***VERY IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING UPDATE***
Unfortunately, like so many small businesses, we unexpectedly learned today that as of now, December 13th 2024, the new restrictions ( GSPR ) for shipping to Northern Ireland and EU territories (Britain excluded) will take effect. It is with great sorrow that we must cease all shipping to Europe and Northern Ireland. We are devastated to make such a change, as we love seeing our jewels find their homes the world over, but as a small business, we are afraid that we will not be able to properly comply with the new, very stringent requirements.
We will be looking into this more as these restrictions start to take root and will change them if and when we are capable. We have been in contact with other small business owners and will continue to work together to find any solutions, but for the time being we will not be able to ship to the countries affected by . We have heard that some folks are engaging with third party shipping companies and we’d love to hear feedback from your experience if and when you have any to share.
If these restrictions apply to where you are and you have an outstanding order, we will be in touch with you in the coming days. Thank you so much for your patience and your understanding as we navigate a rapidly changing world.
Love, Jess and Team BloodMilk
Below is a detailed outline of our policies. Please read them carefully before placing your order. There is a link to our policy section in every listing so that you will be able to find this page easily. Once you have committed to placing an order you are entering into a mutual agreement that tells us you have read and understood each section below.
We hand craft each item for you at time of purchase. We are committed to keeping our production local; we work with a small, family run casting company in our hometown of Philadelphia as well as other local vendors and crafts people. This ensures no overseas ethical conflicts while allowing us to support our community and have a hands on commitment at every step of our production.
Please note that we do experience occasional events with our casters and other suppliers that are out of our control which can delay the turnaround time of your order. If you are purchasing a gift for a certain date, please communicate it to us immediately by sending a follow up email to bloodmilkjewels@gmail.com
In the event that your order is unable to be created and shipped and arrive to you by the date you need it, we do offer an ‘In Absentia’ certificate to anyone who has placed an order. This can be printed at home, presented to the intended recipient, and explains that a gift of Blood Milk Jewels is on its way. Please reach out to us with your order number to acquire this.
We are committed to providing kind and efficient customer service. Should you have any question or concern about your order before placing it or after you have received it, please reach out to us here: bloodmilkjewels@gmail.com and we will take care of you.
Payment
Major Credit Cards are accepted.
Paypal: It's easy to use and can be linked up to either your bank account or credit card. The site is very secure and the customer service people are very helpful.
Shipping
Orders ship approximately 6-8 weeks from time of purchase. Your will receive an automated shipping confirmation email as soon as your order is on its way to you. Please be aware, you will not receive "in progress" emails while your order is being worked on.
US CLIENTS:
We offer USPS and UPS options for your convenience. If you have any questions please reach out via email : bloodmilkjewels@gmail.com
UPS Ground: Turnaround time is 1-5 business days. It does not include insurance or signature upon delivery.
UPS Ground with Signature: This option's turnaround time is 1-5 business days, but requires a signature upon delivery. This is our *recommended* option as it assures that your package arrives safely into your hands.
UPS 2-Day Air with Signature: This option provides the same as above, but with a 2 day turnaround time instead of 1-5.
UPS Overnight Air with Signature: This option provides the same as above but UPS guarantees it will arrive the day after it is shipped.
USPS Flat Rate: Turnaround time is 1-3 business days. It does not include insurance or signature upon delivery.
USPS Flat Rate with Signature: This option's turnaround time is 1-3 business days, but requires a signature upon delivery. This is our *recommended* option as it assures that your package arrives safely into your hands.
USPS Express with Signature: This option provides the same as above, but with a 1-2 day turnaround time instead of 1-3.
PLEASE NOTE: UPS, USPS, and Bloodmilk Jewels can not be held responsible for your package after it has been marked delivered. Please be aware of this when choosing your shipping option. Please also make sure you are choosing a secure address for delivery.
INTERNATIONAL CLIENTS
IMPORTANT: International Shipping prices have increased over the past year, which has lead to an increase in our shipping prices. We are continuously monitoring this situation and will adjust prices accordingly as they change.
USPS First Class International: Although this shipping method can be unpredictable, we continue to offer it as a low cost option. PLEASE be aware that this turnaround time is usually 7-21 business days, but can be unpredictable and sometimes take much longer. This option offers no insurance and limited tracking.
USPS Priority International: This much safer option has a 6-10 day turnaround time as well as insurance up to $100.00, but does not guarantee tracking door to door.
USPS Express International with Insurance: This option has a 3-5 day turnaround time, covers your package at it's full value, and has door to door tracking.
UPS World Expedited: This much safer option has a 2-5 day turnaround time as well as insurance up to $100.00, as well as full tracking.
UPS World Express with Insurance: This option has a 1-2 day turnaround time, covers your package at it's full value, and has door to door tracking.
IMPORT FEES AND CUSTOMS :
Every country's import taxes (and or) duty fees are different and it is your responsibility alone to be aware of your own country's custom laws as well as your responsibility to pay the additional taxes & duty fees that goes along with importing merchandise from our country. We can not know how much the additional fees are, please be aware of your countries policies. Custom laws vary from country to country, some countries will hold your order for pick up. If you decline to retrieve your package from customs within their turn around time and it is shipped back to us, it is your responsibility to purchase additional shipping.
Falsifying shipping documents is illegal here in the US so please don't ask us to add a lesser value than to these documents than what the order is actually worth.
Refunds and Exchanges
Due to the unique custom nature of the jewelry, we don't accept returns nor issue refunds. Please consider your purchase carefully before placing your order.
Rings are custom made to fit your finger, make sure you choose the correct right size. If you are unsure of your ring size, we recommend visiting any jewelry store that sells engagement rings, they will be able to accurately size your finger. If you choose an incorrect size, we offer resizing services. These services also ensure that your ring will be finished in our signature gloomy gray. Having your ring resized elsewhere may result in a finish that does not match what we offer.
We do not stamp our sterling silver pieces. If you choose to take your jewel to another jeweler for resizing or repair, make sure you ask for an acid scratch test from them.
FAQ's
What is your return or exchange policy?
Because your jewels are made specifically for you once your order has been placed, we do have a general no return or exchange policy. It is our utmost goal that you are happy with your new jewels. Should you have any concerns once you have received your order, please contact us immediately and we will kindly work with you to find a resolution you are happy with. It is part of our business ethic to treat our clients with kindness and understanding. We will always treat you with respect and ask that you treat us likewise.
How should I care for my jewelry?
Keep them away from sprays, oils, makeup, etc. Put your jewels on after putting lotion on, using hair sprays and perfumes. When not being worn, store them in a dark dry place, wrapped in a cloth if possible. Keep your jewels away from extended amounts of direct sunlight and wet, humid areas like bathrooms. Rub them with a clean, dry microfiber cloth, being careful to work around sharp claws that could catch. Do NOT use any jewelry cleaners, as they are not meant to mix with the oxidation that's been carefully applied to your sterling silver jewel. If you ever feel your jewels are looking a bit too "well loved" and the above doesn't help, you can always send them back to us to re-oxidize and finish. Please reach out to us at bloodmilkjewels@gmail.com for more information on this.
Help! I broke something!
Each piece of BloodMilk Jewelry is designed with attention to detail and integrity to last for generations to come, however, we understand that life happens and accidents occur. We are always happy to assist with repairs for a reasonable fee. Please reach out to us at bloodmilkjewels@gmail.com and include photos of the issue.
How do I figure out my ring size?
We always recommend having your fingers professionally sized by visiting a jewelry store to find the most accurate fit. Most jewelers selling wedding and engagement rings will assist you with this as a complimentary service.
How do I convert my international ring size to US size?
Ring size conversion charts tend to vary slightly. We recommend consulting multiple charts and using your findings to make an educated decision on the ring size you believe will work best for you.
What if I order the wrong size ring?
We always suggest having your fingers professionally sized for the most accurate sizing prior to placing orders but we are happy to accomodate resizing requests. We simply ask that the ring, current size and what you would like it adjusted to are included in an email to bloodmilkjewels@gmail.com and we will reply with all details and pricing.
When will I receive a response to the email that I sent?
We always strive to answer emails within 24 hours of when it is received, in the order in which it is received, Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm EST US. We do provide our staff with a number of Federal Holidays off, on which they do not answer emails.
Do you offer payment plans?
Being a small business, we are unable to offer any payment plans.
Is there an option for pick-up or drop-off if I’m local to Philadelphia?
We are happy to accommodate both pick-ups and drop-offs whenever possible at our showroom space as long as it’s within the hours of 10:00am to 4:00pm, Monday - Friday. For further information and coordination, please email us directly at bloodmilkjewels@gmail.com.
Do you do custom work?
Jess Schnabel Horkey is the sole designer for BloodMilk Jewels and because of this, her time and energy is most valuably used creating jewels which our entire clientele can enjoy. For that reason we are not accepting requests for custom jewels.
Do you offer gold?
We offer the majority of jewels on our website in solid 14k and 18k rose, yellow and white gold as well as platinum. Please reach out to us via bloodmilkjewels@gmail.com for custom pricing. We do not offer our rings in less than 14k gold.
My plating or patina has worn off, what should I do ?
We no longer offer plating or re-plating services. If you are interested in having your plating completely removed and re-oxidized to resemble the jewels on our site, please reach out to bloodmilkjewels@gmail.com
Can I have something expedited or rushed?
All of our jewels are handmade to order and take approximately 6-8 weeks to create depending on the complexity of the piece. Given the attention to detail and high standards of quality, we are unable to make any guarantees that your order can be expedited or shipped prior to the stated turnaround time. That being said, we will always do everything in our power to get your jewels to you when you need them, so if you are hoping to have your jewels arrive by a specific (reasonable) date, please reach out to us with your order number so we can best assist you. We do also offer an 'In Absentia' certificate the we can email you after your order is placed, that explains a jewel is on its way. Just let us know!
Can I order something that is archived or retired?
Our jewels are archived/put in the vault for a number of reasons. If there is a piece of jewelry you are interested in that is marked *sold out* on our website, feel free to email us and we’ll put you on a list to be reached out to if/when it is available again. If the piece you desire is no longer on our site, reach out as well, there is always a chance it is something we can still create for you by request.
What if I have specific stone color preferences?
We love being able to accommodate special stone preferences and requests whenever possible. If you are ordering anything from our general catalog, never hesitate to reach out via email and ask if we have a specific stone color that you are interested in before placing your order. In regards to limited jewels, because our stones are only a small quantity, color preferences can not be accommodated.
Can I customize chain length?
When purchasing a necklace on our website, you’ll find a drop down menu offering varying chain lengths. These lengths were chosen per item to suit the pendant aesthetically and for practical wearbabilty reasons. If you would prefer a length not listed on the site, please reach out via email to find out if this is possible.
Other links:
Email: bloodmilkjewels@gmail.com
Main website: www.bloodmilkjewels.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bloodmilk
Personal Blog: www.bloodmilkblog.com
Tumblr: www.bloodmilk.tumblr.com