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What is different about Bowral Fine Jewellery?In a world of mass production, false information & synthetics; We choose handmade, education, honesty, natural diamonds & gemstones; Our core values believe in hand making the highest quality jewellery like our skilled masters before us only working with natural stones, fine metals & combined with the skill of our hands to create into a masterpiece. We are extremely proud of what we do and love to share and answer questions to help bring a better understanding on the beauty of handmade jewellery and natural gemstones. We do not supply or work with synthetic stones, plated/vermeil metals or fashion jewellery. We do everything from scratch, we buy our gold in granules and alloy in store using generational recipes to ensure the highest quality gold. No CAD, wax carving or premade settings or shortcuts.
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What is the process of a custom handmade piece of jewellery?First step is thinking about what you would like to have made, some ideas or a reference and we can help you with designing a sketch from there. Once we have the design you are happy with, then we can give you a tailored quote. Upon proceeding we require a 50% deposit of the total price before we begin work. All custom pieces are handmade by George or Rebecca in store, and photos of the making will be taken showing the stages or your beautiful piece coming to life. We do not cast, use CAD or purchase premade settings. Everything is handmade, from melting the alloy to final piece.
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How long do "custom orders" or "repairs" take?All repairs and timeframe are dependent on the complexity of the repair and the workload we have. We only repair to the highest standards and will not take shortcuts. All repairs are explained to you in detail and shown issues, so you understand. We believe in honesty & educating. Chain repairs and resizes typically will take around 1- 2 weeks to complete. Restorations, fixing claws & replacing stones will take anywhere from 1 - 3 weeks to complete. Custom designs will be discussed on the day including timeframe but typically 4 - 6 weeks.
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18ct White Gold or Platinum?There are advantages and disadvantages to both metals. We will happily handmake and work in either. We personally prefer and recommend 18ct white gold overall. This is based on our recipes and formulas only. Now these are all differences based on Handmade Jewellery. Not CAD, 3D printed, as casting does lose a lot of advantages of strength in either metal. The biggest differences are: 18ct WHITE GOLD 18ct White Gold is 75% pure gold and 25% alloys. 1.0x per gram. Much lighter metal per gram. Our generational alloy contains a high percentage of palladium meaning it will not require rhodium plating if you wish. More affordable long term. Because we handmake and forge, we believe this is a much more superior metal for not only retaining finer details but for overall wearability. Superior in retaining shine, stays polished longer and is more resistant to small scratches on surface. Extremely durable. Long term is great for repairs, if need claws retipped/new setting or general work around diamonds/sapphire and rubies. There is no issue with gold. Less density meaning over decades of wear will lose thickness. PLATINUM Platinum is 95% pure metal with 5% alloy. Platinum is approx. 11% more dense than 18ct white gold. Density meaning that is has a much higher resistance to wearing away than gold but does not hold a finish as long and is more likely to bend, lose finer details quicker. 1.28x per gram. It is a much heavier metal per gram. Much harder to work with and longer working time than working with gold. Platinum is a much rarer metal than gold or silver. Costs more overall. Cannot be repaired the same way as what gold can, as the melting/soldering temperature of platinum is higher than what diamonds can tolerate without burning. Most jewellers just laser everything for repair when it comes to platinum which is not a great solution long term. Very soft and more prone to dullness caused by small bruises on the surface
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What is the best way to take care of my jewellery?To prolong the life of your jewellery here are a few tips to keep them in the best shape longer: Try to take off before showering or bed. Avoid wearing whilst gardening, to the gym, beach or any activity that would risk damage. If you notice any snagging on your clothes or it's been a while since cleaning come on in and we can assess and advise if anything needs any repairing. Some jewellery have delicate designs or exposed gemstones and should be worn with due care. If you would like to clean your jewellery at home, here are some tips: - You can start by letting your jewellery soak for a little while in a mix of dishwashing liquid and water and then use a soft toothbrush to give it a light scrub and then rinse and dry your jewellery. (If jewellery is hot, never rinse under cold water. Wait until cooled down) If using an at home ultrasonic, please be mindful of any pieces that have diamond or gemstones. if you have lost anything, make sure to gather and keep safely before rinsing water away. These can be a great tool but with caution.
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Do you offer Layby?Yes! We do offer layby, once you find the piece you love it will be 30% on the day and the remaining balance will need to be paid within 3 months from the start of Layby.
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How do I find out my ring size?The best way is to come in store, we can size you on your visit. There are a lot of tools online to help you learn your finger size if you cannot visit.
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Do you recommend Jewellery Insurance?We offer QReport Insurance in store, they are the most trusted insurance we know to protect our customer's.
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Do we use 'Conflict-Free' diamonds & ethically sourced fine metals?Diamonds: We ensure all diamonds purchased are from those sources that adhere to the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme of the World Diamond Council. This international system was created to monitor and eliminate the trade of "conflict diamonds". It applies to all rough diamond mined since January 1, 2003 and requires these to be sealed in separate containers and accompanied by numbered certificates to guarantee the diamonds are conflict free. We use this system guaranteeing that all diamonds being sold are from legitimate sources not involved in funding conflict and in compliance with United Nations resolutions. Fine Metals: Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC). The RJC is a standards-setting organisation established to advance responsible ethical, human rights, social and environmental practices throughout the gold, silver, platinum group metals, diamond, and coloured gemstone jewellery supply chain. The RJC has developed a benchmark standard for the jewellery supply chain and credible mechanisms for verifying responsible business practices through third-party auditing. We only purchase our fine metals through suppliers than follow the RJC standards.
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