In what packaging will my jewelry arrive?
Birth Designs orders always arrive in a padded envelope, gift boxed for gift giving, storing your jewelry, or just keeping for yourself. We have attractive cocoa colored boxes embossed with our logo in turquoise foil. We also have beautiful chocolate tissue paper and custom matching gift cards. Our Men's pieces come in appropriate "B for Men" boxes. Rest assured, whether your purchase is for a gift or a treat for yourself, it will be a pleasure to open.
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Will my piece be exactly like the one shown on the website?
At the moment, we personally make each and every piece Birth Designs sells. We take enormous pride in the quality of work that we do. Some pieces are one-of-a-kind and you receive the exact work of art pictured. If this is not the case, we make every attempt to match the expectations of our customers. Due to the nature of the natural stones and materials we use and their inherent uniqueness and availability, there may be differences in the piece you receive. Please be rest assured that the changes are, for the most part, subtle. We make every attempt to follow the patterning and spirit of the piece displayed on our site.
On hand-stamped items, the letters will not be perfectly straight - it's part of the charm of these artisan items :) Additionally, stamping is a much deeper impression, and also blackened, to be much more visible than engraving. ADDITIONALLY, PLEASE NOTE: Hand Stamping is not the same process as engraving. It is pounding a design into metal, and it *will* mark the other side of your pendant with a slightly flat spot. This will not affect the beauty of your piece, and should be considered a normal phenomenon of this process.
If, for any reason, you are unhappy with your NON-CUSTOM order (*please note, we do not take returns on custom orders, so be sure of your wording/symbols/etc. before placing your order), we will be happy to replace it with something else or refund your money. All we ask is that you return your piece in the condition that it was received. Please do so within 14 days of its receipt. We are sorry to say that shipping charges cannot be refunded.
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Can you make me a piece of jewelry just like XYZ Designer's?
Sorry, we respect the copyrights and artistic talent of other designers. There's not much new in the jewelry world, and there are always pieces that will look very similar to another artist's work. However, we will not intentionally copy other designer's work, even in a different color/metal, etc. Please contact that designer for variations of their copyrighted work. Likewise, please do not ask another designer to copy our work. We would be happy to work with you on a custom piece designed just for you!
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What size options are there for each piece of jewelry offered?
The length of our pieces is clearly indicated in each description, and most have options for you to be able to choose at the time of purchase, or comments for your specific requests. Because we allow for very specific indications for you at the time of purchase, we do NOT accept returns due to sizing errors on the part of the customer. However, we can usually help if you would like a re-size for a minimal charge. Just contact us to discuss possible options.
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How do you measure for the best fit on a bracelet?
Take a flexible piece of string and measure it to comfortably go around your wrist. Measure it with a ruler and send us the size - we'll do some special compensating factors and make sure your chosen style is a great fit!
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Do you do repairs?
Our jewelry is made with quality and pride. We do everything we possibly can to ensure that the piece you order is constructed flawlessly. It is essential that you take proper care of your piece to limit the wear and tear. If it does break, please collect the material and contact us for a Return Authorization form.
The hallmark tag on your necklace (or your reciept) is your warranty. We will gladly repair any item purchased from Birth Designs with our quality tag. Please contact us in advance so we know your piece is coming and can discuss repair options with you.
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What do I do if I am not satisfied with my piece?
We want you to be happy! If you are not satisfied, for any reason, you may return your NON-CUSTOM piece for a full refund as long as it is returned within 14 days of receipt, and in original unworn condition. If you return it after that time period, we will gladly credit you for the full amount towards the purchase of another item. Please note that we do NOT take returns on CUSTOM PIECES unless our workmanship is at fault, and in that case, we do LIKE MERCHANDISE REPLACEMENT ONLY. We do not refund pieces based on TIMING. Please, read the policies, ordering guidelines, confirmation emails, and mandatory checkout box. If you need the item for a specific occasion, ensure you have purchased the appropriate shipping and/or expedited forging. We do not reimburse or refund for shipping and handling charges.
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Is there a warranty for my jewelry?
We provide a limited warranty for all Birth Designs pieces with the Birth Designs hallmark tag. This covers any flaws, defects or normal wear-damage. If you need to return your order, please contact us for Return Authorization information.
Please note that it is important to ship your piece back to us in a proper packaging. We cannot be responsible for items that are damaged/lost in the mail. We recommend that you use either a padded envelope or a small box with insulating foam, and that you choose a shipping method with a tracking number and appropriate insurance.
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How do I care for my piece and keep it clean?
As with any fine jewelry, avoid direct use of cosmetics, perfumes, and hair care items on your jewelry. Please do NOT dip your item in liquid jewelry cleaner, or scrub it with jewelry paste of any kind, as this will remove the intentional blackening of the letters and can cause the piece to turn a dull grayish color. It's always best to use a treated polishing cloth, like those we sell on our site here.
Bright Sterling (.925) or Fine (.999) Silver
Silver Cloth: Polish with a silver cloth. To keep your jewelry chain intact while cleaning, don't pull the chain through the polishing cloth. Instead, rub the chain against the cloth.
Jewelry Cleaner: Follow directions on label. Some cleaners will leave silver looking dull. If your piece has any stamping, please do NOT use jewelry cleaners! Use the silver cloth method above, to bring back the shiny, new look.
Oxidized (Gray/Black Antiqued) Silver
To maintain the black color of oxidized silver, avoid wearing these pieces in the shower, or swimming in them. Water and wear will fade the black to an antiqued silver look over time.
Gold-Filled
Clean by gently rubbing with a soft, treated polishing cloth, like those sold here on our site. Chlorine can damage gold over a period of time, so avoid swimming in these pieces.
Crystals
Crystals can dull from body oils and cosmetics after prolonged wear. Clean with warm water and mild soap to return them to their original sparkle.
Pearls and Other Semi-Precious Stones
Clean with mild, soapy water. Other cleaners may damage the surface of your stones.
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Why Does it Take So Long to Send my Order?
Well, first we go out back and pan for the silver....just kidding! Actually, most of our items do start with raw silver material - in the form of sheet, granuals, or wire - before we begin to stamp, hammer, solder, or otherwise form it into the shape and style it will be when you receive it. Additionally, a huge portion of our pieces are customized to your specifications - stamped with particular phrases, names, and birthdates that have to be done letter by letter.
Bonnie, founder and owner of Birth Designs, still does almost all of these pieces - even as the business has grown from a tiny artisan shop to a full-blown studio with international recognition. Every single order is processed by a real, live person and we're always here to answer your questions, check on status, and make your piece exactly the way you wanted it. We want every piece to have the same amount of attention to quality and detail, so your wait may be a bit longer than some - but it will show in the heirloom quality and the fact that it was forged right here in a small USA studio - not a huge overseas factory.
You can check up on your order online anytime by logging in to your account and checking for order updates. We'd also be happy to talk to you - call or email us. Join our Facebook fan page to learn more about us, see all the newest styles & news, and even get coupons or hear about contests!
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Can I buy your jewelry anywhere else?
At this time, our jewelry is available here on our website, on Etsy, and at select boutiques and retailers across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. A list of retailers is here (and growing quickly!) - in the meantime, please feel free to contact us.
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How can I host a home party?
We're glad you asked. We offer attractive incentives to our hostesses! Please contact us for more information.
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Is all of your jewelry contained on this web site?
Absolutely not! While we have tried to create a web site that represents a range of what we have to offer, it is by no means exhaustive. We always have designs on hand created for a show, preparing for new product lines, and one-of-a-kinds. By constantly listening to our customers we are able to continually design pieces that are fresh and unique. See us up close and personal at a home party or fair! Or, make an appointment for a personal showing. Just contact us!
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How do I place an order?
The best way to order is through our website shopping cart, offering secure payment through PayPal, a free online payment system. However, you may also call us to discuss a custom order, questions, or place an order via phone. We do accept mailed checks and money orders...however, the order will only add you to our forging list when payment has cleared. This means it will considerably add to the amount of time to receive your item. We would be happy to talk with you and answer any questions that you may have.
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How long will it take to receive my order?
We try to ship items as soon as possible, but remember each one is made one by one, forged by hand, in our small studio. Please allow at *least* 4 WEEKS before shipping (during our busy seasons, it can take even longer!). If you need something quickly or by a certain date, please contact us to make sure we can accommodate your request. We are a small family business, and occasionally there will be sickness or other factors beyond our control. Also, our busiest times of year are MOTHER'S DAY, FATHER'S DAY and CHRISTMAS. Please note wait times may be longer around these holidays, and cutoff times for orders usually apply. We always announce these on our homepage and our Ordering Info Page, along with our current turn/forging times.
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Do you have any specials or coupons?
We do occasionally offer special sales to our newsletter subscribers and past customers. Please subscribe to our list by signing up for a free account. No need to order (we will NEVER sell or rent your name or email address to anyone - we respect your privacy!).
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What is the quality of the materials you use?
We use the highest quality components in each separate design line...and all of our items are purchased from reputable dealers, millers of fine silver, and gemstone cutters. We stand by our pieces. We try to be very specific in our product descriptions, as we know many wearers have metal allergies or other concerns. Should you have a question about a particular piece, please feel free to contact us.
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What is 14 Kt Gold Filled?
14 kt Gold Filled metal is brass with 1/20th by weight of 14kt solid gold material layered & chemically bonded to the surface of the brass "core" material. This is a much thicker layer of gold than any plated material, and has a higher gold content than 10 or 12kt Gold Filled material. It provides the exact same look as solid gold, yet is much sturdier and is more resistant to scratch and dent damage.
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What is Vermeil?
Vermeil (pronounced ver-MAY) is 22K or 24K gold dipped sterling silver. Some people prefer vermeil to Gold Fill, simply because it is 100% precious metal. While vermeil is coated with a higher grade of gold, it is also a much thinner coat than Gold Filled materials and if it does wear off, the sterling silver will show through. It also has a yellower look than 14K, because the plating has almost twice the gold content.
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How Much for Shipping Within the U.S.?
First Class Shipping within the U.S. starts at $6.50 for orders $50 and under, and goes up from there. Insurance is available upon request at checkout. Other countries, please inquire, but it starts at about $10 for Priority International Post. Expedited shipping is available for the difference in cost; please contact us for more information, or check our A La Carte section. Please note, we do NOT automatically insure our shipments. If you wish to insure your package, please ask to purchase USPS Shipping Insurance. We regret that we **cannot be responsible** for packages lost by the USPS. We will work with you to try and find it in the system, or file lost package claims.
DELIVERY WILL BE TO THE ORIGINAL ADDRESS STATED IN YOUR ORDER.
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Do You Ship to Other Countries?
Shipping to other countries (not USA) is handled on a case-by-case basis. We are familiar with (and have shipped to) Canada, Mexico, Australia, South Africa, the UK, and some other areas of Europe and the Middle East. However, we prefer that you contact us to discuss arrangements directly, as well are choice of courier, insurance, and possible costs.
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Have a question that is not answered here? Talk to us!
