Buying Advice

First, make sure you check the size. This is a very common issue when buying online. Even if you read the size posted online, or see a pic online that includes an everyday object for comparison, you may be surprised by what you get. I suggest you read the description of the piece, note the size, which I always post, and actually cut out a piece of notecard/cardboard stock that approximates that size. Don’t worry about thickness. Just try to mimic the shape. Then put that cutout on your neck and look in a mirror.

Second, remember that colors on a computer monitor are not always a true representation of the actual color. I can’t control this issue. I will always provide several pics of the jewelry under different lighting situations, which will help. Most people selling jewelry, including the type that I sell, will post pictures of that jewelry under very bright lights. There is nothing wrong with that and I do it too. However, it’s doubtful anyone is going to wear that jewelry in that same bright light condition. The additional pics I post are typically under indirect daylight and indirect indoor light. It is always worth paying attention to pics with different lighting. So you know, all pics (2) of my pendants on a necklace are in an LED light-box. That is the brightest light pic of all the pics I provide. The pic with a quarter in it, for comparison, is taken under indirect indoor light. The remaining pic is taken under indirect daylight. Earring pairs each have two pics inside an LED light-box and one pic taken, with a quarter, under indirect indoor light.

Third, all of my pendants are highly polished on the front and to a medium polish on the back. My goal is to make certain that nothing on the back will abrade, scratch or wear down your clothing, and the front will be eye catching. Some materials will polish to a glass-like finish but others will polish to a satin-like finish. This is entirely dependent on the type of stone. I always note the type of finished polish in the description of the piece. Earrings are highly polished on the front and at least to a medium polish on the back.

Fourth, please be aware, like any jewelry, stone jewelry can break if abused. If you drop any jewelry onto a hard surface, such as concrete, granite counter top, ceramic tile, flagstone, etc, it can shatter. Also, highly polished surfaces, can be slippery to hold.

Fifth, when considering price, be aware that many things affect the cost of the piece. Certain materials are harder to come by or just more unique. Lapis Lazuli is primarily from Afghanistan and Charoite stone is from Russia, which makes them harder to get and more expensive. Other materials like Blue Lace Agate, Tiffany stone, and Plasma Agate are in short supply due to access regulations or closed mines. Some materials, like Parrot Wing and Sonora Sunrise are still readily available in bland colors/patterns but not as available in high-end colors/patterns. I’ll try to get a blog post up that touches on many of these materials .

Sixth, in the description of each piece I will always note if the material is in short supply, has high end colors/patterns, or is likely to be impossible to get in the future. If you want to purchase a more unusual material, good choices are Pietersite stone, specifically from Namibia, Africa, or mixes of Shattuckite and Malachite and Chrysocolla, typically from Africa, or Gem Silica or Turquoise both from the western United States.

Seventh, remember that shipping via USPS Ground Advantage is free, within the United States and its territories, until 1/1/2025. Sales tax, if applicable, will be added at check-out. Also, every pendant, or earring pair, will be provided with a protective cloth bag, a cleaning cloth and cleaning instructions.