FAQ's

 Frequently Asked Questions

Aloha! We are glad to answer any questions you may have! Here are a list of some of the most common questions we receive. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any others.

What metals make up Mai Love jewelry?

We work with a variety of high quality metals to complete our collections. We use recycled metals whenever possible

14K gold filled:  “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 jeweler’s brass resulting in a durable, high quality real gold product. Same for our 14pK Rose gold fill. There is 100 times more gold in gold filled than in gold plated wire. The color looks exactly like 14k gold. It is tarnish-resistant, safe for sensitive skin, and unlike gold plated, it will not wear off. It is a great way to enjoy affordable gold jewelry.

925 sterling silver: This is an alloy made of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% copper.  This metal is meant to be worn everyday.  Once silver comes in contact with oxygen, it will oxidize and blacken. You can keep your pieces with this cool oxidized look or clean easily with a polishing cloth.

18K gold vermeil: How do you pronounce that!? We've got you: Ver - May.  Not to be confused with regular gold plating, vermeil is a much thicker layer of gold which gives pieces a long lasting gold finish. For a piece to be considered vermeil, the gold must be a minimum of 10k and 1.5 microns. We use 18k gold layered on sterling silver.

 

 I have a metal allergy. Will Mai Love irritate my skin?

Almost definitely not. ALL of our jewelry is nickel free, and the thick layer of gold on gold filled pieces makes it safe for sensitive skin. However, everyone’s individual skin chemistry is different, and a small number (less than 1%) of wearers will experience slight skin discoloration or tarnishing.

Where do you get your pearls and stones from?

Each pearl and stone we use has been carefully chosen for its quality and uniqueness. Savino the man and husband behind Mai Love was born and raised on Huahine where we met over 20+ years ago. We have friends and family who work with small farms within French Polynesia who source the finest Tahitian Pearls available. We personally travel to French Polynesia and the wholesale gem shows so we can bring you the most beautiful, unique pearls and gemstones. 

What is your shipping method?

All orders within the continental U.S. are shipped via USPS.

Orders over $150 qualify for FREE shipping. International shipping is available at checkout. Please look over our shipping and handling policy HERE to understand more about international shipments.

How long does it take to get my jewelry?

Each piece of Mai Love jewelry is individually handmade and/or hand-wrapped to order. Depending on the creation and availability of each piece, please allow up to 10 business days for your order to be shipped; however, most orders ship within 1-3 business days. . Please don’t hesitate to ask, or let me know if you have a deadline. We will do what we can to meet that deadline. We ship USPS. You can choose from frist class, priority, or priority express. Of course, shipping time depends on the method you choose and where you live, you can read more about shipping terms & policies at the bottom of the page. 

How do I care for my new pieces?

We believe jewelry is meant to be worn every day, and pieces are made to last.  We do recommend taking off your jewelry when swimming in pools & jacuzzis, saunas, gardening, doing contact sports, seriously messy cooking, and moving heavy objects.  Avoid exposing jewelry to shampoo or other beauty care products like hair spray, hair dyes, spray tan, lotions or perfumes.

To clean your pearls and natural gemstones, simply wipe them clean with a soft dry cloth. Do not immerse in harsh chemicals, or use ultrasonic cleaners. A good general rule of thumb is if you wouldn’t put it on your skin, you shouldn’t put it on your jewelry. Avoid chemicals like household cleaners. Avoid liquid jewelry cleaner if you have pearls or stones in a piece. Keeping a good polishing cloth on hand is always a good idea. We use and love the Sunshine jewelry cloths, blue (for gold fill) and yellow (for silver). Every order over $150 will receive one of these cloths in their package. You can also clean your jewelry with a soft toothbrush, a drop of gentle dish soap, and water. Scrub gently and rinse under the faucet and dry with a soft cloth. 

Always remove your jewelry before using any product that contains bleach, denatured alcohol, turpentine, acetone or ammonia. These can cause gold and other metals to break down leaving the metal irreparably damaged.  These chemicals can also dull or even pit the surface of your pearls and gemstones.

Store your jewelry in a safe place like your Mai Love satin pouch, box or lined jewelry case. Moisture and salt leads to tarnish, the bathroom or window sill is not a great place to store your pieces. With a little care, your Mai Love jewelry will remain as sparkling and beautiful as the day we made it! 

Are your pieces really handmade?

Yes. Almost every piece is handmade by myself or my husband here in our home studio on Kauai. or one of our incredibly talented Mai Love artists . You can read more about our Ohana (family) and our team in our story on our “About” page HERE.

How do I figure out my ring size?

If you do not know your ring size, we recommend having your finger sized by a local jeweler. You can also order a ring sizer HERE and we will ship it to you complimentary.

 

Do you offer gift packaging?

Yes. Send a gift directly to your loved one and know that it's packaged with the same care and attention to detail that any personal gift deserves. This isn't your average online shopping delivery- unwrapping each layer of thoughtful gift wrapping is half the fun and makes for an unboxing experience to remember! The cherry on top is a beautifully hand-written note that accompanies each package. Include what you want your note to say, and it'll be as if you wrote and sent it yourself!

 

How can I purchase a gift card?

You can purchase a gift card and send it to your gift recipient by clicking HERE .

Do you ever offer sales?

Yes! We LOVE a good sale and we also love doing fun giveaways throughout the year via our instagram @mailovedesigns Be sure to subscribe to our email list to hear about special sales, coupon codes, giveaways and other fun things! 

Do you ever offer wholesale?

Yes, we offer wholesale in small batches to small boutiques who meet our criteria. Click HERE to fill out and submit our wholesale form.

What is your exchange or return policy?

Our mission is to make you look good, feel good and fall in love with Mai Love . If you are unhappy with your purchase, for any reason, you may return or exchange your purchase within 10 days of receiving it. Custom orders cannot be returned. Please read our Return / Exchange policy HERE for more details.

What are your sustainability practices?

We are committed to the highest degree of sustainable, ethical and responsible practice. While creating our collections, we are diligent in our collecting and reuse of scrap metal and unused materials. We work with small family run businesses and farms whenever possible to source what we need for our creations. These practices help us maintain a small environmental footprint and ensure that we are not creating unnecessary waste.  To learn more about our ethos, click HERE.