frequently
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Appraisals | Contact Us | Orders | Returns | Ring Sizing | Shipping
Most Popular Question
We are often asked, "Will the ring accommodate a different center stone?" In most cases, the answer is "no." Rings are designed to hold a specific size diamond or gemstone. The prongs, head, bezel, and shoulders are made in proportion to securely hold a particular size and shape stone. We do not recommend purchasing one of our rings with the intention of removing the center stone and replacing it with a different one. Every diamond and gemstone is unique; stones with the same carat weight may have other characteristics which are significantly different. Setting a stone that is not appropriate for a ring creates a serious risk that the stone may become loose and fall out of the mounting. The stone and ring may also be damaged during the setting process.
Mountings
We do not offer our antique, estate or antique style rings as mountings without the center stone.
Comparison Shopping
Comparison shopping is purchasing more than one item of jewelry, keeping the item you like best, and returning the rest. Our online vintage jewelry boutique is not set up for comparison shopping due to high credit card processing fees and other return costs such as cleaning and restocking. If you cannot decide between several jewelry pieces, please call us or email us and we are happy to answer any questions you may have. If you purchase more than one item and return the jewelry pieces that do not work for you, we charge a restocking fee on each returned item.
Diamond Grading Reports
Diamonds weighing 1.00 carats or more, which are offered for sale at Topazery.com, have been sent to an independent diamond grading laboratory for an evaluation and a written certificate. When a diamond grading certificate is offered with a jewelry piece, it is stated in the description or in the details report that displays when you click on a thumbnail photo. This diamond grading report is offered to you as part of your purchase.
What We Do Best
We wish we could help you with every special custom jewelry request as we have an experienced team of trained jewelry professionals who are highly skilled at everything from designing a custom ring, to restoring a family heirloom, to helping you find the perfect gemstone or diamond. We're sorry that our online store is not setup to help you with these or other custom jewelry projects. Experience has taught us the things we do best -- presenting spectacular antique, vintage and estate jewelry that's ready for you to wear and enjoy. We shop the world to find special antique and estate jewelry just for you. We also offer unusual and elegant new antique style jewelry designs and have chosen just the right stones for each piece. We've worked hard so you don't have to spend your time with the details. Our online boutique is open 24/7 so you may place an order any time you're ready. When your purchase arrives at your home or office, carefully packaged, and in a special Topazery gift box, the jewelry is ready to present to someone special or for you to wear and enjoy for a lifetime. Thank you for visiting and we hope to hear from you again soon!
Visiting Us
Antique Jewelry at Topazery is an online antique and vintage jewelry boutique located in Atlanta, Georgia (GA). Because of the popularity of our online jewelry galleries, we no longer have a store. We are happy to answer your questions by email and respond promptly to your inquiries. To help you make an informed and comfortable decision about purchasing jewelry from our online boutique, we provide detailed gemological information and photographs for each jewelry piece. We also offer safe, secure shopping through our online credit and debit card payment processing company. Or, you may place a bank wire from your checking or savings account. Your purchase is always securely packaged and insured during shipping and we have an excellent returns agreement. We feel you will be very pleased with your Topazery shopping experience and look forward to receiving your order.
The internet provides a convenient, safe, and secure way to shop for beautiful antique, vintage, and estate jewelry from the comfort of your own home. By shopping on the internet, you have access to thousands of different styles and designs of antique and estate jewelry. We have many satisfied customers in our hometown of Atlanta, GA, as well as satisfied customers from across the US and around the world. Thank you for visiting and we hope to hear from you again soon!
Holding Jewelry
We are happy to hold a jewelry piece for you for 24 hours. After 24 hours, the hold is automatically removed and the jewelry piece is made available for sale.
Jewelry Newsletter
We add jewelry to our online gallery often. If you want to know as soon as we add pieces to our collection, you may sign up for our email newsletter. The sign up link for our newsletter is at the top of every website page in the WELCOME section of the navigation bar. You may make changes to your subscription at any time or opt out of our list at any time by clicking on the appropriate link in your email. We do not share your email address with anyone.
Item Availability
Calling or emailing us to confirm that a jewelry piece shown on our website is available for purchase is not necessary. The Topazery website is updated in real time and jewelry pieces are marked "SALE PENDING" or "SOLD" as soon as a customer makes a purchase. In the unlikely event that you purchase a jewelry piece that is not available, we will promptly refund your payment in full and cannot be held liable. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience if this happens.
Jewelry Classifications
Most of the jewelry pieces offered for sale on the Topazery website are original antique pieces or estate pieces. We also sell antique-style jewelry if the design and quality is appropriate for our antique and period jewelry collections.
Every jewelry piece is clearly categorized as "antique" jewelry, "estate" jewelry, or "antique-style" jewelry. On our website, "antique" jewelry is at least 50 years old. "Estate" jewelry has been previously owned and is less than 50 years old. "Antique style" jewelry is new jewelry in the style of a jewelry period, like Edwardian or Art Deco, and has not been previously owned or worn. Antique style jewelry is very popular for those who want to be the original jewelry owner but who love the look of "antique" jewelry.
Each piece of jewelry is individually purchased and personally evaluated by Topazery's owner and founder, Jan Walden. Every jewelry piece is also inspected and evaluated by two more trained and independent jewelry professionals: 1) an independent GIA Graduate Gemologist and Certified Appraiser who is certified by the American Gem Society and 2) an independent Master Jeweler, with over 30 years experience in antique and estate jewelry restoration and repair.
If you want a second opinion on a jewelry piece purchased from Topazery, use the services of an independent GIA Graduate Gemologist and Certified Appraiser who has experience appraising antique and estate jewelry, does not own a jewelry store, and is not employed by a jewelry store. Gemologists and appraisers who are employed by jewelry stores, as well as other jewelry store employees, may not give an accurate and unbiased opinion regarding jewelry which you have purchased elsewhere. For more information on jewelry certifications, please visit our Appraisals web-page.
Jewelry Measurements
To ensure the best accuracy, jewelry measurements are stated in millimeters (mm) and in the inches equivalent. To convert mm to inches we use the following formula:
mm (.039) x mm (.039) = inches x inches
For example:
16x44mm = 16(.039) x 44(.039) = .62 inches x 1.71 inches
Gem Treatments
The majority of gemstones on the market today are heat-treated to improve appearance and value. Heat treatment is stable and permanent and is done by gemstone miners and producers. Treatments may improve a gemstone's color, lessen inclusions, or make a gemstone better able to withstand ordinary wear. Heat treatment completes a process that nature started; it has been done for centuries to make gems more beautiful, durable and affordable. The list of popular gems routinely treated includes amethyst, aquamarine, chalcedony, citrine, emerald, jade, lapis lazuli, opal, pearl, ruby, sapphire, tanzanite, tiger's-eye, topaz, turquoise, and zircon. If you have questions about treatments or special care for a favorite gemstone, we are happy to assist you.
Just as gems are treated, other natural products are also treated. Wood furniture is oiled to prevent splitting, cotton is dyed to produce beautiful colored fabrics, leather is tanned to make it supple and beautiful. Treatment of many natural products is widespread, beneficial, and acceptable to consumers. Just as other industries accept treatments to their natural products, the jewelry industry accepts heat treatment as a permanent and acceptable treatment for gemstones.
Gemstones which have not been treated are rare and sell for extremely high prices. We state in the jewelry description or details if a gemstone offered for sale on the Topazery website has not been heat treated.
Other treatments such as fissure or fraction filling, diffusion treating, and laser drilled gemstones are not acceptable to us or to many other jewelry professionals. We do not sell these gemstones on our website.
Special Orders
Please allow 12 weeks for a special order, unless a shorter delivery time is noted for a specific jewelry piece. Jewelry purchased through a special order is not returnable. Payment in full is due at the time a special order is placed. Ring up-charges apply for certain ring styles in sizes larger than a 7.50 and the price will be higher than the price posted on our website. Quotes for special orders are good for 2 business days as pricing and availability may change.
Please be sure that the information you give us about your finger or ring size is accurate. Special order rings are not returnable if you decide after receiving the ring that the size is not correct. If you are purchasing a ring or wedding band that measures 4.0mm or more in width, we recommend having your finger measured with a wide band sizer. You may prefer a slightly larger ring size with a wider band.
For special order rings and antique style or reproduction rings, the gram weight, diamond and gemstone carat weight, color, and clarity, as well as other jewelry details, vary from the website details but are similar in quality. Center stone specifications may vary significantly. A gemological report is not provided with a special order. If you require a written appraisal for insurance or other purposes, we are happy to provide a USPAP compliant appraisal for an additional, non-refundable fee starting at $150.00 and depending on the jewelry piece. Allow 4 weeks for delivery of an appraisal. Please see our appraisal page for more information or by clicking on Appraisals.
Our suppliers do an excellent job meeting delivery commitments on special orders. In unusual circumstances, a special order jewelry piece may not be ready by the end of the estimated delivery date. Topazery cannot be held responsible for delivery delays which are out of our control.
What is my Jewelry Worth?
We apologize that we cannot offer an opinion on or value for your personal jewelry. We recommend taking your jewelry to a local antique jewelry appraiser who has a Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) degree from an established, well-known school like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Appropriately evaluating a precious piece of jewelry is difficult from a picture or brief description. An appraiser needs to carefully examine your jewelry in person with a loupe, microscope, and other appropriate testing equipment. This will ensure that you receive the best information possible about your beautiful piece.
Errors
We make every effort to ensure that the prices posted on our website are correct. We are not liable for pricing errors and may cancel an order and refuse shipment with a notice by email to the customer. We will refund the full amount of your payment and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience if this happens.
Layaway
We no longer offer a layaway or payment plan. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Conflict Diamond Policy
Antique Jewelry at Topazery, along with the Kimberley Process, the World Diamond Council, Jewelers of America and many other world-wide efforts, are committed to stopping the illegal trade of conflict diamonds. We do not support the role that conflict diamonds have played in funding armed conflict in certain African countries. We do applaud the good things -- improved health care, free education, and more jobs -- that the mining of diamonds brings to African nations. Thanks to the work of people and organizations around the globe, more than 99% of the world's diamonds are conflict free. Upon request, Topazery's conflict diamond guarantee will be included with your jewelry purchase.
Jewelry Condition
Sometimes we find an antique or estate jewelry piece in perfect, like-new condition, but this is unusual because most beautiful jewelry did not spend much time in a jewelry box. Part of the beauty and intrigue of antique and estate jewelry comes from the charming patina and soft glow acquired from years of loving wear. Slight imperfections add to the charm of the piece and are indications of its authenticity. During the cleaning and restoration process, we always replace chipped or damaged stones and make any repairs, which if left unchanged, would affect the beauty or decrease the value of the jewelry. Tiny imperfections in stones or mountings are not changed, if they are only visible under magnification and do not affect the durability, beauty, or value of the piece.
We provide detailed information about each jewelry piece either in the separate report that displays when you click on a thumbnail photo or in the jewelry description. This information is provided by an independent GIA Graduate Gemologist and Certified Appraiser. The gemologist does not separately note ordinary wear common to the age and type of a jewelry piece. Most antique and estate rings have been sized at some point. Please assume that a ring has been previously sized unless otherwise noted. All jewelry pieces have been carefully and expertly restored, cleaned, and polished unless otherwise noted in the detailed report.
The following notations describe wear which is visible under a 10x loupe to a trained jewelry professional. We do not offer discounts if a jewelry piece is not exactly to your liking.
- New -- this notation is for new jewelry that has never been worn
- Excellent -- in like-new condition, with almost no wear
- Very good -- very little wear
- Good -- wear is consistent with the age of the piece; milgraining may not be as sharp; prongs may show wear; edges may not be as "crisp"; these pieces usually have a beautiful soft patina
- Fair -- significant wear is noticeable under a 10x loupe; the piece is offered for sale "as is"; restoration to "good" or "very good" condition is usually not possible.
- Poor -- excessive wear
Jewelry Care
Most of our antique and vintage jewelry pieces were worn by women who lived very different lifestyles from today's modern woman. Antique and vintage jewelry styles from past eras are often delicate and were not designed to take the every day wear of an active woman of today. If you choose an antique ring or other jewelry piece in a delicate style, take special care to remove your jewelry and put it in a safe place while working out, doing chores, playing sports, etc.
All fine jewelry -- whether antique, estate, or new -- should be removed and stored in a safe place while you are involved in any active task that could cause damage to the mounting or stones. We also recommend regular professional cleanings to keep your jewelry piece looking its best. Routine inspections by a professional jeweler are also important; a trained professional will check your jewelry piece for wear or damage that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Discounts
We offer the best prices on our website and do not negotiate prices or offer discounts.
Warranty
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED HEREIN, TOPAZERY MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND OR NATURE, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE MERCHANTABILITY, SUITABILITY, ORIGINALITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE OR PURPOSE, OR RESULTS TO BE DERIVED FROM THE USE OF ANY PRODUCTS PROVIDED UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT. IN NO EVENT WILL TOPAZERY, ITS AFFILIATES AND ITS SUBCONTRACTORS, BE LIABLE FOR CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, PUNITIVE OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS, SAVINGS, COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE, GOODWILL OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) FROM ALL CAUSES OF ACTION OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE LIKELIHOOD OF SUCH DAMAGES OCCURRING.
Topazery is an online-only antique jewelry boutique.
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