FAQ
CARE
Even the most secure settings can loosen over time, especially if extensively worn. It is recommended that you get an annual check up done by a jewelry professional. This checkup can avoid costly damage or loss. It is always a good idea to give your fine jewelry a little TLC by sending it in for a professional cleaning.
CLEANING
Please consult Hartley Studios if you have any questions regarding care or cleaning of your jewelry. Jewelry can get dirty through everyday wear and exposure to products like shampoo, sunscreen, and soap residue. Silver can tarnish due to climate, egg whites, chemicals and non-use. Cleaning your jewelry with a mild liquid soap, warm water and a soft toothbrush will usually suffice to keep your pieces sparkling.
CLEANING STERLING SILVER
If you purchased a silver item, you have received an anti-tarnish bag and a Sunshine Cloth with your purchase. Keep your purchase in the bag when you are not wearing it. The Sunshine Cloth will gently polish sterling silver jewelry and is my choice for polishing sterling.
You can also use Wrights silver cleaner to clean tarnish from sterling silver jewelry. Wright's is gentle and has been cleaning silver for over one hundred years. Use a soft sponge, a soft cloth or a soft bristled toothbrush. Wearing silver frequently can also help prevent tarnish. If your piece has a patina, please do NOT polish that area or you will take the colored finish off.
OPAL CARE
Opals are a soft and delicate gemstone and register low (5.5 to 6.5) on the MOHS Hardness Scale. Opals can break if they are either hit with something hard or dropped onto a hard surface. Australian opals should be cleaned gently with mild detergent in warm water and a soft toothbrush or cloth. Avoid bleach, chemicals and harsh cleaners. Welo, or Ethiopian opals may be wiped with a damp soft cloth and mild detergent, but should never be soaked or immersed.
If your Welo opal gets wet, don’t worry. The color and transparency may change temporarily, however it will revert to its original color as it dries over a few days.
Never allow anyone to clean your opal in an ultrasonic cleaner, as the intense vibrations may cause cracking in a solid opal, and water penetration in a doublet.
If your stone loses its shine or becomes scratched, take it to an opal cutter. After years of wear, small scratches and scuff marks cause an opal to lose its shiny polish and become dull looking. Professional polishing can bring new life to an opal which has become dull or scratched, and the setting can also be checked for prong or bezel damage, thus ensuring the security of the stone.
PEARL CARE
Pearls love to be worn! Your keshi pearl is solid nacre, so the lustre will never be worn off through wear as cultured pearls can be. Quality pearls are very durable, but proper care is necessary to keep your pearl jewelry beautiful and lustrous. Pearls are organic gemstones that are vulnerable to acid, alkaline and extremes of humidity. To preserve your pearls' radiance, avoid letting them come into contact with cosmetics, make up, hair spray, perfume and cleaning products such as chlorine bleach, hydrogen peroxide, vinegar and ammonia. Put on your jewelry as a final touch, after applying make-up and styling hair. ALWAYS remove your pearl jewelry before working out, swimming, showering, sleeping, doing dishes, housecleaning or gardening. The pearl's lustre can also be harmed by perspiration. To prevent this, before returning your pearls to the jewelry box, wipe them gently with a soft cloth. Do NOT store pearls in an airtight package such as a plastic bag: remember, pearls need moisture. Leaving pearl jewelry in a security box for long periods may cause pearls to dehydrate, so enjoy them frequently. Pearls were originally born in the water and benefit immensely from absorbing the oils that your skin naturally secretes throughout the day, so wear them often. Pearls are exceptionally cohesive and shock-resistant, but may be scratched by contact with sharp objects or other gemstones. To prevent tangles and scratches, lay each item out separately in a compartmentalized jewelry box. When traveling and carrying jewelry, use a protective jewelry pouch. A steam or ultrasonic cleaner should never be used with pearl jewelry as it can damage the surface of the pearls as well as the security of the setting. The epoxy securing your pearl can also be damaged by the water from everyday activities, and will subsequently cause the failure of the integrity of the setting. If a pearl becomes loose or jiggles, please stop wearing it immediately and send it back for repair. If you experience a breakage or pearl loss, I will repair or replace the pearl free of charge unless there has been unusually harsh wear and tear. Repairs must be shipped back via insured mail or insured Fed Ex. Hartley Studios will accept no responsibility for any items lost or stolen in transit. Shipping charges are not reimbursed.
JEWEL BEETLE CARE
Jewel beetles are hard and very durable, and have survived in jewelry from Victorian times. Jewel beetles are organic objects and subject to destruction from everyday products. Please refer to the pearl section for guidance on when to wear or not wear your beetle. Do NOT clean the jewel beetle with soap and water - use instead a soft brush to brush the dirt and residue off your jewel beetle. They can also be destroyed by mites! If you see a residue that you think might be due to mites, put your jewel beetle in a plastic ziplock bag and place it in the freezer for one week. That should kill the mites. If you discover that your jewel beetle has been destroyed by mites, please return the piece and I will replace the beetle. If your jewel beetle becomes loose or dislodged, please stop wearing immediately and send it back for repair.
REPAIRS
I stand behind the integrity of my jewelry, so if something breaks, becomes loose or is dislodged, such as a chain, a pearl or a jewel beetle, I will repair it free of charge. Opals are excluded from this guarantee. If an opal is broken I will repair it, but you must purchase a new opal for the replacement. Repairs must be shipped back via insured mail or insured Fed Ex. Hartley Studios will accept no responsibility for any items lost or stolen in transit. Shipping charges are not reimbursed.
SIZING
If you do not see your ring size online, please contact me, and I will accommodate you. I am happy to size your finger here at the studio, or if you are outside of the Northern NJ area we recommend getting sized by a professional jeweler. PLEASE NOTE: Sizes vary depending upon the width of the band! A wider band will usually need to be 1/2 to 1 size larger than a narrow band. Resizing for other items purchased through Hartley Studios is available for a small fee, please inquire for details. Most chains for pendants and necklaces are able to be a specific size of your choosing, just let me know and I will change it to your preferred length.
TERMS OF SERVICE
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Please be aware that each piece is handcrafted and due to the nature of the work, subtle variations may appear in details or finishing.
SALES TAX
Sales tax is applied to all purchases. 6.625% sales tax will be applied to all purchases within New Jersey, unless a resale certificate Form ST-3, Exempt Use Certificate Form ST-4, Exempt Organization Certificate Form ST-5 is received.
PAYMENT
Currently we accept credit cards, PayPal, Venmo and cash when in person.
SHIPPING
I ship all of my packages via Priority Mail, United States Postal Service and all pieces will be fully insured unless otherwise advised by client. If client arranges shipping, they take full responsibility for any loss or damage incurred during shipping. I do not ship to PO Boxes. Shipping outside of the US will be through DHL. Shipping prices will be quoted upon request.
SERVICE AGREEMENT
All prices are estimates and are subject to change based on current market value, availability, sizing and finishing. All material is guaranteed to be as specified and work will be performed in accordance to drawings and specifications submitted. All designs, models and molds are owned by Hartley Studios and will not be released to the client unless specified in advance and can be reproduced as Hartley Studios sees fit. Client is paying for design time and labor but does not retain ownership rights over models, molds or designs. The client is responsible for any color or style that is chosen. The designer will assist and make recommendations, but assumes no responsibility. Should the client want to change a color or style after production has begun, a separate quote will be provided for the change. Any alterations or deviations from the original scope that result in additional costs, will be executed with written change orders and billed as an additional cost. Hours reflect professional estimates and do not include overages due to the following: revised scope of work, client initiated changes, changes due to discontinued products or rescheduled delivery dates. The final balance for all custom orders is due 5 to 10 business days prior to delivery of goods. All custom sales are final. Please note that delivery dates and availability are subject to change based on stock and available shipping methods. A non-refundable deposit will be applied to all cancellations. A 50% deposit and signed copy of proposal is required to begin work.
Labor estimates are good for 60 days, gold and silver prices are subject to the daily market values.
RETURN POLICY
All pieces that are made to order or customized are nonrefundable. Pieces that are part of the collection are exchangeable within 10 days. Please make sure that you inquire about all sizes and measurements prior to purchasing.
The item must be shipped back in its original packaging, in pristine condition and sent via insured mail or Fed Ex. Hartley Studios will accept no responsibility for any items lost or stolen in transit. Shipping charges will not be reimbursed.
CUSTOM AND SPECIAL ORDERS
Please contact me if you need a particular piece in a special size or finish. We will always try to accommodate your request. Custom pieces are available upon request. A non-refundable down payment will be applied to all custom orders.