Lesley H Phillips . . " DISTINCTLY DECO "

Handmade Silver & Gold Bespoke Jewellery
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Frequently Asked Questions 
                                                                     
Q: How is a gift voucher redemed?          

A:  Purchasers may buy a Gift Voucher for a designated recipient, who may then redeem that Gift Voucher on purchases made with Lesley H Phillips using PayPal. The purchaser must define the recipient at the time of purchase for Gift Vouchers if delivered by email. Once purchased, Gift Vouchers delivered by email may not be transferred to a different recipient. A recipient must have a PayPal account and pay using PayPal to redeem a Gift Voucher.   A commissioned item may be discussed by the recipient for the value of the gift voucher (or greater) with Lesley H Phillips. They do not have to choose items only avaliable on the website.

Q: How long will it be before I receive my item(s)?

A: On receipt of CLEARED payment, then if an item you have chosen is in stock, it will be posted within 48 working hours.  If your chosen item needs to be made for you then I will contact you and advise you of the timescales.  Earrings, for example may only take a short while longer but for more complex items please allow time for me to make them.   

Of course, there is only a small selection of my jewellery showing on the website and  it may be that you'd like to design or assist with the design of your special item of jewellery. We will of course spend time discussing this. We can discuss via email, telephone or in person.  I will naturally make every effort to ensure that your item is ready for any special occassion. I generally wish to allow 4 - 8 weeks for designing and making a commissioned item on receipt of cleared deposit depending on the complexity of the design, (naturally this is not 'set in stone' and is dependent on my current workload, so  there obviously can be leeway with this timescale).  Should you wish the full set of Assay Marks to be on your commissioned item, then a further 3 weeks is required for the London Assay Office.

Q: Can you tell me more about commissioning a special item?

A: Please feel free to contact me via telephone or my 'contact' page.

 

Please don't feel that you're obligated to purchase, merely by making an enquiry.  I am happy to provide you with a very rough costing estimate based on sufficient details at your initial enquiry.

 

I will involve you as little or as much as you require in the design of your special item.  

Naturally I have my own style and this will feature in the design of your special item. I use a traditional rub over setting for faceted or cabachon gemstones which you can see examples of on the website.  I make every item from sheet and wire and do not use casting within my work.  I feel that this does not make a piece unique as it is cabable of being replicated time and time again. In view of this, some shapes may only be formed by casting and cannot be recreated by hand.  I use 9ct yellow gold with silver as 'decoration' for the silver, for example the gemstone settings can often made with 9ct yellow gold, rather than a piece being made solely from gold.

 

If you wish me to replicate an item, e.g. a chattel, then please provide me with sufficient pictures or diagrams showing the whole item which will enable me to view it from all angles; together with the dimensions you require.  Alternatively you can provide me with a website which will give me the details I need to replicate it. If you wish to commission a ring, I will naturally require the ring size.

 

Prior to accepting my quote or estimate, you will be provided with T&C's for your perusal. For silver work, I will provide a quotation. Where any work has to be subcontracted, then I will provide an estimate only for the subcontracted element.  If 9ct gold is used in your design, then I will only provide an estimate as the price fluctuates daily.  I will provide a maximium estimate and I provide a guarantee that your final price will not exceed the maximium. I ask for a 25% non refundable deposit upon instruction of your commission.

 

Please see the question above for timescales. 

 

Q:  How do I care for my item of jewellery?
A: As silver items do tarnish when they are not worn regularly, an inexpensive silver polishing cloth can be purchased from any high street jeweller.  Alternatively, you can dip your item in household soda powder.  For every pint of very hot (not boiling) water use 1 tablespoon of soda powder.  This is not recommended for an item with a gemstone.
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