Terms of Service

1. Introduction & Agreement

Welcome to Aethelred Jewels ("we," "us," "our," "the Maison"). We provide fine jewelry, bespoke commission services, and related client aftercare. These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("the Client," "you") and Aethelred Jewels. These Terms govern your use of our website (the "Site"), your acquisition of our products (the "Jewels"), and your engagement in any of our services, including bespoke commissions. By accessing our Site or initiating an acquisition or commission, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms in their entirety.

2. Eligibility

To acquire Jewels or engage in services from Aethelred Jewels, you must be at least 18 years of age and possess the legal authority and capacity to enter into a binding contract. You affirm that all information provided to us during the client onboarding and acquisition process is true, accurate, current, and complete.

3. Client Responsibilities

You, the Client, agree to provide and maintain current, complete, and accurate information for your client profile and any acquisitions. This includes your full name, a valid email address, a correct and secure shipping address, and accurate payment information.

For Bespoke Commissions: The creation of a bespoke Jewel is a collaborative process. It is your responsibility to provide accurate information (e.g., ring size) and to provide timely and definitive approval of all design elements, including but not limited to sketches, CAD (Computer-Aided Design) renderings, and wax models. Aethelred Jewels is not responsible for issues arising from inaccurate information provided by you or changes of mind after a design stage has been formally approved.

4. Products, Orders & Availability

Initiating an acquisition or commission through our Site or with a personal jeweler constitutes an offer to purchase our products or services. An order is deemed confirmed only upon your receipt of an official order confirmation from Aethelred Jewels. All Jewels are subject to availability. As we use natural gemstones, slight variations in color, hue, and the presence of natural inclusions are inherent characteristics and a hallmark of their unique, earth-mined quality. We reserve the right to limit the quantities of any Jewels or services that we offer and to discontinue any Jewel at any time.

5. Pricing, Billing, and Payment

All prices are quoted in the currency displayed and are subject to applicable taxes and insured shipping fees, which will be clearly itemized. Full payment is required for all in-stock Jewels at the time of ordering. For bespoke commissions, a non-refundable deposit of 50% of the estimated total is required to commence work, with the final balance due upon completion and prior to delivery. We reserve the right to change prices for products and services, however, prices for confirmed orders and commissions with a paid deposit will be honored. Prices for precious metals and gemstones are subject to market fluctuations.

6. Delivery & Shipping

All delivery and shipping timeframes provided are estimates. The creation time for bespoke commissions may take between 8 to 12 weeks, or longer for highly complex pieces. We partner exclusively with specialized, fully insured, high-value couriers. Our obligation is to deliver your order to the secure address you provide. Title and risk of loss for all Jewels pass to you upon your signature at the time of delivery. We are not responsible for orders that are undeliverable or misdelivered due to incorrect or insecure address information provided by you.

7. Returns, Warranty & Cancellations

Our policies are designed to ensure your confidence and satisfaction while respecting the unique and custom nature of our creations.

• In-Stock Jewels: We offer a 14-day return policy for all in-stock Jewels that have not been altered or personalized. Items must be in their original, unworn condition with all original documentation and packaging to be eligible for a full refund.
• Bespoke & Altered Jewels: Due to their custom-made and personalized nature, all bespoke commissions, engraved items, and resized Jewels are final sale and cannot be returned for a refund.
• Lifetime Warranty: All Aethelred Jewels are covered by a lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects. This warranty guarantees the quality of our workmanship and materials. It does not cover issues arising from normal wear and tear, accidental damage, loss, theft, or the loss of a center stone. We recommend obtaining independent insurance for your fine jewelry to cover such events. Warranty claims are assessed on a case-by-case basis by our master jewelers.
• Cancellations: You may cancel an order for an in-stock item before it has been shipped. For bespoke commissions, the 50% initial deposit is non-refundable once the design process or gemstone sourcing has commenced.

8. Intellectual Property

The "Aethelred Jewels" name, our hallmark, website design, text, graphics, photography, unique jewelry designs, collection names (e.g., 'Celestial Tear', 'Kyoto Gardens'), and all other brand materials ("Maison Assets") are the exclusive intellectual property of Aethelred Jewels and are protected by international copyright, trademark, and trade dress laws. We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access our Site for personal, non-commercial use. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of our Maison Assets is strictly prohibited.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Aethelred Jewels' liability for any claim arising out of your acquisition or engagement of our services shall be limited to the total amount you have paid to us for the specific Jewel or commission in question. In no event shall we be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages. We are not liable for issues arising from inaccurate information provided by the Client for bespoke commissions. We are not responsible for events of Force Majeure, including but not limited to acts of God, natural disasters, or other circumstances beyond our reasonable control that may disrupt service.

10. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, USA, without regard to its conflict of law principles. In the event of any dispute arising from these Terms or our services, you agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in New York County, New York.

11. Policy Updates

We reserve the right to update or modify these Terms of Service at any time without prior notice. The revised Terms will be posted on our Site, and the "Last Updated" date will be amended. Your continued use of our services or placement of an order after any such changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the new Terms.

12. Contact

If you have any questions about these Terms of Service, please contact our Client Services team: