Payment may be made via PayPal only. You don't need Paypal account to purchase items, as you can pay by credit card, just choose "Pay with Paypal" and click on the card option. All prices are in US dollar, Paypal will convert automatically your payment if US dollar isn't your currency.

Please complete payment within 48hr of purchase otherwise send me a message.

For the deliveries outside France, please note that buyers are responsible for any and all duties and customs charges that may be incurred.

MADE TO ORDER: Allow 5 to 7 days from the day of payment before shipping.

I SHIP WORLDWIDE within 2 days of purchase.
Please note the following (approximate)
arrival times:
- Europe: 3 to 5 business days
- International: 5 to 14 business days according to the mail service and customs of your country.

SHIPPING FEES:
In multiple purchases shipping fee charged only for the first item.

Items are usually shipped with invoice in a bubble envelope. I send them as "Priority international sending of goods" by french postal services. Please let me know if you would prefer a different method, and I'll be happy to accommodate you. Please note there might be extra cost associated with different shipping methods.

I cannot be held responsible for items lost during mailing, so I couldn't refund you if your package get lost. If you want a shipping insurance on your items, please convo me for pricing before paying: it will cost an extra fee of $5,7 for items under $60, and $7 for items under $200.

For the deliveries outside France, please note that buyers are responsible for any and all duties and customs charges that may be incurred.

GEMS AND PRECIOUS STONES
I only use genuine gems. Gems irregularities are signs of natural and a guarantee of authenticity, and I only use the best gemstone quality for custom-made 18K gold jewels.

JEWELRY SIZE
When ordering a ring, please be sure of the ring size you need! The best way to calculate the ring size on your own is to measure the EXACT inside diameter of a ring that fits well in millimeters or inches - inside edge to inside edge. Do not use a string around the finger or a cloth measuring tape, this is very inaccurate. Send me your US size or the diameter (in inch or mm) in the "message to seller" box when checking out.

If you need help to order the right size, please have a look on my jewelry size guide here: http://akkenajewelry.blogspot.com/2009/07/jewelry-size-guide.html

PRECIOUS METALS AND HALLMARKS
All my sterling silver jewels are guaranteed by my maker hallmark (in a lozenge, delivered by the French customs/Precious metals control office), and by the hallmark 925. This "Standard" hallmark indicates the "fineness" or purity of the metal alloy. In the case of Sterling Silver, the "925" Hallmark indicates that there are 925 parts of pure sliver per 1000.

JEWELRY CARE
Sterling silver tarnishes naturally and requires occasionally cleaning.
- Polish Sterling Silver and other precious metals carefully with a Sunshine Cloth.
- Never dip any silver jewelry in ‘dip’ solutions or commercial cleaning solutions even though it may say that it is for silver jewelry. Dip cleaners will work the first few times, but after that, the silver jewelry may change color and will never look the same. Also stones and beads may be damaged by dip solutions.
- Polish both metal and gembeads carefully with a Selvyt Polishing Cloth.
- Copper and brass are also very simple to care for. While they do tarnish more quickly than sterling silver, they can be restored to their original shine easily. Clean it with commercial copper/brass cleaner. Be sure that any stones in the jewelry can withstand the chemicals in the cleaner or do not use it.
- Try to protect all jewelry from sharp blows, harsh chemicals, sunlight and extreme temperatures.
- Chlorine and related chemicals can severely discolor and damage jewelry as well as loosen stones and settings. Always remove your jewelry before using any product that contains bleach, ammonia, alcohol, fingernail polish removers that contain acetone, and turpentine.
- Don't store your jewelry in white silk-paper (it is bleached).
- Put jewelry on after using cosmetics, hair spray or perfumes to avoid contact with substances and chemicals which may cause damage.
- Remove rings when working with your hands, such as performing household tasks, gardening and using abrasive particles.
- Carefully wipe jewelry with a soft chamois or flannel cloth after each wearing to remove oils and salts. This is especially important for pearls.
- All pearl jewelry should be removed before showering, bathing, swimming, because the chlorine or soap can damage the pearls.


JEWELRY CLEANING
- Soap And Water: A mild soap and water solution used with a soft brush is effective for many home jewelry care needs. Even the mild chemicals of commercial jewelry cleaning products may damage certain gems.
- Although soap and water is the best choice for most gems and jewelry, do not use soap and water with amber, coral, emerald, jade, kunzite, lapis lazuli, opal, or turquoise.
- Don't ever use toothpaste to clean jewellery.
- Always clean hooks with an alcohol swab before wearing any new earrings.

STORING JEWELRY
- When not wearing jewellery store it in soft cloth pouches, soft cloth wraps and plastic zip lock bags.
- Chains should lie flat to avoid kinks.
- Gold is strong but can still be scratched. So avoid placing pieces atop each other in a jewellery box or drawer.
- Store your ornaments in a dry place. Avoid extreme temperatures.
- Always store jewellery in separate pouches or wraps. Don't cram them into your jewellery box. Overcrowding could mean misplaced gems or lost jewellery if a small piece falls unnoticed from the case. You could even inadvertently bend a fragile piece or chip a delicate stone.
- Don't leave earrings, gold chains or pendants on the rim of a sink or edge of a bathtub, they can easily slip down the drain.
- Don't leave coloured gems and pearls exposed to sunlight for extended periods as they will fade.
- Cultured pearls are best stored in a special chamois pouch because of their softness. Never store pearls in plastic bags!
- As with sterling silver, copper and brass jewelry will tarnish slower if stored in a recloseable plastic bag or jewelry case with anti-tarnish paper.