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faqs
I placed an order. Why hasn't my card been charged?
What, specifically, are your ecological representations?
What is the post-consumer content of your jewelry?
Does your white gold contain nickel?
Why do you use Rhodium on your white gold products?
How does recycled gold differ from 'new' gold?
Isn't most gold at least partially recycled?
Isn't gold refining also part of our environmental problem?
I've seen other jewelers selling 'green' gold. Isn't that ecologically responsible, too?
What is the source of the recycled gold you use?
Do you have a printed catalog you could mail to me?
Can you make sizes in-between the listed ring sizes?
We are located in Houston, Texas (USA).
Q: I placed an order. Why hasn't my card been charged?
The total dollar amount of your order is reserved on your card at the time you place an order, but the actual transfer of funds does not occur until we are preparing to ship.
Note: If using a debit card, it is normal to see the charge subtracted from your account when you place an order, only to have those funds reappear a few days later. It will be subtracted again near the time of shipment. In the interim, you may confirm the active status of your order through our Order Update function.
Q: What, specifically, are your ecological representations?
While greenKarat makes every effort to source materials and make our jewelry with ecological integrity, there is no independently set standard for 'green' jewelry. It therefore falls to you to evaluate your proposed purchase through the lens of your knowledge and values.
We pledge to you that the primary metal in every greenKarat design is recycled, and that every gem is either created or recycled. We provide Green Assay disclosures for every component of every product, and openly share our practices with you, whether they're good, or short of ideal. These disclosures are your tools for comparing us to other jewelers.
If you don't see the information you need at greenKarat, please ask us. If you don't see the information you need at another jeweler, ask them. That's one important way you can effect change.
Q: What is the post-consumer content of your jewelry?
Our products are made with 100% post-consumer gold. Learn more about the importance of post-consumer gold here and here. Learn more about third-party certification of our post-consumer gold here.
Q: Does your white gold contain nickel?
Yes, our regular white gold contains nickel. That may be of concern to individuals with nickel sensitivity. Most of the white gold pieces on the site are, however, also available in palladium white gold, which contains no nickel. Please ask if you do not see that option.
Q: Why do you use Rhodium on your white gold products?
Rhodium, a member of the platinum family, provides a hard, protective coating to white gold which brightens the color. While not used universally, it is an accepted practice in fine jewelry. This picture demonstrates the visual impact of Rhodium. The bottom ring is white gold without Rhodium, the top ring is white gold with a Rhodium coat.
Some people find that the Rhodium plating degrades over time in daily wear, gradually revealing the color underneath. The ring can be replated when this happens. On the other hand, omitting Rhodium from the beginning obviates the problem. We would be happy to do so upon request.
Q: How does recycled gold differ from 'new' gold?
As far as content, the metal recycled is refined into 99.99% pure gold, so there really is no difference to you between recycled gold and mined gold, which usually starts out in ore. Gold, as an element, is identical wherever it comes from. The difference in buying recycled, of course, is the joy of knowing that you've become part of the environmental solution.
Q: Isn't most gold at least partially recycled?
It is true that discarded precious metals are carefully captured and recycled because of their value, so gold that you use today may actually have been used throughout the history of mankind. It's very hard, however, to find refineries which use only recycled gold. Most will feed freshly mined stock in as needed, and some deal exclusively in freshly mined gold.
Every time a refinery makes a purchase of freshly mined gold, there is an incentive for some company to continue ravaging the environment to provide that gold. By ensuring that our gold is entirely sourced from recycled metals, we ensure that we have not contributed to that vicious cycle.
Q: Isn't gold refining also part of our environmental problem?
Absolutely. Refining is an inherently dirty business, so choosing a responsible refinery is very important. Although refining utilizes lots of water and dangerous chemicals, there are techniques to recycle the water and capture chemicals. The refineries we use are zero-discharge and/or ISO 14001 certified. Clean refining is actually quite rare. We are proud to support those who have made the effort to be environmentally responsible.
Q: I've seen other jewelers selling 'green' gold. Isn't that ecologically responsible, too?
That can be confusing, because when gold is mixed with silver as an alloy, it is sometimes referred to as green. That reference holds no ecological implications. At greenKarat, the term 'green' refers to the environmentally friendly character of our products.
Q: What is the source of the recycled gold you use?
We strive to use post-consumer gold whenever possible (though we still sometimes have to supplement with post-industrial gold). Given that additional supply diminishes the incentive for mining, we believe what's needed is a way to coax post-consumer gold out of hiding. Gold is so valuable that businesses never discard it, and are instead very efficient recyclers. Using gold which has been recycled from industry (including jewelers' scrap), therefore, doesn't change the current cycle of mining damage.
Vast quantities of gold sit unused, however, in the form of old jewelry. Individuals can't easily get value for their retired jewelry, so it rests idle in jewelry boxes and dresser drawers. The broken chain, the one remaining earring and the unused class ring all represent dormant gold. greenKarat is creating demand specifically for post-consumer metal, and that's driving a beneficial change.
We would be pleased to discuss layaway arrangements. There is no cost and no risk. Please inquire for details.
Another budget-friendly tool is to save money through our myKarat® program. Gather broken and unwanted jewelry from friends and family. We'll credit your account for 80-100% of the market value of the gold you submit. At the least you'll save money. Send enough old jewelry and your order could be free. Click here for more information.
Q: Do you have a printed catalog you could mail to me?
We made a hard decision not to print a catalog, with the philosophy of perhaps saving a tree. It isn't that we don't care about you, your support, or your business... We'd be happy to print and mail the pages that interest you, and we can always take orders by phone.
Q: Can you make sizes in-between the listed ring sizes?
Yes. To order a quarter size, simply select the nearest half size from the drop down menu. During the purchasing process, you will have an opportunity to type in special requests and comments. Just tell us what size you need. This is not considered a custom request.
Yes. You'll find details here.
