FAQS

HOW DO I ORDER ?

With the introduction of a website,   ordering is now done VIA this website.  If you are wanting to discuss a more Custom piece and it is agreed on, then a private listing will be added on this website for you to purchase in case you want to use AfterPay. 

 

HOW LONG WILL  MY ORDER TAKE TO SHIP ?

1)  - If purchasing items from our ready to post Collections,  shipping is generally within 2 days after your payment has been received.  Even most made to Order items ship in under 2 weeks after crafting is complete. 

For Breastmilk and DNA Keepsake Orders, turnaround time starts from when inclusions or settings are received  ( whichever is the latter ) - NOT from date of order.   As a general guide, the entire process from start to finish COULD potentially  be up to 12 weeks. Please refer to the turnaround time advised within each listing, as each piece varies. Please don't order if you are in a hurry to receive your item/s,  as handcrafted cannot be rushed and there are also many factors to take into consideration when placing a custom handcrafted Order.  Your patience is appreciated.  

 

DO YOU OFFER RETURNS ?

A - Due to the highly personalised nature of this type of jewellery,  the short answer is No.   Your keepsake contains DNA specific to YOU,  so it can't be onsold,  plus ,  you are also paying for the skill, craftmanship and labour OF that piece ( so its a service as well as a physical purchase ).  By commissioning  Collective Keepsake Co to craft for you,  you give unspoken creative licence to our artisan - and agree to accept the end result,  regardless of if the result meets your preconceived expectations or not.  Please be sure to read our Terms and Conditions for full disclosure. By proceeding WITH your Order,  it is assumed that you have read these Terms and Conditions carefully and that you agree to them in their entirety.  

 

WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT ?

A - Direct Bank Deposit,  PayPal , AfterPay and also happy to offer Layby plans.    NO BREASTMILK  OR DNA ORDERS ARE CRAFTED UNTIL FULL PAYMENT HAS BEEN RECIEVED. 

 

DO YOU OFFER CUSTOM ORDERS ? 

A - No.  The pieces I already offer are dependant on source availability and component sourcing.  It has taken many man hours researching and securing hardware and molds for these existing pieces   .....  although ,  I am open to 'tweaking'  versions of my current items ( if its possible ) . 

 

I'VE FOUND A PIECE I LIKE ON ANOTHER PAGE - CAN YOU REPLICATE IT ?

A - Absolutely not.    I have respect for my fellow industry artisans, and refuse to emulate their items.  Please do us all the courtesy of ordering your keepsakes from THAT artisan if you are so  enamoured by the piece you are asking me to recreate.  HOWEVER,  if the setting of the piece you are enquiring about is readily available from multiple suppliers to be purchased by anyone,  then it is not considered trademarked nor a signature piece to any one artisan -  and therefore,  available for use. 

 

DO YOU SHIP INTERNATIONALLY ?

A - No.    Collective Keepsake Co is based in South Australia, Australia, and only services Australia wide 🇦🇺

 

I HAVE PLACED AN ORDER VIA YOUR WEBSITE, BUT WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS FURTHER.  HOW CAN I DO THIS ?

A -  I fully appreciate that the nature of this type of keepsake jewellery can be emotionally charged, and I am fully available for one on one communication to discuss your Order in more detail.  Please know that once you have successfully placed an Order via this website,  you will automatically receive an email personally from me, containing a Client Intake Form. This form is very important,  as its where we discuss your requirements and wishes in finer detail and no crafting is started until this form is completed and returned.   

 

HOW DO I POST MY INCLUSIONS TO YOU ?

A - Simply via Australia Post,  and it is highly recommended that that you send by Express Post, or at the very least with Tracking,  so that we know where your precious inclusions are at any time.  Detailed instructions for posting inclusions can be found under the tab 'How to post DNA inclusions'  on this website. 

 

IS A BRACELET OR CHAIN INCLUDED WITH EACH PIECE ?

A - No,  not unless so stated in the listing description.   Chains and bracelets are such a personal choice    ( style, length, link, wrist fit ). 

I am more than happy to source one on request as an add on purchase  ... please contact me before purchase to arrange a private listing.

 

ARE PRICES INCLUSIVE OF POSTAGE ?

A - No.   Postage is additional and calculated at checkout. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU CHOOSE EXPRESS POST FOR ALL BREASTMILK AND DNA ORDERS.  If you decide to choose normal tracked post at checkout,   your parcel will arrive anywhere between 1 to 2 weeks as is normal  for Australia Post parcel service. 

 

DO YOU OFFER CANCELLATIONS AFTER I HAVE PLACED MY ORDER ?

A -  Cancellations / refunds are NOT issued for change of mind or buyers remorse purchases, for many reasons.   Please place your Orders with a sound mind and with purpose.    Store Credit         ( may )  be considered for a future purchase IF a cancellation is pursued with a justifiable reason.  This store credit will be for the exact same value but will be subject to any postage rises or product price rises that may arise in the meantime ( and you will be required to pay the price difference when you return to reorder ). 

 

WHAT METALS DO YOU USE?

A - I choose to use  grades 304 and 316 Stainless Steel as a base or as a complimenting metal with  solid  925 Sterling Silver for a couple of reasons:

1.  It is more affordable / cost effective in the retail price of my finished pieces.

2.  Stainless Steel is stronger than Sterling Silver, which strengthens the core integrity of my pieces.

3.  Stainless Steel does not tarnish like Sterling naturally does.

4. Stainless Steel is hypo-allergenic,  so perfect for those with jewellery sensitivities.  

 

WHAT PRESERVING METHOD DO YOU USE ?

A - I use an industry formulated / created preservation powder that inhibits mold growth and stabilises the breastmilk for use in resin. This formulation has been tried and tested longterm and as such is a solid preservation method that is guaranteed. 

You might notice however that your breastmilk colour may darken slightly over the first few months,  which is totally normal as it  'settles'  due to oxidisation. But there will be no mold growth inside the resin piece. 

 

CAN I WEAR MY JEWELLERY ALL THE TIME ?

A - NO. This type of jewellery is not designed for 24/7 wear due to the resin component that your DNA inclusion/s are set into.  Resin has a lot of 'dislikes' ,  so therefore you must be aware of this and follow the Care Recommendations that accompany your item. 

 

WILL MY PIECE DISCOLOUR?

DISCLAIMER:  You should be aware that ALL resins DO yellow over time.  This is the natural nature OF resin. Some brands of resin yellow sooner than others,  especially if they do not have a UV inhibitor added. Adding colourants  ( as in Mica colours )  to your piece will mask this yellowing process and won't be as noticeable as  a clear piece - but again:  ALL RESINS DO YELLOW OVER TIME.  This yellowing is a natural chemical change that even resin manufacturers cannot avoid. 

Please refer back to the After Care recommendations to ensure the maximum longevity of your item. Many cleansers                   ( especially tanning products and hand sanitisers  )  will stain and degrade the resin component of your jewellery.  The closer you can follow our AfterCare Recommendations,  the longer your piece will last in its original crafted condition.  

 

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I PLACE MY ORDER? 

A - You will receive an email with instructions on how to post in your inclusions, as well as the address to post them to. If you have placed an order via this website for Breastmilk or DNA jewellery ,  please be sure to join our mailing list and add us to your safe incoming mail address list - or else your follow up Client Intake email may end up in your junk mail and get missed. 

 

I LIKE A CERTAIN PIECE OF JEWELLERY, BUT I HAVE PET INCLUSIONS INSTEAD OF HUMAN THAT I WANT USED - AM I ABLE TO ORDER MY CHOSEN ITEM ?

A - Yes, of course !  All the item listings in the Breastmilk and DNA jewellery Collection are interchangeable with pet DNA inclusions.  Simply place your chosen piece in your cart, and leave a note at checkout of your pet inclusion that you want used in it. Please do check the Pet Memorial Keepsake Collection first to make sure the item you want is not already in there. 

 

RING SIZING

Please do be aware that ring sizes DO vary from supplier to supplier, and even from jeweller to jeweller. We offer multiple international ring conversion charts which are pretty accurate, but you need to know that it IS possible that the ring size you choose MAY be a half size or even one whole size out from what you ordered     ( either smaller or larger )  depending on which chart or mandril they use in manufacture ......  if you are unsure of your size when comparing your measurements to our ring conversion charts - always go UP to the next size, or UP to the next half size - but NEVER go down a size. It is better to have a ring slightly bigger than too tight. 

To determine your correct size, it is best to do a 3 point size check ..... 1)  measure an existing ring you own INNER CIRCUMFERENCE,   2) measure an existing ring you own INNER DIAMETER  and 3)  go into any jewellery shop  ( NOT a Pandora jeweller though )  and have your finger sized professionally.  You then take all three of these measurements and convert over to the US size it closest corresponds to in our Conversion Charts.  There are NO returns or refunds for incorrect ring sizes ordered, so please order carefully.