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Ottiline sells vintage, delicate and Chinese style natural gemstone jewelry made of modern materials. Here is some general information about our products::
METAL STAMPS: All gold and silver items will have the corresponding metal stamp (S925, G14K, etc.) somewhere on the metal portion of the item. It's normal for these stamps to be small and their location on each item will vary (it's common for the stamp to be on a clasp, the back of a pendant, or the band of a ring).
ALLERGIES: All of our items are free of lead and cadmium. The majority are also nickel-free, including our sterling silver items. For those with nickel allergies, we recommend our sterling silver, yellow gold, and rose gold jewelry. White gold jewelry can contain nickel, as it is used to add strength and the white color to the jewelry. Some people with nickel allergies may still be able to wear white gold, especially 18K or higher, but that depends on the severity of the allergy.
RHODIUM & PALLADIUM: If no other plating is listed (such as gold or platinum), the majority of our sterling silver pieces will be plated with rhodium, even if it is not listed in the "details" section of the item. Rhodium is a chemically inert metallic element that appears as a silvery-white color. It is not known to be an allergy-causing substance and is generally considered an asset to jewelry pieces, as it helps them look shiny and new for longer than non-plated items. Some of our gold pieces may also contain rhodium, specifically white gold pieces, which are often plated with rhodium to help maintain their color. Palladium may be used in a similar fashion. It is not known to be allergy-causing.
PLATING: The plating of our items (gold, rhodium) is designed to be long lasting, but this depends heavily on each customer's specific use of the item (see our "Care Tips" tab below for some useful tips), storage of the item, environmental factors, and the customer's specific body chemistry. For this reason, we can provide an estimation on the life of metal plating on our jewelry. For a general estimation, plating lasts 2-3 years with sterling silver pieces before starting to show signs of break-down. For rhodium plating on white gold, it usually lasts 1-2 years (for items that are worn daily, such as wedding bands, plating can break down sooner). All plating can last longer than the above estimations if cared for exceptionally well or used gently. Metal plating can be reapplied to jewelry by professional jewelers when it breaks down, as this is part of normal jewelry maintenance.
GEMSTONES: The majority of the gemstones used in our jewelry are natural gems. This means there may be color or slight texture variations in some designs. We do not consider this a detriment, but think of it as the charm of natural, earth-formed materials. The majority of our precious stones will have some minor flaws or inclusions and we try to mention this in the "details" section for the item and include photos that show this.
TREATMENTS: Some of our natural stones have undergone treatments. Stones that undergo these treatments are still classified as natural stones (they're still mined from the earth), but their beauty is enhanced with common stone treatments used specifically for that purpose. Stone treatments are most often found in sapphires in the form of heat/diffusion treatments (especially in the large sapphires used in our sterling silver jewelry), rubies (heat treatments), topaz (heat treatments), mystic quartz and topaz (titanium coating), and emeralds (fracture filling with oils or resin). Most sapphires, rubies, and emeralds on the jewelry market today have undergone these types of treatments and gemstones from Le Gem Nouveau are no exception. Sometimes we will list treatments in the "details" section of a listing, but since the treatments are widespread with certain types of stones, we include this general statement, as it is visible in all listings.
Most of these treatments are stable and don't require much special care, but you should always keep your gemstones away from harsh cleaning solutions and chemicals, heat sources, moisture, and abrasive cleaning methods. Emeralds may need to be re-oiled or refilled after years of wear (most jewelers should be able to do this or direct you to an appropriate jeweler).
RATES: Shipping is free for orders over $100 USD and a flat rate of $5.95 USD for orders under $100 USD.
PROCESSING TIME (the time it takes to get orders ready to ship):
Standard items ship 2-5 business days after your order is placed unless otherwise specified (excludes holidays and weekends). This applies to all items except those described as "made to order" in the item description tabs.
Made to order items ship 10-14 business days after your order is placed because our jewelers create them especially for you only after an order is received. Made to order items have a "made to order" tab in the item description instead of the "occasions" tab.
QUALITY CHECK: The quality of our products is extremely important to us. We select our products and suppliers very carefully. Each item is inspected prior to dispatch.
PACKING: Although the type of box will vary depending on the product ordered (we use different boxes for different lines of jewelry we carry), each item will be sent in its own small jewelry box with the exception of items sold as a set (these may be sent together in a single box). The box may be a traditional two piece jewelry box or a clam shell box that helps keep the jewelry from shifting or tangling during shipping. This box will be placed inside an outer packing (such as a bubble envelope) for shipping.
INVOICES: We do not usually ship any invoices with our products. You will receive a digital receipt when you order and we keep digital order records for reference, so a paper receipt is not necessary for our return process.
STANDARD CERTIFICATES: All natural stones are matched with English certificates of authenticity.
GRA CERTIFICATES: This applies to moissanite products only. GRA certificates are included with individual items containing one or more moissanite stones whenever "GRA certificate included" is specified in the "details" section of the item description.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
None of our certificates are equivalent to an appraisal. We do not include appraisals with our jewelry. There will not be a monetary value for the item listed on the certificates. The certificates are to provide proof of stone authenticity only.
To extend the life of your sterling silver and gemstone jewelry, there are a few things you can do:
GEMSTONES: You should always keep your gemstone jewelry away from harsh cleaning solutions and chemicals, heat sources, moisture, and abrasive cleaning methods. Emeralds may need to be re-oiled or refilled after years of wear (most jewelers should be able to do this or direct you to an appropriate jeweler).
STERLING SILVER:
Storage:
Do not store your jewelry (especially silver) in plastic bags for long periods (unless the bag is a product specifically designed for the type of jewelry you are trying to store). Although some of our jewelry will be sent in plastic bags for safety during shipping, the bags are not intended for long term storage. Plastic bags can trap moisture and contain sulfur, both of which can cause tarnishing of silver (long term storage of pearls in plastic bags can also cause damage).
Silver is a softer metal and can scratch. Avoid throwing your sterling silver jewelry into an overcrowded jewelry box with other pieces. If possible, store each piece in its own box or leave some space between pieces in a large jewelry box to prevent tangling and scratching.
Sterling silver benefits from being stored away from the elements in a sealed jewelry box (keep away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight). Flannel-lined jewelry boxes or storage pouches/bags work well (avoid storing sterling silver on top of treated wood, as the chemicals can accelerate tarnishing). There are also "anti-tarnish" strips that can be purchased and used inside your jewelry box.
Keep It Dry & Away From Chemicals:
Sulfur, strong chemicals, chlorine, sweat/perspiration, and harsh sunlight can increase the the likelihood that a sterling silver jewelry piece will tarnish. It's best to keep your jewelry away from these things as much as possible. This means that you should attempt to do the following:
Don't wear your sterling silver jewelry in the pool, hot tub, or sauna.
Remove sterling silver jewelry before exercising or playing sports.
Remove jewelry before working with chemicals (such as when doing household chores or yard work) or cooking with foods that contain sulfur, such as eggs and mayonnaise.
Remove sterling silver jewelry before showering or bathing.
Don't store sterling silver jewelry in a hot, moist room of your home, such as the bathroom.
When getting ready to start your day or before going out, remember this general rule for sterling silver jewelry: "The first thing to take off and the last thing to put on." This means that you should avoid exposing your jewelry to substances like lotions, makeup, and hair products by putting it on last before going out and taking it off first when you return.
Remember To Clean It:
Don't let the the above precautions prevent you from wearing your sterling silver jewelry at appropriate times and enjoying it. If you do end up perspiring unexpectedly while wearing your jewelry or getting it wet, just remember to clean and dry it afterwards. To do this, see below.
Consider The Gemstones:
Most of the jewelry sold by Le Gem Nouveau includes gemstones or pearls, so it requires special care compared to jewelry composed of sterling silver only. You may see some online cleaning instructions for tarnished sterling silver that include baking soda or manufactured cleaning solutions. These can be too harsh for jewelry with gemstones and bonding agents used to secure the gemstones or pearls to the settings. For spot/routine cleaning, there are non-abrasive cloths that can be purchased and used to wipe down the silver portion of the jewelry (make sure the cloth you purchase is designed for the type of jewelry you are cleaning and is free of added chemicals that could damage metal plating). A Q-tip swab may also be useful. When cleaning, use strokes instead of a circular motion and be gentle. Dry all parts of the jewelry thoroughly after cleaning. You can also use this gentle cleaning/polishing method and a non-abrasive cloth for cleaning gemstones. If possible, avoid getting your jewelry wet or using soaps.
Don't Forget The Jeweler:
Do you have a jewelry piece that you want restored or cleaned, but are afraid of damaging it at home? Visit your local jeweler. They can make recommendations or clean the piece for you with special tools.
Final Note:
Sterling silver jewelry can last for years if treated properly and restored if tarnishing takes place, making it an excellent option for those seeking an affordable precious metal.
