Frequently Asked Questions – Syd + Pia Jewelry

Frequently Asked Questions

What personal information do we collect & for what purpose is it used?

﻿We receive and store any information you provide when making a purchase. We automatically collect  certain types of information about your use of our website, including information about your interaction with product viewed and purchased. We use your personal information to process your payments, handle shipping of your order(s) and new development of the items we offer.


Why is my order  taking over two weeks to ship?

We stock very little of each piece; therefore all of our pieces are custom cast to order or hand made to order depending if the piece requires a mold or fabricated from the bottom up.  Each of these processes takes several days, preparing the wax for casting, the lost wax casting process, polishing, soldering, plating, etc.  We will have more than two pieces stock during the holidays in order to expedite your orders especially if it’s a holiday gift. if you need your order sooner please contact us and we will try our best to accommodate your needs.


Do you ship internationally?

Yes, we have partnered with a company to ensure that your product gets to you safe and sound. Import duties and taxes are the responsibility of the customer and are not included in the cost of your item. You will have duties and taxes due upon customs clearance. 


Why can't my item be returned?

We custom cast or hand make all of our pieces based on orders. All Sales on this site, and Custom Items are FINAL SALE and may not be returned. 


What is gold filled & is it real gold?

“Gold-filled” is an industry standard that legally requires 1/20th, or 5% pure gold by weight. It's a strictly regulated process that involves pressure bonding multiple layers of solid 14k gold with extreme heat over a core of high quality jeweler's brass resulting in a durable, quality real gold product. Although a gold filled piece of jewelry is not sold gold, it has the same desirable properties and look of solid gold. The gold in 14k gold-filled is real. There's a thick layer of real, solid 14k gold on the outside of a brass metal core. The 14k gold that's on the outside of gold-filled is the same gold as you would get from a solid 14k piece. It won’t tarnish and will not rub off or turn colors. Wearers who are sensitive to certain metals can wear gold filled without worries of an allergic reaction.

What is gold plated and how many carats of gold do you use?

Gold Plated jewelry is the best option for wearers who are jewelry obsessed but dont want to spend solid gold price.  Gold plated jewelry is made by using electricity or chemicals to deposit and bond a very thin layer of gold over another metal. This process creates a layer as thin as 1/1000 to 3/1000 of an inch of gold over a more affordable metal, we use silver or brass for this process.  We plate our jewelry 1 micron of 14k gold. 


Is your metal recycled?

All of our metals, gold, silver, bronze is recycled.  


How do I care for my jewelry?

  1. Do not spray on perfume or other sprays while wearing your gold plated jewelry or any jewelry for that matter. Wear your jewelry after you have sprayed on your favorite perfume so that chemicals on the spray or perfume does not interact with your jewelry’s metal.
  3. Clean your jewelry with a cotton ball or a very soft cloth to remove any dust and dirt it has acquired after every use. Gently rubbing the surface of your gold plated jewelry using a soft jewelry cloth also helps restore shine.


Do I need to keep any substance away from my jewelry?



What is the difference between a freshwater pearl vs. saltwater pearls?

The main difference between Freshwater and Saltwater Pearls is: Saltwater pearls of a much thinner nacre coating from 0.5mm to, whereas Freshwater pearls are nearly 100% nacre. Saltwater pearls are generally more expensive due to their scarcity, compared to the more common Freshwater pearls. 


Are freshwater pearls real pearls?
Freshwater pearls come from oysters that mature in non-saline water (from lakes or ponds, as opposed to saltwater from the sea). Freshwater pearls usually are not as round as saltwater pearls and therefore less expensive.  Freshwater pearls come in a huge range of shapes and sizes and colors.
What are baroque freshwater pearls?
Baroque pearls are pearls with an irregular non-spherical shape. Shapes can range from minor aberrations to distinctly ovoid, curved, pinch, or lumpy shapes. Most cultured freshwater pearls are baroque because freshwater pearls are mantle-tissue nucleated instead of bead nucleated.



How do I care for leather?

Real leathers and suedes should only be cleaned by professional leather and suede cleaners. These care instructions given are for Leather Fabrics in general, however, Syd + Pia does not accept responsibility for cords that are incorrectly cleaned/damaged by following these instructions.