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1. To what destinations does Exquisite Jewelry Design currently SHIP product?

All of our Latin American Handcrafted Jewelry can be shipped anywhere in the world.  Shipping rates reflect US and Canada only. Additional shipping charges (to be calculated and charged to your credit card) will apply for other world destinations.

2. I have seen other cheaper Jewelry from Peru made with Alpaca Silver. Your Exquisite Jewelry Designs are made with Sterling Silver. What is the difference?

Alpaca Silver. also  known as German Silver, Paktoing, New Silver and Nickel SIlver, is a metal alloy of copper with nickel and often zinc. A representative industrial formulation (Alloy No.752) is 65% copper, 18% nickel, 17% zinc. Notice no Silver is present in alpaca silver. Alpaca Silver IS NOT a precious metal.

Sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. Sterling the silver is usually alloyed with copper to give strength whilst preserving the ductility of the silver and a high precious metal content. Ductility is the amount that any material yields under shear stress. The term "Sterling Silver", in reference to the .925 grade of silver, emerged in England by the 13th century. Sterling Silver is a precious metal. Don't be fooled by cheap silver imitations like Alpaca Silver.

3. How do I care for turquoise and other semi-precious stones used in my Exquisite Jewelry Designs jewelry?

Keep turquoise and other semi-precious stones away from high heat and chemicals such as oils, perfumes, and household cleaners. Avoid constant bombardment of chemicals. Clean your turquoise in warm, sudsy water and dry it immediately with a soft cloth. Gentle natural cleaning is best. Avoid commercial jewelry cleansers.

4. How do I safely care for the cultured pearls used in my Exquisite Jewelry Designs jewelry?

Whether your pearls are cultured or natural, you must protect the nacre coating, the patina deposited by the clam that gives pearls their unique appearance.

• Put your pearls on after you have applied makeup, perfume, hand or body creams.
• Don't use abrasive cleaners or rub pearls with abrasive cloth. Avoid ultrasonic cleaning machines. Avoid cleaning with ammonia or harsh detergents.
• Wipe your pearls with a soft, lint-free cloth as soon as you take them off. The cloth can be dampened with water or it can be dry. If damp, allow the pearls to air dry before putting them away.
• Dirty pearls can be cleaned with a mild soap and water solution (try Ivory flakes or Melaleuca Tough 'n Tender).

5. How do I properly measure the length of a necklace?

Necklace length measurement should include the clasp that holds a necklace in place. The clasp can add three-quarters of an inch, or even more, to the necklace length. Necklace length measurements at Exquisite Jewelry Designs includes the clasp and hook lengths in the overall length given for each necklace.

 
6. What are the various standard necklace lengths?

Short Necklaces

• Short, fifteen or sixteen inch necklaces are called chokers. They rest just above the collarbone, accenting your neckline.

• Even shorter necklaces are called collars. They wrap snugly around your neck.

Longer Necklaces

• A princess necklace usually measures about eighteen inches and. hangs just below the collarbone.

• Twenty-four inch necklaces are sometimes referred to as matinee length necklaces. They hang much lower on your body, extending to the breast area.

• An opera length is 28 inches or more.

• Ropes are very long necklaces that can be worn as is or wrapped to create a two-stranded choker.

• Lariats are another type of very long necklace, but they typically have no clasp on the end so that you just tie and knot them in different ways to suit your style. This versatile jewelry can also be used as a decorative belt.