Frequently Asked Questions
How should I keep my jewellery clean?
Jewellery can tarnish naturally over time. To help prevent this you should if possible remove it when bathing, swimming, applying hand cream, etc (unless of course you like the patina that it acquires with age). Keep your jewellery somewhere where it will not become scratched,
damaged or exposed to humid air (the box it came in is ideal for this purpose).
For cleaning I recommend simply washing your items in a solution of hot water and baking soda, and then drying thoroughly. Done every once in a while, this should help prevent tarnish building up on the item. You can also hand clean items using silver cleaning cloths.
If your item has a
mix of finishes, I would recommend just soapy water to preserve these, or a
cleaning cloth only on the polished parts of the item. If your item includes
any porous materials (such as wood) do not immerse them in liquid, instead just
polish the metal parts of the item with a polishing cloth. If your item has a cold enamel finish, please take extra care when wearing as the enamel is delicate and can chip if it gets knocked or dropped.
Are the
items hallmarked?
Yes most of them
are hallmarked, with the exception of small or intricate items where it would not be
practical to hallmark, such as earrings, ear studs and pendants. Necklaces, large pendants, brooches, bangles, rings and
individual charms are always hallmarked unless requested otherwise. Please see the individual item description which will tell you if the item is hallmarked or not.
Items that do not usually come hallmarked as standard can be hallmarked if required, at an additional cost.
I can't see any prices...?
Please contact me directly for prices, by emailing me at rachel_llewellyn@live.com, or by giving me a ring.
How do I pay for something?
At the moment I don't sell directly through my website but I hope to do so in future. I currently accept payment by cheque (please contact me for the address) or by Paypal through Etsy, where I can create a custom listing for you of the item you require. You can choose to pay by whichever method is most convenient for you. (However, if paying by cheque please bear in mind that I will have to wait for payment to clear before dispatching your item, so if you are in a rush it may be quicker to use Etsy.)
How much is delivery?
Delivery costs
from £4 for small items up to £39 in
value and from £5 for larger/more costly items. I send
large or high value items by an insured, guaranteed next day service.
How
long will it take for my item(s) to arrive?
That depends on what
the item is. Smaller items that are quicker to make may be dispatched sooner
than larger more labour-intensive works. Sometimes I already have some smaller items in stock, please contact me and I'll let you know. Generally, small jewellery items will be ready in
anything from 1-3 weeks. (If you need something quickly or for a particular
date, please contact me and I will do my utmost to get it ready for you
sooner). Large jewellery items will take around 4-6 weeks and silversmithing items will take from 1-3 months depending on the item, as these are not usually held in stock and are made to order.
Once posted, items
will arrive within 1 day if sent next day, or 1-2 days first class.
Can I
customize items?
Yes you can.
Pretty much anything can be customised, (providing it is not too small to fit
your name or message on!) Please give me a call or email to ask. Customising
items is a nice touch and makes for a lovely personalised gift.
Can I
have something in a different colour or finish?
Yes you can. If
the colour or finish you want is not listed, or you want something slightly
different to how it is listed on the site, just give me a ring or email and I
can produce the item for you how you would like it.
Do you
supply your jewellery in different lengths and sizes?
Yes I can. If you need a bigger/smaller bracelet or bangle, if you would like a longer necklace chain, if you would like different size or length earrings, etc, please contact me and this can usually be done quite easily.
Do the
charms come on a clasp?
Yes, the charms
usually come on a clasp suitable for attaching to a bracelet chain. If you
intend to put the charm onto a bangle, please ask and I will supply it on a
larger clasp. Or alternatively you can purchase a charm bangle and have up to
three charms soldered directly onto the bangle rather than clipping them on.
If you intend to put the charms on a necklace chain, please ask and I can supply them on jump-rings rather than clasps.
Can you supply just a bracelet or bangle for charms to be attached to over time?
Yes I can. Please
contact me if you require a plain bracelet or bangle.
What if I want a custom order?
Perhaps you have looked at my website but want something totally different, or maybe you already have a design in mind that you would like me to make for you? Maybe you need an item made for a special event like a birthday or wedding? I have often made custom items for customers and would love to hear your request. Whether you already know what you want or you're not sure just yet, give me an email or phone call to discuss your requirements and for me to get back to you with a price estimate.
To get you started with some ideas, why not look at the custom orders I have made for other customers in the past, on the 'Commissions' page of my website.
Do you
cast from master copies to produce your jewellery and charms?
No, at the moment I don't cast anything, every charm is totally hand fabricated from sheet
silver and wire. This means a higher price than some other items currently in
the marketplace, however you get far more for your money in terms of quality,
individualism and charm - and you are also supporting an individual maker in
the British craft industry rather than a large commercial company.
Making by hand
means it is also easier and quicker to respond to individual customer requests
- if you want it slightly different, you can have it slightly different! This
to me is a major bonus of producing on a small scale. It leads to far greater
customer satisfaction - I want my customers to be happy and return to me, and
to enjoy wearing their items year on year. If you are spending your hard-earned
money on one of my items, then I want to make sure it is of the highest quality
and is exactly how you would like it to be. So, if there is something you would
like a bit different, then please do ask.
If you have any questions not answered here, then please give me a ring or
an email and I will do my best to respond to your enquiry promptly.