If your item needs to be sized, engraved etc., please add an additional 5 working days to shipping estimates. Antique jewelry requires skilled jewelers that are accustomed to working on fine antique jewelry, therefore we require all sizing and alterations be preformed by our jewelers.

Each ring purchased from us includes one complimentary sizing. Please understand some rings cannot be sized, such as eternity bands, enameled rings or rings that would have to be sized so much that the integrity of the mounting would be compromised. It is for that reason we ask prior to purchase, that you ask if the ring can be sized to your specifications.

Many gemstones on the market are treated or enhanced in some way. It is estimated that up to 80-90% of gems have had some type of treatment. Gem treatments have occurred for hundreds of years. Heat treatment is one of the most common. Gemstone treatment is considered to be any process conducted by man beyond cutting and polishing a gem which can improve the appearance and durability. Please assume gemstones potentially have been treated unless the listing specifically notes otherwise. We always disclose all information to the best of our knowledge!

Nine times out of ten the fancy shaped stones set into filigree mountings (i.e. sapphires, rubies, emeralds, etc.) are synthetic. Since these stones were a fancy shape (triangle, trapezoid etc) breakage was high when cutting. Therefore they used synthetics. Stones have been being synthesized since the mid-1800's. Synthetics are are NOT glass. Synthetic means a stone has the same physical, chemical and optical properties of the natural. The only difference is it was made by man and not mother nature. If a stone is a simulant then it could be glass or any other stone stying to imitate the genuine stone. They do NOT have the same physical, chemical or optical properties.

Unless specifically stated all pearls are considered cultured. In order to determine if a pearl is natural or cultured it would need to be sent to a laboratory. Microradiography is the only non-destructive way of separating natural from cultured pearl. Microradiography will "see through" the pearl and determine the internal structure of the pearl; thereby defining natural from cultured.

While antique and vintage jewelry has withstood the test of time, we ask that you treat it with respect. We recommend you remove jewelry before washing your hands, house cleaning and rigorous activity(working out, gardening, swimming(chlorine can have damaging effects), some arts and crafts projects and some careers can have damaging effects on jewelry as well(nurses, doctors). Some chemicals can have adverse effects on the metal or stones in jewelry. Opals, pearls, coral, emeralds and kunzite are a few of the stones that require extra care. If you have any questions about the care of jewelry PLEASE contact us.

Unless stated in the description "electronic scale weight" the weight of the stone is determined in the mounting using a millimeter gauge and applying the accepted formulas for weight determination by the Gemological Institute of America. Since measurements are approximate there is an acceptable range of + or - error.

I am a graduate of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). I earned my Graduate Gemologist degree in residency and not by home study or online courses. While I am a graduate of GIA I am NOT GIA or a representative of GIA.

Every once in a while I am asked the question, "Are the stones original to the mounting?" Please know that no-one can know that for certain unless they were with the piece of jewelry since its creation OR if the item had stones missing when it was purchased and the seller knows they replaced the stone(s).

We prefer you use the layaway tool that Etsy provides. However, we will in certain cases, "carry the layaway" ourselves. However if no payment is made on a layaway payment in 3 months and you have not contacted us, we reserve the right to cancel the layaway, and you will forfeit any money paid toward that layaway! No Exceptions!