FAQs
Values
Our Values
We believe in quality, sustainability, and individuality. Hailey Jane's pieces are thoughtfully designed, carefully sourced, and lovingly handcrafted. Most pieces are made in-house, however, when we cannot create your dream piece ourselves, we look to talented local designers and craftspeople to ensure your dream piece comes to life - never compromising your vision. Jewellery for every day with points of connection and attention to detail.
Materials
What materials do you use?
14k gold-filled or sterling silver makes up 95% of our offerings to verify quality and to avoid low base cost metals to ensure your jewellery lasts // We also offer vintage finds and solid gold options upon request via our custom offerings - anything you can dream up, we can make and we will always work to accommodate your preferences!
What does gold-filled mean?
Quality jewellery at an affordable price. “Gold-filled” is a USA industry standard that legally requires 1/20th or 5% pure gold by weight. It's a strictly regulated process that involves pressure bonding multiple layers of solid 14k gold with extreme heat over a core of high-quality jeweller brass resulting in a durable, quality real gold product.
Is gold-filled actually ‘filled with gold’?
All the gold is on the outside, so it's a strange term for the industry to decide on ‘gold-filled’ to identify this type of jewellery. It's confusing! The only thing you need to know is that the term refers to a thick outer layer of durable, pressure-bonded, real, solid gold on the outside. No filling.
Is gold-filled jewellery real gold?
The gold in 14k gold-filled is 100% real. There is a thick layer of real, solid 14k gold on the outside of a brass core. The 14k gold that's on the outside of gold-filled jewellery is the same gold you would get from a solid 14k gold piece.
What’s the difference between gold-filled and plated jewellery?
There’s a lot more gold in gold-filled and the gold is attached in a way that’s much more durable. Also, the standards for 14k gold-fill are strictly regulated, while the standards for "gold plated" encompass a broad range of thicknesses, so you can't be sure how much gold is in the plated layer.
Is 14k gold-filled good quality?
OUI! Gold-fill is your best option after solid gold for quality and durability. It will not flake off or turn your skin green, therefore it is an excellent option for those with skin sensitivities. We use high grade USA made gold-filled components and stand behind the quality of our products. Gold-filled jewellery can remain beautiful for a lifetime, especially with a little love and care.
Is gold-filled jewellery durable? How long does it last?
After solid options, gold-filled jewellery is certainly your next best option. In theory, gold fill items can last a lifetime. Actually, some gold-fill jewellery still exists from the Victorian era (over 100 years old!). In practice, actual longevity will depend on how you care for your pieces and a variety of other factors, which we will touch on in more depth under ‘care’.
Does gold-fill jewellery tarnish?
14k gold-fill materials should not tarnish for a long time and can last beautifully for many years. But, the wrong chemicals when left on the surface can cause gold to darken more quickly. There are chemicals in a great many things (even you) so it’s important to be aware of factors that could potentially cause tarnishing. Common contributors to tarnishing include but are not limited to: hot tubs, pools, hair, body and cleaning products. Getting sweaty and good old body chemistry and hormones vary from person to person so it's tricky to nail down what might be causing tarnishing. Unless you have experience with gold fill jewellery and know how it works on your skin, you may just have to try it. For 90% of people, it's a dream come true and for the other 10%, after a few months, it may not be as sparkly.
Is your jewellery hypo-allergenic and okay for people with sensitivities?
Yes! 99.9% of people find they have no sensitivity to gold-filled jewellery. Because the outer layer of the piece is solid gold, it interacts with your skin the same way solid gold would.
A Note On Gemstones
We love the power of natural healing gemstones to set intentions and energize those wearing the gems - it’s beautiful to see what people are drawn to and which pieces choose you! Keep in mind all gemstones are raw and organic and will vary in shape and shade.
Care
Daily Maintenance
After each wear, gently wipe your jewels with a soft cloth (lens cloths work well!). If you’ve been sweaty that day or the piece may have gotten product on it (especially sunscreen), it would be ideal to give it a quick rinse in lukewarm water and dry it with a soft cloth afterward. Removing your jewellery while sleeping is also helpful to avoid snags on the fabric of your sheets or pjs!
Deep Cleaning
If you’re guilty of caking your jewels in makeup or sunscreen, it’s best to give it a little TLC right away.- Prepare a bowl of lukewarm water with a dash of gentle or mild soap
- Drop the piece in and let soak for about a minute
- Give it a very gentle scrub with a super soft toothbrush - ensure you can get into the chain nooks and crannies where there might be built up dirt or product
- Rinse it in lukewarm water to ensure all the soap has been removed
- Dry it well before storing safely
Storing Your Jewels
Storing your jewellery in something airtight is the best move (less airflow means less chance for tarnishing chemical reactions)- Store it clean, after your day to day maintenance
- Ideally, a little ziplock bag works best - not as beautiful, but compact and free of chemicals
- Store in a low humidity environment
Packing and Traveling With your jewellery
To avoid tangling, pop your necklace, anklet or bracelet into a small organza bag, plastic ziplock bag, or zipper wallet compartment with the fastened clasp on the outside. Secure it in place by zipping or sealing closed, again with the fastened clasp on the outside. We like to place our jewels in a hard container afterward to keep them protected.
How We Work
How long have you been in the jewellery world?
I became interested in jewellery making while au pairing in Italy in 2008 -- there I worked with Venetian beads and learned about wire wrapping and bead stringing! I have been playing with styles and designs ever since.
What makes a piece one-of-a-kind mean?
No two pieces alike - small variations from one to the next making this piece unique to you. Check out our custom process page or the custom portion under FAQs to learn more.
Do you carry vintage pieces?
Yes! Vintage pieces are curated or sourced from antique jewellery collectors or estates - they could date as far back as Edwardian times and are sourced from all over the world, but predominantly Europe. Vintage pieces carry a particular magic and charm in the unique story they tell, the mystery of where they have traveled, pre-loved or handed down, crossing oceans to find new homes. They also pay homage to traditional gold and silversmith techniques. These pieces are also considered post-consumer recycled. Get in touch with us if you’re looking to find a beautiful vintage piece, or would like to re-work your current treasure.
Do you offer jewellery repairs?
Yes - basic jewellery repairs to chains, fastenings, or pendants are easy fixes. Please message us to request a quote. If you have a more complex project, for example resizing or gemstone and diamond prong settings, we are happy to work with you as your jewellery consultant while we navigate the markets industry experts in relation to pricing, professionalism, timeline expectations, materials and standards of service. We can also have an initial consultation, and build on that relationship to take on all the heavy lifting for you throughout the project.
Do you re-work old treasures?
Oui! We encourage you to bring in old treasures to our ateliers or workshops so that we can bring new, modern life to your pieces! Grandma’s pearls? A vintage brooch you want to sport as a necklace or earring? Get in touch so that together we can have some jewel fun!
Where are your pieces made?
The majority of our pieces are made in house here in Ottawa, however we often work with local designers and craftspeople to ensure we can get you exactly what you want. We consider ourselves curators of sorts.
Pricing
See below estimates in relation to price points for custom jewellery. Please note we avoid low-cost base metals and instead focus on sterling silver, 14k gold-filled and solid gold options.
- Sterling silver, 14k yellow gold-filled or 14k rose gold-filled jewellery - $75-$225
- 10, 14 & 18k solid gold options & custom bridal styling - $225-$750
- Engagement rings, unisex bands - $750-$3,000 and up
Sizing
Necklace Chain Length
If you aren’t sure what length necklace might be right for you, feel free to send us a quick message! As a general rule of thumb, 15” will sit as a choker tight to the neck, 16” will hit by your collar bone, 18” will sit 2” below the collar bone, and 20” will be longer closer to your cleavage. Remember when we add pendants or gemstone drops, it will hang longer than the chain due to its size and weight.
Ring Sizing
If unsure of your ring size, we recommend going to a jewellery shop to be measured professionally.Production
How long does it take to create a piece?
All jewellery is hand-made to order in our Ottawa studio. Collection pieces ordered online will ship within two weeks after the date of purchase, while custom orders can take anywhere between 2-8 weeks. If you are on a tight timeline, please message us and we will do our very best to accommodate.
*Due to COVID-19, we are noticing longer than normal wait periods in relation to courier shipments, which we rely on to support local designers and craftspeople to bring our creations to life - please be mindful orders may take an additional week or two to reach you safely.
I’m on a tight timeline, what are my best options?
Please choose from our curated selections whenever possible which are available online as these pieces are more readily available - all pieces are handmade to order and will be shipped two weeks after orders are placed. If you need something in a hurry, please email, DM or give us a call to see if we can make jewel exceptions - we ALWAYS do our best to meet all deadlines and will work within your timeline to ensure gift-giving joy. You can also leave a note on your purchase at checkout.
Returns and Warranty
Can I return my order?
All custom jewellery pieces or discounted items are final sale. If you placed an order online and are not in love or changed your mind, you can return your piece within 14 days of receiving your shipment for exchange or refund. Bear in mind it must be shipped back to us at the cost of the sender and in the same state as it was sold to you. Please note for hygienic reasons, earrings are not eligible for returns.
Our Studio
Can I come to visit in-studio to shop?
Yes, we can schedule a personal consultation in-studio if you are interested in seeing pieces up close - this is mostly for custom offerings/design consultations. Our collections online are handmade to order thus are not always available during an in-person meet. We often take part in local markets - sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date!
Design Consultations
What can I expect out of a design consultation?
You will meet with Hailey who will find out who you’re designing for and if we're mindful of an occasion! We will walk you through various styles, designs, and gemstones - we will work together to understand your timeline, price point expectations, and material preferences. This is a fun meeting and opportunity to get creative and excited about this next project - either for yourself or as a special gift!
Where will this consultation take place?
We can set up a virtual consultation, or if you happen to live locally, we can meet in person in-studio, or at your favourite local coffee shop.
What if I require special accommodations?
Should you require any special accommodations, throughout any of our jewellery offerings, please let us know beforehand so that we can make every effort to ensure the process is seamless and comfortable for you.
Custom Offerings
What is a custom offering?
While all of our pieces are custom made, our custom jewellery services take things to the next level. The custom process allows for full inclusion of the client from the initial design concept, through to gemstone sourcing and personalized fine details allowing clients to see their idea’s come to fruition with a piece that is truly unique to you.
Are you currently accepting custom jewellery orders?
Always! This is what we do best! Kindly send us a message to get started, we will look at inspo, get a feel for your style, price point and timeline and get designing!
How long will a custom jewellery project take?
This depends on the nature of the designs we decide upon, but anywhere from 4-8 weeks on average. Things can be sped up if you are in a time crunch - simply let us know!
Do I need to have the fashion sense to gift custom jewellery?
This is not in everyone's wheelhouse - if you want to gift a custom piece but do not know where to start, send us a message and we will take it from there! We promise a seamless, focused, and pleasant experience. We pride ourselves on our sense of style, it's what we do best! Leave it to us and be as involved as you wish!
Bridal Babes
Do you make wedding bands?
Yes - we love helping you bring your custom vision to life - we specialize in styling and design and work with local designers and craftspeople to bring your pieces to life. Perhaps it is a thick solid dome ring paired with a micro pave black diamond eternity band, or maybe it's a stunning organic gemstone paired with stacking rings of various shapes - whatever your style, we’re happy to help. Please note we can bring unisex and men's pieces to life upon request.
Do you offer bridal jewellery styling services?
Yes! And oh my gosh, getting to design and dream up with future brides means the world to us ! Whether you need help visualizing your entire look from wedding bands to complimentary stacking rings, bracelets, hairpieces, hand chains, anklets, earrings and necklaces, or only want a piece or two. We’re here to help you make sense of it all with your dress, shoes, hair and colour palette. Get in touch to book a private consult so we can get to dreaming!
Do you offer bridesmaid pieces or mother-of-the-bride jewels?
Of course, we do - and what a special gift to give on the day of! Send us a message on our contact page to get started.
Ateliers
What is an atelier?
Atelier is the french word for workshop. A place to learn new skills, connect and make art.
Why host a workshop?
Bridal shower, work socials, birthdays, anniversaries, Mother's Day, Christmas, baby showers, and just because! Who needs a reason to have a good time?
What do these workshops entail?
We host jewellery making workshops where we learn the basics of wire wrapping and bead stringing - each guest will leave with their very own handmade piece of jewellery! Most workshops will have a themed piece of jewellery which we will work to create together. Small tweaks to stones, bead preferences, and chain colour and length can be switched around from person to person.
Where do these jewellery workshops take place?
Primarily in Ottawa Ontario where Hailey resides, however, private workshop inquiries are always welcome and encouraged! We are happy to come to Toronto, Montreal, and the Ottawa Valley.
Do I need to be creative or skilled to attend a workshop?
No experience necessary! We will provide the tools and guidance you need to make your very own piece of jewellery. Three small tools and a little bit of patience can yield an array of beautiful designs! If you are skilled in the art of jewellery making, attend a workshop to try new techniques and have more one on one TLC.