BLUE VELVETT

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Frequently Asked Questions

MATERIALS

PRODUCT CARE INFORMATION

OTHER INFORMATION

What is Vermeil?

Vermeil (pronounced vair-may) is a fine double-plating of 24 karat gold over sterling silver. It produces a lustrous gold finish, sometimes used to accentuate detail.

What is sterling silver?

Sterling silver must contain a minimum of 925 parts fine silver per 1000. Generally, copper is added to the alloy for durability and workability.

What is Patina?

Patina is the natural effect of use and age on a surface. Tiny, almost imperceptible scratches eventually merge to form a new lustrous finish. A rich patina on fine sterling silver and karat gold enhances its beauty over time.

What are Gemstones?

A gemstone is a mineral, rock or petrified material that when cut or faceted and polished can be used in Fine Jewellery. Some are organic, or come from living substances (such as amber, which is fossilised tree resin, jet, which is a form of coal and pearl, which is the nacre of living molluscs), and some are minerals that have developed over many years. View all Designer Jewellery at Blue Velvet.

A gemstone is treasured for its beauty, so appearance is nearly always its most important attribute. Characteristics that make a stone beautiful or desirable are colour, unusual optical phenomena within the stone, such as iridescence, interesting inclusions and rarity. Not all of these characteristics have to be present to make a stone highly desirable – diamond, for example, is prized because it is the hardest naturally occurring substance known and is able to reflect light brilliantly. Diamonds are far from rare, however, with millions of carats mined each year.

Opaque and translucent stones, such as opal and turquoise are commonly cut as cabochons, to show off their colour and surface properties.

Transparent gems are normally faceted, a method which shows the optical properties of the stone’s interior to its best advantage by maximising reflected light and thus making the stone ‘sparkle’ more. The facets must be cut at the right angles to optimize the light reflected back to the viewer, and this depends on the optical properties of the gem. Special equipment is used to hold the stone onto a flat lap for cutting and polishing the flat facets.

How should I store and care for my silver?

Sterling silver does tarnish naturally over time but can be cleaned very easily. Be sure to clean the silver only and avoid contact with any stones, particularly pearls and soft stones such as opals and emeralds, as the polish may cause damage to these stones.

Silver should be kept absolutely dry. If you wear your sterling silver jewellery frequently, keep it away from excessive exposure to air and store it in a tarnish-proof cloth such as the velvet pouch provided with your Blue Velvet jewellery or a good quality jewellery box. If your climate is humid, place a small packet of desiccant crystals inside your storage area, whether it is a closed box or a flannel roll.

  • Objects that are silver-plated or vermeil (gold-plated) must be cleaned with the same care as solid metals.
  • Remove all silver jewellery before showering or cleaning. Soap can cause a film to form on silver jewellery, making it appear dull and dingy.
  • A soft, lintfree cloth is an effective and inexpensive way to keep your silver pieces lustrous and shining.
  • Be particularly careful of chlorine. Chlorine, especially at high temperatures, can permanently damage or discolor your silver jewellery. Avoid wearing silver jewellery while using chlorine bleach or while in a pool or hot tub.
  • The most common tarnish-causing elements are wool, felt, food (eggs, onions, mayonnaise), rubber bands, latex gloves and certain paints. Tarnish is accelerated in a humid environment. Oily salts from fingers can also tarnish silver. You can remove light tarnish by using Fairy liquid and water. Carefully brush with a soft bristle brush, such as an old toothbrush. After brushing, simply rinse with lukewarm water and allow to dry. Frequent light cleanings are preferable to waiting until the tarnish gets so stubborn that more abrasive polishes have to be employed. Be particularly careful when attempting to clean any silver jewellery set with gemstones, as some stones require special cleaning procedures.
How should I care for my karat gold jewellery?

Gold jewellery should be cleaned regularly to maximise its beauty and shine.

  • Remove all gold jewellery before showering or cleaning. Soap can cause a film to form on gold jewelry, making it appear dull and dingy.
  • A soft, lintfree cloth is an effective and inexpensive way to keep your gold pieces lustrous and shining.
  • Be particularly careful of chlorine. Chlorine, especially at high temperatures, can permanently damage or discolor your gold jewellery. Avoid wearing gold jewellery while using chlorine bleach or while in a pool or hot tub.
  • You can remove light tarnish by using Fairy liquid and water. For more serious tarnish stains, use water mixed with a few drops of ammonia, available over the counter at a pharmacy. Carefully brush with a soft bristle brush, such as an old toothbrush. After brushing, simply rinse with lukewarm water and allow to dry. Be particularly careful when attempting to clean any gold jewellery set with gemstones, as some stones require special cleaning procedures.
Who are your designers?

You can view all of our designers on the designers page on the web site. Our hand-picked collections are sourced through designers worldwide making Blue Velvet a unique and exclusive fashion accessory boutique. Each designer is selected not only for the beauty of their designs but equally for their attention to the materials they use.

Are chains included?

Yes, whenever the chain length is indicated the chain is included.

Are the products pictured actual size?

Because computer monitors vary in size, it is impossible to show an actual size image on the Internet. We do endeavor to give you a clear idea of the size of the item by:

  • Supplying the information in the description
  • Providing pictures of the actual article worn to better display proportions
  • And for certain items a close up detail of the item
Can I have any special modifications made to your designs available (I need a longer length necklace; the ring size needs adjusting; etc…)

Yes. At Blue Velvet, you can make a special request by email prior to placing your order. After your request is relayed to us, we will contact you if there is a small additional charge or additional delivery time associated with your request. We will then notify you so you can place your order online or we will take your order over the phone

What do I do if I have not received my package 3 days after having placed my order?

All orders are shipped by Royal Mail Special Delivery Next Day service. If you have not received your ordered item(s) 3 working days after you placed your order on the Blue Velvet online Boutique please contact our sales team by e-mailing us at sales@bluevelvetboutique.co.uk . Please make sure you state your full name and order number in your e-mail.

How can I return or exchange my merchandise?

Blue Velvet operates a flexible return policy. For more information please refer to the Return policy page.

Ring Sizes
For the ring size chart please refer to the Size Chart.

Blue Velvet      The Online Boutique for Contemporary Designer Accessories