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frequently asked questions
If you have been a follower/customer of ours for any length of time, you may have noticed a price increase with our most recent collection launch. There are a couple of reasons for this;
We have begun to utilize Gold Vermeil in the majority of our jewelry. See below for specifics on this material and what it means for the durability and lifespan of your pieces. In shifting our products from gold plating to hypoallergenic gold vermeil, our costs have increased and so, too, have our prices. We feel confident that this decision supports our slow fashion mantra, as Gold vermeil is a more durable material for our demi-fine jewelry.
The second reason for our price increases has to do with our commitment to paying a living wage, according to the Ontario Living Wage Network, (OLWN). We were recently certified by the OLWN and this commitment requires that we pay more than the provincial minimum wage. Precisely how much more is a city-specific calculation, derived in response to rising inflation and living costs. It is imperative to us that the women working in production, assembly and
fulfillment are remunerated fairly for their work.
Sustainable jewelry takes time! Given the made-to-order and small-batch production mantra at our studio, production can take up to 5 days for orders. This is in addition to the shipping timeline. We offer rush service on orders for a small fee, please see details at check-out.
Knots and Pipes ships across Canada and mainland USA from Hamilton, ON Canada, using Canpar Express. The particular Canpar franchise that we utilize is female-owned, contributing to our goal of supporting female entrepreneurs whenever possible. Tracking numbers for all
orders will be provided after check-out.
Once dispatched from the studio, the shipping timeline for domestic orders range from 5-7 business days. Orders shipped to the USA range from 7 to 15 business days. This range is a guide, not a guarantee.
We want you to love your Knots and Pipes jewelry. While we handle refund requests on a case-by-case basis, we are committed to finding a solution for any issue you may
have. Not happy with your order? Please send us an email with your order number and a description/photo of your concern, to info@knotsandpipes.com, within 5 business
days of receiving your order. Please note, shipping fees are non-refundable.
Please send us an email with your order number and a photo of the issue, to info@knotsandpipes.com, within 5 business days of receiving your order. We will work
hard to send a replacement out as soon as possible.
Yes, absolutely we do! Whether you need a lobster claw replaced, a pearl necklace restrung or a jump ring closed, we are happy to offer complimentary repairs out of our
Hamilton, ON studio. Please email info@knotsandpipes.com to schedule a shipment or repair appointment.
90% of our jewelry is made of gold vermeil. Far superior to standard gold plating, gold vermeil requires a 925 certified sterling silver base with a hefty layering of 18k gold.
Our gold vermeil products have over 5 times the average amount of gold used in the standard gold plating process. This increase the durability and longevity of your
jewelry. The sterling silver base ensures that pieces are hypoallergenic.
The exception to this standard is recycled items used in some of our designs, and our vintage collection. Product descriptions will specify when anything other than gold
vermeil is utilized.
Yes, all of our pearls are genuine pearls, carefully selected from oysters and freshwater mussels. When designing our pearl pieces, we knew we wanted a fresh take on the pearls of yesteryear. Rather than round and uniformed, we chose baroque pearls; known for their irregular, one-of-a-kind shape. The lack of uniformity is the point. Perfectly imperfect.
All of our jewelry is tested for standard day-to-day wear. This means that the durability of all of our pieces (excluding the vintage collection) was tested against standard day-to-day activities. Please note, these activities exclude working out, swimming and showering.
Our jewelry is demi-fine. While durable, it is not solid gold and therefore extra care needs to be taken in order to prevent tarnishing. Avoid showering, applying lotions and excessive sweating while wearing your jewelry.
All orders are shipped with a polish cloth. Use this for regular, gentle maintenance and ensure to store your pieces in a cool, dry place.
The specifics surrounding “waste colonialism” and “thrift store gentrification” are nuanced. The Jezebel article by Hazel Cills, “The Complicated Reality of Thrift Store Gentrification” and the Clotheshorse Podcast series, “Examining the Ethics of Second Hand Resale” Episodes 159 through 162 both do a great job at working through just how problematic (and patronizing) it is to ascertain that thrift stores should be accessible only to those under a certain income threshold.
They also flesh out how, in the age of Fast Fashion, one of the most environmentally friendly things you can do to alter your consumption practises is to shop less and shop second-hand.
It is also important to note that most thrift stores are for-profit corporations. The few entities that are not-for-profit make their charitable contributions in the form of financial support and employment opportunities (both of which are often entangled with some degree of religious affiliation). Fiscal donations are derived from final profit margins.
All of this is to say, the best way to support non-profit “charity” shops?
Shop them.
11. What if I am ethically opposed to thrift shopping?
10. How do I care for my jewelry?
09. Where are pieces from the Knots and Pipes vintage collection sourced?
08. Are the pearls genuine?
07. What is your jewelry made of?
06. Do you offer repairs?
05. My order arrived damaged. What do I do?
04. What is your return policy?
03. Do you ship internationally?
02. When will I get my order?
01. Why have your prices increased?
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