Customer Support

See below for answers to my most commonly asked questions. If your question is not answered here, please get in touch via the contact page.

If you receive your product and are unhappy with it in any way, please get in touch by emailing maker@madewithgrace.co.nz with a detailed description of your issue. An exchange or store credit may be offered depending on the piece and customer issue. It will be the responsibility of the customer to cover return/exchange shipping fees.

If your piece arrives to you damaged, a refund may be offered if repair or exchange is not feasible.

Making

Ready to wear pieces are ready to ship straight away and my aim is to have them in the post to you in 1-2 working days.

Custom pieces generally require 4 - 8 weeks of making time depending on the complexity of the design and the availability of the materials.

Shipping

I use NZ Post for deliveries; their delivery target is 1-3 working days. Once I have received, prepared and posted your order, you will get a shipping notification and tracking number.

Currently, shipping within New Zealand is the only automatic option at checkout, but I am very happy to explore international shipping options as required. If you would like a quote for shipping an item overseas, please get in touch via the contact page and we can discuss options.

I love making custom work! For full details about requesting bespoke work and the consultation process, check out my customs and commissions page.

All of my pieces are made with solid .925/sterling silver unless otherwise stated. Silver is sourced from an NZ-based retailer or recycled from cut-offs and scrap projects.

Gemstones have been sourced internationally, with ethical and environmental best-practice prioritised where possible. Supply chains are not always transparent, so I do my best to find stones that can be found in the areas I visit and are fossicked and cut by local sellers.

I use letter sizing to size my rings, a guide for which can be found below.

Ring size guide

Options for determining your ring size:

Use a tape measure and wrap it around your finger to find its inside circumference. Compare this with the ring size guide above.
Take a piece of string, wrap it around your finger, mark where the two pieces touch, snug but not tight around your finger. Lay the string against a ruler to find the inside circumference and compare this with the ring size guide above.
Go in to a local jeweller's and ask them to help you to determine your ring size using their measuring tools (the most accurate option).
Take a ring you already own in your preferred size and use a ruler to find its inside diameter by laying the ring on top of the ruler and finding the longest length from one side of the band to the other on the inside of the ring. Compare this with the ring size guide above.

If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch via my contact form or visit a local jeweller.

Storage

It is best to store your jewels in a way where pieces can be separated from one another to avoid scratching. Note that if your jewellery is kept out of a box or is on display, over time the silver will tarnish (see below for how to clean tarnished jewellery).

Wear

To avoid long-term exposure of your jewels to harsh chemicals and substances that could damage them, it is best to remove jewellery before swimming, going in a hot pool, showering or cleaning. Pearls are particularly sensitive to submersion to water and should be treated with extra care.

Cleaning

Although silver tarnishes, it is relatively easy to resolve and can be done in a number of ways.

Option 1: Mix a little bit of water into Baking Soda to make a paste, then using a soft bristled toothbrush or your fingers, rub gently over the metal to remove the tarnish then rinse and dry well.

Option 2: Polishing pads are effective and affordable and can be bought in packs from Workspace Studios.

Option 3: This is the most fun! This no rub method uses tine foil, baking soda and salt to magically remove tarnish in minutes. Full instructions can be found here.

All of my packaging is recycled material (Kraft, FSC paper and card) or re-used from orders of things I have received. I ask that you consider reusing the packaging that your Made with Grace treasure comes in. If it can't be reused, please make sure to dispose of it responsibly at its end of life by putting it in your home compost or recycling bin.

The following packaging materials are biodegradable and can be composted.

My thank you cards are made on recycled eco-friendly card which is biodegradable, but the ink is not 100% plant-based (very hard to find in NZ), so please dispose of these in the recycling bin.

Eco100 thank you cards