Frequently Asked Questions
Got a question? We probably have an answer. If your question hasn't been answered here, use our contact form.
General
How is the jewelry made?
All Villa Atelier pieces are made by hand with locally-sourced materials. Due to our use of natural materials, small variations are to be expected.
What exactly does gold-filled mean?
Simply put, gold-filled means that a layer of real gold has been mechanically bonded onto a base metal to create a durable and long-lasting piece of jewelry. The gold content in this type of jewelry is legally required to be 5% of its total weight.
Gold-filled jewelry is made by using a tube of real gold that is then filled with a base metal. This combination is heated until it fuses together, resulting in a durable layer of gold that is at least 100x thicker than gold-plating.
Gold-filled jewelry has the luxurious look of solid gold without the high price tag. It is also a great option for people with sensitive skin, as the base metal used in gold-filled jewelry is hypoallergenic.
How do I care for my jewelry?
Day-to-day preventative care: Gold-filled jewelry is amazing for everyday wear, but avoiding certain things will help prolong its lifetime and shine. Here are some guidelines to follow:
- Don't apply harsh chemicals directly on the pieces (e.g. hand sanitizer, lotion, perfume, sunscreen). If you are applying these on your body, put your jewelry on after everything is applied.
- Avoid pools and hot tubs, as the chlorine will damage the gold.
- Avoid swimming in the ocean, as the salt water can harm the gold.
- When you are not wearing your gold filled jewelry, store it in away from direct sunlight.
If you accidentally do these a few times, not to worry! Your pieces are very durable.
Cleaning gold-filled jewelry: Usually, gold-filled jewelry requires very little cleaning; however, with everyday wear, dirt and dust may accumulate on the pieces.
- Use mild soap and lukewarm water and soak your piece in the solution for 5 minutes.
- Gently scrub your piece with a soft bristled toothbrush or with your fingers. Make sure to really focus on the areas with the most build-up.
- Gently pat your piece dry with a soft cloth.
- Rinse and repeat if needed.
You can also use a polishing cloth to help restore its original shine.
Your gold-filled jewelry will not oxidize or corrode when immersed in water. While you can shower and swim with gold-filled jewelry, it’s better to keep it as dry as possible. This includes lotions and sweat, so it’s best to remove all gold filled jewelry while exercising or moisturizing. We also recommend keeping it in its own silk bag whilst traveling so that it doesn’t rub against other jewelry.
By looking after your gold-filled jewelry correctly, you can extend its lifespan by years or even decades.
Please keep in mind that many natural gemstones and pearls are NOT entirely waterproof due to their porous nature.
Are the pearls and gemstones real?
Yes, Villa Atelier exclusively uses natural gemstones and pearls in all of our pieces.
How do I make sure I order the correct size?
You will need either a measuring tape or string and ruler. The spot you’re measuring will vary based on the piece you’re measuring for. Make sure to place your measuring tape or string exactly where you’d like the jewelry piece to sit.
Take your measuring tape or string, and wrap it around where you would like the jewelry piece to sit, making sure that the long end completely overlaps the tail end. Ensure that there are no bumps, ridges, or uneven spots on the tape measure/string to get the most accurate measurement.
If using a tape measure, you’ll have your measurement right away. If using string, pinch the spot on the long end where it overlaps the tail end, then remove the string from your body and hold it against the ruler to find the length of the section you just measured.
Is your jewelry hypoallergenic?
Yes, gold-filled jewelry is hypoallergenic. 99.99% of people do not experience sensitivity to gold-filled jewelry. If you can wear solid gold without any issues, you should have no problems wearing gold-filled jewelry either.
Do you offer customs?
Yes! We LOVE customs! Request your special design through the Custom Inquiry Form.
How often are new pieces added to the shop?
Currently, there is no set time frame for shop updates. Turn on instagram post notifications or subscribe to receive emails from us to be notified when new pieces are added to the shop.
Can I wear your jewelry every day?
Yes! Gold-filled jewelry is designed to be durable and long-lasting, making it a great option for everyday wear. However, it’s important to avoid exposing your jewelry to harsh chemicals or abrasive materials, as this can damage the gold layer.
I have [X item] that I want to be used in a custom jewelry piece by you, can you do that?
Most likely, yes! Inquire through the Custom Inquiry Form and include the full details of your request.
Orders & Shipping
Where do you ship from?
All orders are shipped from my college apartment in Austin, Texas.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes! Villa Atelier offers ShopPay for both made-to-order and custom pieces.
Do you offer free shipping?
Yes! Villa Atelier offers FREE shipping on orders of $60 or more within the United States.
Orders below $60 will be shipped for a flat rate of $5.
When will I receive my order?
Please understand that we are a small business and every piece is made by hand, just for you! It can take us up to a week to process and complete made-to-order pieces, and up to 4 weeks for customs pieces.
Shipping time frame varies based on location. Orders generally arrive within 3-5 business days, although they can take up to or greater than a week.
Please let us know if you need your piece by a specific date. We will do our very best to accomodate tight deadlines.
How do I track my order?
Once your order ships, you’ll receive a separate email providing you with a tracking number to track your order. Sometimes this email gets sorted into spam or promotions folders, so be sure to take a look in there if it feels like you’ve been waiting a little too long.
Please understand that once packages enter the postal system, it is quite literally out of our hands, meaning that Villa Atelier does not have authority over or additional knowledge of packages in transit.
How do I make changes to an order I’ve already placed?
In the event that you make a mistake on your order, don’t sweat it, just please be sure to contact us as soon as possible at villaatelierco@gmail.com or via the Contact section in the Connect tab.
In an effort to send out orders as quickly as possible, we ask that you notify us of any order changes/errors within 24 hours.
Returns & Exchanges
I changed my mind, can I return my order?
Unfortunately, due to hygienic reasons, all sales are final and Villa Atelier does not accept returns or exchanges. Please read listing descriptions carefully before purchasing.
What if the jewelry arrives damaged?
Please inspect your order upon reception and contact us immediately if the item is defective or damaged, so that we can evaluate the issue and make it right. Please provide us with your order number and a photo of the damaged pieces. We will cover the cost of the repair in the event your order arrives damaged from the mail and will work to get you a replacement as soon as possible.
What happens if something I order from you breaks?
While Villa Atelier is extremely confident in the quality of our creations, we understand that there is an inherently delicate quality to jewelry and accidents out of our control may occur. If you experience any issues with breakage or damage of one of your Villa Atelier pieces, please don’t hesitate to reach out for repairs. We will come to an agreement on price and shipping costs, depending on what is needed for each individual case.