FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQ
Every associate at Beadspoint is dedicated to you, the customer. That's why when you have suggestions, questions or concerns; we've made it easy to contact us so we can help you as soon as possible and get you back to designing & creating. Our success is built on your success, so your input is important to us. We look forward to hearing from you! Here you will find answers to the questions we receive most often from our customers. If after reading through the FAQs, you still have questions, please feel free to call us at 1-866-668-GEMS. You can also send an email to info@beadspoint.com.
Our Customer Service staff serves our website and catalogue customers. We're here to answer questions or help with orders via email, phone 866-668-GEMS on the following days and hours, Eastern Time: Monday to Friday 9:30 am - 6:30 pm ET Saturday 10:00 am - 5pm ET Sunday Closed Customer Service is closed on Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
As a manufacturer and retailer who sells direct, Beadspoint strives for fair pricing in order to stay competitive and affordable for all customers. Note: Wholesales, designers, and other members of the Trades, please email Customer Service or call 866-668-GEMS.
Shopping for products on our website is available 24/7 and is as easy as 1, 2, 3! Search: Type a description of what you're looking for in the Search box (e.g., 14K gold chain, chain nose pliers, velvet box). Use the refinements along the left side of the web page to narrow your results. Navigate: Browse our product categories and subcategories. Use the refinements along the left side of the web page to narrow your results. Quick Order: If you know the item number you need, simply type in the SKU on the search box on the home page. PLEASE NOTE: Item photos on product detail pages are not shown actual size.
Backorders are shipped free of charge via the most economical shipping option.
Make sure to review your order before submitting! Once you place your order, it's immediately sent to our warehouse to get it to you as quickly as possible and within our guaranteed shipping time frames; if you want to make changes to your order, please call us at 1-866-668-GEMS.
Call us from anywhere across the globe and enjoy legendary customer service from our knowledgeable representatives. Please have this information ready when you call: The #SKU of each item Your credit card number. For your security, we require verification of your credit card number, billing address and CVV2 code with every order.
All returns and repairs must be accompanied by their invoice numbers or date of purchase and your customer number. Returns will be credited or refunded by the same method of payment used for the purchase. Please Note: Special orders and items that have been altered or custom-made to your specifications are not returnable. We reserve the right to refuse any merchandise returned after the 7-day warranty period or to charge additional restocking fees on such merchandise. Please see our full policy here on returns & exchanges.
To return an item for evaluation or repair, package it as you would a return (see Returns & Exchanges), address to "Attention: Repair Department" and send it prepaid and insured. Your invoice number is vital; it serves as your warranty. Allow 1–2 weeks after we have received the item for repair.
1. Credit Card We accept MasterCard, VISA, Discover and American Express. Customer/cardholder address and related information are verified with your issuing bank before your order is shipped. Some restrictions may apply. 2. PayPal Beadspoint, Inc offers PayPal Express Checkout for orders that are placed. If you choose to pay for your merchandise using PayPal, PayPal will use the funds available in your balance first; if you have a zero balance in your PayPal account (or your account doesn’t have enough to cover your existing order), payment will automatically pull from the back-up method you selected on your PayPal account. 3. Prepaid or Money Orders Beadspoint, Inc offers certified funds such as money orders or cashier's checks.
PRICING GUIDELINES we do our very best to offer you the most competitive prices and best selection on all our products. We do our very best to hold prices, but prices may vary due to charges that are out of our control, including currency exchange rates, fluctuations in freight costs, raw materials market, labor costs and customs duties. Expect some pricing variation depending on conditions at the time you order. WHOLESALE PRICING Our pricing is structured to help you save when you buy in larger quantities, significantly reducing your cost per item. If you would like to learn about deeper price breaks than those listed on the product detail page, call us at 866.668.GEMS.
Texas State law requires us to charge State residents sales tax on each order total (products + shipping and handling charges). Currently, we do not charge sales tax for orders shipped to any other states.
DOMESTIC SHIPPING UPS Overnight (Next business day; for Saturday delivery please call) UPS 2-Day Air (2 business days) UPS Ground (2–6 business days) USPS Express (1–3 business days) USPS Priority Mail (2–5 business days) USPS Flat Rate Mail (2–5 business days; not available in all area Economy Mail (3-7 business days; regardless of shipping destination or proximity to Rio Grande). SHIPPING ON U.S. FEDERAL HOLIDAYS Whenever a U.S. federal holiday falls on a regular business day, packages shipping via USPS are not picked up or delivered on that day. These orders go out the following business day. Orders shipping via other carriers, including UPS, FedEx, and trucking and freight carriers, are picked up or delivered as usual. The following days are U.S. federal holidays: New Year's Day (January 1) Martin Luther King Jr. Day (third Monday in January) Presidents' Day (third Monday in February) Memorial Day (last Monday in May) Independence Day (July 4) Labor Day (first Monday in September) Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November) Christmas Day (December 25) INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING USPS is our preferred international shipping carrier. You may choose a specific carrier, but the rates may not be the most economical. If you so indicate, you will be contacted by a customer service representative with your international shipping rate prior to us shipping your order. NOTE: Delivery time shown is from our facility to your local customs office; time is approximate and may vary depending on customs clearance. USPS Express (4–5 business days) Postal Service Priority Mail (1–2 weeks) International shipments may be subject to import duties and taxes levied once the shipment reaches your country. Additional charges for customs clearance are the responsibility of the recipient; we do not control these charges and cannot predict what they may be. Please contact your local customs office for more information. PLEASE NOTE: Hazardous items cannot be shipped internationally. Please see our complete shipping rates & policy here.
- Prevent and manage waste
- Preserve clean air and water
- Protect the climate
- Preserve the world's forests and biodiversity
Prevent and Manage Waste
- Beadspoint maintains a corporate recycling policy which includes returning ALL paper, cardboard, plastics, cans and bottles to local recycling centers.
- All printer cartridges and cell phones are returned for remanufacturing and reuse with proceeds from the return going to charity.
- Fluorescent light bulbs are taken to an approved recycling center for proper disposal.
- Beadspoint pays a government approved Computer and Electronics Recovery Center to take all old computers and electronics for recovery of parts and metals thus minimizing the disposal of hazardous electronics in landfills.
- Filtered drinking water systems are installed in our facility providing for both a reduction in water bottle waste and healthier drinking water for our employees.
Preserve Clean Air and Water
- At Beadspoint, we make it a habit to use only nontoxic cleaning products and air fresheners to reduce indoor air pollution.
- Materials and chemicals used in production are regularly evaluated to ensure compliance with applicable global registration, hazard communication and waste handling and disposal requirements.
- A sophisticated waste water filtration system is in place to ensure our actual discharge falls well below the sewer discharge permit limits.
- Low flow toilets in our facility restrooms save thousands of gallons of water every year.
Protect the climate
- Beadspoint uses a Cool Roof Facility.
- Virtualization of our servers and associated storage disks has greatly reduced hardware requirements and the related energy use previously required to power multiple servers and cool the environment.
- High efficiency HVAC systems and programmable thermostats have been installed throughout our entire facility ensuring optimal, energy conserving temperatures are maintained whether we are open for business or closed.
- T-5 fluorescent fixtures are utilized throughout the building providing the most energy efficient lighting available.
- Smart-circuit power strips are utilized throughout the building saving significant energy when computers, peripherals and other electronics are not in use.
Preserve the World's Forests and Biodiversity
- We buy only Green Silver for use in our production process. This silver is not supplied by any aspect of the mining industry!
- Our accounting department has gone paperless, now storing all customer and vendor records electronically.
- Customer invoices and statements are forwarded electronically replacing mailed paper copies.
- Company wide communications are handled electronically whenever possible utilizing emails and scanned documents rather than fax and mail systems.
- All bathrooms are equipped with Xlerator hand dryers eliminating paper towel usage while also providing for maximum energy efficiency available in a hand dryer.
With the help and cooperation of our vendors and customers, sustainability is our way of doing business at Beadspoint.
- ASBL: Assembled from multiple layers or combinations of manufactured and/or natural material fused, bonded or otherwise joined together to increase stability and/or imitate the appearance of a natural gemstone, create a unique design or generate unusual color combinations. Example: Opal triplets
- L: A laser and chemicals used to reach and alter inclusions in gemstones, usually diamonds.
- B: Bleached using heat, light and/or other agents to lighten or remove color.
- O: Oiling/resin infusion; the filling of surface breaking fissures with colorless oil, wax, resin or other colorless substances, except glass or plastic, to improve the gemstone's appearance.
- C: Coating on the surface with such enhancements as lacquering, enameling, inking, foiling or sputtering of films to improve appearance, provide color or add other special effects.
- R: Irradiation using neutrons, gamma rays, beta particles or high energy electrons to alter color. May be followed by a heating process.
- D: Dyed by the introduction of coloring matter to give a new color, intensify present color or improve color uniformity.
- S: Stabilized using a colorless bonding agent (such as plastic); used on porous gemstones to add durability and improve appearance
- (sometimes referred to as "I" impregnated).
- F: Filling of surface-breaking cavities or fissures with colorless glass, plastic, solidified borax or similar substances (visible under 10X magnification); improves durability, appearance and/or adds weight.
- SYN: Synthetic materials with essentially the same optical, physical and chemical properties as a naturally occurring gemstone.
- H: Heated to effect desired alterations of color, clarity and/or phenomena. If residue of foreign substances in open fissures is visible under properly illuminated 10X magnification, "HF" should be used.
- U: Diffusion; chemicals used in conjunction with high temperatures to produce color and/or asterism-producing inclusions.
- HP: Heating and pressure combined to effect desired alterations of color, clarity and/or phenomena.
- W: Waxing/oiling; impregnation of colorless wax, paraffin and oil in porous, opaque or translucent gemstones to improve appearance.
- IMIT: Imitation product fabricated in such materials as glass, ceramic or plastic designed to imitate or resemble the appearance, but not duplicate the characteristic properties of a natural gemstone.
Gold
We offer 10K, 14K, and 18K gold findings in white or yellow.
Gold Filled
Gold filled uses a karat gold overlay which is then bonded to a brass inner core. Beadspoint, Inc., manufactures gold filled with1/20th 14 karat gold, meaning, it is 5% 14 karat gold by weight with a brass inner core. We offer 1/20 14K rose gold filled and 1/20 14K yellow gold filled.
For more information on the difference between plating and gold filled or silver filled, visit www.jvclegal.org
Silver
All silver items contain a minimum of .925 silver (the remaining balance is made up of copper). As part of our sustainability program, Beadspoint, Inc. only buys Green Silver for use in our production process.
Terminology
Conversion Factors
Wire Hardness
Wire Diameter
Conversion Grid to Estimate an Item Weight in Different Metals
To use this grid, locate intersection of desired metal and present metal. This number is your conversion factor. Multiply that number by actual known weight of present metal, e.g., to determine what an item that weighs 1.50 dwt in Sterling would weigh in 14K Yellow, go to 14K Yellow under Desired Metal column. Follow that row across until it intersects the Sterling column. This is your conversion factor (in this case 1.248). Then multiply that number 1.248 (conversion factor) by 1.5 (known weight) = 1.872 dwt. This would be the weight for the 14K Yellow item.
The care required for colored gemstones varies with each beautiful piece. Safekeeping begins with their wearing: Always put them on last and take them off first. Avoid all chemicals and cosmetics (including perfume and hair spray); intense exposure to heat, light, or quick temperature changes; and any physical activities that may damage the stones.
When not in use, colored gemstones should be stored separately, in a soft pouch.
The safest way to clean any colored gemstone is with a soft, slightly moistened cloth. Stronger methods may be acceptable for certain stones, depending on what they are and how/if they have been set or enhanced. But, these approaches should only be considered with care and in consultation with a professional jeweler. A jeweler should also check each gemstone mounting on a regular basis.
With proper care, your silver will retain its beauty and character for many generations to come.
Sterling silver tarnishes, especially when exposed to salt air and products containing sulfur, such as rubber bands and some papers. However, silver that is regularly used typically needs less care.
Use a good quality silver polish. Some "dip" polishes contain harsh chemicals and should be avoided. Electrolytic cleaning (aluminum foil, salt and baking soda in a water base) is not recommended.
Begin by using a soft cloth or sponge to apply the polish. Rub each piece gently but firmly lengthwise, using straight, even strokes. You may use a small brush (like a toothbrush with natural bristles) for decorative trim or borders. Wash in sudsy water, being sure to remove all the polish. Rinse well in warm water, dry thoroughly and buff gently with a soft cloth.
Tiffany only uses sterling silver, one of the most beautiful and lustrous of all metals. With proper care, your silver will retain its beauty and character for many generations to come.
Special Considerations
An "oxidized" finish is the deliberate blackening of crevices in the ornamentation of a silver object to make its decorative details stand out more clearly. Take care as this finish can be removed by overzealous cleaning and polishing.
Storing Silver
Once cleaned and polished, silver must be kept dry and properly stored.
Between professional servicing, most gold and platinum jewelry can be maintained with a non-abrasive cleaner. Examine your jewelry regularly to make sure settings are snug and clasps and joinings are secure.
Avoid exposing gold jewelry to household bleach, which will quickly cause gold to discolor and possibly disintegrate.
Jewelry storage is important as well.
