FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHERE IS YOUR BUSINESS LOCATED?
Rachel Renee Jewelry's home studio is located in Chicago, Illinois. Our studio is not currently open to the public, but we have a retail space located in Andersonville Galleria at 5247 N. Clark Street in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood and are carried at various boutiques in the area! Visit our "upcoming events" section to see our in person event schedule.
JEWELRY & MATERIALS
WHAT MATERIALS DO YOU USE?
Rachel Renee Jewelry is handcrafted using recycled sterling silver, 14K gold-filled metals, and natural semi-precious gemstones. Because each piece is handmade, natural variations in gemstones and subtle variations in texture are part of what make each piece unique.
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ARE YOUR PIECES LIGHTWEIGHT?
Yes. Comfort and wearability are an important part of my design process. I love creating sculptural pieces that make an impression without feelings heavy or cumbersome to wear.
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ARE YOUR GEMSTONES NATURAL?
Yes, I primarily use natural semi-precious gemstones, along with freshwater pearls and other natural materials. Because these stones are formed in nature, variations in color, pattern, inclusions and shape are to be expected - and celebrated.
JEWELRY CARE
HOW SHOULD I CARE FOR MY JEWELRY?
Rachel Renee Jewelry is created by hand in Chicago, Illinois. Each piece is handcrafted using the finest of materials and care. Due to the nature of handmade, there may be slight differences, but this will only add character to your handmade jewelry.
For safekeeping and damage prevention, we recommend you store your Rachel Renee Jewelry in the provided giftbox, or in an air tght jewelry storage container of choice. Sterling silver and 14k gold fill jewelry can tarnish over time when exposed to air, but a gentle polish using a soft polishing cloth will make your jewelry look brand new. While the majority of our pieces can get wet, we disagree with the popular phrasing of "waterproof jewelry," and with that, suggest not sleeping, swimming or showering in your jewelry to increase the overall lifespan of your pieces.
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WILL STERLING SILVER TARNISH?
Yes. Sterling silver naturally oxidizes over time, particularly when exposed to moisture, chemicals and air. This is a normal characteristic of silver rather than a defect, and adds a beautiful patina and character to your piece. However, if you prefer a polished silver look, a gentle polishing cloth may be used to restore its shine. Some of my pieces are intentionally given a darker, oxidized area to emphasize texture, dimension, so take care when polishing. The patina will eventually lighten with time and wear into a more antiqued silver look, and we can re oxidize your jewelry at your request.
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WHAT ABOUT GOLD-FILLED JEWELRY?
14k gold-filled jewelry contains a substantial 100 layers of solid 14 karat gold that is heat and pressure bonded to jeweler's brass, making it more durable than gold plating. With proper care, it can be worn for many many years. However, it can still be affected by chemicals, abraision and prolonged exposure to moisure.
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SILK KNOTTED JEWELRY CARE
Rachel Renee silk knotted jewelry is made from intentionally selected natural semi-precious gemstones featuring handmade clasps and components of recycled sterling silver and gold-filled metals. Each beautiful stone is nestled securely between two knots, this process prevents friction and damage between the stones, and results in a beautiful draping quality when worn.
Silk is a natural fiber that will stretch and show wear over time. To keep your jewelry looking its best for as long as possible, remember the mantra: For jewelry that lasts, put your jewels on last. Avoid contact with water and chemicals, and store flat in secure box or pouch.
DOES RACHEL RENEE JEWELRY OFFER WHOLESALE ORDERS?
Yes, if you are a retailer and are interested in carrying Rachel Renee Jewelry in your shop, we would be thrilled to work with you! You can find us here on FAIRE Wholesale. If you are interested in working with us to curate a collection just for you, please reach out and tell us a little bit about your shop, and be sure to share your social media handle with us so we can get to know you a little better.
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WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?
PayPal or Direct Payment of credit cards through our site are the approved methods of payment. All orders will begin once payment is received. Our in-person events we process credit cards and apple pay through Square, but also accept Venmo and Cash in exact payment only. ( All items are subject to Chicago, Illinois Sales tax upon checkout.
SHIPPING
WHERE DO YOU SHIP?
We offer free domestic shipping on all Rachel Renee Jewelry website orders within the U.S over $50.00. We do not ship internationally at this time.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO RECEIVE MY ORDER?
Rachel Renee Jewelry orders are handmade in the order in which they are received. Your order will be filled as quickly as possible, usually within 3-14 business days and shipped via USPS Ground Advantage (3-7 days). Turnaround time may vary and be longer around Holidays, please anticipate longer shipping times as well. We will notify you of any anticipated delays. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any special turnaround times and we will do our best to accommodate your needs. A rush order is available for an extra charge and includes priority shipping, typically 1-3 business days. The majority of our pieces are made to order just for you, and the production time may not be flexible in all cases - so if you have a tight deadline, we recommend that you reach out to us prior to placing a rush order.
When your order is ready to ship, your will receive a shipping confirmation with tracking details. Once an item ships, it is out of our hands and Rachel Renee Jewelry is not responsible for packages damaged or lost in transit.
Thank you for ordering from Rachel Renee Jewelry!
WHAT IS YOUR RETURN POLICY?
We want you to love your Rachel Renee Jewelry. If you aren't completely satisfied with your purchase, you can send it back to us for an exchange or refund within 10 days of receipt. Custom orders are not eligible for return or exchange. Please contact us prior to returning. For your protection, please pack your return item securely in an insured trackable carrier. Rachel Renee Jewelry is not responsible for items damaged or lost in transit.
LOST JEWELRY & JEWELRY REPAIR
Though we pride ourselves on quality craftsmanship, jewelry can sometimes break. Please send an email to rachelreneejewelry@gmail.com to share details about your situation. If we are able to repair or replace the item, you will be able to ship your jewelry to the studio, and we will return it good as new. You will be responsible for shipping fees, and additional charges may apply.
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Lose an earring? In many cases we can create a replacement earring to reunite your favorite pair! Please reach out with any questions, and we will get back to you shortly. If we have the materials available to recreate a piece, we would love to help, and may even ask you to send a couple photos of the remaining earring next to a ruler so we can mimic the organic form as closely as possible.
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Restringing services of silk knotted jewelry is evaluated on a case by case basis, and if accepted, an estimated charge is subject to change based on condition of stones once evaluated in person. Do not hesitate to reach out - we are happy to help any way we can!
WHAT IS YOUR PRIVACY POLICY REGARDING CUSTOMER INFORMATION?
Customer privacy is very important to us. We do not send marketing emails without direct consent, nor will we sell, share, or trade any information you supply with us to third parties. We may share customer feedback on our social media accounts, but all customer information will remain anonymous. Thank you for your trust! Additionally, we will request your consent prior to sharing any photographs on social media or for marketing purposes of customers wearing our jewelry. If you have granted permission in the past and have changed your mind, please do not hesitate to reach out for an image to be removed, no questions asked. Your trust and safety will always remain our first priority.
CUSTOM JEWELRY
DO YOU CREATE CUSTOM JEWELRY?
We love creating custom and customized Rachel Renee pieces for you! Many of our designs are made to order, and highly customizable so please do not hesitate to ask. Examples of customized pieces may be making a necklace a little longer or shorter, different sizes, showcasing a different gemstone, or one of our favorites - designing a collection of Bridal Party jewelry with your specific color scheme. Additional charges may apply to cover sourcing of materials, and time spent reimagining your pieces.
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Custom work is something we absolutely love - however, we only take on about 1-2 custom creations a year. We take the honor of being asked very seriously, and will only take on projects that we are confident we are the best artist to bring your jewelry dream to life. If you are interested in submitting a request, please send us an email describing the beauty you have been imagining, and we will be in touch. A deposit will be requested up front before beginning work on any custom pieces.
Still Have a Question?
I'm always happy to help.
DISCLAIMER
Rachel Renee Jewelry reserves the right to make modifications to the site and information at any time, for any reason. We reserve the right to refuse or cancel any orders at any time. We also reserve the right to limit the quantity of items ordered by a retail or wholesale customer. All jewelry is made by Rachel Renee from start to finish in her Chicago home studio using recycled metals and natural gemstones. All images and jewelry designs are the intellectual property of Rachel Renee Jewelry.