Frequently Asked Questions
Although we handmake and triple-check every piece of jewellery for quality, sometimes a piece needs to be returned. Or perhaps you received a gift and it’s just not your style. Whatever the error might be, we have no problem accepting returns and exchanges.
If you purchased your A & R Jewellery from a gallery, you should contact them to arrange a return or exchange.
Here is how we will process all returns:
- Contact A & R Jewellery by email to request a refund within 14 days of your purchase date. We like to make exceptions for gift items so, during the Christmas holidays, returns can be made within 30 days of your purchase date.
- All returns must be pre-approved by us. Once we’ve heard your story and approved your return, we will give you our address so you can mail us back your jewellery.
- The items must be returned unworn, in their original packaging, and with no damage or alterations made.
- There must be proof of purchase in the form of a receipt. If the returned item was a gift, please send us the name of your gift giver.
- Once we have inspected your returned items, we will refund you in the same method as the original purchase. This process will take up to 5 business days from when we receive your package. No refunds will be given for shipping costs.
If you’re hoping for an exchange, email us right away to find out if we have an acceptable item to send back to you. All items are handmade and will be slightly different from each other, so we will have to chat and find the best option for you.
Custom work cannot be returned or exchanged. We try our very best to make sure you are perfectly happy with your custom piece, so that no return becomes necessary.
Where our stones come from is so variable since supply and availability are constantly changing. This is a difficult question to answer, but so many of you have asked out of genuine curiosity, so we will do our best to answer.
We’ve visited the Tucson Gem Show for years and years. We’ve done some of our buying at this show, but we mostly take this opportunity to meet lapidaries who will cut stones for us. Once we’ve developed a good relationship with a lapidary and we’re able to trust their quality, cut, carat rating etc. then we continue to work with them.
When we were in the Dominican Republic, we found a good lapidary for Blue Pectolite (aka Larimar). Then, when we were in Australia and we visited the Coober Pedy opal mines. This trip was many years ago, but we still have opals left from this journey into the mines.
The availability of stones fluctuates. Right now, we are getting very good quality Topaz from Thailand. We used to be able to get incredible Grossular Garnet, but we haven’t been able to buy any for over four years. Aquamarine availability is drying up – it just became about three times more expensive than before and it’s difficult to find.
In summary, when we find nice stones – we absolutely make sure to stock up!
Yes, we do, gift cards are available for purchase in the shop page.
We always jump on the opportunity to work with a shop or gallery whose values align with our own.
We invite you to get in contact so we can get to know each other. If it’s a match made in heaven, we will be happy to fulfill wholesale orders.
Currently, A & R Jewellery is sold in the following three galleries. All can be found in BC, Canada.
Avenue Gallery – 2184 Oak Bay Avenue, Victoria BC. www.theavenuegallery.com
Effusion Art Gallery & Glass Studio – 1033 7th avenue, Invermere BC. www.effusionartgallery.com
Kunze Gallery – 215 Northwest Boulevard, Creston BC www.Kunzegallery.com
We can also be found at : ART MARKET art & craft sale. Calgary Telus Convention Centre Booth #
(booth number and show dates coming soon)
Repairs are not a problem at all. Every purchase you make at A & R Jewellery comes with a 1-year warranty. We’re happy to re-etch, freshen up the antique finish, or return your piece to its original shine for the cost of postage only. What this warranty does not cover is the gemstones, these elements can be damaged at any time and this is beyond our control. Also, this warranty doesn’t cover lost jewellery.
After your 1-year warranty is up, we will still repair your pieces. There will be a small repair fee which will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
What we won’t do is repair the work of other jewellery makers. It’s impossible to know what these pieces are made of, so we would be uncertain as to what can and cannot be done to it. Our jewellery though, we will repair anytime.
Custom requests are more than welcome. What usually ends up happening is that we stay close to the designs we’ve already mastered and then the client chooses the size, gemstone, and any special finishes.
Email us with your ideas and then keep in mind we will guide you towards the best option. Sometimes we get requests that are physically impossible and sometimes a request comes our way that just isn’t a good idea. No need to worry though, we will be there every step of the way.
We have minimum requirement of $200- value for a custom order, due to the additional time and work that custom orders require.
Custom orders will require a 50% deposit, which is non-refundable once the work has started. We’ve never had a problem with needing to refund a custom order. Angela, our founder and maker, listens closely to requests and will explain the process so our clients know exactly what to expect. A custom piece of jewellery is a keepsake to remain in the family for decades, Angela wants to make this a pleasurable experience for everyone involved.
In case you were wondering which stone aligns with your birth month, here is a chart for you to find out.
January – Garnet
February – Amethyst
March – Aquamarine
April – Diamond and Clear Quartz
May – Emerald and Jade
June – Alexandrite Freshwater Pearl, and Moonstone
July – Ruby and Carnelian
August – Peridot
September – Sapphire and Lapis Lazuli
October – Tourmaline and Pink Opal
November – Topaz and Citrine
December – Zircon and Blue Turquoise
This is a difficult question to answer because it varies so much. Designs that Angela has been making for years are quick. Simple earrings can take thirty minutes (not including polishing and packaging). Other times, Angela will spend a week working on a single piece in order to get it just right.
For designs that are more technical with details that are untried, Angela has to make them three or four times before she gets the process just right. Chances are, she’s making the first piece in copper because it’s her first try at a new style and it won’t be the final piece.
Angela is always working on multiple ideas at once so, even after making jewellery for 20+ years, it’s still impossible to say how long each piece takes.
Yes, ask us anything. Contacting us by email is best so we have a moment to think about the best answer for you.