WHAT PAYMENT METHODS DO YOU ACCEPT?

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All major credit and debit cards are processed through PayPal's secure encrypted servers.   You do not need a paypal account to use this service, you can simply pay as a guest.  At no time does skaradesigns.com have access to your payment details

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SHIPPING & RETURNS

 

All items are shipped within 24 hours except for Sundays and public holidays.  For reasons of hygiene we DO NOT accept the return of earrings under any circumstances – please do note the lengths and weights given in the earring descriptions.  All other items should be returned within 14 working days in the original condition and in the original packaging.

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GIFT PACKAGING

 

All items are gift boxed and securely packaged. Whenever possible we use gift boxes designed to fit through your letterbox (UK) **

 

DO YOU OFFER GIFT CARDS?

 

At this time we do not offer gift cards but this option will be coming soon.

 

WHAT IS MURANO GLASS
 

Murano glass refers to glass items made on the island of Murano. No one else can rightfully or truthfully claim a glass bead they have made themselves is a Murano and/or Venetian glass bead.

 

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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VENETIAN BEADS AND MURANO BEADS?

 

There is no difference.

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The glass used to make the beads originates in Murano. However, Venetian Glass has been used to describe the glass coming from Murano for centuries and since Venice is much more widely known than the island of Murano, people continue to refer to it as Venetian Glass.  It's a matter of marketing terms and the fact that Venice is much wider known than Murano. 

 

About Venetian Murano glass beads -

Like any individually handmade items, Venetian Murano glass beads are not always 100% aesthetically perfect, they have many little quirks and characteristics and sometimes this makes them even more beautiful, it guarantees that no one else will ever have exactly the same item as you.

 

Some beads may have tiny air bubbles inside, sometimes this is done deliberately to create a "bubble" or "fizz" effect and sometimes it is just the way the glass reacts in the flame. The beads may not always have a totally smooth surface, or a 100% perfect shape, ie, sometimes the bead holes can be a little rough, this is because each bead is made by hand from start to finish and therefore there are no machines to smooth out the edges.

This all just adds to the uniqueness and character of each bead. These are not faults, simply characteristics of individually handmade Venetian Murano glass beads.

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WHAT ARE THE BEADS MADE OF?

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They are made of glass which is about 70% silica (sand).

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Venetian beads are made from a type of glass known as soda glass with a COE of 90 degrees which is a measurement of the expansion in heating and cooling. The beads start with glass rods which have been made in Murano. All of the beads are made from the famous Moretti Canes who make filigrana canes, millefiori canes and the solids and translucent colours (now Effetre Industriale). 

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WHY ARE THE BEADS DIFFERENT?​

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Mainly because they are not made by machine.   Human made products always reflect the slight variances. As with all articles made by hand, the sizes and shapes will vary. It depends on so many variables, they are all within a range, but no two will ever be exactly alike. This is simply not possible with handmade lampworked beads. These variations are not imperfections or rejects, simply that they are made by hand.

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GENERAL JEWELLERY INFO​

GOLD FILLED

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"Gold filled" (or "rolled gold") comprises a solid layer of gold (14k) permanently bonded to a base metal, such as brass. The minimum layer of gold must equal at least 1/20th the weight of the total item. It is very hard wearing and under normal wear the gold will not peel or flake, unlike gold plate, and is commonly used as a more economical alternative to pure gold.

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GOLD VERMEIL​

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Gold vermeil is sterling silver plated with gold or rose gold.  These items always bear the stamp of the base metal (what’s under the gold) in this case it is Sterling silver so items are stamped 925

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CONTACT

+44(0) 1297 561226

Charmouth, Bridport

Dorset, UK