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?
Q: What is the price for a ring in 14k or 18k gold?
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: Do you sell diamonds and sapphires, how do I choose one, and how do I know it will be right for me?
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 provide Conflict-Free diamonds?
CARE
Q: How do I care for my mokume ring?
Q: How do I care for my diamond 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. We do have a sample ring program. Call 1-888-KRIKAWA to inquire.
Q: Where are you located and can I visit the studio?
A: We are located in the gorgeous Sonoran Desert 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 small selection of engagement rings. We do not stock jewelry, so we have a limited supply of samples in house. Call 1-888-krikawa to make an appointment.
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 10 weeks to 12 weeks. You will be given a ship date when you place your order. Call for our current schedule. 1-888-krikawa.
Q: Can I have my ring engraved?
A: Yes. The cost is $30 for up to 15 characters, and $1 for each additional character. We engrave in script and block lettering; the number of characters is limited (depends upon the ring).
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. Due to the great number of details involved in custom ring design, 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 1-888-KRIKAWA.
Q: Do you have a payment plan?
A: Yes. We offer layaway. We also accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express. The typical payment form is 1/2 down and 1/2 upon shipping, however, we are also happy to create a unique payment method or layaway plan for you. You can also break up payment into as many payments as you like, extending up to one year!
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 duties and tax may apply, so contact your local customs office for details.
Q: Do you wholesale?
A: No. We do provide a 10% discount for orders of 5 or more items.
Q: What is the price for a ring in 14k or 18k gold
A: 14k gold of any color is around $100 more than palladium, and 18k gold of any color is around $200 more than palladium, on average. Call or email us for an exact quote for your ring.
METALS AND MOKUME
Q: What metal should I select for my ring?
A: Go to the "Metals" page for a complete overview of the metals. If you have any concerns or reservations regarding color of metals, we have samples of all metals available for a small refundable deposit. Please call for more details.
Q: Will you work with my existing metal?
A:
Yes. Provided your metal is all of one type (i.e., gold vs. platinum) we can have it refined to it's pure state and used in your ring. It may extend your delivery time and reduce your scrap value, but it is a great service for sentimental items.
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 give credit for scrap gold and platinum?
A:
Yes. Visit this link to calculate your scrap value.
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.
DIAMONDS AND GEMSTONES
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 and Sapphires pages for more info. We recommend diamonds that are premium to ideal cut, H or better color, SI1 or better clarity, especially when set in white metals, such as palladium or platinum. Any diamond within these color and clarity parameters or better is guaranteed white and clean to the naked eye. We guarantee that every diamond that is H or better in color and SI1 or better in clarity is white and eye-clean because we hand inspect each stone that is ordered on the client’s behalf. 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: Can I provide my own diamond?
A: Yes. We do accept outside stones for mounting in our engagement rings. Your stone will be fully insured for the duration it is in-house. It will receive a gemological intake and assessment for quality, ring fitting, and insurance purposes. There is a 10% setting fee added onto the cost of the mounting for this service. 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. Once you place your order, our friendly office staff will be happy to provide you with shipping instructions for sending your stone to Krikawa safely and securely.
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: Do you provide Conflict-Free diamonds?
A: Yes. For diamonds over 1/2 carat, we sell Polar Bear Diamonds, which have a Canadian Certificate of Origin. However all our other diamonds that we sell fall under the Kimberly Process. United Nations Compliance Statement Regarding Kimberly Process: For any product fabricated from rough diamonds mined from January 1, 2003 onward, our vendors certify that the diamonds provided have been purchased from legitimate sources not involved in funding conflict and in compliance with United Nations Resolutions. They guarantee that these diamonds are conflict free, based on personal knowledge and/or written guarantees provided by their supplier of these diamonds.
CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Q: How do I care for my mokume ring?
A: Please see our Jewelry Care page.
Q: How do I care for my diamond ring?
A: Please see our Jewelry Care page.
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 sizing, repairs, and refinishing?
A: Sizing – Mokume Band : Down - $100, Up - $100 (one size max, thickness will change)
Mokume Engagement Round: Down - $150;
Up - $100 (one size max, thickness will change)
Mokume Engagement Princess: Down - $100;
Up - $100 (one size max, thickness will change)
Plain Band / Engagement: Down - $75;
Up - $75 or less depending on job
Up on thick shank: $25 (1/2 size only)
Prices for sizings do include shipping.
Damaged items: charge for material, labor and shipping. The labor charge is $100 per hour. A shipping quote will be given at the time the repair is requested and will be based upon the transit time selected for return.
Routine Refinish: complimentary plus shipping
