answers to frequently asked questions

     how to purchase an item

     shipping information

     our mission and policies

     a glossary of terms relating to jewelry


Please email us if you have a question that has not been addressed on this page. We will be happy to assist
you.
FAQ
Does hand crafted jewelry require extra care?

All jewelry should be handled with care and, Yes!, jewelry that has been made by hand can be more fragile than
jewelry mass-produced by machine. For instance, hand-woven, beaded bracelets and necklaces should be
handled carefully so as not to stretch the stitching and distort the even-tensioned flow of the design.

Sterling silver jewelry will tarnish over time (a natural occurrence).  Although if your jewelry has been
deliberately oxidized by the designer to give it an "antiqued look", that finish may come off eventually if you use
a polishing cloth on it. On the other hand, if your piece is not intentionally oxidized and you want to maintain the
shine, you can prevent or forestall the oxidation process by including a tarnish retardant paper strip in a plastic
zip-lock bag where you store your Sterling silver jewelry. To restore shine to tarnished jewelry, use a silver cloth
impregnated with polish and a fair amount of "elbow grease."  Sterling silver wire-wrapped jewelry can also
stretch or break under duress.

Remember the following 3 steps to prevent damage to your jewelry:
1.Be gentle, handle with care.
2.Clean with a soft cloth after wearing and store in a soft bag for pearls or plastic for silver.
3. Don't expose your jewelry to chemicals: household cleaners, beauty creams, hairspray. Put on your jewelry
after using your beauty products.  


Is your jewelry hypoallergenic?

Nickel is one of the most common sources of an allergic reaction to jewelry. We do not use products containing
nickel. We use the finest quality materials in our designs including sterling silver, gold-filled (not gold plated) or
niobium and copper  metals. However, even metals that are labeled hypoallergenic can sometimes cause an
allergic reaction in very sensitive individuals. Niobium is one of the most hypoallergenic metals available. Sterling
Silver contains 92.5% silver and 7.5%  of either copper or zinc to harden it.
Our hand-made ear wires are made of either 24k 1/20 gold-filled, or Sterling silver. Our wire-wrapped jewelry
may also employ "fine" silver wire -- 99.9 percent silver.

How do I clean pearls and gemstones?

First use precaution and pamper your pearls to keep them happy and healthy.
To protect the nacre on pearls, and keep them from discoloring or chipping -- keep them dry (do not shower
with them on, keep them away from hairspray and perfumes). To maintain their luster, wipe them after each
wearing with a soft cloth, keep them away from the sun and store them in a soft bag -- not plastic.
Depending on the hardness of the gemstones in your jewelry, many should not get wet. To be safe, wipe them
with a soft, dry cloth.

Do chains and wirework have to be soldered?

If the chain is made of  high gauge wire, 26 - 32 gauge, it should be soldered. But, if the chain is made of  a
lower gauge -- 16 - 20, soldering is unnecessary, as the thickness of the wire will be work-hardened and  strong
enough to stand up to a little tugging.

How is my purchase packaged?

When you purchase a gift of jewelry from Delirium Designs, you can be sure that the packaging will reflect the
upscale quality of the contents. Every item comes in a pretty organza draw-string gift bag, which is then placed
into a sturdy white cardboard jewelry box, which contains a handcrafted tag with the name of the piece,  a
description of the gemstones, crystals, metals and other materials that may be used in the piece, and the story of
the inspiration behind its creation.
Finally it is shipped in a bubble-wrap padded envelope.


Shipping

We offer free shipping in the domestic United States.




Glossary of Terms Used on Our Site
to come
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