Frequently Asked Questions

 

Personal Information Disclosure

We hold all of your personal information in high confidence and will NOT sell, share, or give any of your personal information to anyone outside our organization without your prior approval.

We hope that you will sign up for our email list (also completely confidential), so that we can contact you with new products, inspirational articles, coupons for sale items, and updates to the website.

 

Return Policy

Due to the unique nature of each item, all sales are final. If you have questions, though, please e-mail us.

 

Shipping Policy

All products will be shipped via USPS Priority Mail.  The shipping and handling charges are directly related to the cost of mailing. Please e-mail us if you have additional questions.

 

Sales to children

It is recommended that Rainwater Designs products not be used for or given to infants, toddlers, or other young children, who may be more likely to place these items in their mouths and may present a choking hazard. Please be aware we do not sell to, or promote the use of any of our products by, any child under the age of 15.

 

Lead-safe Products

 

Disclaimer

Rainwater Designs-Creating with Intent website and all respective owners do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information in this website or services provided.  As such, Rainwater Designs and all respective owners will not be responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information.  The information is provided with the understanding that all providers and owners are not engaged in the rendering of legal, medical, counseling, or other professional service or advice, and shall not be liable or responsible to any person or entity for any loss or damage caused, or alleged to have been caused, directly or indirectly by or from the information, services, or ideas contained, suggested, or referenced in this service and website.  Your participation in this service and site, therefore, is subject fully to these terms of services and is solely at your own risk.  Rainwater Designs is not for entertainment purposes only.  For an explanation of our intent and beliefs, please see our Overview page.  Rainwater Designs information must be used with common sense.  Rainwater Designs and all respective owners are not responsible for how you apply this information.

 

Are the beads in our jewelry "real" gemstones?

Yes! We clearly label glass, wood, bone, acrylic, etc. Everything else is natural semi-precious gemstones. Someone, somewhere, dug up the rock, cleaned it, carved it, drilled it, and I string it . . . it's that simple! Two instances that are not quite as simple come to mind: color-enhanced stones and stabilized stones.

For instance, I use some black Agate and black Onyx. The reason I find these acceptable is that the black Agate is a lighter color Agate that is enhanced, and the Onyx is a white Onyx that is dyed black. Still the same gemstone, but with color enhancement. I am okay with that from a physical and metaphysical standpoint. Two things I am not okay with are, imitation/man-made "stones" and/or some completely other rock or material dyed to "look like" a semi-precious gemstone. I do not use this type of material.

Let me give you an example of that, too. Much of the "Turquoise" you find in jewelry these days, is not actually (and by that I mean chemically, mineral content, mined Turquoise) what it is purported to be. Magnesite and Howlite are the two main stones that are dyed to look like Turquoise, because they are white to begin with, very porous, and easily absorb the dye. Ironically, both of these stones are softer even than natural Turquoise, and neither one of them has any chemical similarities to Turquoise. So, you may have the color that you are looking for (even if it is faux), but nothing else.

Therefore, I don't use imitation stones. The Turquoise in our jewelry is stabilized. See this site for the best description of these processes. I think that I was "taken" once at a bead show and was probably sold some dyed "chalk" Turquoise, so I've been much more cautious since then, asking more questions, pressing for information to be sure that I am getting actual Turquoise, stabilized for hardness and luster.

I use specific gemstones for specific reasons in specific combinations in our jewelry and energy charms- - this is why no fakes are acceptable. I hope that you appreciate this attention to detail, and I hope that you, too, will ask more questions about gemstones and metals as you shop in other stores and sites. It does make a difference. - - - Doc