FAQs
Nature of Handmade Products
Every piece of Kristen Baird® jewelry is a completely handmade work of art. While variations are small, no two pieces are exactly the same. Due to the nature of handmade jewelry, dimensions are approximate and sizes or colors might differ slightly from photographs. If, however, you do not feel that the product you receive is in keeping with your request, we would be happy to exchange it for you. Please refer to Returns and Exchanges below for more information.
Materials, Ethics, and Sustainability
Each piece of Kristen Baird® Jewelry is a reflection of myself, so I’m constantly striving to improve not only the quality of my products but my impact on my community and the world.
When I started my own jewelry company, I knew that sustainability would be at the forefront of my philosophy. As a small business owner, I quickly learned the value of approaching every interaction with transparency and respect.
I’m proud to say that my primary metals supplier uses 100% recycled materials for the items I use most often. I can trust this perfect score because they are certified by the Responsible Jewelry Council (RJC.) I also seek out Kimberly Certified natural diamonds to ensure ethical and nonviolent labor practices. Kristen Baird® also gives back to our local community through our our annual donations to local charities.
For more information on Ethical and Sustainable Jewelry Making, visit our blog.
Natural vs Lab-Grown Gemstones
At Kristen Baird®, we love both “out of the ground” and lab-grown gems. However, we would never substitute a lab stone for a natural stone without the express permission of the client. If you need guidance choosing between natural and lab-grown gems, we have several great resources available.
For more in-depth information, check out our blogs on Lab-Grown Gems and Lab Grown Diamonds.
Choosing Metals
When it comes to choosing metals, budget, lifestyle, and personal preference are all important factors to consider. But don’t stress! We’re happy to help guide you through the various options for fine jewelry, including Sterling Silver, 18K yellow and rose gold, and platinum.
Get started by checking out our blogs All About Silver and our Gold Review.
Customization
One of the many wonderful things about making each piece by hand - our hands - is that we can often accommodate special requests. If you see something you love on our site, but would prefer it in a different metal or stone, please reach out to kristen@kristenbaird.com. Chances are high we’ll be able to accommodate exactly what you have in mind!
Birthstone Jewelry
Speaking of customization, we absolutely love birthstones at Kristen Baird®! Check out our Birthstone Roundup with links to gifting ideas for all 12 months of the year, as well as interesting alternative birthstones and in-depth information on styling and wearing birthstone jewelry.
Commissions
Interested in incorporating an heirloom gemstone into one of my designs? Or do you have something completely original in mind? I can make that happen! Refer to our Commissions Page for more information on my collaborative process.
Jewelry Care
I pride myself on making jewelry that can be worn every day. That said, I recommend cleaning jewelry using a soft toothbrush, warm water, and a small amount of Dawn dish soap. For detailed information on caring for Sterling Silver jewelry, visit our All About Silver blog!
For general jewelry care for all your handmade pieces, visit our Sparkling Clean Jewelry blog.
Ordering Sparkles
All Kristen Baird® Jewelry is made-to-order and requires 1-2 weeks of production time. (Commissions will take around 12 weeks or longer, depending on the project.)
Keep in mind that these times could be longer during the busy holiday season. Rush orders are accepted on a case-by-case basis and might be subject to additional fees. All products must be paid in full before production can begin and jewelry can be shipped.
Packaging
All Kristen Baird® Jewelry is securely packaged to make sure there are all cheers and zero tears when your special gift arrives! You can check out our Packaging Blog for a sneak peek of our beautiful Kristen Baird® packaging. It will always include a special polishing cloth and care instructions. Your receipt will be emailed to you and will include all of your order details and tracking information once the package ships. Because our items are often gifts, we do not include invoices in our packages. Additional special gift-wrapping is available upon request.
Shipping
The buyer is responsible for shipping costs to and from our studio. We take extra care to ensure that your jewelry arrives safely and undamaged. (Details about best practices for shipping jewelry can be found on our blog!)
Our orders are shipped via USPS First Class Mail, Priority Mail, or Express Mail depending on the method of shipment selected at checkout. We can ship to most international destinations. Please inquire first to confirm that shipping to your country is available. We ship orders with USPS First Class International (2-5 weeks) unless otherwise requested. Many countries require VAT/import fees at customs before delivery can be completed. The buyer is solely responsible for these fees.
If your package is returned to us because you were not able to be contacted at the time of delivery, you will receive a refund for your order MINUS the shipping fee and restocking fees. If you wish the order to be resent, you must cover additional shipping costs.
Selecting The Perfect Fit
Feeling anxious about finding your perfect size? Don’t worry! Over the years, I’ve developed some tried-and-true methods for sizing jewelry. Check out our handy sizing guides:
Necklace and Chain Sizing Guide
“Oopsie” Re-sizing Explained
In a perfect world, everyone would get their jewelry sized exactly right on the very first try. But, as they say in the South, stuff happens. Fortunately, I offer complimentary resizing on all my pieces for one full month after purchasing. The only thing you have to cover is shipping.
One caveat: if you choose to take a piece to another jeweler for resizing, my warranty is voided. All of my jewelry is completely handmade using traditional crafting methods, and not everyone makes it the same way. Unfortunately, I’ve seen other jewelers make errors that I’m not able to fix. That said, my resizing is complimentary so send it right to me! You can learn more about our ring resizing policy here.
Bumps, Bangs, and All Things Repairs
I go out of my way to make sure my jewelry is durable and usable. But, occasionally fine jewelry can get damaged. If that happens, simply shoot me an email at kristen@kristenbaird.com. Costs of repairs are determined on a case-by-case basis, based on the nature of the repair and the cause of damage.
Unfortunately, I cannot repair jewelry made by other designers. I always recommend reaching out to the original jewelry manufacturer in that case.
Appraisals
It’s always a good idea to insure your fine jewelry. For pieces valued at $3000USD and up, I offer appraisals upon request for no additional fee. An appraisal must be requested within 30 days of purchase, or fees may apply. Unfortunately, I am unable to appraise jewelry made by outside designers.
Wholesale Inquiries
We’re always eager to welcome new retailers into the Kristen Baird® family! If you’re interested in becoming an authorized retailer, you must first apply via our Wholesale Inquiry Form. This allows us to determine the proximity of your store to other retailers in the area and determine if you are a good fit for the Kristen Baird® brand. Proximity and exclusivity will be evaluated case- by-case and a number of factors will be considered. We look forward to building a great relationship!
Cold Feet?
Because production begins as soon as we receive your order, any changes or cancellations should be made ASAP. Please email kristen@kristenbaird.com within 5 business days of the order being placed. Cancellations to rush orders will not be accepted and orders cannot be changed or canceled once your jewelry has been shipped. We will refund in full for an order canceled within 5 business days, however deposits, rush fees, and partial payments are non-refundable.
Returns and Exchanges
We pride ourselves on creating stunning handcrafted jewelry that will be cherished forever. If you are not satisfied with your order for any reason, we want to make it right. We offer a 30-day return or exchange period for all eligible items. The customer is solely responsible for all shipping fees. (Please see our Shipping Blog for guidance on how to ship jewelry.)
We will replace any defective or damaged item or exchange it for an item of equal or higher value, with the customer covering the difference in value. Limit one exchange per order.
A return authorization number (RA#) is required prior to returning your item. Once your return has been received, inspected, and found to be in good condition with all original packaging included, we’ll notify you that you have been approved for a refund. Within 5-7 business days, a credit (minus applicable restocking fee) will be automatically applied to the credit card or original method of payment used.
Please send all items to: Kristen Baird P.O. Box 24071, Savannah, GA, 31403, United States.
Contact kristen@kristenbaird.com with any questions.
