Info, Terms and Conditions
Hallmarking
While in the UK it’s a legal requirement to hallmark all gold pieces weighing over one gram, I choose to hallmark all of the pieces I sell - even those weighing under the legal requirement - so that you have peace of mind that your jewellery is completely authenticated and you know exactly what it’s made of.
Hallmarks include at least three elements in the UK - a Sponsor’s Mark (or ‘maker’s mark’ - a symbol unique to each maker - mine is my initials, SI, in a circle), a Fineness Mark (which tells you the amount of precious metal content in the piece) and the Assay Office Mark (which tells you which assay office provided the hallmark - the Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office in London uses the image of a lion’s head). There’s sometimes also a letter signifying the year in which the piece has been hallmarked.
For more information on the Assay Office’s history, regulations and processes, and to view the standard Dealer’s Notice which further explains all the elements of standard hallmarks, you can visit their website at www.assayofficelondon.co.uk.
Metals
All the gold I use in my work is solid (that is, never filled or plated) and it’s always recycled (working to zero metal waste). As I explain in my About page, the metal is what inspires and defines each piece, and its integrity is vital.
I usually make pieces in yellow, rose and white gold, in either 9ct or 18ct. If you’d like something in a different carat of gold (for example, 14ct, 22ct or 24ct), or if you’d like a different metal altogether, contact me. It’s often possible to source different metals and make pieces from them within my standard despatch timeframes.
Sizing and Resizing
It’s really important that you order the right size as all my pieces are handmade to order and it’s really tricky to resize some pieces, especially after hallmarking.
To find out your ring size you can order a ring sizer online - contact me if you’re not sure which one - and if you want a bit of reassurance that you’re using it correctly we can do a quick video call.
Alternatively you can ask a local jeweller to size you (they’re often happy to offer this service free of charge).
If you’re visiting my studio as part of a commission I will of course be happy to establish your ring size for you while you’re here.
If you do find that you need to get a piece resized upon receipt of an order, contact me and I’ll see what I can do. If I can resize it for you there may be a small charge.
Gift Cards
Gift cards are available online and they can be used for purchases from the shop and for bespoke commissions.
Upon purchase, a code will be emailed, which can then be used at checkout. When redeeming a gift card code at checkout, the recipient will see the card value subtracted from the order total. They will also see any balance remaining on the gift card.
You can choose to have the code emailed to yourself (the purchaser) or to the recipient, and you can add your own message during the checkout process.
Contact me if you’d like an actual card to be posted to the recipient, otherwise just an online code will be emailed.
Gift cards can’t be returned and they should be used within 12 months of purchase.
Shipping
All pieces shipped within the UK mainland are sent free of charge via Royal Mail Special Delivery.
If you’d like to receive an order outside of the UK mainland contact me and if I can arrange this for you I will.
Of course I can’t take responsibility for any local customs or import taxes or duties, or for postal service delays.
Packaging
I use sustainable and ethical packaging as far as possible. Currently this consists of round mulberry tree boxes and organic hemp hessian.
Jewellery pieces are posted using standard padded brown envelopes and so are discreet.
Dispatch Timeframes
All my pieces are handmade to order, sent to the Assay Office for hallmarking (see Hallmarking section above) and then dispatched to you within four to six weeks of the date of your order. If you’d like your piece more quickly, or on a specific date, contact me and I’ll do my best to accommodate this.
If your order is likely to be delayed I’ll email you as soon as this becomes clear. If for some reason on my end I’m unable to fulfil your order, I’ll email you to inform you as soon as I can and refund any money you’ve already paid. As all my pieces are made to order, if you cancel an order you may still be liable for the full cost.
Returns and Refunds
As all of my pieces are made to order they can’t usually be returned, refunded or replaced. At the same time, I really want you to be totally happy with your purchase, so if you’d like to return your piece for any reason, do contact me to discuss. If a refund is agreed it will be processed minus any hallmarking, shipping and payment processing fees already incurred.
Commissions
When a bespoke commission specification has been agreed, payment in full will usually be required before I start making the piece, and this payment will be non-refundable.
Privacy
When you visit this website, and when you make a purchase, I store a small amount of information about you, which can include your name, address, email, phone number, and details of your order. I may use this information to process and dispatch your order, to contact you in relation to your order, to help manage this website, and for accounting purposes.
If you subscribe to my emails I’ll occasionally send you info I think you might be interested in about my products, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
I use Squarespace to host my website and you can view their privacy and other policies here.
I use Apple Pay, Stripe and PayPal to process payments on this website. You can view Apple Pay’s policies here, Stripe’s policies here and PayPal’s policies here.
If you’d like to see the personal information I hold about you, and/or if you’d like me to delete it, contact me.
Memberships and Affiliations
St Margaret’s Creative Collective
Press
Contact me with any press enquiries including requests for images.