Our Policies and FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Please note: Our stone cabochons and bead pendants are One of A Kind, due to the natural stone material there may be some natural flaws or inclusions. Close up pictures may actually enhance them. Major ones will be listed in description too. You will always receive the cabochon pictured unless otherwise stated!

SHIPPING POLICIES

Q: What are your domestic shipping costs?

A: We ship First Class domestic FREE. The shipment is done in a bubble envelope and comes from Arizona. You can upgrade to Priority Mail Small Flat Rate Box for $5.00. If you need Express mail you will have to contact us at 602-571-9287 for availability.

We try to ship everything within 3 business days-but we do travel to mines and do shows-so sometimes it could take up to 2 weeks. In the month of January/February we are at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show and shipping may be delayed by a month! Notice should be given in your cart if shipping will be delayed. Or we will send you an email if your order will be delayed more than one week. According to the USPS- First Class Mail takes 1-4 days once shipped, Priority is usually 1-2 days.

Q: Do you ship internationally?

A: Yes, we ship anywhere. (We have currently suspended shipping to Singapore and Indonesia due to high fraud and to Germany due to import laws-if you are a legitimate buyer, please feel free to contact us via email). We offer First Class International shipping in a bubble envelope for $15.00. First Class usually takes from 2 weeks up to 8 weeks internationally and it is NOT tracked. You can choose to upgrade to Priority Mail Flat Rate for $20.00 to Canada or $32.00 anywhere else. Flat Rate may not have accurate tracking. If you need tracking or expedited service, please contact us for availability.

International Buyers – Please Note: Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer’s responsibility. Please check with your country’s customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to buying.

PAYMENT POLICIES

Q: What type of payments do you accept?

A: We accept PayPal, Mastercard, Visa, Discover, and American Express. We also accept checks or money orders. However, items will not be shipped until the check or money order has cleared the bank. If you need to make other arrangements, please contact us.

RETURN POLICIES

Q: Do you accept returns?

A: Shop with confidence! We offer a full refund of the purchase price (minus shipping cost!), if the items are returned in the same condition they were shipped, within 30 days of receipt. Please email us if you are planning to return an item so we can watch for it.

PRIVACY POLICY

Q: What is your PRIVACY POLICY?

A: We promise to never share your information with anyone, unless in the course of doing business (i.e.: post office for shipping, or your credit card company for processing). Period!

We collection information (email address, postal address, phone number, etc.) only to be able to process your order. We retain your information on file in case of dispute, reorders, or according to tax laws, etc. Credit cards numbers are not retained in our records.

We use your phone number only if we need to contact you for verification or if there is a problem with your order. We use your email only to send an order confirmation, abandoned cart notices (if we noticed you didn't complete your check out), and shipping updates. If you choose to join our mailing list, we, on a very rare occasion, may send you a newsletter with relevant gemstone information, promotions, or upcoming show information. You may revoke that subscription at any time.

OTHER FAQ

Q: How can I view the status of my order?

A: If you signed up for an account you can sign into My Account (click on link on the top right). Here you can send a message, view orders and check order status, update account information, see your Wish List, and see recently viewed items!

Q: What if I forgot my password?

A: There is a link on the sign in page. Click it and we will send you an email to reset your password.

Q: Do you sell cabochons wholesale?

A: Yes-we do sell cabochons wholesale. First you must register for an account with a password. Then you must send us a copy of your Sales Tax License (or if you are in a state with no sales tax, you can use your business license). You can scan it or simply snap a picture of it on your smartphone or camera and send it to barlowsgems@msn.com. We will add you to the wholesale group and when you are signed in you will automatically see prices reflecting 20% off. Larger discounts are sometimes available for large quantities.

Q: Do you take custom cut orders?

A: We are unable to take custom cut cabochon orders. Nor can we cut your semi-precious gemstone cabochons for you.

However, if you have something in particular you are looking for, please contact us. We might just have it. This is just a small sampling of our stone cabochon inventory! And we are always interested in new designer cabochon shape suggestions!

CABOCHON INFORMATION

Q: What is a cabochon?

A: A "cabochon" is described as gemstone that is not faceted but is cut into a convex and usually highly polished shape. The shape may be symmetrical, calibrated or freeform. Some people refer to these as "semi-precious stone" cabochons, but that is a misnomer as some of these materials are rarer and more valuable than diamonds and rubies!

Q: What is a designer cabochon?

A: A "designer cabochon" is one that is usually a very high-quality cabochon that has been hand cut to display the best colors and patterns. We will cut the heart out of a slab and throw the rest away to bring you the perfect quality cabochon.

Q: What is a cabochon used for?

A: Cabochons are jewelry making supplies and are are primarily cut for jewelry including earrings, rings, bracelets, necklaces, bolos, belt buckles, pins and brooches. But they can be used as meditation stones, in crystal healing rituals, as massage tools, in artwork or crafts, on clothing and in accessories such as purses, key chains, etc. We have sold cabochons to be used as doorknobs on cabinets, inlayed into furniture or wooden jewelry boxes, as pocket rocks or worry stones, and as magnets.

Q: How do you measure cabochons?

A: Since cabochons are stones cut for jewelry, they are usually measured in mm. One inch is equal to about 25 mm.

Q: How are cabochons set into jewelry?

A: There are lots of ways to make jewelry. You can work with precious metals-such as gold or silver, or work with copper, steel, etc. Settings can be cast or fabricated. Wire wrappers actually design their own setting by bending wire and bead workers make settings out of beads or use the drilled stones to create bead necklaces and more. You can even simply glue the stone to a setting and wear it that way!

Q: Where does the word "cabochon" come from?

A: From the French word caboche, which means head.

Q: How do you pronounce Cabochon?

A: Cab-a-shawn. Often referred to as just a cab in the trade.

Q: What is a bead pendant?

A: A bead pendant is a thicker cut stone that has been drilled from side to side or top to bottom with a hole so that it can be strung on cord or wire. Usually it is a high grade, larger bead so that it can be worn as a pendant alone or as a focal point bead in a bead necklace creation. Because it is drilled stone bead pendants are also great for other crafts, such as key chains, pins, even pull cords on your ceiling fan!