Custom Colors
ABOUT THE PROCESS
To create the bright colors, we add a ceramic e-coat to the jewelry using electroplating technology. In developing the color series, the whole allure was being able to add color without utilizing stone. To my knowledge, there are only a handful artists using this process, it is relatively new, and different, for most people. I love that these pieces incorporate the traditional part of jewelry which is the fabrication and the contemporary part which is the coloring.
The jewelry pieces are all handmade, fabricated pieces. The e-coating color system is the final step the pieces go through, and it brings out and magnifies any imperfection, extreme care must be taken in the finishing process. The process involves eleven steps comprised of an electrocleaner, distilled water, an acid dip and drying done with an air compressor. Fingerprints will show up in the color so we can’t touch the pieces and have actually developed our own tools for handling the jewelry.
Once the piece is completely finished to our satisfaction, we submerge the jewelry in a liquid bath and apply electricity, choosing voltage based on the thickness of ceramic wanted on the piece and the color we want to achieve. The other factor that affects the color is how long you apply the electrical current. The color process is followed by more cleaning steps and drying. While it air dries, it goes from something that looks tacky to a very metallic finish. Finally the pieces are cured for 30 minutes in the oven, removed and allowed to cool. Depending on the look we are wanting to achieve, more steps are involved, if multiple colors are placed, a single piece can have a coloring process of 26+ steps.
Custom Orders
Scroll down for the custom design terms, overview, return policies, and agreements for entering into the custom design process with our company. By contacting us for an initial consultation, you agree to the Kirk Ltd. Co./Kirk Jewelers policies listed below.
Overview
Initial Consultation
Our studio is open by appointment only. Please contact us for an initial consultation to see if we will be able to assist you with designing and making a custom piece. A $250 non-refundable design fee will be charged to start the design process and will be applied to the final cost of the custom piece if the potential customer decides to move forward with our services.
Estimates
Once we have mutually agreed upon a custom design, we will provide you with an estimate that will be valid for 14 days from the day of the quote. After the 14-day time period, the estimate is subject to change.
Deposit and Final Payment
Once provided with an estimate, we require a 50% non-refundable deposit to begin working on your custom piece. If the custom work is to include diamonds and Gemstones, they must be purchased at the start of a custom order in addition to the (50%) fifty percent deposit. All gemstone and diamonds that are purchased are final sale and not eligible for return or exchange, this includes loose and set stones. Deposit can be processed over the phone or online with a credit card. Clients who wish to deliver payment in person, may pay with cash, credit card, or cashier’s check, personal/business checks are not accepted.
Client Items Left In Kirk Ltd. Co/Kirk Jewelers Possession
Prior To Deposit
If a custom piece is to incorporate components of existing jewelry pieces, the potential client may choose to leave their jewelry, scrap, gemstones and diamonds in our possession for a maximum period of three (3) months from the time of drop-off. In the event the potential client does not wish to move forward with a project after the 14-day time period for the estimate, three (3) email reminders will be sent for pick up of their items during this three (3) month time period. If the potential client does not respond to email reminders either via email or phone call, regardless of circumstances, items left in our possession after the 3-month mark will become Kirk Ltd. Co/Kirk Jewelers property and will be subject to scrapping. Kirk Ltd. Co./Kirk Jewelers will not be held liable for items that have been left in our possession for longer than the three months, for any given reason other than our failure to communicate the three email reminders mentioned above. It is the client’s responsibility to insure their contact information is up-to-date.
After Deposit Had Been Made
Clients who have entered into agreement for custom work may leave their jewelry, scrap, gemstones and diamonds in our possession for the length of the time it takes to complete the custom piece. Once we receive final payment for the job, any unused items will be returned to the client along with their new custom piece. It is the client’s responsibility to leave current contact information so that updates are communicated prior to completion of the custom piece.
Finished Custom Job
Once a project has been completed, the client will be contacted for final payment before custom work is released. In the event the client fails to maintain any communications with us, whether by email and/or phone call, their items will be held for a period of no more than three (3) months from completion date. Kirk Ltd. Co/Kirk Jewelers will send no more than three (3) email reminders within the three (3) month time frame, asking for customer to pick up their items. If the client does not return email attempts, either via email or phone call, regardless of circumstances, the items left in our possession after the three (3) month mark will become Kirk Ltd. Co/Kirk Jewelers property. We will not be held liable for items forgotten or left in our possession for any period longer than the three (3) months, for any given reason other than our failure to communicate a warning to the client prior to the three (3) month deadline. It is the client’s responsibility to leave current contact information and/or relay any changes to such information during the three (3) month process.
Return and Cancellation Policy Custom Jewelry
Custom work is not eligible for return, refund or exchange. If the client wishes to cancel their order, they may do so at any time, but the 50% deposit will be retained by Kirk Ltd. Co and Kirk Jewelers, along with the $250 design fee. The client will be billed for the number of hours worked on building their piece up to cancellation at labor rate of $100.00 an hour, the customer will also be charged for all the materials used up to the point of cancellation