FAQ

Jewelry with gems: please educate yourself about your desired stones. Some stones have characteristics you need to consider before you go ahead with your order.
Find out how your desired stone will react on excessive sun, chemicals, showering and labor intensive activities and then make your decision.
Once per 6 month you'll need to inspect your jewelry (gold is soft metal and with everyday wear it might get damages, which may cause stone loose, metal brake etc.).
Silver jewelry with rhodium cover and gold plating: in a while silver rings might get tarnish even with gold cover. You can clean it with steam at your local jewelry repair. DON'T try to clean it with any hard brushes, you might damage covering. 

Also, please avoid knocking your jewelry on hard surfaces. 

Jewelry and some stones may be damaged by chemicals, please avoid contact with chemicals.

To clean your jewelry use mild-soap & water to gently scrub, or a soft microfiber cloth to remove oil and dirt. For best care, take off your jewelry pieces when showering, swimming & doing dishes.

Store your jewelry in a dry space, separate from other jewelry to avoid scratches.

HOW DO I CLEAN MY JEWELRY?

It is best to have your jewelry professionally cleaned by a jeweler. For a simple cleaning at home, we recommend mixing Dawn dish soap in warm water, soaking your ring or other jewelry for five minutes, and using a soft bristled baby toothbrush to gently clean behind stones or settings. Air dry, then finish with a polishing cloth. We do not recommend chemical jewelry cleaners because they can damage certain stones.

Don't use any hard brushes or abrasives.

Silver jewelry with rhodium cover and gold plating: in a while silver rings might get tarnish even with gold cover. You can clean it with steam at your local jewelry repair. DON'T try to clean it with any hard brushes, you might damage covering.

HOW FREQUENTLY SHOULD I INSPECT MY JEWELRY?

Once per 6 month you'll need to inspect your jewelry (gold is soft metal and with everyday wear it might get damages, which may cause stone loose, metal breake etc.).

All gemstone rings, especially those with prong settings, should be checked for security annually and worn with relative care. We use our hands constantly, and bumps to the stone or metal can cause shifts and looseness. For that reason, they should be worn with extra care and checked frequently to be sure the prongs are tight and the diamond is secure.

14K gold and above kind of soft metals, so some minor scratches might appear in a while, but it's normal.

WHY IS MATTE OR POLISHED FINISH ON MY RING FADING?

No surface finish is permanent. Daily wear leads to small scratches on the surface of a polished ring. The accumulation of this wear will eventually make a polished ring look less polished and more matte. On the other hand, wearing a matte ring will eventually make the finish look more polished and less matte. Over time, all finishes tend toward the middle and will eventually look more like a satin finish.

Metals and stones FAQ

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN KARAT AND CARAT?

Karat is the unit used to measure the purity of gold. Carat is used to measure the weight of diamonds and gemstones.


GOLD KARAT DIFFERENCES. 10K,14K,18K

What is the Difference Between 10K, 14K, 18K and 24K Gold Jewelry?
The “K” stands for karat, which represents the percentage of pure gold in the metal alloy. Because pure gold is very malleable, jewelers mix it with other alloys to make it more durable and harder. Needless to say, 24k gold is rarely used in jewelry because it's too soft.

Purity: The higher the karat number, the higher percentage of pure gold exists in the jewelry. 10K = 41.7% 14K = 58.5% 18K = 75%

Cost: The higher the karat, the higher the cost. Price is based on the percentage of pure gold.

Color: Because pure gold is naturally yellow, the higher the karat, the more yellow the item will be.

10K Gold

Pros: very hard and durable; more affordable than other karat weights

Cons: contains more alloyed metals so more prone to cause skin issues; pale yellow color

10K gold is the least pure, least expensive, yet most durable, form of gold used widely in jewelry today. With its 41.7% gold purity, it’s the most impure gold available on the market that can still legally be called “gold” in the US and most other countries.

Due to its low gold content, it’s not very popular for engagement rings, wedding bands, or fine jewelry. It has a pale yellow appearance that appears stuck between a white gold or a yellow gold. It also has 58.3% alloy metal, which makes it likely to cause skin irritations or reactions if you’re allergic to nickel, silver, copper, zinc, or iron.

Durability: The higher the karat, the softer and more scratch-prone the alloy becomes. This is important to consider if you’re setting a gemstone in small prongs that you don’t want to bend easily.

14K Gold

Pros: very durable while still retaining a large amount of pure gold; a very good value

Cons: more likely to cause instances of skin irritation

The most popular gold for rings and other wearable jewelry in the US, 14K gold accounts for the metal used in about 90% of all engagement and wedding rings. It is a perfect choice for those who don’t have a strong feeling about the level of pure gold present in their ring. It offers a classic gold appearance without ever looking overly yellow as 18K gold sometimes can.

The main benefit of 14K gold is that it’s highly durable and affordable. It’s an excellent and practical choice for engagement rings and wedding bands since those are staple pieces of jewelry and worn every day. Scuffs and scratches aren’t really an issue with 14K gold, but it could possibly exacerbate skin issues for those who have a copper, zinc, silver, nickel, or iron allergy.

18K Gold

Pros: highest purity for all practical jewelry use; has amazing depth of golden color

Cons: higher purity makes it a more expensive karat weight; still easily scratched

This is the purest form of gold used extensively in jewelry, including watches. It has a rich, warm golden hue and is what people typically imagine when they think of gold jewelry. But because gold is naturally so soft, and 18K gold is 75% pure, it can be easily scratched with daily wear and tear.

18K gold is significantly more expensive than 14K and 10K gold because it has such high purity. But a nice benefit of that high purity level is that there’s less risk of jewelry made with 18K gold causing skin irritations or allergic reactions.

NOTE: we don't add ANY nickel to our alloys. In fact, we don't use nickel in any of our jewelry, even in silver with rhodium plating.

IS GOLD JEWELRY HYPOALLERGENIC?

No and Yes. Unless it’s 24K pure gold, it is an alloy and likely mixed with othermetals, such as copper, zinc, silver, or iron to make it stronger and less malleable. If you like the look of white gold, opt for platinum as an alternative. If you are partial to yellow gold and don’t have an extreme metal allergy, the higher Karats of gold may work for you.

NOTE: we don't add ANY nickel to our alloys. In fact, we don't use nickel in any of our jewelry, even in silver with rhodium plating.

WHY WHITE GOLD PLATED WITH RHODIUM?

Gold jewelry is plated with rhodium to make it look whiter, enhance its shine, and to give it a harder surface. Keep in mind, the plating will wear away and requires ongoing maintenance. It’s recommended to re-plate your jewelry every 1-2 years to keep it looking its best. OOZA Jewelry does not plate our white gold rings with rhodium, but will upon request.

To the naked eye, when an unplated ring isn't being closely compared to a plated white gold ring, the metal still looks white and requires no extra maintenance like its plated counterpart.


WHAT KIND OF STONES DO YOU WORK WITH?

We work with diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, moissanites, precious stones and some semi-precious stones. In particular cases we can suggest lab-grown alternatives for some stones, but we don't work with Svarovski stones, cubic zirconia and other synthetic stones.

For any stone replacement and availability we suggest a consultation with our assistant, but also please educate yourself about your desired stones. Some stones have characteristics you need to consider before you go ahead with your order.
Find out how your desired stone will react on excessive sun, chemicals, showering and labor intensive activities and then make your decition.


WHAT ARE THE 4 C’S?

The 4 C’s stand for Carat, Clarity, Color and Cut.

Carat is used to measure the weight of diamonds and gemstones.

Clarity refers to how clear a diamond is and is based on how many inclusions are inside the diamond. Inclusions can include minute crystals, growth patterns, tiny enclosed fractures, etc. Clarity is measured on a scale from IF (internally flawless) to I2 (included 2). The clearer a diamond is the rarer and thus, the higher the price.

Color refers to the color of a diamond. Diamonds tend to have a yellowish or brownish tint. The scale starts at D (colorless) and goes all the way down to Z (noticeable color). Most diamonds we see in the market are in the D-I range.

Cut refers to the cut of a diamond and is the most overlooked but possibly the most important! Cut is the only contribution by man, while all others are naturally occurring. Cut can really make or break the appearance of the stone. If a diamond has excellent proportions, symmetry and angles it is going to have optimal light return and be very sparkly. If a diamond has poor angles, poor symmetry and poor polish, it will appear dull and dark.

-We gladly accept bespoke, one-of-a-kind design orders. Tell us your inspiration and we will create the perfect piece! Contact us here: oozajewelry@gmail.com
Please keep in mind that custom orders CAN'T be canceled or returned, but contact me for any questions.

Sizing Details

-Domestic shipping is free for USPS First Class or Priority Mail
-Domestic shipping goes with Signature Confirmation.
-International packages are shipped according to the shipping method selected by customers.
-International Shipping- Import Tax:
Please note that International purchase is subject to local CUSTOM TAX, which is payable by the customer. OOZA Jewelry is not responsible for any additional taxes or duties associated with international deliveries.
-Please be aware: OOZA is not liable for lost shipments when delivery tracking indicates that it has been delivered. Also, we're not responsible for the delay in delivery due to the customer being unavailable.

• Customized or personalized orders (your stone variations, personal engravings etc.)
• Bespoke pieces and special orders
• Special sizes
• Items on sale

YOU WILL HAVE 12 HOURS TO CANCEL WITHOUT A FEE*** Cancelling an item after this time will result in a 10% re-stock fee. You will have 12 hours to cancel with no fee.

You'll have 1 month to check your pieces. 
14K gold and above kind of soft metals, so some minor scratches might appear in a while, but it's normal.

All pieces with rhodium might wear off in a while, to last such piece please DON'T try to clean it with any hard brushes or abrasive cloth, you might damage covering. You can clean it with steam at your local jewelry repair. 

About silver jewelry with rhodium cover and gold plating: in a while silver rings might get tarnish even with a gold cover. You can clean it with steam at your local jewelry repair. 

Once per 6 month you'll need to inspect your jewelry-any metal with everyday wear gets metal erosion, which may cause stone loose, metal brake etc. 

Prices

Please feel free to contact us: info@oozajewelry.com