FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I most often do! I can say that there are busier times of the year that I have to limit how many orders I take to ensure that I can give each order the time that it needs. I teach metalsmiting courses and am also a mother of two, so it truly depends on my workload and timing. 

So if you have something in mind, feel free to go over to the contact link in either the top navigation bar or bottom Quick Links of my website and shoot me a request. I will try and get back to you within 48 hours and let you know if I am currently taking customs or not. 

After approval of the request, I will ask a handful of questions to get an idea of the scope of work. I will then come up with an approximate estimate of the job and will ask that 50% be paid prior to beginning. This will aid in me collecting the needed materials for the piece. 

Please note: This is merely an estimate and not a final quote for the price of the piece. Quite often once we get started collaborating on which stones to use and what the final design will look like through sketches, there are adjustments and change requests that influence the final cost. This can also add time spent which is a factor in the cost of the piece as well. 

Once the sketch is approved, I ask that no more changes be made. This will ensure that the cost of the finished piece will be comparable to the finished product. I will keep you involved with timing and progress here and there as I go along. 

Keep in mind, creating custom orders takes longer than creating as I normally do due to the back and forth of communication and approval process. The cost will be a bit higher than that of a piece I create on my own. 

All the answers to this can be found by clicking the link below in Quick Links navigation bar at the bottom of my website. If you have further questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. 

First off I should start by saying, I do not fix pieces I did not make. I have come to realize it is just not the best use of my time. I'm sorry. 

As for a piece you need fixing that I did make, it will be on a case by case basis. Some things I can fix, some things I cannot. Please reach out to me with photos of the damage and I can assess and let you know. Most likely there will be a small charge involved for my time and any necessary materials. 

Your Carry A Torch pieces are created with longevity in mind. My hope is that your piece will last through being passed down many generations. This is absolutely possible if cared for correctly. Please see the "Jewelry Care" link in the quick links below in the bottom navigation bar.

Rings are one of my favorite items to make. As a seller, it is very important to me that you know your ring size prior to buying. My rings generally have bezel settings which make the stones very difficult to remove which is necessarry if a ring were to need to be resized. I do not offer any ring size changes because of this. There is too high a risk of damaging the stone and/or setting resulting in a costly adjustment that can be avoided by knowing the correct ring size from the start. 

// Luckly, finding out your ring size is pretty simple. All local jewelry stores should offer free sizing. This would be the most accurate way to learn your size. They will measure with a calibrated ring sizer. Another idea is to have them measure a trusted ring you currently own that fits you well. 

// Another option is to buy a ring sizer from Amazon. They are just a few bucks and handy to have. If you go this route, measure your finger a few times throughout the day to see if there is much fluxuation in size. Somewhere in the middle of the range would be what I would recommend going with. 

// It is also good to know that when buying a wider band you will need to size up about a half size. If you have any questions regarding sizing, it is always best to ask! I'm happy to answer to the best of my ability!

Rings are one of my favorite items to make. As a seller, it is very important to me that you know your ring size prior to buying. My rings generally have bezel settings which make the stones very difficult to remove which is necessarry if a ring were to need to be resized.
I DO NOT offer any ring size changes because of this. There is too high a risk of damaging the stone and/or setting resulting in a costly adjustment that can be avoided by knowing the correct ring size from the start. 

This being said, there are always some exceptions to the rule. If there are no stones in your ring, resizing might be possible. If your ring does have stones but only needs to SIZE UP about a quarter to a half a size and has a fairly simple thinner band, I might be able to do that for you. Reach out to me and ask. Each ring I make is different and some minor adjustments might be possible. 

Ultimately, I want nothing more than for you to have a perfect 'Cinderella' fit. So please read the answer to "How can I find my ring size?" in the FAQ's. 

We have a 7-day return policy, which means you have 7 days after receiving your item to request a return.

To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it, unworn or unused, with tags, and in its original packaging. You’ll also need the receipt or proof of purchase.

To start a return, you must contact us at shanbun@cox.net. If your return is accepted, I will give you instructions on how and where to send your package. Items sent back to us without first requesting a return will not be accepted. Return shipping is the responsibility of the buyer. Items must be shipped back within 14 days of receiving your item.

You can always contact us for any return question at shanbun@cox.net. 

Damages and issues
Please inspect your order upon reception and contact us immediately if the item is defective, damaged or if you receive the wrong item, so that we can evaluate the issue and make it right. Once you have worn the item I can no longer accept the item as a return. Please read the care instructions and follow them closely. 

Exceptions / non-returnable items
Certain types of items cannot be returned, like custom orders or personalized items. Please get in touch if you have questions or concerns about your specific item. Unfortunately, we cannot accept returns on sale items or gift cards.

Exchanges
The fastest way to ensure you get what you want is to return the item you have, and once the return is accepted, make a separate purchase for the new item.

Refunds
We will notify you once we’ve received and inspected your return, and let you know if the refund was approved or not. If approved, you’ll be automatically refunded on your original payment method within 10 business days. Please remember it can take some time for your bank or credit card company to process and post the refund too.
If more than 15 business days have passed since we’ve approved your return, please contact us at shanbun@cox.net.

SHIPPING TIME FRAME

Ready-to-ship items will go out 3-5 days after the order is placed (quite often sooner). Made-to-order and custom pieces will have the timeline stated individually in each listing (most likely it will be about 3 weeks). 

SHIPPING WITHIN THE UNITED STATES

All orders $150+ ship for FREE to US buyers through USPS. Orders under $150 ship for the rate calculated at checkout. I use USPS for my preferred shipping carrier and I ship via First-Class or Priority Mail with tracking. If you would like insurance on your package, this is an additional cost and is the responsibility of the buyer. Please read the additional important info regarding insurance below.

If you prefer to have your item shipped faster or through another carrier, this negates the free shipping offer and the shipping rates will be added to your order. 

SHIPPING INTERNATIONALLY

Shipping costs vary based on the destination. Any and all duties, taxes, fees, etc. associated with international shipping are the responsibility of the buyer. If you need a quote, please contact me at shanbun@cox.net and I will do my best to get you an accurate quote.

ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT INFO

Please note that I can no longer be responsible for the package once it has left my hands. I always ship with tracking and you can use your tracking number to contact USPS regarding it's whereabouts if it is missing at 1-800-ASK-USPS® (1-800-275-8777). Purchasing insurance on your package prior to shipping (for the total cost of the item) is recommended and can be helpful if there is a loss or damage to the package.