Frequently Asked Questions
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Are all of your bracelets made of sterling silver?
All of our bracelets are made with .925 sterling silver beads and clasps, as well as genuine Swarovski® crystal beads and pearls. Your bracelet may contain a small amount of small spacer components that are silver-filled, gold-filled or pewter.
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What are Swarovski® crystal beads?
Swarovski® crystal is designed and manufactured by the company founded by Daniel Swarovski from Austria at the end of the 19th century. Swarovski® crystals are deemed exceptional throughout the world in terms of quality and precision. Their multi-faceted design creates crystal beads that sparkle with unmatched brilliance. They are manufactured in a wide array of colors, including birthstones. Swarovski® crystal beads are considered unmatched in terms of quality, elegance, brilliance and distinction.
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What is a Swarovski® crystal pearl?
Swarovski® crystal pearls begin with a crystal core and are formed with iridescent pearl-like layers. They are weighted to closely resemble cultured pearls.
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How should I clean my new bracelet?
Sterling silver jewelry should not be exposed to water or other types of moisture due to the risk of tarnishing the jewelry. Please read next tip below to understand more about tarnishing. However, if your bracelet becomes very soiled and you must "wash" it, here are some tips. We do not recommend using liquid jewelry cleaning solutions as many contain alcohol or ammonia which can have a damaging effect on Swarovski® crystal beads. Instead, use a solution of 2 cups warm water and 1/4 teaspoon of gentle non-detergent liquid soap (like Ivory). Do not use anti-bacteria soaps. If necessary, you can use a very old, soft toothbrush to remove dirt, but use it very gently as to not scratch your silver beads. Extra care should be taken if using a soft toothbrush on Stardust beads. Their shimmering texture can be damaged if they are brushed too harshly. Rinse thoroughly in clear water, pat dry and allow to air dry on a soft cloth. If not wearing the bracelet immediately thereafter, store it in an air-tight "zip-seal" bag and place in a cool, dry, dark place. You may hear advice to use toothpaste to clean jewelry. We discourage that; do not use toothpaste to clean your sterling silver jewelry as toothpaste contains tiny abrasive particles that can scratch and damage your beads. Note: as mentioned above, the cleaning methods discussed here do not remove or eliminate tarnish. It is simply a guideline for removing dirt. See below for tips on removing tarnish.
Swarovski® Crystal Pearls - These pearls should not be washed. They can be buffed clean with a soft, chemical-free polishing cloth.
If you feel uncomfortable or unsure as to how to properly clean your bracelet, the best option is to take it to a professional jeweler for cleaning.
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What is tarnish? Do you have any tips as to how to avoid tarnish of my new sterling silver bracelet?
Tarnish is a naturally-occurring process of sterling silver called oxidation. Tarnish begins to appear as a golden tone on the bead, then quickly gets darker. If we could give just one tip, the most important would be this: do not shower, bathe or swim while wearing your sterling silver bracelet/jewelry. Not only does it rapidly encourage tarnishing, but it also slowly breaks down the stringing material used for the bracelet's foundation. Pool chemicals are especially harsh on fine jewelry, but plain water will do damage over a short period of time. We know it's annoying, but please remove your bracelets prior to showering, bathing and swimming. Simply wearing your sterling silver jewelry will reduce the rate of tarnish, as body oils slow the rate of tarnish. To reduce the rate of tarnish while not wearing your bracelets, we recommend storing them in an air-tight "zip-seal" bag and kept in a dark place like a jewelry box. Storing your bracelet in the open air will cause it to tarnish rapidly. Be sure to put your bracelet on after applying make-up, hairspray, perfumes and lotions. Reduce exposure to moisure, rubber and latex. Do not store your sterling silver jewelry with other metals; we recommend keeping each piece separately stored in its own zip-seal bag ... we even supply one with your purchase! :)
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If my bracelet becomes tarnished, how do I bring back its original shine?
Mother's and Name Bracelets - Many of our bracelets contain sterling silver beads that have been purposefully oxidized. This type of oxidation is a tarnishing process that is applied to the letter portion of an alphabet bead and to the small crevices of Bali beads which gives richness and depth. We are concerned that liquid tarnish-removing solutions may reach these small crevices and remove this oxidation, thereby leaving a piece of jewelry that will look much different from when you purchased it from us. The result may be a very shiny alphabet or Bali bead that no longer has the contrasting darker color that contributes to its depth. With that in mind, we suggest a jewelry paste for silver. The paste will give you more control as to the areas you can apply it to. Additionally, a chemically-treated polishing cloth can be used to remove tarnish.
Stardust Beads - these beads are also sterling silver, but are textured and special care should be taken as to not damage them. If there is an exception to our reluctance to using liquid sterling silver cleaner, this would be it. If Stardust Beads are tarnished, liquid cleaner may be best at getting into the textured crevices. If gentle care is taken, you could use a very soft old toothbrush to help lift tarnish/dirt, but very very gently, please. Do not use any type of polishing cloth on Stardust beads.
If trying to remove tarnish from a bracelet that also has Swarovski® Crystals or Pearls, please take care as to not allow any sterling silver cleaning paste or liquid onto the crystals/pearls as it will dull their luster.
If you feel uncomfortable or unsure as to how to properly remove tarnish from your bracelet, the best option is to take it to a professional jeweler for cleaning.
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How long will it take for me to receive my personalized jewelry?
Due to their being personalized and that we allow you to select from a large array of sizes, our jewelry is made at the time of your order. During most times of the year, your jewelry will leave our studio within 2-3 business days. We offer standard shipping (delivery approximately 5-7 business days after your order leaves our studio) or rush shipping (delivery approximately 2-3 business days after your order leaves our studio). You will receive an email when your order ships that contains tracking information. Please allow for extra time for design and delivery during high-volume ordering times, such as Mothers Day and the winter holidays. Please order early during these times so we can accommodate you!
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What criteria do you use when selecting a charitable organization to whom you donate a portion of
your awareness bracelets?
The charitable organizations that we donate to must be established as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization designated by the Internal Revenue Code. We aim to select organizations that spend approximately 80% or more of their donations to research and support/care programs. We frequently reference the Better Business Bureau's available reports on these organizations to ensure that they meet the BBB's Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Which forms of payment do you accept?
We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express, as well as other online forms of payment offered by PayPal. We have chosen PayPal to process credit card orders via their secure site. Please note that PayPal no longer requires you to set up a PayPal account in order to process your payment. If you prefer, you can pay by mail with your credit card, money order or cashier's check. We do not accept personal checks.
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What shipping methods do you offer?
We ship all orders via U.S. Postal Service (USPS). You can select Standard Shipping (delivery approximately 5-7 business days after your order leaves our studio) or Rush Shipping (delivery approximately 2-3 business days after your order leaves our studio). We also ship internationally.
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How can I contact Aqua Moon Keepsakes?
You can contact us via our online Comments, Questions and Feedback Form. Submissions that require a response will be answered in a timely manner.
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