Frequently asked questions

Yes. Everything listed as gold is solid 10k, 14k or 18k, tested for karat and weighed on a calibrated scale before it is listed. The karat and the gram weight on each listing are the figures we measured ourselves. We do not sell gold-filled, gold-plated or vermeil.

Yes, unless a listing says otherwise in as many words. Stones are examined under magnification and checked for treatment before listing, and any treatment that affects value or care is disclosed on the listing itself — including when it is unflattering, such as the heated and glass-filled rubies in one of our bands.

Because it is the only one there is. Every listing is a single specific object and the photographs are of that exact piece — never a stock image, never a similar item. If what arrives is not the piece pictured, that is "not as described" and we pay to take it back.

Up to $5,000, yes — card checkout is handled by Stripe. Above $5,000 we take bank wire only. That is a fraud control on high-value goods rather than a preference, and it is enforced at checkout, not just mentioned in the copy. Each listing states which methods apply to it.

Because the card price carries the card processing cost at cost, and the wire price does not. We are not marking cards up; we are declining to bury the fee in every price and charge it to people who did not use a card.

Nothing, within the United States. Every parcel goes FedEx or UPS, fully insured for the purchase price, signature required on delivery, ships within 1 business day of cleared payment.

We do not ship watches internationally. Jewelry may be shipped internationally by prior arrangement, at the buyer's cost and risk, subject to the destination's import rules. Import duty and tax are charged by your country and are the buyer's responsibility. We will not understate a value or mark a shipment as a gift on a customs form.

Final sale — except an item that arrives not as described. If a piece arrives not as described, tell us within 3 days of delivery and we pay the return shipping and refund you in full. We do not accept returns for a change of mind or for fit, and there are no exchanges because every piece is a one of one. The full policy is on the returns page.

Every piece is verified before it ships. If anything we sell is ever shown not to be genuine, we refund the full purchase price. No time limit. There is no time limit on that and it is separate from the 3-day return window. Have anything we sold you checked by any authorised dealer, independent watchmaker or certified gemologist you like.

Yes. Local collection in Orange County, California, by appointment. We are in Orange County, California. On a larger piece this is often the sensible route — you see it, weigh it, try it on, and only then does money move.

Ask before you buy and we will tell you honestly whether the specific piece can take it. Many can; an eternity band set all the way round, or a chain with a fixed-length station pattern, cannot. We will not promise an alteration on a piece where it would damage the setting.

Buying is handled by our sister operation rather than here — Cielo Gold is the retail side. If you have a piece you are considering selling, send us a note through the contact form and we will point you the right way.