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PLEASE READ BEFORE ORDERING
It is very important that you read and understand this information before placing your order for custom, personalised fingerprint, handprint, footprint, pawprint or horse print jewellery.
We will direct you to this page at the checkout.
If there is something that you do not understand, please get in touch.
We are very friendly and are always here to help.
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YOUR PERSONALISED FINGERPRINT JEWELLERY IS COMPLETELY CUSTOM MADE.
HERE'S WHAT THAT MEANS FOR YOU
Each custom gift and piece of jewellery created by Sophia Alexander is individually made by skilled craftsmen and women.
They are all handmade and not “manufactured” in any way.
At Sophia Alexander we guarantee the quality of our castings; our craftmanship; the quality of the precious metals and other components used.
THINGS YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF
It is important to note that items purchased will not be compete carbon copies of the jewellery shown on our website and in other company literature or marketing materials.At Sophia Alexander, the jewellery we produce is completely bespoke and handcrafted. Although we provide you with approximate product colours, dimensions and weights, variations in size and the surface appearance of precious metals may occur and should be expected.
All measurements and figures given on the website and in correspondence should be considered as guidance only.
For example, our charms are described as approximately the size of a 5 pence piece. This should be used as a guide, not an absolute.
Please note that images may not be displayed at their actual size and that different computer monitors may also alter the perceived sizes of products and the colours of the different precious metals.
Due to the bespoke nature of each piece, variations in size and the surface appearance of the precious metals may occur and should be expected. Each piece of jewellery is carved from wax and is cast from molten precious metal using the traditional lost wax process. They are approximately 2mm thick.
They have large flat surfaces and tiny casting imperfections may be apparent,particularly on the reverse.
* This is the nature of casting large, flat pieces and should be expected in hand made gold and silver fingerprint jewellery. They are in no way manufacturing faults.
We do not polish the fingerprints themselves as jewellery polishing tends to be too harsh and can damage the print.
Jewellery and keepsakes are made to accommodate fingerprints of various shapes and sizes, and text of varying lengths which will all alter the look of the final piece.
The quality of the fingerprint taken will also affect the look of the final piece.
Fingerprint quality varies hugely between different people due to many factors, including age, health and condition the hands.
Some people naturally have less defined fingerprints than others. This can simply be hereditary.
All of these things will alter the look of the fingerprint keepsake you receive.
If we do not feel that the fingerprint submitted is suitable, we will inform you immediately.
Some people naturally have less defined fingerprints than others. This can simply be hereditary.
All of these things will alter the look of the fingerprint keepsake you receive.
If we do not feel that the fingerprint submitted is suitable, we will inform you immediately.
Please be aware if purchasing as a gift needed for a specific occasion or deadline, that this can happen.
Where gemstones, semi-precious stones and pearls are selected, these may also vary in colour, size and shape.
This means that your piece of jewellery or keepsake will inevitably vary slightly from the photographed images seen on the Sophia Alexander web site, www.sophia-alexander.com Therefore, as completely bespoke, handcrafted pieces that take us a significant number of hours to take, unless there is a production fault, we do not accept returns on these items and do not offer any sort of refund.
If, in the very unlikely event that you find a problem with any piece of jewellery or keepsake created by Sophia Alexander, please inform our customer care team within 7 days of receipt. If this were to happen, we would of course immediately restore your piece. Customer service is of utmost importance to us. If this were to happen, you should return the item in the same condition that you received it, in suitable packaging to avoid damage in transit and with suitable postal insurance.
Please note, that every single item of jewellery is fully photographed prior to shipping to protect us from foul play.
It is our clients own responsibility to clean and store items of jewellery correctly and to check all attached chains and attachments for wear & tear.
Please refer to our Fingerprint Jewellery Facts page and our Terms & Conditions page.
CAST FINGERPRINTS FOR INFANTS
At Sophia Alexander, we do not recommend fingerprinting infants below the age of 18 months, as before this, we find that their prints have not fully developed.
Instead you will see a lovely little dimple where the finger tip has pressed, but no pattern detail.
Some infants have amazing prints at a much younger age, whereas with some, their print is still not wonderfully clear 18 months, 2 years or more.
If, when you submit your prints we find that this is the case, we can simply try again at a later date for no additional charge.
INK FINGERPRINTS FOR INFANTS
Ink fingerprinting is often not suitable until children are much older as prints in young children are not defined enough for the pattern to be clearly seen in ink.
We have seen many cases where children of 10 or 12 years still do not have a clear enough print.
We will always send you a ink fingerprinting kit to see if you can get a successful print. If the print is not clear enough, we can simply try again at a later date for no additional charge.
As an alternative, we often engrave hand prints and footprints onto rings for infants with undefined prints. This process is suitable from birth.
FINGERPRINTS FOR ADULTS
Although there is no upper age limit for fingerprints, a persons skin elasticity does
decrease with age and fingerprint ridges can become less prominent. This can make the prints look blurred and less detailed.
Many adults have wrinkles and scars over their finger tips. These can appear as missing sections in the ink print, but they are still very much part of your individual print.
This is most often found in elderly people; people with certain medical conditions and people who work in occupations where there is a lot of wear on their hands.
Some people naturally have less defined fingerprints than others. This can simply be hereditary.
We recommend that you submit you prints so that we can test how well they will translate onto your chosen piece of fingerprint jewellery.
If you have chosen an engraved fingerprint ring, our engraver is happy to ‘fill in’ any missing sections of the fingerprint if that is what you would like us to do, but we will always liaise with you and give you our advice at every stage of the process.
Whilst we can ‘clean up’ and edit fingerprint impressions, unfortunately, we cannot
completely recreate a print if it is not there.
We cannot reconstruct cast fingerprints in any way.
CHOICE OF JEWELLERY DESIGN
Most of the jewellery produced can be personalised with the text of your choice. This may be your loved ones initials, name, date of birth, or a special message significant to you.
It’s important to note that the amount of text is limited by the shape and size of the charm chosen and where you would like it positioned.
Certain designs will not be able to accommodate very long names or messages on the front.
Professional hand engraving allows very tiny and precise lettering for customers who would like a small piece of jewellery, but with the text of their choice.
It is also important to note that adult prints, being much larger will fit onto most, but not all styles of pendant. You will be advised when you place your order.
All our silver and gold jewellery has a wonderfully heavy, strong and durable quality. We craft these prices with the intention that they will last for generations, keeping in mind your ability to wear them every day.
OUR WORKING TIME: 8 WEEKS FROM WHEN WE RECIEVE YOUR PRINTS
Our experts create every personalised fingerprint gift by hand from a piece of wax.
They are individually crafted and 100% custom made.
It is a very lengthy process and it is not possible to “speed it up” or to provide an express service when producing these quality pieces.
We believe that everything we make for our clients is worth the wait.
As every item is created using molten gold and silver, the final gift is heavy weight and we are legally required to have most pieces Hallmarked. This can add up to 14 days to the making process.
The hallmark proves that all our Silver, Gold and Platinum gifts have been independently tested by a UK assay office to determine their quality and guarantee purity.
Our Dainty and Small silver fingerprint, handprint or pawprint necklaces and charm beads do not have to be hallmarked because their weight means this is not a legal requirement. However, we automatically submit everything we make to be hallmarked, unless specifically asked not to.
It is a very lengthy process and it is not possible to “speed it up” or to provide an express service when producing these quality pieces.
We believe that everything we make for our clients is worth the wait.
As every item is created using molten gold and silver, the final gift is heavy weight and we are legally required to have most pieces Hallmarked. This can add up to 14 days to the making process.
The hallmark proves that all our Silver, Gold and Platinum gifts have been independently tested by a UK assay office to determine their quality and guarantee purity.
Our Dainty and Small silver fingerprint, handprint or pawprint necklaces and charm beads do not have to be hallmarked because their weight means this is not a legal requirement. However, we automatically submit everything we make to be hallmarked, unless specifically asked not to.
Due to the way each piece is created, we expect to complete items within 8 weeks, from the point of receiving your fingerprints, handprints, footprints or animal prints - Unless something really unexpected happens.
Our Process
Once we receive your impressions, it takes approximately 3 weeks to create the master copy of your piece of jewellery in wax, then to cast it in precious metal.
This takes into consideration our postage times and if we need to reject casts that do not meet our expected standard.
It then takes approximately 2 weeks for pieces to be engraved and an additional 2 weeks to be set with diamonds or gemstones if this is required.
It then takes a minimum of 1 week for the Assay Office to apply the legally required hallmark.
Finally, at the 8 week point, we will be able to gift wrap your piece of jewelery and arrange delivery at a time that is convenient for you.
*** Ashes Memorial Jewellery can often take one additional week due to the laser work involved.
Your Payment
No order will be processed before full payment is made.
1. Once we have received your order, we will send a confirmation e-mail to the address provided.
2. We will then get in touch with you to make sure you are happy with the details of your order and to answer any questions you might have.
3. We will then post a gift wrapped impression kit to you. This will vary depending on the type of personalised jewellery ordered.
We do not usually send our kits out unless we have been able to make contact by some means.
4. Once you have received your kit, you can take your impressions in your own time and return to us whenever they are ready.
5. Once we have received them, we will start to process them.
At this point, you have 7 days in which your order can be cancelled.
If you choose to cancel your order at this point, all monies paid will be immediately refunded, minus the cost of your impression kit and postage we have paid.
After this point, we will have started working on your ordered piece and no refund can be given. All pieces are completely custom made and personalised. (please refer to Terms & Conditions).
Please Note
Gift Vouchers and orders placed for bespoke jewellery are Only Valid for 12 months subject to T & C’s.
If you place an order for an item of jewellery but do not return your fingerprints, handprints or other impressions to us within 12 months of the date of purchase we reserve the right to refund any money you have already paid.
If we provide you with a quote for a piece of bespoke jewellery, this quote is also strictly only valid for 12 months.
If you purchase an impression kit, you should be aware that jewellery prices may have changed by the time you decide to place an order.
The price we are able to buy gold, silver and other precious metals at, fluctuates wildly over time.
We update the prices shown on our website, in our marketing materials and on other platforms regularly to reflect this.
For example, if you ordered a gold necklace or another piece of jewellery from us 10 years ago, it will now cost us significantly more to create the same piece because the price we are able to buy gold at has increased.
SHIPPING YOUR JEWELERY
All prices shown include the standard UK delivery charge.
For international orders, please contact the Sophia Alexander customer care team.
Packages will be posted at the 8 week completion point unless something very unexpected occurs.
Once complete, you will be immediately notified to arrange delivery at a time most convenient for you. As all deliveries are made via Royal Mail Special Delivery™ Next Day, your item will be with you by 1pm on your chosen day. If you need to make alternative delivery arrangements, please let us know when you place your order and we will try our best to accommodate your needs.
All UK Royal Mail deliveries will require a signature on arrival. It is the responsibility of the customer to ensure the delivery address provided is accurate and to ensure that somebody is available to sign for all items delivered.
Please note that once your jewellery has left Sophia Alexander and is in the care of Royal Mail, we cannot be held responsible for any delays with the delivery.
Please note that International deliveries will take significantly longer than one day. There is no next-day international service.
The Royal Mail website states that they aim to deliver to European destinations within 3-5 working days and other worldwide destinations within 5-7 working days but in our experience, our packages take significantly longer than this.
Shipping times should be added to the 8 week completion time.
SHIPPING OVERSEAS ORDERS
All prices shown on the Sophia Alexander website are in pounds sterling and are inclusive of VAT.
Customers from outside the UK should be aware that changes in currency exchange rates may effect the price of items ordered.
If jewellery is shipped outside the UK; packages may be liable to importation taxes; local charges; duty charges or other costs applied by customs officials in the country into which it is received. We provide you with this advice, but in no way can be held responsible for this and it is not something within our control.
Customs fees and VAT differs wildly from country to country and are usually charged before a package can be delivered, so it is very important that you find out which charges specifically apply to your own country.
As an example, if we ship a £2000 ring to the Australia, the Australian Government will charge you 10% customs duty tax.
This will be equal to value of the ring, plus an additional 10%.
We do not pay in any way for any of these charges.
RETURNS
If in the very unlikely event that a fault has occurred in producing your jewellery then we will of course immediately restore or replace it. If this were to happen, you should return the item in suitable packaging to avoid damage in transit and with suitable postal insurance.
Please notify the Sophia Alexander customer care team by telephone or email and return your item within 10 working days from the date of delivery in its un-worn, original condition, together with your receipt and all jewellery packaging.
It is important to note that each keepsake and piece of jewellery created by Sophia Alexander is a bespoke, commissioned work of art.
They are handmade and not “manufactured” in any way.
Therefore, unless there is a production fault, we do not accept returns on these items and do not offer any sort of refund.
We go to every effort to ensure that your piece is exactly as you wish it to be before it is sent out to you, but please keep in mind that a piece individually commissioned for you will inevitably vary slightly from the pieces shown in the Sophia Alexander website photographs, for instance, precious stones may vary slightly in colour (refer to Terms & Conditions).
Please note, that every single item of jewellery is fully photographed prior to shipping to protect us from foul play.
DOUBLE SIDED JEWELLERY AND KEEPSAKES
We are frequently asked to make double sided pieces where where is a fingerprint, handprint, footprint or pawprint on each side.
Although we will often engrave or frost the reverse of our pieces, we cannot add a second print, or make double-sided items, as although possible, these pieces would be extremely thick and heavy at approximately 4mm.
JEWELLERY SAFETY
At Sophia Alexander, we do not recommend that any of our jewellery is worn by or played with by children due to small parts.
Our jewellery is not designed or intended for children and it is not a children's item or toy.
Parents or guardians hold responsibility for the safety of children.
Sensible precautions should be taken and supervision given if jewellery is worn by any child of any age, even older children.
Jewellery should never be placed into the mouth under any circumstances to avoid choking hazards.
We also recommend that all pieces are removed whilst sleeping, bathing or playing sports.
When you purchase any item of jewellery from Sophia Alexander, you agree to adhere to these terms.
CARE AND ADVICE
All precious metals tend to tarnish naturally, even when not worn.
They will tend to tarnish more readily if they come into contact with certain things. These include hairspray, perfume, paint, latex, chlorine, rubber, food, cleaning products, salt water and damp, humid conditions.
We strongly recommend your jewellery is removed when swimming and is not sprayed with perfume or unsuitable cleaning products.
Jewellery will also naturally tarnish when handled due to the natural oils on your fingers and light tarnishing may occur when worn close to the skin.
The ageing process will inevitably speed up if you wear your jewellery every day, if you hang it on a chain with other items, or if you hang it on a key ring.
It is important to regularly check all chains and attachments for wear & tear so that you do not lose your jewellery.
We recommend that when cleaning any item of fingerprint jewellery, that you avoid any excessive cleaning or polishing of the actual fingerprint. In production, we do not polish the fingerprint itself as this is not necessary.
Although all items are cast in solid metal, this area of each piece is highly detailed and could potentially still be damaged.
If you decide in the future to have your piece professionally re-polished, you can return it to us and we will arrange this for a small additional cost. If you go to another professional, please make them aware that they should avoid the fingerprint area. We cannot take responsibility for damage to jewellery caused by you or other 3rd parties. Please refer to our Terms & Conditions page.
CLEANING YOUR JEWELLERY
The best way to clean your jewellery is to gently polish or buff with a soft polishing cloth.
A small grey jewellery polishing cloth is included with every piece ordered.
It is always better to clean your jewellery lightly and often, rather than waiting for tarnish to build up.
Please note that certain silver dips or clear liquid cleaners may damage gemstones, particularly pearls.
We cannot recommend chemical cleaners as they vary too much.
STORING YOUR JEWELLERY
If you wish to keep your piece of jewellery as a keepsake, or if you do not wish to wear it for a while, we recommend that you wrap it in acid-free tissue paper and store it safely away. It is always best to store individual pieces separately.
All silver Sophia Alexander jewellery comes with a Town Talk anti-tarnish tab enclosed within its box. This helps to eliminate risk of precious metal tarnish for 12 months.
Anti-tarnish tabs are non-toxic, but as with all of our jewellery, we recommend that they are kept out of reach of children.
A FEW ADDITIONAL FACTS
A FINGERPRINT
A fingerprint is the impression left by the ridges on a human finger, when the fingertip is pressed onto a surface. It has a pattern of whorls and lines completely unique to each individual.
It is beautifully detailed, perfectly unique, difficult to alter, and will remain for the entire life of a person.
FINGERPRINT TYPES
Every fingerprint is unique, but there are three main fingerprint pattern types that we frequently see. We call these “whorls, loops and arches”.
We see the patterns in each unique piece of jewellery we make and although they are all lovely, we are particularly fond of the tiny ones!
FINGERPRINTING HISTORY
Fingerprints have been used to add decoration to pieces of pottery & art since ancient Babylonian times, where they were also used as signatures and they have even been discovered on the walls of tombs in ancient Egypt.
