FAQ

Is your jewelry allergy safe?

Our jewelry has shown to be safe for people with mild allergies, but those with severe allergies should exercise caution. Most of our products are gold-plated brass, gold-fill (with brass inside), Gold Vermeil (gold plated sterling silver) or solid sterling silver. 

Is Baleen eco-friendly?

Yes! :) To be as eco-friendly as possible we exercise quite a few things. First, a very large majority (approx 99%) of our materials such as Silver, Brass and Gold-Fill are made from recycled metals. We are a Zero-waste manufacturer as well. Meaning any scrap for our manufacturing goes to recycling facilities. We also work with a Nickel-Free, Conflict-Free, gold-plating facility in the United States that practices Zero-waste as well. All our packaging is printed here in Seattle on recycled paper made in Michigan in a green, water-powered factory. Read more about our sustainability here.

How can I take care of my jewelry?

Over time jewelry can tarnish/oxidize due to the reaction of the metal with elements in the air and water, as well as oils in our skin.  It's best to avoid exposing your jewelry to humidity (showers, baths, hot tubs, etc), hair spray and perfume.  To get a brighter shine, tarnish can usually be removed with a jewelry cloth or simply use tooth paste and a cloth and buff your piece.  We highly recommend our Jewelry Cleaning Kit for all jewelry.

What is the difference between gold-plated and gold-fill?

Gold-fill is an actual layer of gold, mechanically pressure bonded to another metal - mainly available with wire and hardware.  Gold-plating has a smaller percentage of gold than gold-fill, and is created by dipping a metal object in an electroplating solution that contains gold.  An electric current is applied and a layer of gold is deposited onto the object.  The thickness of the layer of gold is determined by the type of jewelry - the more a piece is worn against the skin (i.e - rings and stud earrings), resulting in friction and contact with the body's natural oils, the thicker we make that layer in order to maintain the integrity of the piece over time and wear.  Gold-plating is a wonderful, significantly less expensive alternative to solid gold, which is why we love it!

What is cellulose acetate?

A natural plastic coming from wood pulp. Unlike most man-made fibers, it comes from a renewable resource and is biodegradable.  In addition to being beautiful, it is hypoallergenic, lightweight, strong, and eco-friendly.  The cellulose acetate we use comes from a company in Italy that has been manufacturing this product since the 1800s.

Do you offer custom designs, modifications or repairs of non-Baleen jewelry?

Sorry, we aren't able to accommodate custom design requests or modification requests - such as different metals, stones, ring sizes, etc.  We do not offer repairs on non-Baleen jewelry.

How can I figure out my ring size?

You're in luck!  We have a handy guide on how to do this...all you need is your finger, a piece of paper and a ruler.

Do you offer gift wrapping?

We don't offer gift wrap but we do sell gift boxes for $3.50. PLEASE NOTE: May be temporarily unavailable.

Do you offer gift cards?

Yes, we sell gift cards here!  They will come with a unique online code and can be used online or at our Seattle shop.

For gift orders can you omit the cost?

Yes, when you checkout just add a message in the notes field.  We're happy to black out the cost (creating a gift receipt) or omit the entire receipt.