FAQs

Orders

Does my order include a repair warranty?

Yes, every piece of jewelry is granted one complimentary repair within six (6) months of delivery. All the details can be found here.

Is a charitable contribution included with my order?

Yes! 5% of profits from online orders* and pop-ups are donated to Wildlife Conservation Network. IVJ has been donating to WCN since 2014!

I work hard to maintain an environmentally conscious business. I’m passionate about our planet and the wildlife that inhabits it. Donations are submitted to the charity annually.

*excludes custom design projects

I'm interested in a design that's "temporarily unavailable". When will it be available again?

I intentionally keep my stock of production materials lean as this approach aligns with my dedication to slow fashion. Unfortunately sometimes that means production is impacted. If there is a design you are interested in that is currently unavailable, you can reach out here.

How do I cancel my order?

Reply to your order confirmation email within 24 hours to cancel your order. Cancellation requests are processed swiftly, but it may take a couple of days for the pending payment to be fully refunded by your bank.

Cancellations requested after 24 hours are subject to review as the order may already be in production.

What is you return policy?

Unworn or defective designs are accepted for return within 30 days of delivery.

Custom made designs, engraved designs, quarter-size rings, final sale designs, promotional gifts and gift cards are not eligible for refunds.

More return + exchange information here.

Shipping

When will my order ship?

This varies based on design. Look for "Estimated Ship Date" above the add to cart button.

If you ordered more than one design, it’s safe to assume the item with the longest timeline is the best shipping estimate for your entire order.

How long does shipping take?

All orders are shipped from Los Angeles, CA via United States Postal Service (USPS), FedEx or UPS.

Travel time for orders shipping in the USA

  • Standard shipping: 3-7 business days
  • Expedited shipping: 1-3 business days
  • Overnight shipping: next business day by 8pm local time

Travel time for orders shipping to Canada

  • Standard shipping: 8-20 business days
  • Priority shipping: 6-10 business days
  • Express shipping: 3-5 business days
Where do you ship?

Irina Victoria Jewelry is based in Los Angeles, CA and currently ships to USA and Canada.

Are you an international customer looking to have IVJ shipped to you? Request international shipping here.

Do you require a signature upon delivery?

Yes, on orders valued $500 or more. This is meant to safeguard your new valuables. I would hate for your jewelry to be stolen from your doorstep! If you’re confident this won’t be an issue, you can waive the signature requirement in the order comments at checkout.

Full disclosure: by waiving a signature upon delivery, you acknowledge taking on the full risks of delivery. IVJ does not replace or refund lost or stolen orders that have been marked delivered by the shipping carrier.

I think my order was lost in transit. Help?

If your order hasn't been marked delivered by the shipping carrier, please reach out here.

Jewelry Care

Can I live in my IV jewelry?

Yes! I strongly encourage everyday wear but within reason. It's crucial to weigh the risk of damage, loss or personal injury for any activity beyond day-to-day routines.

Here's a little advice based on my own experience with solid gold, sterling silver, platinum and diamond jewelry—take it or leave it:

  • Use common sense. For example, I wouldn't wear an engagement ring rock climbing. If you're worried about damaging or losing a piece of jewelry, that's your gut telling you to leave it at home or, at the very least, take it off and store it safely during the activity.
  • I leave my jewelry on when I shower and sometimes give my earrings and necklace a gentle wash while I lather up.
  • I leave my earrings and necklace on when I sleep, but remove my rings because my fingers swell sometimes, and it's uncomfortable.
  • I leave everyday jewelry on during low-impact workouts but remove rings whenever a session requires gripping or handling equipment. I'd like to think it protects my fingers from injury and jewelry from damage.
  • For a beach or pool day, I'll leave my studs and huggie hoops on but swap my diamond wedding band for a simple gold band. I usually remove the rest of my jewelry to avoid a build-up of sunscreen, sweat and oils. Also, it's never fun to lose something at the beach. :(
  • When I clean, I take my rings off.
  • Hair, face and body-related sprays, lotions, creams, oils, foams, (you name it) have a nasty habit of building up on jewelry, so I try to minimize exposure. Honestly, it keeps my jewelry looking clean and shiny longer.
How should I clean my jewelry?

Basic cleaning can be done at home using a soft-bristled toothbrush, a little dish soap and warm water in a bowl. Scrub gently in a circular motion to remove dirt and oils. It's amazingly efficient!

This method won't remove tarnish from silver jewelry—see next question.

How do I remove tarnish from my silver jewelry?

Materials

How do you source your metals and stones?

Jewelry is an age-old industry that has historically leaned into secrecy for a competitive edge. Thankfully, much work is being done behind the scenes to change that precedent.

I source materials from suppliers that acknowledge their impact on people and the planet. How do I do that? It's a mix of things—

  • A trusted third-party certification, like SCS Global Services or B Corp, is a plus but not a requirement. There are values-driven businesses outside of certification as well.
  • I seek out information voluntarily available on their website, like sections spotlighting the environment, ethics, labor practices and things of that nature. What statements are they making? What steps are they taking to act on them?
  • When information is lacking or I have specific questions, I'll contact them directly to discuss further.
  • Shared knowledge. As a member of Ethical Metalsmiths, I'm grateful to be in community with other sustainability-focused jewelry designers.
Where do you source your metals and stones?

I purchase raw materials, like chains, wire, sheet metal, diamonds and colored gemstones, from wholesale suppliers and manufacturers in California, Louisiana, New York, and Virginia.

Recycled* precious metals

I seek out recycled gold, silver and platinum for my work and choose to support companies that oversee refining and manufacturing in their facilities in the USA.

Two of my metals suppliers are SCS Global Services certified for 100% recycled precious metal. Two others are smaller, family-owned businesses that aren't certified but offer transparency.

*It's worth noting: recycled metal is currently a hot topic in greenwashing discussions. High-value metals like gold and platinum have always been refined and repurposed by the jewelry industry, and we now understand mining has continued to thrive despite this fact. It's important to know the past life, so to speak, of the metals to judge the impact. For example, bullion consisting of newly-mined gold that sat in a bank vault is barely a step removed from mining as compared to jewelry previously worn for years, or gold salvaged from tech e-waste bound for landfill.

Fairmined gold

I'm in the process of getting Fairmined gold certified. I hope to make it available in 2024!

Reclaimed natural diamonds

For custom design projects—like engagement rings—that require larger diamonds, I source post-consumer reclaimed (also called recycled). High quality, secondhand diamonds are widely available in many shapes and come with a GIA grading report.

Smaller diamonds, typically ones under 5mm, are relatively easy to source in popular shapes such as round brilliant and princess cut. Finding fancy shapes, like baguette and marquise, in specific dimensions can be challenging. In situations where post-consumer reclaimed diamonds are unavailable, I will use deadstock diamonds. Sometimes, those diamonds are re-cut to fit the needs of the project.

Lab grown diamonds

For diamonds 1.0ct or larger I prioritize stones with an SCS Global Services certification for sustainability. Growing facilities are rated on their origin traceability, ethical stewardship, net zero carbon footprint, sustainable production practices, and sustainability investments in their community and the environment. These diamonds come with a traditional diamond grading report as well as a sustainability grading report.

Smaller diamonds—emphasis on 0.2ct or less—are primarily created using nonrenewable energy. This is the industry-wide standard at the moment.

Colored gemstones

You've probably noticed I don't typically use colored gemstones in my work. That's a personal design choice. Now and then, I'll release exclusive designs set with gemstones I've acquired through past redesign projects with my clients. I can vouch for a stone's post-consumer reclaimed status because my hands removed them from unwanted jewelry. 

I also have access to reclaimed and lab grown colored gemstones through wholesale suppliers. Since sourcing colored gemstones isn't my specialty, I can't make guarantees, but I'll try my best!

What is recycled* gold, platinum and silver?

Recycling and refining jewelry has been part of the industry since the beginning as precious metals are too valuable to waste. The vast majority of recycled gold, platinum and silver I purchase from my suppliers was once finished jewelry, scraps from fabrication, or dental fillings.

*It's worth noting: recycled metal is currently a hot topic in greenwashing discussions. High-value metals like gold and platinum have always been refined and repurposed by the jewelry industry, and we now understand mining has continued to thrive despite this fact. It's important to know the past life, so to speak, of the metals to judge the impact. For example, bullion consisting of newly-mined gold that sat in a bank vault is barely a step removed from mining as compared to jewelry previously worn for years, or gold salvaged from tech e-waste bound for landfill.

What is a reclaimed natural diamond?

A natural diamond, previously set in jewelry, that is reintroduced into the supply chain. This happens most often when old jewelry is recycled. During the metal refining process, diamonds are removed for resale.

What is a deadstock natural diamond?

A natural diamond sourced from manufacturer close-outs or purchased at auction. They are less likely to be post-consumer but serve as a way to find use for excess or unwanted inventory.

What is a lab grown diamond?

Lab grown, lab created, cultured—these are all used to describe a diamond grown using specialized equipment in a manufacturing facility. Currently there are two ways to grow a diamond and you can learn more here.

At an atomic level, a lab grown diamond and an Earth grown diamond are identical.

Production

How do you make IV jewelry?

In this day and age, the world is my oyster!

I design every piece of jewelry myself and physically produce nearly everything in the shop. My skill set is self-taught, and my in-house operation is intentionally lean.

I use traditional metalsmithing techniques, such as soldering with a flame and sand casting. Although not a traditional skill, I added a micro welder to my lineup of tools.

When working on complex projects, very often custom for clients, I'll lean into technology like Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and 3D-printing wax models. These steps are part of a greater process known as lost-wax casting.

Where do you make IV jewelry?

I handcraft* shop orders in my private studio in Los Angeles, CA.

When a project is complex, I partner with CAD engineers, casting houses and stone setters. Top notch quality is what I want to put out in the world. If that means I can't do it myself, I'm happy to work with trusted manufacturers in the USA.

*Did you know I can't legally call my jewelry handmade? According to FTC regulations, use of handheld tools powered by electricity = not made by hand. See below:

§ 23.2 Misuse of the terms "handmade," "hand-polished," etc.

(a) It is unfair or deceptive to represent, directly or by implication, that any industry product is handmade or hand-wrought unless the entire shaping and forming of such product from raw materials and its finishing and decoration were accomplished by hand labor and manually-controlled methods which permit the maker to control and vary the construction, shape, design, and finish of each part of each individual product.

Source: Legal Information Institute

What are you doing to reduce waste?

First and foremost, I reduce my waste output by limiting how much I create upfront.

Offering a limited selection of thoughtfully crafted jewelry independent of seasonal fashion cycles helps me maintain my vision and minimize my impact on the environment.

Here's a rundown of my waste management practices:

  • I use a made to order and small batch production model; my stock of raw materials goes further this way.
  • Order packaging is minimal and plastic-free.
  • Fabrication scrap metal is melted and reused to make new jewelry. 
  • Dust-like metal filings captured by my air filtration system and miscellaneous items that trap metal particles (ex., muslin polishing wheels and wastewater filter paper) are sent to a refinery. The "trash" is incinerated, leaving behind metal for recycling. The USA-based refineries I work with implement rigorous safety and environmental standards for this process. 
  • I use earth-friendly products at the bench, like metal cleaning solutions made from salt + vinegar and polishing compounds made from vegetable oil.
  • Water usage is minimal as my work doesn't require much. Wastewater from production is filtered to remove contaminates, like metal particles, and then left out to evaporate.
  • Everyday items like paper, glass and plastic are recycled per local regulations.