DIAMONDS

 

What is the Kimberley process? Does it verify that Diamonds are ethically-sourced?

The Kimberley Process certification scheme was created in 2003 to break the link between Diamonds and violence and to help aid the diamonds sourced are ethically sourced and are “conflict free”. At Opes, we deal only in ethically sourced and conflict free diamonds.

 

How does Opes hold its suppliers to its high standards on sourcing?

Opes carefully selects a small number of suppliers who can demonstrate adherence to our high standards on sourcing.

 

Do ethically-sourced Diamonds cost more?

Our careful sourcing methods do not lead to higher prices. The Diamond mines we source from do not add a premium simply because they treat people and the environment with respect. The market for Diamonds is global. Opes offers excellent value by providing our socially conscious jewelry at the lowest possible price.

 

How can I find a Diamond that is not in your inventory?

Our inventory is constantly being updated. Please contact us so we can help you find a Diamond that is perfect for you.

 

Can I upgrade my Opes Diamond?

Opes is proud to offer free lifetime Diamond upgrades. Any loose Diamond purchased from us, can be exchanged for credit equivalent to the original purchase price minus 15% for a new Diamond that is at least fifty percent greater value. In order to be eligible, the Diamond being upgraded must be accompanied with original documentation and must be in saleable condition. Upgrades are not available for colored gemstones, settings and jewelry. Upgrade credit does not include duty or tax paid on the original purchase. All applicable duties and taxes will be charged on the full retail price of the new Diamond before any credit is applied.

 

Is my Diamond laser inscribed?

All our Diamonds > 1 Carat are laser inscribed on the girdle with an identification number. Laser inscriptions provide peace of mind when making a Diamond purchase since they are an easy way to identify our Diamonds.

 

Do you deal in lab grown Diamonds?

No. Opes offers only natural Diamonds. 

 

Can I buy a loose Diamonds?

Yes, absolutely. Please contact us if you like to buy loose Diamonds.

 

 

GEM STONES

 

Are your other gemstones ethically sourced?

We carry a variety of beautiful colored gemstones and strive to offer gemstones that are sourced in alignment with fair trade and environmentally responsible principles.

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Do you offer other gemstones such as rubies, emeralds, saphires, etc.?

We offer a wide variety of gemstone. Please contact us to discuss all of your gemstone options.

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Are your gemstones treated?

All gemstones purchased from Opes are of natural origin and have not been chemically treated to alter their natural beauty. Most of Opes stones are heat-treated, which is an accepted industry standard. Heat treatment improves color, clarity, and overall appearance. No radiation or chemical treatment.

 

OPES JEWELRY

 

Can I buy a setting without buying a Diamond?

We do not sell or create settings unless the customer is also purchasing a center stone from Opes . Our settings are made-to-order with each one handcrafted for a center gem with unique characteristics to ensure the quality of the finished piece. For this reason, we do not provide stand-alone settings or semi mounts. Please let us know if we can assist you with selecting a center gem from Opes .

 

Can I put an item on hold?

We are happy to extend a formal hold for you, for a limited time of 5 days. Please contact us for more information.

 

What if I want a center stone shape that is not offered for that setting?

Many of our settings can be easily modified to accommodate a different center stone shape than what is offered online. Please contact us to discuss all of your modification options.

 

I like a piece of jewelry on your site, but would you make a small change for me?

All of our pieces are generally made to order, which makes us able to customize any of our items in our online store to fit your personal preferences. For example, we can modify the center gem shape, the finish, the precious metal, and the gems that we set. Please contact us to discuss all of your modification options.

 

Can you help me design a custom piece of jewelry?

Opes specializes in full custom design, and can create the jewelry piece you desire. For more details, please contact us.

 

METAL

 

Do you offer alternative metal options such as rose gold and palladium?

Yes. Opes is proud to offer Platinum, Gold (Yellow, Rose and White) in 22K, 18K and 14k, and Silver. White Gold can be with Rhodium or without. For more information about these options, please contact us. At this time, Opes does not work with Palladium or Titanium.

 

What is the difference between Carat and Karat?

Carat: Diamond weight is measured in Carats. 1 Carat is equivalent to 200mg or 5 Carats equal one gram.

Alternatively, 141.75 Carats equal one Ounce (Oz).

 

Karat: The quantity of gold in a given alloy is expressed in karats (abbreviated as K or KT). Pure gold is 24K; 22K gold is approximately 92% gold and 8% other metals, 18K gold is 75% gold and 25% other metals. In other words, each karat is equal to roughly 4.17% of the total of the alloy.

As jewelry, it was gold's softness and natural beauty that made it appealing, in addition to the fact that it doesn't corrode or tarnish. It is so soft, in fact, that pure gold is rarely used in jewelry. It is mixed with another metal, usually copper or silver, to make a stronger gold alloy, or mixture of metals. The quantity of gold in a given alloy is expressed in karats (abbreviated as K or KT). Pure gold is 24K; 18K gold is 75% gold and 25% other metals. In other words, each karat is equal to roughly 4.17% of the total of the alloy.

As the karat weight drops, the metal becomes more durable but less yellow.

 

How can Gold come in colors?

White gold has the same properties as yellow gold, but it has been mixed with different metals to give it a white color. Instead of the copper and silver used in yellow gold, white gold contains such metals as nickel, zinc, or even platinum. 18K yellow gold and 18K white gold contain the same proportion of gold; only the remaining 25% of the alloy is different. Sometimes, white gold is plated with an even whiter metal, such as Rhodium (a very rare member of the platinum family), to enhance or brighten its appearance.

Similarly, rose gold has the same properties as yellow and white gold, but it has been mixed with different metals to give it a pinkish color. More copper-colored alloys are added to lend a rose tone to the gold.

 

Gold, now a days is being offered in black, green, and brown colors as well. Different colored gold is being developed to give a different look to jewelry and to enhance the beauty of the setting with colored gemstones.

 

Can different colors of Gold be used side by side in the same item of jewelry?

When Rose/White Gold is used side by side with Yellow Gold, it creates a striking effect. Jewelry using both colors is called "two-tone" jewelry and where all three colors are used, it is called "three-tone" jewelry.

 

Are all of your white gold rings rhodium-plated?

Yes, we can have our 18k white gold pieces rhodium-plated to give them a brilliant, white shine or retain the softer, warm tones of 18k white gold that has not been plated, based on your preference.

 

ORDERING JEWELRY

 

Do you have a physical store where we can see the jewelry in-person?

Mass-production would necessitate physical stores. We believe in mass-customization and not in mass-production. We handcraft each jewelry item based on the respective choice of our customer’s design. In other words, each jewelry item is one of its kind in the world and we intend to keep it that way. That also helps us in keeping our operating costs low the benefit of which we pass on to our customers. Although we do not have retail stores, we are experienced in working with customers remotely.

 

Do you have more inventory than what is displayed in the online stores?

Opes specializes in custom designs. Our online designs are there to spark your imagination. Just send us the design of your imagination that you would like us to make and let Opes work with you to bring your design to life. 

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Why do you not quote prices for the products?

We want to understand your needs better. Our online designs are there to spark your imagination. With 13 (thirteen) different metals and countless permutations and combinations of Diamonds features (Color, Cut, Clarity and Carats) to choose from, we felt it is a disservice to our customers to not work with them and just quote some price.

We offer excellent value by providing quality jewelry at the best possible price, generally lower than many traditional jewelry retailers offer for standard jewelry.

 

What payment methods do you accept?

Opes accepts all major credit cards (Visa, Master, Discover and Amex), bank wire payment and PayPal.

 

Can I buy from you if I live outside the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, or Australia?

Opes is proud to offer our entire collection of jewelry and loose Diamonds to customers in many countries worldwide, and international orders can easily be placed through our website. View our international shipping and payment policies.

 

Will I be charged tax?

For US Orders, Opes collects sales tax on orders shipped to addresses in Alabama, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Vermont, Washington DC, Washington state, and Wisconsin. Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island require the purchaser to file a return if use tax is due in connection with the purchase and delivery.

 

For orders shipped to Canada, the UK, or Australia, India, Opes collects the relevant GST/PST/HST/VAT based on the country/province that the order is being shipped to. Taxes and duties on orders will be calculated based on the rates in effect the date your order ships.

 

Can I expedite my order to receive it sooner than the date given?

If you need your order sooner than the expected timeframe on our website, we are happy to offer expedited production service on most of our jewelry. All requests to expedite an order are subject to a non-refundable production service fee to ensure the order advances in our production queue.  Please contact us  for more information about placing an expedited order.

 

Can you help me keep the engagement ring a surprise?

We understand that Diamond jewelry is often given for special surprise occasions such as an engagement. Please let us know what we can do to help you maintain your surprise.

 

If my partner and I are both in contact with Opes, can you help me hide my order information so that my purchase is a surprise?

When you provide contact information as part of an order or inquiry, you are authorizing us to share all information regarding that order to all contacts associated with that order or inquiry. Please contact us for more information on how we can help ensure your surprise is a success.

 

Do you include insurance appraisals with purchases?

We include a complimentary insurance appraisal with all engagement rings and wedding rings that have not been modified, all items over $2,000 USD. For other items, insurance appraisals are available upon request.

 

Does Opes offer insurance?

We highly recommend insuring your Opes jewelry to protect your jewelry from the unexpected. Please contact us for more information on Jewelry Insurance and the companies that specialize in insurance coverage for fine jewelry.