FAQs

I have sensitive/reactive skin, will this vintage item be safe for my skin?

Skin sensitivity to metal(s) are extremely common and can range from visible oxidation (skin discoloration) to an immune reaction (rashes, or more serious reactions). There is no way to predict whether your sensitive skin will react with an item of vintage jewelry unless you have prior experience with which metals you are sensitive to. Vintage jewelry wearers with metal sensitivities use trial and error to navigate which metals they can wear without reactions.

Sensitivities include many variables

  • Skin discoloration sensitivities to metals are chemical reactions and can vary as body chemistry (hormones, vitamin deficiencies, etc), seasons/perspiration, and topical products (sunscreens, soaps, lotions) change over time. Green & black skin discolorations from metals are caused by oxidation, and are not dangerous or an indicator of an immune response.
  • Skin sensitivities to metals can also vary between items with the same metal purity — e.g. you may have a reaction to some 14k items and not others, depending on the metals used in the alloy.
  • Skin sensitivities to metals can also impact different parts of the body differently — e.g. someone may have a reaction to 10k rings, but may be able to wear a 10k necklace without a reaction.

    All metals strong enough for daily wear are alloys, meaning they’re a pure metal (like pure fine silver or pure 24 karat gold) mixed with other metals to provide strength and durability. While it’s possible to have a sensitivity to pure gold or silver, it’s more common to have a sensitivity to metals used in the alloy like copper, nickel, or zinc.

    Gold karat comes with tradeoffs
    The higher the karat, the softer the metal, and the gold is less durable.
    The lower the karat, the harder the metal, and the gold is more durable, but may have other drawbacks, like skin sensitivity.

    The higher the gold karat, the higher the gold content, and the lower the percentage of other metals in the item:

    • 24k is 99% pure gold, but too soft for jewelry
    • 22k gold is 91.7% pure gold mixed with 8.3% alloy
    • 18k gold is 75% pure gold mixed with 25% alloy
    • 14k gold is 58.5% pure gold mixed with 41.5% alloy
    • 10k gold is 41.7% pure gold mixed with 58.3% alloy
    • 9k gold is 37.5% pure gold mixed with 62.5% alloy
    • 8k gold is 33% pure gold mixed with 67% alloy

    If you have a sensitivity to copper you’re more likely to react to rose gold or gold karats under 18k.

    If you have a sensitivity to nickel you’re more likely to react to white gold and may react to some antique sterling silver.

    If you have a sensitivity to silver you may also react to karat gold below 18k purity.

    When I wear the item I purchased it discolors my skin or gives me other skin irritation, does that mean that there’s something wrong with the metal or the purity of the metal isn’t as described/marked?

    All products sold in our curation are tested for metal purity, so if you are having a sensitivity to an item it is most likely a skin sensitivity to the alloy (metals mixed in with 24k to add strength and durability), and it is NOT an indicator that the purity/karat of the metal was incorrectly stamped or advertised/described. (please see the FAQs on sensitivities detailed above)

    Does gold karat correspond to gold hue?

    In higher karats, yes! below 18k: it can, but it is isn’t necessarily true. 10k and 14k are both made in alloys in bright yellow hues that can trick the eye and appear like high karat gold.

    Are there any discounts being offered? Is there a sale on the horizon?

    Some behind the scenes babble about pricing: this business made a fairness and accessibility-oriented choice to use a pricing structure where everyone has access to the same, lowest possible prices. In this pricing structure treasures are offered initially at the lowest possible prices, which means there isn't wiggle room to offer discounts, sadly. It means we're less able to show up for folks who want a bundled deal/price, but it also means that everyone has access to the same prices, not just folks who feel comfortable asking for discounts. Thanks so much for understanding this behind the scenes stuff on why discounts don’t work for this biz.

    A few times each year sales and discounts are offered on select merchandise. These promotions are announced on IG and usually run for a very short duration.

    Because we want to show up for folks who are trying to balance their budget and their treasure wishlist, layaway is offered on any treasure over $500.  

    Returns & Exchanges

    Full price items ordered through this website are eligible for exchanges or store credit within 7 days of the delivery date that USPS marks the item as delivered. Discounted & sale items are NOT eligible for exchange or store credit. To exchange an item please send us a message to coordinate. Buyers are responsible for secure return packaging, return postage (with tracking), and there's an expectation that there's consistent, timely communication from the buyer about the exchange.

    In the unlikely event that an item you received was misrepresented in its listing, please contact us so we can make it right

    Rarely a buyer will experience new damage to their freshly adopted treasure within a short time period of buying the item. Most often this damage is the fault of the caretaker/owner of the jewelry, not the shop that sold the jewelry. Buyers are responsible for jewelry repairs once the item is in their possession.

    Shipping

    Prices shown include free USPS First Class shipping. Shipping upgrades are available upon request— please contact us here or via @therajahpress to get a quote for the shipping service you're hoping for

    Layaway

    Via website checkout: There is a 'buy now, pay later' payment option via Shop Pay Installments at checkout, which is recommended for payment plans on multiple items, or individual items priced under $500.

    In-House Layaway: If you'd like to set-up layaway with us directly, that's possible via PayPal invoice for items over $500, with up to a 90 day duration. For items under $500 layaway is available for up to 90 days with a 5% fee added. Send us a message and we'll help get the ball rolling. Here's the fine print:

    Payment schedule: 25% deposit is due immediately to hold the item for you, with 25% payments every 30 days or sooner. If you are late on a payment by more than 72 hours without prior communication the layaway will be canceled, and you will be sent a refund via PayPal of your balance less a 10% (of the total purchase price) restocking fee, and you'll lose the ability to do layaway with this business going forward. This sounds harsh, but it has become too much of a mental and time burden to track down monthly payments.

    You know yourself best! Make calendar reminders, sticky notes on the wall, whatever you need to do to have the funds on hand and ready every 30 days.

    One at a time: You may purchase one item on layaway at a time and a deposit toward the layaway invoice is what holds the item for you.

    Cancellation: if you cancel the layaway before it paid in full your balance will be refunded less a 20% (of the total purchase price) cancellation fee

    Shipment: once layaway is completed the item is shipped to the PayPal address on file within three business days and is sent USPS with signature confirmation at delivery. PLEASE make sure that your PayPal shipping address is correct BEFORE making your deposit payment.

    Layaway return policy: layaway items are final sale. not eligible for return, exchange, or store credit.

    Can I shop in person?

    We're currently a mostly web-based business with occasional in person events and we don't currently offer private shopping appointments. Our in-person events are the best way to see treasures in person, or you can visit and support a local brick & mortar store that carries a micro collection of our treasures. 

    Consignment

    Local stockists:

    • Atomic Garden in Oakland, CA
    • Trove in Sonoma, CA
    • 19 Hands Jewelry in Berkeley, CA