FAQ

Welcome to my FAQ!

Please see read through below to answer any questions you may have. I have bolded and bulleted key portions in hopes of making this more user friendly! More often than not, the answers you seek can be found here and I while I try my best to answer emails in a timely manner, I am often overwhelmed in that department and I hate to keep you waiting on an answer which can be found below. Thank you!

 

All designs, photographs and all other content is copyright DarkFawn Jewelry 2013-2024.

 

 

How do I buy your pieces? Everything is usually sold out or your shop is empty!

I am proud (and overwhelmed) to be a one woman show!

That means I am tasked with managing each and every aspect of DarkFawn. This includes communications, accounting, packing, shipping, social media, web maintenance and so much more in addition to crafting each and every piece of jewelry by hand.

Though I am always looking for ways to streamline my process, I do my best to make as many pieces as I am able. There are no production lines found here nor assembling of pre-made components and as such a single piece can take between days and weeks to complete. I wish I could make more but if you see my shop "SOLD OUT" or a particular piece you want is not in stock, know that I am steadfastly working away on more for the future. I do, however, value feedback immensely!

If there is a specific piece, theme, or general idea you would like to see return I would very much love to hear from you! Contact me on Instagram either via DM or via comment to let me know. I write down each and every single request that comes my way.

 

Can I reserve an item?

Through trial and error I have found that in order to keep things fair (which is very important to me) I do not offer the reservation of items nor do private sales.

Anything I have available at any given time will be listed in this shop. If you do not see anything in the shop, it does indeed mean I am sold out. Please see the (this link will open in a new window) ALL AVAILABLE ITEMS page to view everything that is currently available!

I do try to frequently have "shop updates" in which new batches of pieces are listed in addition to fun surprise pop-ups, giveaways and frequent charity auctions on my Instagram page @DarkFawnJewelry

 

When is your next update?

Times and dates of each update vary greatly. I try to schedule each update at a time different than the last as to better accommodate people in various locations.

I announce the dates and times of the next collections on my Instagram. I try my best to keep the banner at the top of my website current, however it can get overlooked. My Instagram bio will display either the next release date of new pieces or "TBA" (to be announced) .

Pieces can and do go very quickly, so I recommend if you are interested in a piece to make note of the announced date and time and to be on the website and ready to checkout when the pieces are expected to go live.

 

 

Why don't you make rings in my size?

I bet I do!

Accessibility to all is important to me. I do not want to only cater to a specific group, and I welcome all varieties of humans to my corner. I frequently offer rings in sizes 4-13. You may not see your size in one update, however the next batch of pieces may contain several of your size. I never intentionally pay extra attention to one size over the other and often let a piece size itself as a way for the universe to find who it is intended for.

I also greatly appreciate feedback and warmly welcome comments of the sizes you are hoping to see in future updates. I have a notebook where I make note of these requests and love to receive them!

 

Do you offer wholesale?

I am sorry but I do not offer wholesale. One benefit of purchasing directly from an artist is not paying any of the consignment or middleman fees. My pieces are already wholesale prices as I currently price my items with the minimal profit margin I am able to.

 

Will you ever remake an item?

While each piece I create is truly one of a kind, I occasionally do revisit individual pieces or overall themes. Just keep an eye out and you never know what the future may bring!

What size am I?

There are many guides found online that can help you determine sizing if you are unsure. But it is also crucial to also know that band types of rings fit differently depending on their style! The wider and more orate the band, typically the more snug it will fit. It is often recommended when purchasing a ring on a wide band that you size up between .25-1 whole size.

Also be aware that the season (in winter your hands will contract with the cold and swell with the warmth) as well as personal anatomy will also impact your sizing. I always recommend people be open as to which finger they wish to wear a piece on as it will vary throughout your life and seasons.

Also try to be aware of what weight of pieces are comfortable for you - some people prefer light pieces that they can forget they are wearing whereas others are fine with a fifty-five pounder on their finger! The larger and more intricate the piece, the heavier it will likely be. I always include measurements and weighs in each listing.

Please verify your sizing through your own due diligence. I can not refund or exchange if you have purchased the wrong size for you.

That being said, I do want you to be happy! Please reach out with any concerns or questions you may have and I will do my best to accommodate you when I can.

 

Do you accept commissions, personalized orders or custom requests?

Due to high demand, I am currently unable to accept custom requests and/or commissions at this time. This includes requests for custom designs, replication of past work, new pieces, sizing of pieces and alterations of any kind to already made or concept pieces. Custom requests will remain closed for the foreseeable future. I am very sorry! I wish I could, but I am currently physically unable to do so.

While I do not currently accept custom work, I am always interested in knowing what sizes, styles and themes people are looking for. If you connect with me on Instagram by leaving a comment regarding sizes or styles you are after, I try my best to work them into future shop updates!

 

Can you resize something for me?

I do not resize any pieces, made by myself or others. If a piece in the shop is already sized, I am unable to re-size it. I am sorry!

Occasionally a piece will be listed as "Made to Order" or "Made to Size" in which those specific items are able to be sized to your specifications. These pieces can be sized to your request from 2-13 and all .25 increments in between. Unless an item explicitly states "Made to Order" or "Made to size", no alterations of any kind can be made.

Please be sure to make note of all dimensions and sizes of each piece PRIOR to purchasing.

 

What payment methods do you accept?

I currently accept Paypal and credit cards through the Shopify platform. I also offer payment plans both via the Shopify checkout or I can offer you a personal payment plan through Paypal if the piece has been listed in the shop for 24 hours. Please continue reading for additional information on this.

I currently do not accept any other methods than those above.

Do you accept reservations on specific pieces?

I do not accept reservations on any item. In order to keep things as fair as humanly possible, I no longer hold any item for anyone at any time. I understand this may be unfortunate news for some, but please keep in mind I have put this policy in place to be kind and courteous to all! The only exception to this "no reservation policy" is if the item has been placed on a payment plan. Please see below for further information on payment plans.

Can I set up a payment plan with you?

Payment plans are available, though some restrictions do apply. Payment plans are available for all items! Shopify offers a payment plan you can select upon checkout or you can request a personal plan through myself.

The shopify pay installments is immediate and can be selected upon checkout with no restrictions. The personal plan I can craft for you has the following restrictions:

An item(s) must be listed in the shop for a full 24 hours before a personal payment plan is accepted. In order to fall in line with my "No Reservation" policy, the item can not be placed on a payment plan until it has been listed and in the shop for a full twenty four hours.

Payment plans are happily tailored to your individual needs. I charge no interest nor require a deposit. If an item has been listed in the shop for twenty four hours and you would like to set up a payment plan with me for that item, please send me an email expressing your interest and I will be more than happy to set one up for you.

When can I expect my package to ship?

Already made items:
Are ideally shipped within five business days (one full week) after purchase. Depending on the item, it may be shipped via USPS priority or USPS first class. If you reside in the continental United States, this means your item may take somewhere between six and eighteen days to reach you. If you reside outside of the United States, please allow between two weeks and three months for your item to be delivered.

I do what is in my power to adhere to the time frame stated above, however; there may be extenuating circumstances that tack on additional days. Please make note that I am a single person business, a sole individual who is tasked with managing all aspects of Dark Fawn Jewelry, who may fall ill or have a personal emergency to tend to.

Made to order items:
Time frame varies and you can find each made to order item's time frame within the listing description. In addition to the time stated in the listing, the same shipping and handling aspects of above apply.

Where do you ship to?

I ship worldwide, to anywhere in the world! Please be aware that customs duties and fees may apply to your parcel. I try my best to keep costs low, but I am not responsible for any additional fees you may incur due to your countries laws and practices.

All orders are shipped to the person and address listed on Paypal. Please be sure your Paypal information is accurate and up to date at the time of purchase. I only ship International Priority to protect your parcel and you. No exceptions.

I am international and the shipping costs I am being charged for seem high?

I am committed to keeping shipping costs as low and reasonable as possible. Due to such wide variances in the cost of shipping around the world, I charge an initial flat rate for shipping on all international orders. Once your package has shipped, I refund any amount above the actual label cost if it is greater than $2.00 USD. I only ship internationally via Priority mail whose label costs typically range from $52-$68.

 

My item has been lost in the mail!

This has yet to happen (knock on every piece of wood within a five mile radius) however in the event that it does, I am not liable for items after they have left my hands. All packages come with tracking and in the event this should occur, I will still do my best to offer whatever assistance I can to help resolve a postal mishap however you will likely have to contact your local postmaster. All packages are shipped with signature confirmation for all parties protection.

The ring/bracelet/necklace I purchased does not fit. Can I return it?

I do not accept returns or exchanges based on the wrong size, with the exception of a listing's specifications being incorrect on my end. However, each situation may vary. Please contact me with any questions or requests. In the event of a refund, a 20% restocking fee will apply.

Can I cancel an item or get a refund?

I do not accept returns for any reason other than a serious and obvious mistake on my end (for example, I list something as a size 5 and it is actually a 10). In the extenuating circumstance that I do issue a refund or return for a reason outside of this, there will be a restocking free of 20% of the total purchase price. This is non-negotiable and covers many of the merchant and processing fees I incur.

 

CARING FOR HANDMADE JEWELRY

How to care for:
Handmade, artisan jewelry should be treated with care! As all fine jewelry should. The work and stones can be more delicate than mass produced pieces you find at your local mall, however; with proper care they will last much, much longer than a mass produced piece ever could (and will actually retain and gain value).

Please refrain from vigorous, rough, and especially wet activity while wearing any handmade piece. Water can damage the stones and settings used. Water can and will also break down patinas and polishes, accelerating their normal aging rate. It is not recommended to wear your jewelry in any wet environment including swimming pools and showers. I have known many vintage pieces to have stones come loose after this type of wear.

Refrain from using commercial cleaning solutions or other chemical compounds (such as hair dye) as these can also easily damage handmade items and their stones. Commercial jewelry cleaners and solutions can easily destroy or permanently alter porous stones including but not limited to: turquoise, opal, variscite, the matrix (or host rock) found throughout many stones, malachite, and much more.

When cleaning, use a polishing cloth and gently work around the areas you would like to polish knowing that are you intending to remove the aging present including potentially affecting areas that may have been initially darkened intentionally.

You can also very cautiously clean pieces with a gentle soap, a qtip or soft bristle toothbrush and warm water, then patting dry.


Patinas, oxidation and polish:
Most items have been carefully oxidized to bring out the details of each piece, giving each one a unique look and blackening recessed areas.

Each patina varies piece by piece. The very nature of this finish can and will change over time depending on a number of factors: frequency of wear, storage, exposure to the elements (most notably moisture), exposure to body products and the oils our own bodies produce and individual body chemistry.

I offer lifetime re-blackening of any piece for free (minus shipping and handling)!

Most pieces will come with a polishing cloth or pad and I also recommend they be kept in jewelry boxes or pouches to lessen their exposure to elements. You will also find a small black plastic square packed away with your piece. This is called an "anti-tarnish tab" and while you can throw it away, you can also store this in your jewelry box to reduce the tarnishing of your collection.

The changing of a item's finish does not affect its durability or lifespan. Some welcome the natural patina that comes with age as a token of its passage! It's up to you how much, or how little, you wish to care for and re-polish your piece.

 

Guarantees of authenticity!

In an online world becoming increasingly vast by the hour, far too often I see sellers misrepresenting stones or materials. I can guarantee that each piece I make only utilizes the best materials available and all stones are 100% authentically what I declare them to be. I am an avid gem and mineral enthusiast who is also a lapidarist, as is my husband. I very rarely use man made or man altered materials. In the rare occurrence I do not use a natural stone, I will disclose it in detail in that item's listing.

If you have any questions about a stone in a piece you have purchased or are interested in purchasing, feel free to email me at the email address listed at the bottom of this page and I will be more than happy to provide any and all additional information I have at my disposal.

 

The stone in my piece appears to have changed from when I purchased it. Is that possible and why?

There are some stones that require additional care and more tending to than others and do in fact posses the capacity to change with time. Turquoise is perhaps the most notable of these, especially natural turquoise which can be exceptionally porous therefor change with the elements and body chemistries it comes into contact with. Many welcome this, finding it to be a rite of passage in its own respect. If you would like to limit potential changes in your stone(s), do your best to avoid excessive touching/contact with them and keep the piece well cared for.

A few other stones that deserve a notable mention for their potential to age are those that degrade in sunlight, heat or water: Larimar, Bumblebee Jasper, Malachite, Amethyst, Calcite, Kunzite and Opal to name a few! It is not recommened to store ANY gemstone in water or in prolonged, direct sunlight.

Remember, you have likely purchased a piece of jewelry that contains a precious or semi-precious stone and should be cared for as such. Please see the above section "Caring for handmade jewelry" for more information.

 

 

I have emailed you/DM'd you/commented at you and haven't heard back!

Often it seems I am playing catch up with messages of all varieties, so please allow some time to hear back from me.

Due to the high volume of emails I receive, I typically allocate two days a week to go through and answer both emails as well as direct messages on IG and media platforms. Please allow a few business days for a response. If you feel you have waited a reasonable amount of time and have not heard from me, please email me again!! as your email was likely lost or misplaced! That is one of the last things I want to do  - absolutely no communication is ever intentionally ignored or looked over. And I want to hear from you!!

If you communicated with me via a comment on Instagram and didn't receive a reply, please keep in mind it is likely your comment was missed while I was back in the studio. If you have a question or concern that was not addressed in this FAQ, please don't hesitate to send me an email to the address listed at the bottom of this page. And please don't hold my silence against me! My heart is always open to new friends!

 

If, after reading through this FAQ, you have additional questions not addressed above, please send me an email at hello@darkfawn.com

 

Thank you for visiting!

Connect with me on Instagram: http://instagram.com/darkfawnjewelry

 

All designs, photographs and all other content is copyright DarkFawn Jewelry 2013-2024.