Tell me more about your craftsmanship?

We start with the finest natural semiprecious gemstone and precious metal components:

Natural semi-precious gemstones, never color-treated or irradiated ones.
At Gemkitty, we believe the color and variability of natural gemstones beads imparts each individual stone with its own distinctive charm. That’s why we source gemstones that have not been artificially processed.

Hand-selected semiprecious gemstones for superior quality and clarity.
Semi-precious gemstones don’t have a formal quality grading system like diamonds, but we act as if they do. The Gemkitty team hands selects all of our gemstone materials to ensure that the materials used in your designs are from the upper end of the quality spectrum, with color characteristics, cut, and clarity that stand out when compared to typical beads of a given material.

Next, we dedicate ourselves to thoughtful craftsmanship:

We inspect every item to ensure that it has been harmoniously constructed.
Our artisans care deeply about beauty; that’s why they obsess over each piece of jewelry they craft. Collectively, we obsess about quality; that’s why we inspect every item, ensuring that any strung pieces have wire that is neither too loose (which risks wire showing between beads and can snag loose hair), nor too tight (which can cause stones to bunch up and increases the risk of breakage), and that all crimps have been covered with sterling silver covers.

Finally Gemkitty jewelry is all about you:

With Gemkitty, you get to be the designer, choosing the style, length, colors, and materials that are uniquely your own.

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Valentine’s Gift Information & Order Deadlines

Help! I need help designing something for my lady!

Our personal shopper is here to hel! Please contact her or email: rebecca@gemkitty.com with the below details. She will then email you within 24 hours with custom necklace suggestions.

It’s easy, quick, and free. Woo! So fire up your email and drop us a line with:

1. What are her favorite color(s)?
2. Describe her complexion – e.g. pale like Gwyneth Paltrow, or mocha like Beyonce?
3. Does she wear delicate, dainty jewelry or larger bolder pieces? (I don’t know is a perfectly fine answer too!)

Do you offer Gift Certificates?

We do, but they cannot yet be purchased directly through the website. Please email us if you would like to purchase a Gift Certificate and we will get in touch with you within 24 hours for arrangements. Gift certificates can be emailed or snail mailed to the recipient.

What are the ordering deadlines to ensure delivery by Valentine’s Day?

Dates based on information from UPS.com.

How will my gift be packaged?

All gift orders will come gift ready with an optional gift card/message. All Design Your Own Orders will come with a card indicating that you designed the necklace specifically for the recipient.

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What forms of payment do you accept?

You can pay for your orders through our SSL secure shopping cart using Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. We do not take PayPal at this time.

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Is checkout secure?

Yes. Gemkitty uses SSL encryption to protect your information during checkout and does not store your credit card information. To view our SSL certificate you can click here. For more information on how we protect your personal information, you can view our privacy & security policy.

In addition, McAfee Site Advisor has tested our site and deemed it safe.

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Do you charge sales tax?

No. Gemkitty is based in Oregon, which has no sales tax.

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Do you accept international orders?

No, we only bill and ship within the continental U.S. (including Hawaii and Alaska).

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What’s your cancellation policy?

Limited Edition orders can be cancelled any time prior to the moment of being shipped, which typically occurs within 48 hours of the order being placed.

Design Your Own orders can be canceled within 48 hours of being placed. After this 48-hour period, Design Your Own orders that are canceled will incur a cancellation fee of $20 since our artisans will have begun crafting the order. Cancellation fees for Design Your Own orders are non-refundable as our artisans invest time and energy in creating your jewelry to your unique specifications.

To cancel an order, please contact us via our online form or email us directly at orders@gemkitty.com.

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How do I check my order’s status?

If you have an account with Gemkitty, you can check your order status by clicking on the “My Orders” tab in the My Account section of the site.

If you don’t have an account with us, no worries! We’ll email you to confirm the placement of an order, and again at the time we ship your order. That shipping confirmation email will contain a UPS tracking number so you can follow your package as it is in transit.

Alternatively, if you really, really need to inquire about the status of your order, you can contact us with your order number and we’ll let you know!

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Will I receive order and shipping confirmation emails?

Gemkitty will send you an email confirmation shortly after you place an order. Please check your bulk/spam folder if it does not appear in your inbox.

We will also send you another email at the time your order ships. This shipping confirmation email will contain a UPS tracking number so that you can track your package in transit.

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How will my order arrive?

All Gemkitty orders arrive gift ready. Below is a peak!

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What if I have other questions about my order?

Contact us or email us directly at orders@Gemkitty.com.

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I want to talk to a live person there, can I call you?

You can, but we highly recommend that you email us instead, because it’s the fastest way to get a response. We’re a very small company, busy crafting and filling orders. But we work very hard to respond to each and every email we receive within 48 hours, usually even sooner.

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I’m part of a bridal party. Do you take orders for a group of bridesmaids?

Yes, we do — and we would love to help you with your special event! Please email us for more details.

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I’d like to order multiple necklaces as part of a group. Do you offer volume discounts?

Yes, we do. Please email us to let us know what you have in mind and we can give you more details.

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What shipping options do you offer?

Standard Shipping via UPS ground from our Portland, OR studio is free on all orders!
Transit times typically takes between 1 and 5 business days depending on your location.

Please note, UPS does not deliver on weekends and some US public holidays.

We also offer 2-day shipping and overnight shipping options through UPS.
Prices vary depending on the distance traveled. You can estimate shipping costs for these options from your shopping cart.

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Can I ship to an APO / FPO or P.O. Box address?

No. Unfortunately, UPS does not deliver to these types of addresses. If you do not have an alternate address and would like to make a purchase, please contact us and we can try to arrange something that might work for you.

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Should I ship to my home or to work?

Whatever’s most convenient for you. For your security, your package will typically require a signature. UPS delivers to residences between 9am and 7pm and to commercial addresses during normal business hours (9am to 5pm). If you won’t be home during delivery hours, you may wish to use an office address. Please note, once a package has been signed for, we can no longer accept responsibility for the delivery.

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My tracking number isn’t working! Why?

Tracking numbers can take a few hours to show up on the UPS website. We recommend you wait a bit and try again. If you are still having problems with your tracking number, we recommend you start by contacting UPS directly. If you need further assistance you can contact us.

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What is your return policy?

If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, you may return it within 30 days of the original purchase date for a refund of the purchase price less shipping costs (and if applicable, Design Your Own assembly fees). Because it takes our artisans considerable time to craft Design Your Own pieces to your exact specifications, Gemkitty will retain a $20 assembly fee for each Design Your Own necklace returned and a $10 assembly fee for each pair of Design Your Own earrings returned.

We know we can’t always be perfect. If you receive a piece that is defective due to an error on our part, we would be happy to try to replace it (stock permitting) with a new one, or provide you with a full refund (including shipping and assembly fees) if you contact us within 30 days of your original purchase date.

Any returned merchandise must be unworn, in its original packaging, and with the original packing slip so that we can properly credit you. All refunds will be made to the credit card originally used to make the purchase.

Return instructions

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How do I return my order?

Please note that returned merchandise must be sent back unworn, in original packaging, and with the original packing slip so that we can properly credit you.

To make a return, please follow these instructions:
1. Re-pack your unworn item(s) in the original packaging.
2. Please circle the item(s) being returned on the packing slip and indicate the reason for return. We would really appreciate any information you would like to share, so we can improve our practices in the future!
3. Include the original packing slip with your shipment, but don’t forget to make and keep a copy for your own records.
4. Send your packages prepaid — we do NOT accept C.O.D. deliveries — to:
Attn: Returns Department
Gemkitty
1550 SE 20th Ave. #101
Portland, OR 97214

Gemkitty is not responsible for packages lost or damaged in transit, so please make sure it is insured against the full value with your shipping carrier.

Please note that we will only refund shipping charges if we’ve sent you the wrong item or if the item was defective due to an error on our end. We will process your return promptly, although it might take one to two billing cycles for the refund to appear on your credit card statement.

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What if I want to make an exchange?

We try our best to provide exchanges and replacements when contacted within 30 days of purchase whenever possible, but due to the limited nature of many of our products and our constantly changing stock, it is not always possible to replace certain items.

To make an exchange, we ask that you email us first, including both your order number and whether you are looking to exchange for an identical piece or something different. We try to respond to exchange or replacement requests within 48 hours. As with regular returns, merchandise being exchanged or replaced must be returned unworn, in original packaging, and with its packing slip so we can process the exchange.

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How long will it be before my order ships?

Limited Edition orders ship within two business days of the order’s being placed.

Design Your Own orders normally take up to ten business days to ship.
This time reflects the time needed for our artisans to carefully hand pick, craft, and finish your design. We promise it’s worth the wait!

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Do you offer exchanges or returns for Gemkitty credit?

No, sorry, we do not.

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What if I need my jewelry faster? Are there ways to speed things up?

Gemkitty enables you to speed up orders in two ways:
First, you can shorten the shipping time by selecting the expedited overnight or 2-day shipping option when you place your order.

Second, and exclusively in the case of Design-Your-Own orders, you can add Rush Service (for an additional $20) from within your shopping cart. Choosing this service guarantees your order will ship within 3 business days (Note: We are closed on public holidays).

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Oops, I ordered the wrong length by accident. Can you fix this?

As long as we have the beads needed in stock, we’re happy to restring your necklace to your desired size. However, length adjustments are trickier than they look, as a necklace must be taken apart and restrung entirely.

Please email us with details and we’ll see what we can do!

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Can I send someone a gift from Gemkitty?

Of course! During checkout, we give you the option to include a free personalized gift card with your gift order. And, of course, all gift orders include gift receipts that do not contain pricing information.

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How will the order be packaged?

All Gemkitty orders arrive gift ready. Below is a peek!

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Do you offer Gift Certificates?

We do, but they cannot yet be purchased directly through the website. Please email us if you would like to purchase a Gift Certificate and we will get in touch with you within 24 hours for arrangements. Gift certificates can be emailed or snail mailed to the recipient.

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I have a gift certificate, how do I redeem it?

Gemkitty gift certificates are redeemed during step 2 of the checkout process. Please see the certificate itself for terms and conditions. Conditions may vary from certificate to certificate.

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What is the Limited Edition?

Gemkitty’s Limited Edition offers a twist on the typical jewelry-store experience. We:
– Sell only one exclusive handcrafted design at a time. When a particular design sells out,
we put up a new one.
– Love to commission pieces from up-and-coming designers worthy of more attention.
– Base many designs on hard-to-find semiprecious gemstone shapes and cuts.
– Strictly limit our production run (no more seeing the same thing on someone else at a party).
– Promise never ever to bring back a design: Once a Limited Edition sells out, it stays that way.

So if our current design is especially you, don’t wait. What’s available right now won’t be for long. And it definitely won’t come ’round again.

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How long will each current Limited Edition will be on sale?

How long a Limited Edition stays available depends on the number produced (sometimes only 1!) and, of course, how quickly the design sells. We’ll post a new item shortly after the current item sells out, so we suggest you check back often for new pieces. Alternatively, if you prefer to receive updates about new items as they come out, you can keep up with new Limited Editions via Twitter, or via our RSS feed.

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Is there a way of being alerted each time a new Limited Edition goes on sale?

Yes, two ways actually. If you use twitter, you can follow our Limited Edition twitter page, which sends out real-time alerts every time a new Limited Edition goes live. Alternatively, you can subscribe to our RSS feed, which has the same information.

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What is RSS?

RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication and is a way to automatically receive headlines and article links whenever your favorite websites or blogs update their content (rather than having to visit the site to check). In order to “subscribe” to RSS feeds, you will need to use a “feed reader,” a free service that monitors and notifies you of updates. A popular feed reader that we recommend is Google Reader.

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Are you trying to torment me by not having a set schedule for posting new Limited Edition pieces?

We swear we’re not! We just wanted to come up with a fun new jewelry shopping experience where the items we sell are truly one-of-a-kind. Because we partner with independent jewelry designers, scour the markets for the most unusual and rare materials to use in our pieces, and limit the number produced, we get a lot of variation in numbers from item to item that makes it impossible to adhere to a regular schedule.

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What if I’m not sure I want to buy the current Limited Edition right this moment?

We give some indication of whether we have plenty or just a few in stock (next to the selling price of the item), but as there is no way to predict whether an item will be available tomorrow, we advise you to decide sooner rather than later.

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I missed an item that is now sold out, can I still get one?

No. Each piece is available for a limited run and time. Sorry.

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I’m a jewelry designer or jewelry design student, can I design a Limited Edition?

We are always interested in working with new designers and artisans. Please contact us and we’ll chat!

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Can I share the Limited Edition with others?

Yes, you can email the current Limited Edition to a friend through the “Email A Friend” button on the Limited Edition product page.

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Will my Limited Edition jewelry look exactly like what I see on screen?

We strive to accurately depict the look of our pieces online, but, that said, there may not be a 100% correspondence between what you see online and what you receive.

First, every computer is different, so the colors you see on your screen may differ slightly from the colors of the actual stones.

Second, and more important to keep in mind, our gemstones are naturally occurring (not treated), so there are always variations from one stone to another. Plus, because our gemstones are often cut and polished by hand, there can be slight variations in the finish and shape. No pair of gemstone beads are ever exactly alike. This is what makes your jewelry so unique!

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I see what look like internal flecks or blemishes on my gemstone beads. Is that a problem?

No, this is normal, and it’s a sign that your gemstones are truly natural. Naturally occurring gemstones have inclusions and blemishes, which can consist of any of the following: inclusions, clouds, feathers, included crystals or minerals, knots, cavities, cleavage, bearding, internal graining, polish lines, grain boundaries, and naturals. This is because the stones formed in the earth via natural processes, and then were later mined, cut, and polished to make your jewelry.

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I put something in my cart, but now it’s gone. What happened?

Due to the scarcity of each Limited Edition design, items that you add to your cart are reserved for only 30 minutes before being released back into the wild.

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What is Design Your Own Necklace?

Design Your Own is the easiest way for anyone to design their own colorful, semiprecious gemstone necklace. You can customize any of our seven necklace styles with just a few mouse clicks, using your favorite colors or semiprecious gemstones.

And you can even add matching earrings with a single click!

Upon purchase, our skilled artisans will craft your design by hand and ship it right to your door.

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What materials do you use for the clasp, extender and earrings?

We currently use only .925 sterling silver components to finish our pieces.

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How do I add matching earrings?

Once you complete customizing your necklace style, you use the dropdown menu on top right to “Add earring” Please note, the Chain Me Up necklace style does not offer this feature.

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What are the earring components made of?

As with our necklaces, your earrings will be made only with sterling silver (.925) parts.

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How will my Design My Own necklace fit? Which size is right for me?

What sizes of Design Your Own necklaces are available?

We offer two base lengths:

• 16” with an up-to-two inch extender (so anywhere between 16" & 18")
  
• 18" with an up-to-two inch extender (so anywhere between 18" & 20")

How do I know whether the 16-18” necklace or the 18-20” necklace is the right one?

So to find your ideal length, wear the measuring tape as a ‘necklace’ and note the right length for you.

You can also the measure a necklace you already own, that falls as you want your Gemkitty necklace to fall.

I don’t have a measuring tape!

I don’t have a printer to print the pdf!

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Can I share my custom design with others?

In the near future, you will be able to email a completed design to a friend from the Design Your Own Necklace page. For now, we suggest you take save a screen cap of of your necklace and email directly to a friend.

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I want to design a necklace for my girlfriend, mom, etc., but I don’t know where to begin.

We suggest you do a wee bit of detective work and pay attention to the jewelry your loved one currently wears. What colors does she like? Does she prefer bigger elements or more delicate ones? Does she wear beaded necklaces or chains? Does she wear her necklaces long or short? If you’re still having trouble, or would like some advice, drop us a line! We’d love to help.

You can also take comfort in the fact that Gemkitty evaluates each of its designs with a diverse panel of jewelry aficionados, and that your design will be crafted by a trained artisan using tested techniques that ensure a beautiful and durable piece.

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How do I go about picking out good-looking color combinations?

We hope you find playing with different color combinations enjoyable; we know we do! We encourage you to experiment and try combos of shapes and colors. And if you don’t like what you see, just click on a different bead! Unlike in the real world, your next design is only a click away.

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Will my necklace look exactly like what I see on screen?

We strive to accurately depict the look of our pieces online, but, that said, there may not be a 100% correspondence between what you see online and what you receive.

First, every computer is different, so the colors you see on your screen may differ slightly from the colors of the actual stones.

Second, and more important to keep in mind, our gemstones are naturally occurring (not treated), so there are always variations from one stone to another. Plus, because our gemstones are often cut and polished by hand, there can be slight variations in the finish and shape. No pair of gemstone beads are ever exactly alike. This is what makes your jewelry so unique!

Lastly, if it fits better with the style or size of the necklace, we may substitute some findings (including clasp style) for equivalent parts of equal value.

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Ok, so then tell me more about the gemstones you use.

Gemstones have an incredible history of uses and meaning through different cultures. We seek out superior-quality gemstones from around the globe to share with you. More information on the many types of stones we work with can be found here.

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I see what look like internal flecks or blemishes on my gemstone beads. Is that a problem?

No, this is normal, and it’s a sign that your gemstones are truly natural. Naturally occurring gemstones have inclusions and blemishes, which can consist of any of the following: inclusions, clouds, feathers, included crystals or minerals, knots, cavities, cleavage, bearding, internal graining, polish lines, grain boundaries, and naturals. This is because the stones formed in the earth via natural processes, and then were later mined, cut, and polished to make your jewelry.

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How frequently will you be adding new gemstones into the mix?

Pretty regularly. Gemkitty is always scouring the globe for unusual new stones of the highest quality to add to our selection.

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I put something in my cart, but now it’s gone. What happened?

Items added to your cart are reserved for 30 minutes before being released back into stock.

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How will my Design My Own necklace fit on me?

What sizes of Design Your Own necklaces are available?

We offer two base lengths:

• 16” with an up-to-two inch extender (so anywhere between 16" & 18")
  
• 18" with an up-to-two inch extender (so anywhere between 18" & 20")

How do I know whether the 16-18” necklace or the 18-20” necklace is the right one?

So to find your ideal length, wear the measuring tape as a ‘necklace’ and note the right length for you.

You can also the measure a necklace you already own, that falls as you want your Gemkitty necklace to fall.

I don’t have a measuring tape!

I don’t have a printer to print the pdf!

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How do I care for my Gemkitty jewelry?

With proper care, most Gemkitty pieces should last a lifetime. We recommend you protect your jewelry from unnecessary stresses, direct exposure to chemicals such as perfume & lotions, and intense heat. Don’t forget to take off your jewelry before napping and athletic activity! When not in use, please store in a closed container to avoid tarnish.

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Do different beads have different care needs?

Yes! When it comes to gemstone care, one approach does NOT fit all. To give just one example, porous beads such as pearls and mother of pearl should not be submerged in water at any time as that will damage them. Do not scuba dive wearing these guys! On the other hand, non-porous stones can typically be safely submerged in water (not that we recommend it).

It also important to pay attention to the fine print if you are using a commercial jewelry-cleaning product; for example, if you’re trying to clean something porous (like your pearls) you should check that it is specifically marked “safe for pearls.” Since some commercial products use potent chemicals, be sure to consult a physician to ensure that you will not have an adverse reaction to the particular cleaning agents they contain.

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How do I clean my Gemkitty jewelry?

There are many commercial jewelry-cleaning products available, but we like to keep it simple here at Gemkitty.

You can clean your jewelry with a solution made up of a little mild dishwashing detergent mixed with warm water. We don’t recommend submerging your piece, because if it contains any porous stones (like pearls) this can damage them. Instead, wipe the individual stones with a soft microfiber cloth or soft towel dipped in your cleaning solution and then gently and briefly rinse and dry the stones. A toothbrush or stiff-bristled brush is not recommended as it can be too abrasive and scratch the softer silver components of your jewelry.

Because some commercial products use potent chemicals, be sure to consult a physician to ensure that you will not have an adverse reaction to the particular cleaning agents they contain.

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What about cleaning the silver?

Pure sterling silver will tarnish as it reacts with the sulfur compounds that are naturally present in air. That’s just a fact of life, kid. Here are some tips to help prolong the shine:
– Frequently wearing silver will prevent tarnish by coating the piece with the body’s natural oils.
– Avoid exposure to sunlight, foods (especially eggs!) and chemicals such as hairsprays.
– Store your jewelry in an airtight container such as a zip-top bag along with an anti tarnish strip. These are available at bead shops and online retailers. We’d also be happy to send you a strip free of charge. Just email us the request!

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D’oh! I didn’t listen to your care advice and my silver has tarnished!

To bring the shine back, we recommend using a silver cleaning cloth, such as the Sunshine Cloth. You can find something similar in most beading stores and from many online retailers. We’d like to help you bring the shine back; email us and we’ll send you a cloth free of charge.

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What if my jewelry needs to be repaired?

We hope you’ll never need a repair. However, in the unlikely event you do, we are happy to repair your item free of charge for up to 90 days after purchase. Contact us to get the process started. Since our stock changes often, some gemstones may not be available for repair, in which case we will make every attempt to find something similar.

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What’s the deal with the newsletter?

Our newsletter, sent a few times a month, will highlight our newest designs and fashions, and may include special subscriber-only offers or sale announcements. if you provide your birthday (optional) on the sign up form, you’ll receive a special treat from us on your special day!

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How do I unsubscribe from the newsletter?

You can unsubscribe through the unsubscribe link provided at the bottom of each newsletter. You can also unsubscribe here.

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Are you on Twitter?

Yes! You can follow us here

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Are you on Facebook?

Yes, you can fan us here.

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I’m a member of the press/a blogger and would like to write/interview the kitties at Gemkitty.

We’d love to hear from you! Please email us with what you’re looking for. Just let us know if you’re working under a tight deadline. We promise to get back to you in a timely fashion.

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How do I create a Gemkitty account?

You can create an account here.

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What are the benefits of creating an account?

By creating an account, you will be able to:
– Post photos of yourself wearing your fabulous jewelry in our photo gallery
– Check out faster by saving frequently used addresses
– Review current and past order details online

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Help, I forgot my password!

You can request your password to be emailed to the email address you provided upon signup.
Request your password here.

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I need more help with my account, what’s the best way to contact you?

We highly recommend that you email us instead, because it’s the fastest way to get a response. We’re a very small company, busy crafting and filling orders. But we work very hard to respond to each and every email we receive within 48 hours, usually even sooner.

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Is the site secure?

Yes. Gemkitty uses SSL encryption to protect your information during checkout and does not store your credit card information. To view our SSL certificate you can click here. For more information on how we protect your personal information, you can view our privacy & security policy.

In addition, McAfee Site Advisor has tested our site and deemed it safe.

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I want to learn more about your privacy & security policies.

You can view them here.

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