal, causing the tarnish to return ever more quickly.

Why is my sterling silver jewelry tarnishing?!

Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. Why are other metals added to silver? Because by and large, pure silver is too soft a metal to be used by itself. Copper adds strength and durability to the silver without compromising the beauty of this precious metal. What it also brings with it, however, is a high reactivity to oxygen in the air around us. This results in oxidation aka tarnish. As a result, your silver jewelry will tarnish over time. This is normal; it is simply the nature of sterling silver. Keeping your jewelry stored in an airtight container will slow this effect and when tarnish occurs, wipe with a soft polishing cloth to remove.

Shipping

All orders ship via USPS First Class or Priority Mail. Contact me for expedited shipping options and for international rates. Most orders will ship within 1-2 business days. Please allow an additional 2 days for sized to order rings and necklace extension requests.

Returns

Please contact me as soon as possible if you are unhappy with your purchase. I am sorry I cannot accept a return on an item that you have damaged. Please check your ring size prior to ordering. Many rings cannot be resized due to the design or to the possibility of damaging the stone, especially turquoise. If I can resize the ring for you, I am happy to do so! An additional cost will apply and return shipping is the responsibility of the buyer.

Payment Options

I take both credit cards and PayPal. I do accept payment plans on items over $100. Please contact me for details.