Product
FAQ
Most of our products are made in house in one of our factories located in Jaipur, India and Bangkok, Thailand and Bali, Indonesia
All the styles we carry that are labeled sterling silver contain 92.5% pure silver, or fine silver. Our Hill Tribe collection is made of Fine Silver, which is 99% pure silver. Sterling silver is a silver alloy containing 92.5% by weight of silver and 7.5% by weight of other metals, usually copper. We NEVER add nickel to our formula, making our sterling silver nickel-free.
All of the diamonds used in our collection are guaranteed conflict free. Our diamonds are within the Kimberley Accord which ensures that the stones are not connected to rebel groups. Our diamonds are mined and shipped in the most ethical way.
Lead time varies from between 10 days and 14 processing, depending on time of year. If you would like a more precise estimate of your lead time, please email our manufacturing department at info@beadspoint.com.
- 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.
