About the Jewelry

Shipping

When you adopt jewelry from MiladyCarol, each piece is securely sealed in an air-tight bag to prevent tarnishing and posted in a bubble-wrap envelope.

And… Shipping in the continental U.S. is FREE!  Yeah!

I am thrilled to send my pieces to a happy home anywhere in the world at the standard shipping rates.  I will email you with my cost.

Photos

I’ve done my very best to capture each piece in great lighting.  I’ve included multiple shots of some pieces to best represent its individual characteristics.  Please keep in mind that a photo is a poor substitute for seeing these amazing gems in real life.  It’s nearly impossible to capture the luster, sheen and true colors of each gem.  You will be amazed how much more beautiful they are once you are wearing them.

Care & Cleaning

When the jewelry isn’t being worn, it is best to keep it in the sealed bags to reduce tarnish.  Prolonged exposure to air creates a dark layer of oxidation on the metal components — especially silver.

I find individual bags are also convenient to keep the sets together.  There’s far less chance of one earring slinking off to parts unknown if they are securely stored together.

Bags also reduce the likelihood of inter-necklace entanglement, otherwise known as The Giant Ball of Jewelry that occurs after rummaging through a jewelry box.

It’s a great idea to wash jewelry to refresh its sparkle every so often.  Oil from skin, sweat and exposure to air may dull the gems and metals.

1. Find the most mild of liquid soaps (if you can read aloud, recognize and pronounce correctly all the ingredients on the label, it’s probably a good bet).

2. Add a couple drops of soap to a bowl of warm water, soak for 1-2 minutes, rinse thoroughly with clean water and hang to dry completely before returning it to the air-tight bag.

    Since many of my pieces nestle delicate pearls right next to metal beads, I do not advise cleaning the metal with polish.  Metal polish and polishing cloths impregnated with powders are harsh and will discolor and scratch the precious nacre on pearls.

    When to Remove Jewelry

    Wearing gorgeous jewelry is a wonderful feeling, yet, there are some really appropriate times not wear gemstone bliss.

    The general rule:  Jewelry is the last thing I put on in the morning and the first thing I take off at night.

    1. Always remove jewelry while sleeping.  Metal can kink and bend and, if you are like The Princess and the Pea, it can be uncomfortable.

    2. Always remove jewelry while applying makeup, perfume and hairspray.  Alcohol and other chemicals destroy pearls and can ruin the polish on some gems.

    3. Always remove jewelry during hairstyling — especially earrings.  If a comb tangles in an earring… ouch!

    4. Always remove jewelry during exercise.  Sweat is rough on pearls and polish.  Twenty minutes of vigorous exercise may be akin to soaking jewelry in water for the same amount of time.  That stresses the stringing materials and spring components of clasps.

    5. Always remove jewelry during physical labor where bracelets could become caught and broken.

      Special Orders

      As a rule, I do not take any special orders.  Each piece is a one-of-a-kind creation based on the beads or a design idea that appeals to me.  It’s all about inspiration and the sheer love of the medium.  I create sparkling, dazzling jewelry because it’s my passion, yet I have other businesses that require my attention, as well.

      I always invite feedback and suggestions.  If you see a design that you would like in another color, feel free to email me with your request.  I will always respond.  I may be inspired by your idea and create a new piece.  If so, I will offer it to you first.

      Repairs

      I take great pride in my craftsmanship.  I design and build each piece to last and be an heirloom.  With care and responsibility, it is reasonable that your children could still be wearing the pieces you adopt.

      If a piece arrives broken from shipping or if a finding does not function properly from the start, feel free to contact me within 30 days to arrange its return.  I’ll replace the broken bits and ship it right back to you.

      Life happens, and so does normal wear and tear.  After time, metal may fatigue, findings may fail and stringing materials may break — especially if it is a favorite and regularly worn piece.  If  your jewelry should break, or look like it should be re-strung, I recommend you find a local bead shop or jeweler that does repair.  By the time you ship it back to me and then pay for repair, it would be less than cost effective.