Here you will find replies to the questions most often asked by our clients.
However if you have other questions, you can send us an e-mail.
Or, in the case of emergency, telephone + 33(0)1 42 01 81 57 Monday to Friday apart from holidays, from 9 to 12 am, and 14 to 18 pm.
Quality and price
How will I be certain that the pearls and gems are authentic?
You will possess a guarantee endorsed by a doctor in mineralogy, specialist in pearls and gems, who has already written a number of books on the subject of gems. The scientific guarantee is endorsed by the Attestation of Authenticity signed by this scientific academic Dr. Hubert Bari. He is member of the community of specialists who study pearls and he is currently preparing a major work on this subject.
What precious metals are being used and what is their purity?
Silver bears a title which expresses its proportion of pure silver in thousandths. The best title is established at 925 thousandths pure silver and 75 thousandths of copper. A silver object of title 925 must contain a minimum of 92.5% silver. This is the case of all the silver elements in our jewellery. Pure gold at 100% is said to be “24 carats”. But it is too malleable and often there is copper added to obtain gold of 18 carats. White gold may be created in smelting pure gold with other metals, such as copper, zinc, nickel, or palladium. French white gold is composed of 200 ‰ (20%) gold and 800 ‰ (80%) silver, elsewhere in Europe it is 500 ‰ (50%), smelted to 500 ‰ (50%) silver.
What are the categories of quality in pearls?
The criteria of quality are expressed by codes which vary according to the regions of production. One rule often used is that of “A”.
"A" is a pearl of inferior to average quality, of non regular form, of slight lustre with many visible surface faults. We qualify this quality "standard".
"AA" or "AA+" is a pearl of superior quality, regular form, a fine lustre and with fairly limited surface flaws. We qualify this "superior" quality.
"AAA" is a top quality pearl of perfect form if it is round pearls or pearls in button form, with barely visible flaws and a magnificent lustre. We qualify this quality "extra".
For baroque pearls without symmetry and keshi pearls, only the quality of the lustre is taken into consideration.
We categorically refuse any pearl artificially coloured.
What is the reason for such competitive prices? Is the quality in fact as good as claimed?
We have no major infrastructural expenses because we do not have a boutique to manage. We have correspondents abroad (Bali, Bangkok and Shanghai) formed by ourselves, who concentrate on minimising transport costs. Since David Lam the director of our enterprise, is of Chinese origin, he has been able to establish direct contact with oriental cultured pearl farms. Dr Hubert Bari, by his network of contacts in centres where precious stones are cut, and with Philippine pearl farms, has privileged access to pearl sources. So our experience in this field enables us to eliminate the usual chain of intermediaries between manufacturing producers and the final client. This is why our prices permit proposing a remarkable quality in pearls and gems.
How would I know if a necklace was sufficiently long to suit me?
The standard neck-length size for a necklace ranges between 42 and 45 cm. For pendants, we propose the same standard length of 42 to 45 cm. We can adapt length on request. We advise taking a string and passing it around the neck to confirm desired length. It simply requires measuring the cord length and contacting us by mail, so that we can adjust to desired length.
Guarantees
If I am not satisfied with a jewel may I send it back?
You have the legal delay of 7 working days in which to return a jewel which does not correspond to what you were expecting. The return is at your expense and we will send you, without discussion, a new item or reimburse you according to your choice. Books, however, are not reimbursable.
How should I look after my pearls and gems?
Pearls may be scratched by other jewels. They should be put away separately. They should not be placed in too dry an atmosphere (close proximity to a radiator for example should be avoided). After wear, they should be wiped with a damp cloth devoid of any product.
Delivery
Where do you deliver?
We deliver all over the European Union and anywhere in Switzerland.
How will the items I have bought be transported?
Each item is placed in a jewel box protected with tissue paper. boxes are placed in a packaging box approved by Colissimo registered post. Delivery is made against the signature of the person to whom the box is addressed.
What is a Colissimo “avis de passage” or delivery notification?
This is a document advising the person, to whom the box is addressed, of the delivery of the package during their absence. The package is held at the nearest post office as indicated on the advice slip.
What must I do should the package arrive damaged?
The pearl-and-gem.com boutique is responsible for its parcels until they have been delivered to the client. If a jewel or a book arrives damaged, you should inform us by e-mail and return the damaged article which will immediately be replaced.
Sponsoring
What is sponsoring?
You may sponsor your friends, colleagues, family. You may sponsor as many people as you wish. Your family will benefit from a reduction of 10% on their first order. There is no date limit for using this reduction. The sponsor will be offered a gift on their next order.
What must I do for sponsoring?
You simply have to turn to the website front page and register after having clicked on “My account” in the menu. The heading “Sponsor a friend” is found top right of the screen. The sponsoring request is registered as soon as you have typed in the e-mail address of the sponsored party. The sponsored party will receive a message mentioning your sponsoring role and the reduction from which he could benefit in the course of his first order on pearl-and-gem.com. You may sponsor several people in a single operation, in simply separating the electronic addresses of each sponsored person by a semi-colon.
