Frequently Asked Questions
Design Questions
Can I make changes to a ready to size & ship piece?
Our ready to size & ship pieces are designed by our team and are 100% one-of-a-kind. While you can modify the metal tone and ring size, please note that these adjustments are considered customizations, and therefore void the return policy of ready to size & ship rings. Please contact us if you'd like to see mock-ups of a different metal tone before you buy.
We're always more than happy to create a piece inspired by one of our pre-existing rings if you're not in love with the whole piece.
Read more about our policies here.
Can I make changes to a pre-existing setting?
Yes! We understand you may like one aspect of one setting and one aspect of another and we're more than happy to create something custom based on what you love most. We
Am I limited to what I've seen you make?
No! We love creating pieces based on our clients vision. If you want to create a totally custom piece, please fill out our custom work form. Send us your budget with sketches, screen shots, or other visuals. We can make most anything happen!
I saw something on your page that I love, but I can't find it online. What do I do?
It is likely that the piece has sold. Each of our pieces are one-of-a-kind so we can not create exact duplicates. However, we can create a similar piece using the same setting and a similar center stone.
Will you work with a stone or setting I already have?
Sorry, we are a brand, and only work with the stones that we have sourced and settings that we have designed. Please see a local jeweler for this specialized work.
Jewelry Information
What metal and stones are the strongest?
10k gold and 14k gold in white, yellow, or rose gold will be the strongest options. The lower amount of gold (10k), the stronger it is, as gold is a softer metal. Other metals are added to gold to strengthen and add color, creating 14k and 18k. We love 14k for the saturation in color of course and great strength! We also offer Platinum, which maintains its brightness better over time than white gold.
As far as stones, we recommend diamonds, sapphires and moissanite for everyday wear based on the Mohs Hardness Scale.
How do I best care for my Midwinter Co. jewelry?
Please be careful with chemical use and be aware of how it effects your metals. To best avoid any of the residue buildup that comes with regular wear, you can clean your jewelry regularly at home with warm water, gentle soap, and a toothbrush.
To maintain the quality of your jewelry, remove before showering, gardening, using cleaning chemicals, applying makeup and lotions, swimming, and exercising. Exposure to any harsh chemicals or heavy pressure will put your jewelry at risk.
Store your jewelry in a soft pouch or lined jewelry box away from touching other jewelry.
Do you use sustainable metal practices and ethically sourced gems?
This is an important discussion! Click here to read about our stones and sourcing!
Purchasing Questions
Is there a retail location to purchase from?
Yes! As of early 2019, we have a brick and mortar location in Wilmington, Delaware. We are currently open by appointment only. Please fill out an appointment request form.
Do you have a payment plan?
Yes, for USA clients - please use AFFIRM at checkout to apply! Affirm only accepts USA clients right now, but hopes to expand that in the future. Affirm is a financing alternative to credit cards and other credit-payment products. Affirm offers instant financing for online purchases to be paid in fixed monthly installments over 3, 6, or 12 months. You are very highly likely to be accepted too!
Why buy with Affirm?
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Buy and receive your purchase right away, and pay for it over several months. This payment option allows you to split the price of your purchase into fixed payment amounts that fit your monthly budget.
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If Affirm approves your loan, you'll see your loan terms before you make your purchase. See exactly how much you owe each month, the number of payments you must make, and the total amount of interest you’ll pay over the course of the loan. There are no hidden fees.
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The application process is secure and real-time. Affirm asks you for a few pieces of information. After you provide this information, Affirm notifies you of the loan amount that you’re approved for, the interest rate, and the number of months that you have to pay off your loan -- all within seconds.
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You don’t need a credit card to make a purchase. Affirm lends to the merchant directly on your behalf.
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You may be eligible for Affirm financing even if you don’t have an extensive credit history. Affirm bases its loan decision not only on your credit score, but also on several other data points about you.
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Affirm reminds you by email and SMS before your upcoming payment is due. Enable Autopay to schedule automatic monthly payments on your loan.
Are taxes included in the price?
The state of Delaware does not charge a sales tax. This means purchases made in our studio will not be taxed. Purchases made online may have an additional tax depending on the rules in your state. Please reach out before making your purchase if you have any questions.
Turnaround Time
Ready to Size & Ship Pieces
Ready to size and ship pieces can be shipped out within 2-3 days if the piece is bought as is, including the current size and metal tone. If a ready to size and ship piece needs to be resized, it can be ready and shipped within 1-2 weeks. If the ring needs to be recast in a different metal tone, it will be shipped within 4-8 weeks.
Custom Rings (stone + setting)
Custom rings are typically shipped within 4-8 weeks of the purchase of the completed ring. Each ring is unique and some require more back and forth communication than others which can prolong the process.
Completely Custom
Completely custom rings vary immensely. We are very dedicated to creating the ring of your dreams and take the time to go back and forth with you to ensure we’re creating exactly what you have envisioned. Approximate timelines can be broken down based on whether you’re doing custom metal work, custom stone sourcing, or both.
Production time for custom metal work typically is 4-8 weeks, but design time can vary based on the intricacy of the setting, meaning the total turnaround time can be closer to 10-12 weeks.
Custom stone sourcing can take as little as a few weeks or up to a few months. This depends on how unique of a stone you’re looking for and what our suppliers have available at the time. Once a stone has found and purchased with a setting, the production time is typically 4-8 weeks.
Read more about custom work here.
Wedding Bands
Wedding bands can be ready and shipped within 4-8 weeks. Straight bands and classic bands are typically ready quicker than our contour bands. Contour bands need to be custom contoured to your Midwinter Co. ring which is a longer process that is closer to the 8-week mark.
Made to Order Pieces
Made to order pieces such as necklaces, earrings and certain rings (such as our moss agate rings) can vary from 3-8 weeks.
Please note these are our standard production times and they may be subject to change.
If you'd like an order update, you can request one here.
Is there any way to expedite my order?
Please let us know ahead of time if there is a specific date you are hoping to have your Midwinter Co. piece by. We do offer rush fees and expedited shipping for emergency situations. However, we can not guarantee your piece will arrive in time if we are not given enough notice.
Warranty Information
What kind of warranty is included with my purchase?
Midwinter Co. offers a complimentary warranty for all our jewelry. What the warranty includes is dependent upon your purchase. You can ready more about our warranty here.
Upgrade to Jeweler's Mutal Extended Care Plan:
We also partner with Jeweler's Mutual to offer an extended care plan that offers more coverage than our complimentary warranty. We reccomend this plan particularly for engagement rings and wedding bands with accent stones. You can read more about it here.
What's the difference between having a warranty and insurance?
Typically, warranties cover damages and repairs while insurance covers loss or theft of the piece as a whole.
Some warranty and insurance plans may have some overlap in coverage, but we reccomend insuring your ring. Check with your current insurance provider to see if you can bundle it with existing coverage, or insure your ring through Jeweler's Mutual.
Shipping Information
Your shipment will be discreet with no logo or business name on the box.
USA
We use FedEx two-day shipping, fully insured, with signature required.
International
We use DHL 2-7 Day Worldwide Express, fully insured, with signature required.
Please see item information about timing before shipment is made. There may be additional customs and importing fees to pay that is not included in your shipping cost and are the clients responsibility. Contact your area's mailing office for more information about what kind of costs to expect.
If you'd prefer to pick up your Midwinter Co. piece directly from our studio, please let us know.
Returns, Exchanges & Cancellations
For most of our pieces, you have the option to cancel within 24 hours for a full refund. After the 24 hours you will be subject to a $250 return fee. There will be no refunds given after 21 days of purchase.
Due to the unique nature of work, each piece may have a differnt return, exchange or cancellation policy. Please read our about returns, exchanges and cancellations here and make sure you understand and agree to our policies before making your purchase.
Ring Size
How do I figure out my ring size?
There are a few ways to determine your ring size. You can..
- go to a local jeweler to have them size you
- get sized in our studio
- download & print our ring sizer template.
Please note that your finger size may flucuate depending on a variety of factors such as the time of day and weather.
What if I get the wrong size?
No problem! Your first resize is on us. You can purchase a ring resize here.
What are some discreet ways to get my partners ring size?
- If they have a ring they wears on that finger, you can playfully ask to see it and put it on a finger of yours, and later size your finger in that spot / that finger.
- You can ask their friends/family if they know!
- You can ask their friends/family if they can work ring size into a natural conversation, if sizes are a pretty normal thing to discuss.
- You can ask their friends/family to get them to write down all their sizes, say if they wanted to get a gift for them and surprise them. (for example: top size, pants size, finger size, favorite length necklace, shoe size, etc.)
If you're totally unsure of the size, we reccomend ordering a size 7, which is the easiest size to re-adjust.
If you know need to convert your size please visit http://www.ringsizes.co
Image Usage
Can I use your images on my blog?
You may use our images on your blog or in your zine as long as we are credited. We do own the copyrights to every image. That being said, we love and appreciate being blogged and shared! Please email us and let us know that you blogged about us!
Will you post photos of my ring?
We photograph all of our client pieces as part of our quality check. We sometimes post these photos to our social media pages to show examples of whats possible at Midwinter Co. Typically we wait 1-2 months before posting photos, but it is up to you to let us know if have a proposal date in mind or if you would prefer your ring not be posted.
If you post pictures of your ring please tag us! We love seeing rings in their forever homes. If you would like to send us proposal, engagement or wedding photos please e-mail share@midwinter.co and include a short synopsis of your love story along with your social media handles and your photographers social media handles.