Frequently Asked Questions
Jewelry Questions
-
How do I measure for correct size?
-
Argentium Silver ? What is it?
NEW!
-
Do you use silver or gold plated wire and components?
-
How do I care for the jewelry?
-
Do you repair jewelry?
-
Can I return a piece of jewelry if I
decide it is not what I want?
-
Can you make a custom piece of jewelry for
me?
Ordering and Shipping Questions
-
I'd like to buy some jewelry for a gift.
Do you offer gift certificates?
-
How do I order jewelry?
-
What is your shipping policy?
-
Do you sell wholesale?
Jewelry Questions
Measuring for a bracelet - Use a soft tape measure and give me the
measurement of your wrist, at the wrist bone, not the bracelet
size you usually wear. Note the measurement to the closest
1/4 of an inch or in centimeters and enter it in the
"comments" section when checking out. (If you do not have a soft
tape measure, use a string and then measure that using a ruler.) Sometimes if a bracelet or
bangle needs to made unusually large, there may be a price adjustment. If that
is the case, I will contact you.
Measuring for a choker - Just give me the final length you want the choker to be, if you
want other than the standard 16 inch length. (Slender or smaller than average
women will mostly wear a 15 or 15 1/2 inch choker.)
Argentium®
Sterling Silver is a patented and trademarked alloy that is at least 92.5% pure
silver, just like traditional sterling. What makes it different from traditional
sterling silver is that a small amount of germanium replaces some of the copper
that is usually the other 7.5% of sterling silver, making it a highly
tarnish-resistant sterling silver. Peter Johns of Middlesex University in
England invented Argentium® Sterling Silver in 1996. It is cared for just like
traditional sterling silver.
I have been gradually switching over to the
Argentium Sterling. Since November 2007 I am using almost entirely Argentium
Sterling Silver wire and some beads, however all of the Indian, Bali, Thai, and
imported Sterling Silver beads are traditional sterling silver. Since Argentium
silver is more costly, and also the price of silver has been on the rise, my prices
will reflect this rise as well.
Mostly, I do not. All of the silver I use is Sterling Silver or
better. Sterling silver is 92.5% pure silver. I use some silver beads and
components that come from the Karen Hill Tribe in Thailand. These silver beads
and components are 95% silver. The rest of the sterling silver beads come
from India, Turkey, Israel, China, Bali, Nepal and the USA, and maybe a few
other places as well. The gold wire I use is 14K gold-filled.
Occasionally I will use 12K gold-filled beads or components. Occasionally,
I may use Thai silver beads that have been gold plated with 28K gold.
Recently I have been playing with Precious Metal Clay (PMC) mostly making
beads and components to include in my pieces. PMC is a material made of pure
silver and a polymer that can be molded much like clay. After the piece is fired
it becomes 99.9% pure silver. It is a very fun, yet expensive, material to play
in, so I am gradually including it in pieces here and there. It will be stated
in the item description if PMC is included.
To clean, scrub the piece using a soft toothbrush and mild dishwashing liquid
with warm water. To remove tarnish from silver I recommend that you occasionally polish it with a Sunshine Polishing Cloth.
This is a non-toxic cloth that contains non-scratch micro particles and chemical
cleaners that bring the silver to a beautiful shine. It can also be used on
gold, brass and copper.
Don't store the piece out in the open. It is best in an
airtight bag. Most of my pieces cannot be dipped in tarnish remover or jewelry
cleaner because it could damage some of the stones. The piece may become
darkened in the crevices, like within the spiral beads for example. This, I
believe, adds character to the piece and is very beneficial, like an antiqued
affect. Just polish as much
of the silver or gold as you can. The cloth will start to blacken very
quickly, but it lasts a long time after that. You can purchase a Sunshine
Polishing Cloth through me.
I have been asked many times to repair jewelry that has been made by someone
else. Sorry I do not repair jewelry that has been strung. I work just in
wire. Normally the beads that were used in the stinging process have too
small of holes for my use. However there are exceptions, contact
me if you have beads that you would like made into a new piece of jewelry
using wire.
Of course, my own designs are guaranteed and I will repair it any time free of charge if
breakage is due to a manufacture defect. You only pay to send it to me. If
repair is needed due to misuse or accident, please contact
me for an estimate.
I truly want you to be happy with the jewelry you purchase from me. If the
item has not been
altered or damaged, and if you
are not satisfied with the item, just return it to me within two weeks of
receiving it, and I will refund the price of the item, or exchange it, whichever
you prefer.
Yes, I do quite a bit of this. I enjoy the creative input of the my
customers and it is great to co-create in this way. Contact me if you
would like to create together a custom piece of jewelry.
Ordering and Shipping Questions
Yes, I offer gift certificates that can be
redeemed on this site or at a show, and are good for up to one year from day of
purchase. All jewelry comes in a gift box with a
tag that describes the piece. The descriptions on the tags are similar to the
descriptions that are given of each piece on this site. View the
tags and gift boxes that you receive.
There are a couple of ways. You can call me at 715-277-2931
or use this web site to order. I accept VISA or MASTERCARD on phone
orders. I will also accept checks or money orders.
You may order directly through this site using my secure shopping cart. Just click on the "BUY
NOW" button and the item is put into your
shopping cart. Be sure to include any size information in the
"comment" text box during checkout. The shipping and handling charges, and
tax if applicable, are automatically calculated when you check out. My shopping
cart on this site is safe and secure, it allows you to make payments directly to
me using your Visa or MasterCard, or you may use Paypal. Paypal is a
very safe and secure way to make payments over the internet using a bank
account or credit card account. free
Paypal account.
When paying by PAYPAL the charge will made at the time of purchase.
When paying by VISA or MASTERCARD through my shopping cart the charge will be
made the day the order is shipped.
When paying by personal check, the order will be shipped after the check is
received and the check clears.
Your Credit Card and PayPal statements will show a transaction to
"BJChristian Designs", but please make checks payable to: Betty J
Christian
I ship using USPS (United States Postal Service).
The shipping and handling fee is $6 on orders up to $100
The shipping and handling fee is $8 on orders over $100
Call or email for shipping charges out of the continental US. Please allow approximately
1 to 3 weeks for delivery in the USA. If I need to make the size you desire, up
to 3 weeks is required. Sometimes there are exceptions. If you need something by
a certain date, let me know in the "comment" section during check out,
or call.
Yes, I do sell wholesale to qualifying merchants.
Contact me to inquire about ordering wholesale.
| 
