Frequently Asked Questions
Materials and Care
When you buy a piece of jewelry from Donna Dorée, you receive an item of high-quality precious metals that will last for years with the potential for it to be cherished across multiple generations. A sustainable trend in jewelry.
The basis of the jewelry is 925 (sterling) silver. At Donna Dorée, all jewelry that fulfills the aforementioned criteria bears its own unique "Responsibility mark (VT) by name" associated with the person responsible for marketing the product. Additionally, these pieces display a "content mark" that has been officially approved by Waarborg Holland.
Rhodium plating for extra protection
Silver jewelry can discolor (oxidize) which is a natural process with silver. To ensure prolonged protection against discoloration and oxidation, our skilled goldsmiths employ an additional layer of rhodium plating on our silver jewelry.
Rhodium, a resilient and silvery white metal, is carefully applied over the silver surface during the plating process. By doing so, your jewelry gains increased durability, minimizing the likelihood of damage.
Moreover, rhodium-plated silver is more resistant to external factors, making it less prone to oxidation. With proper care, your jewelry retains its brilliance and avoids the dulling or blackening that often occurs over time. This enables you to cherish your jewelry for an extended period, enjoying its beauty for years to come.
14 karat U gold plating (similar to PVD gold plating)
Do you like gold a little more than silver or does it suit your skin tone better? Then choose the 14 carat U-gold plated jewelry. All 'gold' jewelry has a layer of U-gold plating over the 925 sterling silver.
U-gold plating is a process of applying 14kt gold to another metal and binding them together. The gold evaporates in a vacuum at extreme temperatures and then condenses molecule by molecule around the other metal.
Through extensive research, I have come to the conclusion that U-Gold plating is the more desirable option, due to its durability and longer life it offers. Because gold U-gold plating is thicker than standard gold plating (flash plating), it is resistant to corrosion and does not discolor within a short time.
Obviously a U-gold plating is slightly more expensive than a flash plating, but it will last longer and be well worth it.
Please note: only if you take good care of your jewelry, you will enjoy it for a long time. A plating is a thin layer of rhodium or U-gold and cán fade and/or discolor over time.
Ensure proper maintenance of your jewelry to keep it in pristine condition. Even precious metals are usceptible to external factors, and over time, silver jewelry may lose its luster due to oxidation caused by air, light, humidity, perfume, soap residue, or the acidity of your skin.
To prevent your silver or gold-plated jewelry from becoming dull or black, follow these guidelines:
- Wear your jewelry regularly. Even jewelry that is left unworn can lose its shine or become discolored.
- Put on your jewelry last, after applying perfume, makeup, and other beauty products.
- Avoid sleeping with silver jewelry to prevent unnecessary contact with the acidity of your skin and minimize the risk of damage or deformation.
- Remove your jewelry before showering, swimming, or exercising. Exposure to shampoo, soap, salt, and chlorine can adversely affect your jewelry.
- Take off your jewelry when engaging in heavy work or cleaning tasks as chemicals can cause damage.
- When not wearing your jewelry for an extended period, store them properly, for example in a jewelry drawer or cotton/silk jewelry pouch, but certainly in a dark and dry place.
Use the provided satin polishing cloth to gently polish away dirt and restore the shine of your jewelry.
If your jewelry is heavily soiled, slightly dampen the tip of the polishing cloth and rub away the dirt. Follow up by polishing with the dry part.
Note: This cloth is not meant for deeply tarnished silver but can be used on various smooth surfaces, including metal, glass, and glasses, to remove dirt.
If your jewelry still requires cleaning, you can use a mild soap solution by mixing green or any other gentle soap with warm water. Brush the jewelry softly with a toothbrush, then rinse with lukewarm water. Dry it with a lint-free cloth.
Avoid using cleaning fluid as it may damage the rhodium plating or gold plating protection.
Please note that incorrect use or cleaning techniques can cause the rhodium plating or gold plating to wear out over time.
If you are not satisfied with the results or have further inquiries, please contact service@donnadoree.com
Orders and Delivery
All orders are dispatched from my studio located in the Netherlands. Donna Dorée processes all orders during working days and transfers them to MyParcel (PostNL), our shipping partner. Once your package is shipped, you will receive an update containing the necessary information.\n\nWithin the Netherlands, MyParcel (PostNL) typically delivers on the next delivery day (Monday to Saturday), but always within 2 delivery days. Donna Dorée will provide you with a track & trace link to keep you informed about the progress of your shipment, allowing you to know exactly when to expect your package.
Shipping costs are waived for customers within the Netherlands and Belgium. For customers outside these countries, delivery costs will be added. The applicable delivery costs and any other additional charges are clearly stated prior to the customer confirming their order.
Your jewelry will be delivered in exquisite sustainable packaging made from FSC-certified materials. At Donna Dorée, we believe in presenting your jewelry as a true masterpiece.
Please note: our packaging is a gift wrapping, not a storage packaging! Do not store your jewelry in our packaging for a long time. Preferably store your jewelry in a dark and dry jewelry drawer, or in a cotton or silk jewelry pouch.
When placing an order on the webshop, the customer is required to make the payment(s) to Donna Dorée using the specified payment methods outlined in the ordering procedure.
Donna Dorée offers various payment methods, including:
- Electronic payment (iDeal): A trusted, secure, and convenient method for online purchases within your own online banking environment. Bancontact: The widely recognized online payment method in Belgium.
- Sofort: Similar to iDeal, Sofort banking is available for customers with accounts in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Italy, Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
- Credit card payment (Mastercard/Visa): Safely complete your online purchase with a protected and insured transaction using Visa or Mastercard.
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
- In addition, our system includes Shop Pay, Powered by Shopify. As a customer, you can enjoy a faster checkout experience by securely storing your shipping and payment information.
Exchange and Returns
If you find yourself dissatisfied with your online order, Donna Dorée provides you with the option to exchange the purchased jewelry or receive a refund for the items you wish to return.
Upon delivery, you have the right to open the package and inspect your purchase. However, in order to be eligible for an exchange or refund, the products must be returned unused and in their original packaging. Failure to meet these conditions may result in the inability to process the exchange or refund.
To initiate a jewelry return, please follow the return procedure provided by MyParcel/PostNL, which will be sent to you via email when you place your order. We kindly request you to complete the online return form with as much detail as possible. Prepare the package for the return shipment and ensure that at least your name is included on an enclosed note within the package, along with the items you wish to return.
You have a total of 15 calendar days from the date of delivery to return your purchase. Once the return is arranged, the package should reach us within 7 working days for returns within Europe and 14 working days for returns from the rest of the world.
Please be aware that all costs associated with return shipping are your responsibility. If you choose to return your items via local post, we strongly recommend using registered mail for secure tracking. You are accountable for the package until it reaches Donna Dorée. Upon the safe and timely arrival of your return package at Donna Dorée, the refund will be processed within 30 days using the same payment method you originally used.
For questions regarding the return of your order, please contact Donna Dorée at service@donnadoree.com .
All Donna Dorée products are covered by the legal guarantee. This guarantee ensures that a product should perform as expected, or as the consumer reasonably expects it to.
As Donna Dorée jewelry is crafted partially by hand, there may be variations in the natural materials used or occasional imperfections resulting from human actions. However, please note that all jewelry undergoes thorough inspection before being shipped to ensure its quality.
In the event that you are still unsatisfied with the product you receive or discover any manufacturing defects, you are entitled to invoke the legal guarantee and seek a resolution.
Guarantee rules
Donna Dorée's jewelry is backed by a six-month guarantee starting from the date of purchase.
It is important to note that the gold-plated layer on our gold jewelry is a thin coating of 14-karat gold (U-gold plating).With regular use and insufficient care, this layer may gradually wear off over time. To learn more about our materials and proper care instructions, we recommend referring to our section Materials and Care.
Underneath the gold-plated layer, you will find genuine silver, ensuring that your Donna Dorée piece remains valuable.
Please be aware that this guarantee specifically covers material and manufacturing defects only.
The following conditions are not covered by the guarantee:
- Breakage, unless it can be clearly demonstrated as a production error;
- Damage resulting from normal wear and tear, improper use (such as dropping), or mishandling;
- Discoloration caused by exposure to water, perfume, soap, lotion, hair spray, or highly acidic skin;
- Alterations or repairs conducted by a third party other than Donna Dorée (e.g., repair work performed by a local jeweler);
- Loss or theft of the jewelry.
To initiate a guarantee claim, please contact Donna Dorée regarding the specific item in question through service@donnadoree.com
When a complaint or defect is covered by the guarantee, we will make every effort to find the best possible solution for you. If you are unsure whether the defect falls within the guarantee conditions, we encourage you to contact us at service@donnadoree.com
Another question? Let me know...
If you find yourself in a bind, please don't hesitate to complete the contact form or send an email to service@donnadoree.com.
Rest assured that your message or email will be sent directly to the artist, and I will make every effort to respond as swiftly as possible. Regardless, you will receive a response within one to three working days.