Fourth bug
Materials:
I use 925 solid silver to craft the majority of jewellery pieces. Any items with gold elements use 9ct solid rose or yellow gold. All chain and fittings are 925 solid silver or solid 9ct. The exact material will be listed clearly in the product description. All solid gold items are hallmarked at the Birmingham Assay Office for proof of content.
Aftercare:
I offer a comprehensive aftercare service so that you can continue to collect, love & wear your gardening jewellery collections for years to come.
Although silver and 9ct gold are precious metals they are still prone to oxidisation and scratching. These are both natural occurrences and are unavoidable with wear and tear. Having said that - the more you wear your silver jewellery - the less it will tarnish.
Please do get in touch if you would like to have your piece of jewellery refurbed to it's former pristine glory - I'll remove scratches, re-polish and deep clean - it will look brand new again. The cost for refurb and renew is £15 including return postage. Order this service here.
Jewellery is for wearing - not gathering dust in a box. If you need a repair please send your items to the workshop, and I'm sure said piece will be happy to see the light of day and sparkle again!
Returns:
I am more than happy to alter chain lengths and ring sizes, I would generally like to alter a piece to try and make it right before issuing a refund. I am a small one-woman-band, not an ASOS style buy five sizes and send four back kind of website. I'm sure you know that already! It is easiest to try and work out the correct sizing before the jewellery is made. If a ring sizer would help - you can purchase one here.
Jewellery shopping can sometimes be a guessing game. Especially when buying for somebody else. If you need to send an item back or exchange, you can do so with 14 days of purchase.
Please allow two weeks for your order to be made and dispatched from the workshop.
If you require your order for a specific date or need it urgently please email or call and I will do my best to accommodate. Some items that are ready made in stock may be able to be posted quicker.
If you are local to Birmingham you are welcome to collect from the workshop in the Jewellery Quarter. Please get in touch to organise a suitable day and time.
Dispatch time : 2-14 days
UK -
Royal Mail Special Delivery £6.35
Next Day Guaranteed by 1pm
Tracked & insured up to £500
*free for orders over £150
Non jewellery items with a value of less than £20 are sent via Royal Mail First Class.
Europe -
UPS Express Saver £12
2 to 4 days
Tracked & insured up to £60
Rest of World -
Royal Mail International Tracked & Signed £12
5 to 28 days
Tracked & insured up to £50
*not a guaranteed service.
UPS Express Saver £27
2 to 6 days
Tracked & insured up to £60
*Please be aware that delays in customs are possible and duty may also be applicable.
If you're unsure about your ring size, here are some handy tips to help assist.
Tip 1: The most accurate method - visit a local jewellers to have your measurement taken.
Tip 2 : Purchase a ring sizing gauge and take the measurement of your finger yourself.
Tip 3 : Request a printable ring size guide to work out your size from an existing ring.
Bear in mind :
The thicker the ring, the tighter the fit. If you're ordering a wide ring then it may be a good idea to go for a size larger.
Wait until your fingers are at a comfortable room temperature before measuring. They can shrink half a size in the cold and expand when hot.
The ring sizes are measured in standard UK alphabetical sizes.
For help in converting your size to a UK size please refer to a ring size conversion chart or get in touch and I can work it out for you.
If you require a different size - such as a half size, please enter it in to the custom size option box. I make all rings to order so any size is possible.
Handcrafted in the Jewellery Quarter
I craft every individual item to order, by hand from sterling silver and 9ct gold, using traditional silversmithing techniques.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
If you are local to Birmingham and able to visit my workshop, you are welcome to visit in person by appointment.
Most pieces are made to order but I do carry a small stock of pieces for craft fairs & events. If you are interested in a seeing a specific piece, please do get in touch.
Please email ellie@ellenlou.com to arrange a visit or ask any questions.
-
Yes! I love designing and creating bespoke jewellery. Please view the bespoke page for further info or contact me using the form below to request a quote.
I have the ability to craft anything from enamelled marmite jars to diamond engagement rings.
I'd love to hear from you and see what we can create together.
-
I carry a small stock of made up pieces for craft fairs and events. These are available for dispatch within one to three days.
If the jewellery needs to be made from scratch, this usually takes one to three weeks. To allow time for casting, finishing, assembly and in some cases hallmarking.
If you require the jewellery for a specific important date please do let me know in advance so I can make sure it reaches you in plenty of time.
-
My jewellery is hallmarked at the Birmingham Assay Office with the famous Birmingham anchor and my makers mark 'ELI'.
*However please note the following legal weight thresholds :
If the item is silver and weighs less than 7.78g and if gold weighing less than 1g, the item is exempt from hallmarking.
If you would like a hallmark on your jewellery and it weighs less than these thresholds, I can hallmark the item for you at extra charge of £15.
Shopping for a gardener but not sure whether to trowel or spade? Give the gift of choice with an Ellen Lou Gift Card.
Take the pressure off decision making.
Please note that gift cards are non-refundable once purchased and cannot be used towards bespoke jewellery.
The gift card code is entered at checkout into the discount box. If the full amount is not redeemed, the balance remains on the card for future use. There is no expiry date.
The gift card will sprout in your inbox right away.
The instant email contains a link to view the gift card code, if time is of the essence you can forward the email to the recipient.
The optional printed version is posted within 1-3 days or on a date of your choosing, to you or direct to the recipient.
If you have selected a printed gift card, the code will be hand written on a presentation card and placed inside an illustrated wildflower greetings card.
Add a personal message to make your fail-safe gift extra thoughtful.