FAQ

Why do you use lab-grown diamonds?

Laboratory grown diamonds are conflict free, sustainable, earth friendly, indistinguishable from natural diamonds to the eye, and just as beautiful as "dug out of the ground" diamonds. High-end testing equipment is needed to detect any difference between the two.



Will my jewelry order arrive gift-wrapped?

Yes, your purchase will be placed in a gift box, inside a gift bag with tissue paper, ready for gift-giving.



Why do you use 14K yellow posts for your silver stud earrings?

14K yellow gold posts are sturdier than a silver post of the same gauge and won't bend as easily. They also look very nice and visually tie in with the 24K gold color of the Keum Boo. Silver posts would need to be thicker to be as strong. In addition, our stud earrings come with my favorite very secure earring back made of silicone and sterling silver. These backs fit the gold posts very well but would not fit thicker (silver) posts. If you prefer silver (maybe you have a sensitivity to gold), just let me know, I can easily finish your earrings with silver posts and supply matching backs.



Are you available for custom work?

Most pieces can be customized, set with gemstones of your choice, made wider, smaller, the Argentium silver patinaed, or left in the natural white color instead, new designs can be created. Custom orders will require a 50% non-refundable, non-exchangeable deposit, with the balance due when the item is completed and before it ships. Custom pieces will usually take two weeks, but can take longer, depending on the complexity of the design, availability of gemstones, prior orders and our show travel schedule. A time estimate will be provided before an order is placed and again when the design has been decided on.



What is Argentium Silver?

Argentium silver is a sustainably produced silver alloy which is more pure, brighter in color and more tarnish resistant than traditional sterling silver. It is stamped "935", instead of "925" for traditional sterling silver.
More information here.



What if I need more help before purchasing?

Simply call us at 949.204.0429 or contact us at info@bijouarts.com.



How do you ship and how long does it take for the package to arrive?

We ship within the USA. For out of country orders, please email us first. We us USPS, UPS, FedEx at our discretion. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you prefer a particular carrier. Please be advised there might be an extra fee. The estimated time for standard shipping is 3 to 6 business day, depending on your location and distance to Southern California where we ship from. Holidays, (natural) disasters, etc. might prolong the time in transit. ​ Expedited shipping is available (Express, Overnight Mail) and will incur a (small) fee. ​ All jewelry will be shipped insured, which necessitates a signature on delivery. ​ Please contact us if you have any questions. info@bijouarts.com 949.204.0429 Find more information on shipping here.



Do you charge for shipping?

We temporarily offer free standard shipping within the United States. For out of country orders, please email us first.



What is Keum-Boo?

Keum-boo (also Kum-Boo) translated as "attached gold", is an ancient Korean gilding technique used to apply 24K gold foil to metal.

More information and pictures here.



How do I measure my wrist for a cuff bracelet?

The easiest way to measure a wrist for a cuff bracelet is to cut a piece of paper at least 1/2 inch wide (or the actual width of the bracelet). Wrap it around your wrist above the wrist bone, mark the strip of paper where the ends meet and then measure it against a ruler.

A flexible measuring tape can also be used.

Women's sizes:

Extra Small: 5.5 - 6.0 IN

Small: 6.0 - 6.5 IN

Medium: 6.5 - 7 IN

Large: 7.0 - 7.5 IN

X-Large: 7.5 - 8 IN

X X-Large: 8.0 - 8.5 IN

If you have any questions, please contact me before ordering.



How do I find my finger size?

To eliminate any sizing issues, I am happy to send you calibrated ring gauges (once your order has been placed) to ensure a proper fit. Visiting a local jewelry store to get measured is another option. Keeping in mind wider bands need to be sized larger than narrow bands. Someone may measure a size 7 in a thin solitaire ring, but a 7 1/2 or even 8 in a wide band.



When will my order ship?

Orders are usually processed/shipped within 2 to 10 business days. Thank you for your patience while I lovingly create each piece by hand. Custom order processing time varies depending on the piece. Please let us know if you need an item fast. If we can, we are happy to accommodate your request.

info@bijouarts.com 949.404.0429 Please see more shipping information here.



What is the black patina on your pieces?

This beautiful black patina has been created with “Liver of Sulfur”. Blackening silver with Liver of Sulfur mimics and speeds up what would naturally occur when silver reacts with the sulfur in the air. To help protect this surface finish, I apply a hard high-end clear jewelry lacquer. The patina and lacquer are long-lasting, but these pieces need a little more care than unpatinaed ones to protect them from scratches. More information about the patina here.



What is e-coating?

To creat a tarnish-resistant finish on our natural color (unpatinaed) pieces, I use a coating process called "nano-ceramic e-coating". (Please note, chains are uncoated) This process uses an electrical current to deposit transparent abrasion-resistant nano-sized ceramic particles on the surface of the jewelry, leaving a durable finish. (Argentium silver is more tarnish-resistant than traditional sterling silver, but all natural uncoated silver reacts with the sulfur in the air and tarnishes over time. This coating helps to prevent this.) This e-coating gives our customers easy to care for silver jewelry. (No polishing cloth or messy solutions needed, just wipe with soapy warm water to clean.) More information about the e-coating process here.