Things to consider when buying wedding jewelry and accessories in the Philippines

Discovery & Style Fit

• What jewelry and accessories do you specialize in for weddings (e.g., engagement rings, bands, South Sea pearls, hairpieces, tiaras, cufflinks, arrhae sets)?
• Can you help us build a cohesive bridal look (metal color, gemstones, accessories) that matches our theme and attire?
• Do you have sample looks for beach, garden, church, and civil weddings in the Philippines?
• Can we book a styling consult (virtual or in-store) and bring our gown/barong swatches?
• Do you offer try-on sets or samples for prenup shoots?

Materials & Metal Options

• Which metals do you offer (14k/18k gold, platinum, palladium, sterling silver, titanium, stainless steel)?
• What are the pros/cons of each metal for daily wear in a humid, tropical climate?
• Are your white gold pieces rhodium-plated? How often will they need re-plating?
• Do you stamp hallmarks (e.g., 585, 750, PT950) and a maker’s mark on finished pieces?
• Do you offer nickel-free or hypoallergenic options?

Gemstones & Certification

• Do you work with natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, moissanite, or colored gemstones?
• For diamonds, which grading labs do you provide certificates from (e.g., GIA, IGI)? Are reports included in the price?
• Will you share the exact specs (carat, cut, color, clarity, fluorescence) before we decide?
• For pearls, do you carry Philippine South Sea pearls? Do you provide a certificate of authenticity?
• Can we inspect loose stones/pearls before setting?

Design & Customization

• Can you customize engagement rings, wedding bands, arrhae sets, hair accessories, and cufflinks?
• Do you provide CAD renders or wax models before final production?
• How many design revisions are included, and what’s the cost for additional changes?
• Can you engrave names, dates, fingerprints, soundwaves, or Baybayin script?
• Can you incorporate heirloom stones or repurpose existing jewelry?

Comfort, Fit & Sizing

• What ring profiles and comfort-fit options do you offer for everyday wear?
• How do you handle ring sizing if our sizes differ from US/JP/HK charts?
• Do you offer half or quarter sizes and sizers we can take home?
• What is your resizing policy before and after the wedding (fees, limits, turnaround)?
• Do you offer width and thickness recommendations for durability?

Durability & Workmanship

• What warranty do you provide on craftsmanship (prongs, settings, clasps, plating)?
• How do you secure stones in settings meant for active, daily wear?
• Do you recommend certain settings (e.g., bezel vs. prong) based on our lifestyle?
• How do you finish edges and interiors to avoid irritation?
• Do you have quality checks before release (stone tightening, polish, plating)?

Care, Maintenance & Services

• What aftercare is included (cleaning, polishing, re-plating, stone tightening)?
• How often should we have jewelry inspected, considering local climate and daily use?
• Do you restring pearl necklaces/bracelets and knot between pearls?
• Do you sell care kits (anti-tarnish pouches, polishing cloths) and provide storage tips?
• Can you offer a pre-wedding “photo-ready” clean and polish?

Lead Times & Scheduling

• What are the typical lead times for made-to-order rings and accessories?
• Do lead times change during peak months (e.g., December, February, May–June)?
• What are your cut-off dates if we need items before our prenup shoot or wedding day?
• Do you accommodate rush orders? What are the express fees and limits?
• Can you hold finished pieces until our target pickup date?

Pricing, Quotations & Payment

• Can you provide a detailed quote that breaks down materials, stones, labor, and taxes?
• Is 12% VAT included in the quote, and will you issue an official receipt (OR)?
• What are your payment terms (reservation fee, milestones, balance before pickup)?
• What payment modes do you accept (bank transfer, credit card, GCash, installment/BNPL)?
• How long are quotes valid, and how do price changes in gold/gemstones affect our order?

Policies: Revisions, Returns & Cancellations

• What is your policy on design changes after we’ve approved the CAD/wax?
• Do you accept returns or exchanges on custom pieces? Under what conditions?
• What happens if our ring size changes after the wedding—what fees should we expect?
• What is your policy for lost certificates, boxes, or tags?
• Do you offer upgrade, trade-in, or buyback programs for future anniversaries?

Logistics: Pickup, Delivery & Insurance

• Do you offer nationwide shipping within the Philippines? Which couriers do you use?
• Is shipping insured from your shop to our address, and who bears the risk?
• Can we opt for insured third-party delivery or same-day courier within Metro Manila?
• How is the jewelry packaged for safety and for “flat-lay” photo styling?
• Do you provide documentation for travel or insurance appraisals, if we fly with the rings?

Documentation & Authenticity

• What documents come with the jewelry (certificate, appraisal, care guide, warranty card)?
• Are appraisals recognized by local insurers if we want to insure our rings?
• Do you keep serial numbers, photos, or 3D files for future reference?
• Can you provide authenticity letters for pearls or gemstones upon request?

Ethical Sourcing & Sustainability

• Are your diamonds conflict-free and traceable? Do you support responsible mining?
• Do you offer recycled metals or reclaimed stones?
• Can you share sourcing info for pearls (farm/origin) and colored stones?
• Do you minimize plastic in packaging or offer eco-friendly gift boxes?
• Do you repair rather than replace when possible to reduce waste?

Bridal Party & Family Sets

• Do you offer bundles for bridesmaids, groomsmen, ninangs/ninongs, and sponsors?
• Can you color-match metals and stones across sets for a cohesive look?
• Do you have clip-on or hypoallergenic earring options for sensitive ears?
• Are there discounts for bulk orders or corporate-style gifts (cufflinks, tie bars, lapel pins)?
• Can we personalize accessories (initials, date, monogram) for the entourage?

Filipino Wedding Traditions

• Do you make or customize arrhae (wedding coins) sets—can we engrave names/date?
• Do you offer wedding cord (yugal), veil pins, or symbolic accessories to match our motif?
• Can you coordinate design motifs across rings, arrhae, and hair accessories?
• Do you have designs inspired by Filipino patterns or flora (e.g., sampaguita)?
• Can you package arrhae, rings, and accessories in cohesive keepsake boxes?

Coordination With Other Suppliers

• Can you coordinate with our gown designer/atelier for neckline and metal tones?
• Will you consult with our HMUA about headpieces/earring lengths for balance?
• Can you work with our photographer for early delivery of ring boxes for flat lays?
• Do you lend or rent styling props (ring boxes, trays, silk ribbons) for shoots?
• Can you align our timeline with our coordinator’s production schedule?

Accessibility, Communication & Service

• What are your showroom hours and appointment policies?
• Do you offer virtual consults for clients outside Metro Manila?
• Who will be our point of contact from design to delivery?
• How quickly do you respond to messages, and through which channels (email, chat, phone)?
• Do you provide progress updates with photos/videos during production?

Security & Contingency

• How do you secure valuable stones during production and storage?
• What contingency plans do you have for delays (supplier issues, weather, holidays)?
• Do you provide a temporary ring or accessory if our item isn’t ready in time?
• What identification and release procedures do you follow at pickup?
• How do you handle post-delivery issues (loose stones, sizing adjustments)?

Groom & Day-Of Details

• What accessories do you recommend to complement a barong or suit (cufflinks, studs, tie bar, signet ring)?
• Do you offer matching sets for the couple (metal color, texture, motif)?
• Can you provide day-of emergency kits (cleaning cloth, spare earring backs, extra pins)?
• Do you sell heirloom-grade ring boxes that photograph well?
• Can we schedule a final fit/shine 1–2 weeks before the wedding?

Red Flags to Clarify

• If a price seems too low, which specs are being compromised (metal purity, stone grade, warranty)?
• If a vendor refuses certificates or detailed specs, what assurances can you give instead?
• If resizing is limited, how will you support future fit changes?
• If the warranty excludes common issues (prongs, plating), what coverage can you add?
• If shipping is uninsured, can you arrange insured alternatives?

Post-Wedding & Lifetime Care

• Do you offer annual cleaning/inspection packages or reminders?
• Can you add anniversary diamonds or redesign our rings later?
• Do you provide polishing that preserves engraved details and textures?
• What is the typical timeline and cost for rhodium re-plating and pearl restringing?
• Can we book lifetime service plans at a discounted bundle rate?

Extras & Nice-to-Haves

• Do you offer metal/stone upgrade paths for future milestones?
• Can you craft matching baby keepsakes or family heirlooms from the same design line?
• Do you collaborate with local artisans for unique, limited pieces?
• Do you provide digital copies of certificates and receipts for easy storage?
• Can you prepare a care card tailored to our exact materials and stones?