Q: Are there any distributors in my area?
Q: Where are you located and can I visit the shop?
Q: How do I know the ring is definitely going to fit?
Q: What is your typical turnaround time?
Q: Can I have my ring engraved?
Q: What is the best way to place an order?
Q: Do you have a payment plan or financing?
Q: Do you ship international and how much will I pay for customs?
Q: Do you wholesale?
METALS and MOKUME (check out our Metals page)
Q: What metal should I select for my ring?
Q: Will you work with my existing metal?
Q: Can I request a custom mokume pattern or color combination?
Q: Do you give credit for scrap gold and platinum?
Q: How can I see the mokume before I place an order?
DIAMONDS and GEMSTONES (check out our Diamonds page)
Q: Can I provide my own diamond?
Q: How do I ship my diamond to you?
Q: Can I have my local jeweler set the stone?
Q: Do you sell diamonds and sapphires, how do I choose one, and how do I know it will be right for me?
Q: Do you provide Conflict-Free diamonds?
CARE
Q: How do I care for my mokume ring?
Q: How well does the sterling silver in the mokume hold up?
Q: Are there any household chemicals or detergents that should be avoided?
Q: Is the mokume pattern going to wear off?
Q: Will my ring get scratches?
Q: Do I need to remove my ring when working?
Q: How much do you charge for refinishing, repairs, and sizing?
Q: Are there any distributors in my area?
A: We sell direct to the public, so we do not have any retailers or distributors. You pay studio prices -- there are no retail markups or wholesale discounts.
Q: Where are you located and can I visit the shop?
A: We are located in Tucson, Arizona. We have a private studio that is open by appointment only. We welcome visitors with open arms, and people always enjoy seeing where their jewelry is made. We have samples of the mokume rings, and a few engagement rings. We do not stock jewelry, so we have a limited supply of samples in house. Call 520.322.6090 to make an appointment.
Q: How can I see the mokume before I place an order?
A: We have a sample ring program to allow you to see the different types of mokume in person. Contact us for more details.
Q: How do I know the ring is definitely going to fit?
A: When you place your order, we will send you a silver sizing ring that is the same size, width, comfort fit and thickness as your final ring. This way you can be assured of getting a ring that fits perfectly.
Q: What is your typical turnaround time?
A: It can be anywhere from 6 weeks to 12 weeks. You will be given a ship date when you place your order. Call for our current schedule. 520.322.6090.
Q: Can I have my ring engraved?
A: Yes. Inside ring engraving is $30 for up to 15 characters. Each additional character is $1. We engrave in script, and there is a limited # of letters (depends upon ring).
Q: Will you work with my existing metal?
A:
No. It can be difficult to determine what alloy is used in any given jewelry, and how much solder is on it. Melting down existing jewelry for casting can cause poor quality casting, with pits, cracks, etc.
Q: Do you give credit for scrap gold and platinum?
A:
Yes. Visit this link to calculate your scrap value.
Q: What is the best way to place an order?
A: You can fill out the online order form, however, we do not take credit cards on the order form. The finalization of the order will be done on the phone, so you can request a phone call from the order form, or you can call 520.322.6090.
Q: Do you have a payment plan or financing?
A: We do accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express. The typical payment form is 1/2 down and 1/2 upon shipping, however, you can also break up payment into as many payments as you like. The only stipulation is that the order will be paid in full before we ship it out.
Q: Do you sell diamonds and sapphires, how do I choose one, and how do I know it will be right for me?
A: Check out our Diamonds page for more info. We only sell diamonds that are premium to ideal cut, H or better color, SI2 or better clarity, so you are guaranteed a stone that is sparkly, white, and eye-clean. We can email you the certificate specs of the stone, or even ship it to you for approval if you require. We have thousands of diamonds you can choose from, so you are sure to get exactly what you are looking for. Email us with the shape, size, quality and budget, and we will provide you a list. For colored stones, we prefer to ship it to you before setting for approval.
Q: Do you provide Conflict-Free diamonds?
A: Yes. For diamonds over 1/2 carat, we sell Tundra Diamonds. Go here for more info.
Q: Can I provide my own diamond?
A: Yes. If you have a round diamond, we can start on your ring with just the dimensions. If you have a fancy shape, we usually need the stone before we get started.
Q: How do I ship my diamond to you?
A: Loose diamonds and expensive jewelry are best shipped USPS Registered/Insured. This is the way the Hope Diamond was once shipped. On outbound shipments, we ship FedEx insured, though this is not a service that is available to the general public.
Q: Can I have my local jeweler set the stone?
A: Regarding the setting of the stone, we highly recommend that you
let us set the stone. It is included in the price of the mounting, and we guarantee the quality of the setting, both technically and aesthetically. You can have it set elsewhere, but we often receive such rings back due to unsatisfactory setting of the stone(s). With this in mind, it is critical that you have the setting done by a master goldsmith.
Q: What metal should I select for my ring?
A: Go to the "Metals" page for a complete overview of the metals.
Q: Do you ship international and how much will I pay for customs?
A: Yes, we ship to most countries. There is a $75 shipping charge for international orders. Customs tax and duties will probably be applied, so call your local customs office for details.
Q: Can I request a custom mokume pattern or color combination?
A: We do not make custom billets, nor do we create custom patterns.
Q: Do you wholesale?
A: No. We do provide a 10% discount for orders of 5 or more items.
Q: How do I care for my mokume ring?
A: It depends upon what kind of finish the ring has. For rings with high polish finish, you can use a soft polishing cloth or cream to brighten it up. For rings with a matte finish, no maintenance is required. If it appears that the sterling has darkened, due to excessive sweating or exposure to a pool or jacuzzi, you can use a toothbrush and baking soda toothpaste, or a liquid, such as Tarnex. You can also leave it alone and it may return to normal in a day or two. If you use a polishing cloth on the matte finish, you will change the finish from matte to high polish. For rings with stones, to maintain the maximum brilliance on the stone and limit the need for professional cleaning, it is recommended that you remove the ring when applying lotion, and when in the shower to prevent soap buildup on the stone. Simple cleaning can be done with a toothbrush and dishsoap.
Q: How well does the sterling silver in the mokume hold up?
A: We use a sterling that is alloyed with platinum instead of copper. This platinum-sterling is highly tarnish resistant, but still has the beautiful white color that only silver has. Traditional and platinum-sterling silver is affected by chlorine bleach, in that it darkens. All sterling and gold jewelry should be removed when swimming in a chlorinated pool or jacuzzi. About 1 in 100 people have a chemical reaction with sterling that turns the silver black. In our testing we have found that our platinum-sterling does not darken with this type of personal chemistry.
Q: Are there any household chemicals or detergents that should be avoided?
A: YES! Chlorine bleach, whether in the laundry room, swimming pool or jacuzzi, can affect or damage sterling and gold jewelry. A recent study showed that a GOLD ring that was subjected to 200 submersions into a jacuzzi type setting exhibited microscopic prong failure. Bleach will darken sterling silver, and it has to be polished away in order to be restored to its original state.
Q: Is the mokume pattern going to wear off?
A: NO. The mokume is not just on the surface, it goes down through the ring. It will not wear off in a lifetime of use.
Q: Will my ring get scratches?
A: All precious metals, including platinum, will get small dings and scratches over time. We do harden the surface of the rings, but any ring and any finish will inevitably get small surface scratches. You can have your ring refinished once a year (refinishing actually removes a fine layer of metal, so it is not recommended more often) or you can enjoy the personality of wear that your ring takes on.
Q: Do I need to remove my ring when working?
A: Our rings are solid and hefty, they are not thin and flimsy. They will withstand much beating, but any precious metal ring will scratch. If you prefer the pristine surface, then yes, remove the ring if you are working with your hands and metal tools. If you engage in activities such as blacksmithing, using sandpaper, operating dangerous machinery that may grab the ring, weightlifting, or working with chemicals (without gloves), you should remove any rings.
Q: How much do you charge for refinishing, repairs, and sizing?
A: REPAIRS – Prices include shipping unless otherwise noted. ALL SHIPPING IS 2-DAY. Add $15 for overnight shipments.
Sizing – Mokume Band : Down - $75, Up - $75 (one size max, thickness will change)
Mokume Engagement Round: Down - $125;
Up - $75 (one size max, thickness will change)
Mokume Engagement Princess: Down - $75;
Up - $75 (one size max, thickness will change)
Plain Band / Engagement: Down - $50;
Up - $50 or less depending on job
Up on thick shank: $25 (1/2 size only)
Damaged items: charge for material, labor and shipping
Routine Refinish - $25 (includes return shipping)
