How are the products sized?
Bracelets strung on elastic cords for ease of wear make convenient choices for gifts when you don't know the recipients' wrist sizes. The medium one-size-fits-most is made to fit snugly yet comfortably on average sized wrists for ages 13 to adult (approximately 6" to 6.5" for women, 7" to 7.5" for men) at the point on the wrist where one would wear a wristwatch. If you need a smaller or larger size, add a note at checkout in the "order comments" directing us how you'd like the size to be adjusted. We can adjust upward or downward 1.5".
All other bracelets are approximately 7.5" long for women and 8" for men (unless otherwise stated in the product descriptions). This size will fit the average wrist somewhat loosely at the point at which one would wear a wristwatch, allowing you, for example, to slip a finger between the bracelet and your skin. If you prefer your bracelet to be larger or smaller (up to 1.5" either way), please state your preferences in the "order comments."
What are your products made of?
Best Friend Bands are made from acrylic beads imported from China.
All other items may include the following components:
• Semiprecious stones
• Sterling silver—a silver alloy that contains 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, generally copper
• Copper
• Pewter
• Bali beads—made of sterling silver in Indonesia in the Balinese tradition
• Hill Tribe silver—a finer silver, 95-99% pure silver, made by the Karen tribe in Northern Thailand
• Chains and cords: copper, sterling silver, Greek leather, and rubber. Note that chain types may vary depending upon availability.
How safe are your products?
Information provided by our suppliers assures us that Best Friend Bands are free of lead, nickel, and cadmium, and that all other products are free of cadmium.
Copper and pewter may contain very small amounts of lead, but all products used in our products meet safety standards, including California Proposition 65.
Our supplier also assures us that the rubber cord used in some bracelet and necklace designs is latex-free.
Are all of the products identical?
No. Our products are made to order from materials with natural variations that contribute to the individuality of the pieces. All semiprecious stones, for example, have variations in color and appearance. And personalized products are handmade and hand-stamped, so they're meant to look somewhat random and irregular. There will be intentional variations in spacing and alignment. Certain silver and copper items have finely etched lines that are the natural properties of the materials. These "imperfections" make your product unique.
Are there any restrictions on what messages can be used in custom and personalized jewelry?
We will try to accommodate all requests, but we reserve the right to reject orders that might reasonably be considered offensive.
I like the beads in one bracelet but the charm on another. Can I request a substitution or mix and match components?
Substitutions are possible in some but not all cases. Call or e-mail to let us know what you'd like and we'll do our best to accommodate you. Price adjustments may be necessary.
How is the jewelry packaged?
• The five bands that make up a set of Best Friend Bands are tied with cord, sealed in polybags, and shipped in bubble mailers.
• All other products are sealed in polybags, placed in Kraft jewelry boxes with cotton padding, and shipped in bubble mailers.
How do I remove the kinks in leather or rubber cord that occur during shipping?
•For rubber cord: our supplier recommends that you submerge the cord first in boiling water for two minutes, then plunge it into cold water for two minutes. Remove it and pat dry.
•For leather cord: our supplier recommends that you soak the cord in warm water until it becomes pliable and you can work the kinks out. We suggest that you avoid soaking any sterling silver components or fasteners. Wherever possible, move beads or silver dangles aside, and avoid dipping silver clasp ends into water.
