You have questions, we have the answers – at least about vintage and antique jewelry. We’ve gotten some pretty wacky questions over the years, but here are some of the basics. (Of course, you are always welcome to contact us with questions not covered here!)
Do I need to make an appointment?
Not anymore! You can visit Maloy’s during business hours to meet with a designer, bench jeweler, buyer, or salespeople. When you come in, we can get started on anything from sizing a ring to designing a tiara.
Do you offer Layaway?
Yes, we do, and we think our terms are pretty friendly. We do not charge interest or any other fees for layaway. We require a minimum 25% deposit at the start, and then regular monthly payments till the piece is paid in full. You can stretch your payments out for up to a year if you need to. You get to take the item home once it is paid for in full. Deposits are not refundable. Call us for more details. We do not offer financing.
Is all of your jewelry listed on your website?
No. While we try to get as much up online as we can, we have so much beautiful jewelry that it is just impossible. There are also always lots of projects and restorations in the works that are not yet ready to be photographed. If you are looking for something that you don’t see on our site, by all means give us a call. We very possibly have it somewhere!
Is everything you sell antique?
Not quite. The vast majority of our jewelry is vintage or antique, but we also have some one-of-a-kind pieces that have been hand made by our own jewelers right here on site. We also carry newly made chains and some newly made men’s wedding bands. We do not carry any modern, manufactured “antique style” jewelry.
Do you buy jewelry?
Yes, we buy everything from diamond tiaras to silver flatware, to broken gold chains. For more information, see here.
Can you ship jewelry to me anyplace in the US?
Yes. We only ship via FedEx. Someone must be available to sign for the package, which will be fully covered by our insurance until signed for. Please note that we do not ship to PO boxes, and do not ship internationally. Sorry Canada, this means you too.
What is your return policy?
We do not offer refunds, but for items returned within two weeks of purchase, we do offer exchanges or store credit. Credits are good for one year from issue date. Deposits on custom work and special orders are neither returnable nor exchangeable.
How much do repairs cost?
One of the beauties of vintage jewelry is that each piece is unique. That makes repairs extremely varied in complexity, since there are so many more variables involved than with most modern jewelry. Previous repairs, availability of replacement parts, overall wear, and mysterious alloys can all come into play. We take the time to carefully examine each piece and try to anticipate possible issues. Bring in your damaged items and we will do our best to estimate costs and outcomes. We will never charge more than the upper end of the estimate written on your receipt.
Do you size rings and repair modern jewelry?
Yes. In addition to complex repairs, we are also happy to do simpler ones like ring sizings, clasp repairs, stone replacements and tightenings.
Where do you get your jewelry?
We work hard at gathering our collections! We work with individuals, estate attorneys, and antique dealers around the world that know what we are looking for and hold things for us. We are also fortunate to have extremely skilled bench jewelers who can restore worn or damaged items and bring them back to excellent condition for a new generation to enjoy.
Can you set my diamond into one of the rings on your website?
No. Rings on our site are sold complete. That said, we always have a selection of original antique mountings available for sale without center stones. Bring in your family diamond, and we can explore vintage mounting options. Our jewelers can also create custom mountings for your stone based on one of our rings.
Why shouldn’t I sleep in my rings?
We strongly encourage you to remove all your jewelry when you sleep. Not only does this spare your jewelry getting snagged in the sheets and smacked against the headboard, but it also gives you that moment in the morning when you reach for your rings to realize “wait, I’m re-tiling the kitchen/ rock climbing/ bull riding today” so you can leave your ring on the night stand, where it will be safe. Clean your ring about once a month, and let us check it for tight prongs and wear at least once a year. Remember, beautiful antique things exist today because someone took care of them in the past. Now it is your turn to take mindful care of your ring.
How should I clean my diamond ring?
Here is our recipe for cleaning your diamond or sapphire rings at home: take half a glass of hot tap water and add about 2 tablespoons of Mr. Clean (or other bleach-free soap and ammonia based floor cleaner). Drop your ring in, and let it soak for about half an hour. After half an hour, clean the ring gently but thoroughly, inside and out, with a clean soft bristled toothbrush. Rinse well and pat dry. This recipe is not suitable for pearls, opals, or emeralds. Never use bleach, toothpaste, or boiling water to clean your jewelry. Maloy’s is always happy to clean and check your ring free of charge, even if you didn’t purchase it from us.