1. What is granulation?

Granulation is an ancient art which can be traced back as far as the third millennium B.C. Used by the Egyptians and mastered by the Etruscans, it is the process of ornately decorating jewelry with patterns of tiny gold or silver balls called granules. In the finest examples, the granules, although permanently attached to the piece through the process of fusing, will appear to be merely resting on the surface. Because each granule needs to be individually placed and positioned on the surface, jewelry created using this technique can be very time intensive; taking tens to hundreds of hours to create a single piece depending on its complexity.

2. Can the granules fall off?

Due to the nature of granulation, the granules are attached using very small points of contact to keep each granule as distinct as possible. Although they seldom fall off, unfortunately it is possible and it does occasionally happen particularly on high-wear items such as rings, which are subject to lots of daily abuse. For the most part, few ever realize they are even missing a granule or two at all and some even enjoy the added uniqueness of their piece. However, for those bothered by this, we offer to replace any missing granules for free if it can be done without endangering the piece (shipping and handling are the responsibility of the owners). Please note that this is not part of the warranty. It is a service being offered by Erich Christopher Designs, LLC to maintain your happiness with your piece. However, due to the nature of granulation and the heat sensitivity of certain stones used in some of the pieces, repair to add a missing granule may not be possible and is the reason that this service in not included in the warranty.

3. Does your jewelry have a warranty?

I take great pride in the quality of my work and want you to be happy with your piece. Consequently, each piece is guaranteed against any problems due to workmanship that are not due to wear and tear for the lifetime that you own the piece. What does this mean? Basically, that we will repair, at no charge, any problems that arise from the construction of the piece such as gold falling off or a loose stone. This warranty is valid for the lifetime of the original purchaser. Problems that are deemed "wear and tear" and are therefore not covered that you should be aware of are problems such as scratched or chipped stones, scratched, dented, or bent gold, and missing granules. This consequently includes the flattening of granules which can occur over time on high wear items such as rings. If you would like more information regarding "missing granules," please see the previous section.

4. What is your return policy?

We want you to be happy with your piece. If you are unsatisfied, customers may return any item for store credit, exchange, or a refund less a $10 restocking fee within 30 days of receipt. The item must be returned in its original packaging and original condition and must also be accompanied by the receipt. Please note that rings that have been sized cannot be returned. If you would like to purchase a ring, but are unsure if you would like to keep it, we recommend ordering it as is and having it sized by a local jeweler in your area. This will also help ensure a more accurate sizing. Shipping charges are non-refundable. If you do wish to return your piece, please remember to insure it for the full purchase price.

5. What is the difference between your two collections of jewelry, the Classical and Signature Collections?

The two collections of jewelry were designed to give both uniqueness and a greater level of affordability.

The Classical Collection offers clients the beauty and ancient elegance of granulation within a more affordable price range.  Each piece in the Classical Collection is granulated by hand and is set with only high quality hand-selected gemstones from around the world.  For those contemplating owning their first piece of art jewelry, the Classical Collection provides a gentle, yet grand step into the world of hand-crafted splendor

The Signature Collection is the finest jewelry Erich Christopher Designs has to offer.  Each piece is one-of-a-kind, designed and fabricated exclusively by the artist, Erich C. Shoemaker.  Diligent attention to detail and craftsmanship are given to each piece throughout its construction and great care is taken to select only the finest quality of gemstones for use in a Signature piece.  The end result is the most exquisite and luxurious hand-made art jewelry produced by Erich Christopher Designs, LLC.

6. What types of gemstones do you usually use?

I enjoy using only the finest gemstones I can find. Typically, I try to stick to gems like sapphires, garnets, and diamonds in rings since they wear better than softer stones such as emeralds and opals. That does not mean that I will not use softer stones, only that I try to avoid them in high wear pieces of jewelry. However, in necklaces, pendants and earrings, anything is fair game. I especially like tourmalines due to the variety and depth of colors they are found in. Above all, I select only the higest quality of gemstones when creating jewelry. Stones that are rich in color with good cuts and little or no inclusions are staples of an Erich Christopher Designs piece. I take a particular pride in offering some of the finest quality stones available in my price range. When you purchase a piece of this jewelry, you can rest assured that you have also purchased a truely exceptional gem.

7.  Can I commission you to create a special piece for me?

 Absolutely.  If you are interested in having a special piece created, I would be more than happy to talk with you about it.  Send me an email at info@erichcdesigns.com or call me at (616)402-5142 and together we can design the piece of your dreams.