FAQs

 

What does "SCS Certified recycled" mean?

SCS certified recycled means that a product is made from recycled materials and has been evaluated by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS). The certification process includes a supply chain audit and a company audit involving assessment, calculation, evaluation, verification, & documentation by SCS Global Services. When T&L says "made from SCS certified recycled metals" it means that the raw materials the item was made from were purchased from a supplier that has gone through the certification process to have their precious metals SCS certified.

 

What is better, "recycled" or "Fair mined" gold?

 

Well, that's a loaded question. As with anything there are pro's & con's to both. A short summary would be that recycled precious metals are usually better at reducing your carbon footprint while Fair mined metals are better for supporting miners & their communities. Both are considered ethical & sustainable choices. Fair mined gold typically costs about 15-20% more on the average 14kt purity gold. T&L prioritizes environmental concerns as this ultimately impacts people for the better benefiting both the planet and people on it. Recycled materials are therefore prioritized when purchasing at T&L, but know that fairtrade/Fair mined is ALWAYS an option we can get for you!

Where do your gemstones come from?

That depends on the stone & the customer's request. Sometimes the customer supplies the stone to be set. When T&L supplies the stone recycled/reclaimed is prioritized so vintage or reclaimed stones are sourced and recut. When recycled isn't attainable gemstones are sourced with a preference for stones that are here in the U.S. When a stone cannot be found here in the U.S. it's sourced overseas with a preference for supporting small scale miners & cutters who have a sense of ethics similar to the T&L standard. As our business network expands, we meet like-minded people with a true love for life, so our suppliers list becomes increasingly fine-tuned to include B-corps & businesses with ethical standards of sourcing that contribute back to the environment and the people living on the planet.

What is better natural or lab-grown diamonds?

That depends on your priorities and budget. Although lab grown diamonds can be as much as 80% cheaper, they do not retain their value over time while natural diamonds appreciate on average about 3% each year. Some say lab grown diamonds are more ethical. But truthfully there are ethical concerns on both sides. Lab-grown uses less land and energy. But ethically sourced diamonds provide income for local communities in often 3rd world countries. T&L prioritizes recycled/reclaimed diamonds found here in the U.S. When buying newly mined diamonds we support B-corps & ethically minded companies with high transparency that pay a fair price and contribute to the miner's/cutter's local community in some way.

How does the Custom process work at T&L?

First you schedule a custom consultation with the designer by e-mail, phone, text, or DM on Instagram. This consultation can be done via video call, or in person at the downtown Eugene, Oregon studio. There is a $150 non-refundable fee for the custom consultation due at that time. Sometimes it's possible to have something for you to view at the consultation meeting. So, when you set up your appointment please include as many details as possible about metals, stones, or design features. The custom consultation includes up to an hour discussion about what you want as well as any necessary correspondence after the meeting needed to nail down the details. It also covers a few hand-drawn sketches of design ideas that you can choose from. When you have made some decisions about your desired design & accepted the estimate, we're ready to start on your piece once half of the total estimate has been paid. The final half can be paid in installments as the project moves forward, or you can simply pay the final half at pick up/shipment. The typical custom timeframe is 2 to 3 months. Some projects require more time. Some less. So, please communicate what date you need it by so we can realistically discuss what is possible with you.

How much does custom jewelry cost?

The average retail cost on the gold & platinum commissioned pieces completed at T&L ranges from $3,000-$10,000. Some designs cost less, some more so please share your budget so we can discuss what is realistically possible for your idea.

Do you accept trade-ins?

T&L does accept scrap gold & trade- ins to offset the cost of your custom project or purchase of a ready-made item. Your items will be tested and examined to ascertain value and then we'll make an offer. All scrap buys and trade ins must be accompanied by a state issued photo id.