∙ SHIPPING ∙
Shipping is free for all US domestic customers. International shipping is available for a flat $35. All orders are shipped within 1-3 business days with USPS priority mail. Insurance is available at additional cost. Shipping upgrades to USPS express mail or Fedex is available at additional cost (please contact me for an exact quote). International buyers are responsible for any local customs and import taxes.
∙ RETURNS ∙
Returns can be made within 14 days of delivery. Buyers are responsible for return shipping costs. All items must be returned in its original condition.
Resized, custom-altered, and/or buyer damaged items are ineligible for returns. Items purchased on a layaway plan longer than 2 months are ineligible for returns motivated by a change of mind.
Heart of Hearts does not charge restocking fees.
∙ LAYAWAY ∙
Newly offered items will be available for layaway 24 hours after they are listed in the shop (the exception being short layaways of under 30 days).
I offer up to 4 months for items priced $1,000 or less, and up to 6 months for items priced above $1,000. 15% of the purchase price will function as a nonrefundable deposit in the event of cancellation, abandonment, or default. Payments are expected at least monthly. Items purchased on a layaway plan longer than 2 months are not eligible for returns motivated by a change of mind. And of course, no interest shall ever be charged.
Only one layaway per customer is allowed (i.e. you cannot put a second item on layaway without completing your current outstanding layaway).
∙ RESIZING ∙
All ring resizings are taken to my trusted GIA-trained jeweler, who has extensive experience handling antique jewelry. He charges a fee of $25 to size down and $35-50 to size up (depending on the amount of gold added). Resized rings are considered customized orders, and once modified, can no longer be returned.
Always check in with me if you are purchasing a ring with the intention of getting it resized locally. Rings with foiled or heat sensitive stones (e.g. turquoise, emerald, pearl, and opal) can be resized only by a jeweler familiar with laser welders. In other cases, the design or form of a ring will limit the range in which it can be successfully resized. Please make sure you are satisfied with your order prior to taking it to a jeweler to be resized, as resized rings are not eligible for returns.
∙ CONDITION ∙
Antique jewels show signs of age. These pieces are neither ‘mint’ nor brand new. Each is a handmade object and a survivor of history (generations of ownership, wars and diaspora). As a result, nearly all pieces bear forms of imperfection: there might be age-related wear, production flaws or quirks, damage, and/or restoration. Heart of Hearts will always endeavor to describe the condition of a piece carefully. However, the written condition report is provided for guidance purposes only and may not amount to an all-encompassing description of the condition. Please view the HD video and examine all pictures carefully, as they are part of the condition report. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact me prior to placing an order. In the rare event Heart of Hearts has missed a flaw in the condition report, we will make it right with the buyer through partial refund or return for full refund.
∙ GOLD ∙
It’s common for antique jewelry to be entirely unmarked— especially early jewels made before 1800. Even countries with standardized hallmarking systems (e.g. Great Britain and France) will yield a large number of jewelry lacking any discernible marks. Sometimes marks will be lost when the jewel is modified during conversions, repairs, or ring resizings.
Heart of Hearts tests all unmarked gold thoroughly: first, a karat purity reading is obtained with an electronic gold tester; next, results are verified with a nitric-muriatic acid test; finally, a rare earth neodymium magnet is used to rule out the presence of a base metal core. Edges and seams are also loupe examined for content makeup and structure.
Please note that all karat gold below 24k are an alloy of gold with other metals (e.g. silver, copper, nickle, zinc etc). While pure 24k gold is resistant to tarnish and corrosion, the non-gold alloying metals in karat gold will react with pollutants in the atmosphere over time, resulting in some discoloration. Some patina and tarnish in antique karat gold is completely normal and not a cause for concern. It does not indicate the material is not solid gold.
∙ GEMSTONES ∙
A gemstone’s true carat weight cannot be accurately measured unless it is removed from its setting and weighed in an unmounted state. It’s often impossible to perform this task on delicate antique jewelry without inflicting damage. Unless otherwise stated, my carat measurements are provided only as an estimate. I take the stone’s dimensions with a digital caliper, and generate a carat weight estimate with the aid of a computer algorithm.
Where applicable, GIA lab reports will be provided. In the absence of a GIA lab report, gemological statements should be treated as consulting information to aid the buyer, and not as a substitute GIA lab report.
∙ DIAMONDS ∙
Where applicable, GIA lab reports will be provided. In the absence of a GIA lab report, gemological statements should be treated as consulting information to aid the buyer, and not as a substitute GIA lab report. Please note that by industry standards, a gemstone appraiser’s grades can often differ up to and including one full grade.
Many historic diamond settings cannot be disturbed. Modern-style prong/claw settings did not appear until the late Victorian era; prior to about 1840, diamonds were mounted in rub-over, cut-down, or cramp collet settings with close-backed silver foiling. These historic treatments often cannot be damaged or altered without loss to unique beauty, original character, and fineness of craftsmanship. For this reason, most early diamonds cannot be removed from settings for accurate color and clarity assessment, or for GIA lab reports.
Historic diamonds should not be measured against modern standards and expectations. Prior to the discovery of South African diamonds in 1867, diamonds were comparatively more scarce, available via the mines of Brazil during the 18th and early 19th centuries, and before that, the fabled Indian mines of Golconda. Limitations in mining technology further curtailed availability. Likewise, all early diamonds were cut by hand and measured by eye. The relative “perfection” of a modern diamond is the result of deep core drilling, laser faceting, and computer-calculated symmetry. A historic diamond is the the fruit of individual human intervention and the passage of time. When handling an antique diamond, it is reasonable to expect some surface blemishes, inclusions, and asymmetry.
∙ WEAR, DAMAGE, LOSS ∙
Please consult our antique jewelry care guide for loss and damage prevention.
Following delivery and receipt, Heart of Hearts is not liable for damage, loss, or theft as a result of careless ownership or oversight. However, where applicable, Heart of Hearts will make every effort to aid clients in rectifying issues resulting from wear and tear, including but not limited to stone replacements and various repairs. Please contact us.
∙ THIRD PARTY JEWELERS ∙
Heart of Hearts strongly advises against going to jewelers without experience handling antique jewelry. Whenever possible, resizing and repairs should be completed with laser welder rather than open-flame torches. A bloomed finish and antique patina will be lost if a piece is repolished. Ultrasonic cleaning will damage gemstone foiling and possibly dislodge small pavé-set gems. Uninformed jewelers will sometimes advise customers to recut antique diamonds into modern brilliants and/or modify antique settings; both are disastrous to the value and historical character of a piece, and are to be categorically avoided.
Heart of Hearts is not responsible for any damage or loss of value as a result of intervention from third party jewelers.