Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs answered by Elisa
Your items sell so quickly. How can I make sure I see them before they sell out?
New items drop on Instagram first, so turn on your notifications! That’s where you’ll see new items as soon as they’re available. Go to the @ChelseaGirl.NYC Instagram, click the bell in the upper right hand corner, turn on post and story notifications…and voilà!
Is everything you sell genuine gold and diamonds?
Yes! We clearly state in all descriptions the gold karat and the type/size/weight of the stones. EVERY ITEM IS PROFESSIONALLY TESTED and we guarantee the authenticity of every item.
What about condition?
All our jewelry is in excellent condition, with no flaws, unless otherwise stated in the description. Of course, vintage and antique items will have patina (which we like, so we don’t polish) and minor wear, but nothing major.
I placed an order by mistake! What do I do?
By purchasing, you acknowledge that you have reviewed all product details and images prior to checkout. All orders are considered final once placed. If you placed an order by mistake, contact us via DM. We may be able to cancel it at our discretion. Our restocking fee applies to cover non-refundable processing costs. Orders often ship very quickly, so cancellation may not be possible. Once an order has shipped, no changes or cancellations can be made.
What domestic shipping methods do you offer?
We offer free tracked US shipping via UPS. You'll get an email once your package is en route, and it should arrive within 3-5 business days. You can opt in for delivery updates, too!
Do you ship internationally?
We offer reliable tracked worldwide shipping via UPS or DHL. The price varies based on location, and is automatically calculated at checkout. You'll get an email once your package is en route, and it should arrive within 3-5 business days. You can opt in for delivery updates, too!
ALL INTERNATIONAL SALES ARE FINAL. We do not accept international returns under any circumstances. If you think you have a special case, contact us via DM.
International customers are responsible for any duties, taxes, VAT, or import fees required by their country. These charges are determined by your local customs authority and are not included in our pricing or shipping costs. We have zero control over these fees, and they may be non-refundable. Under no circumstances will we refund these fees to you out of our own pocket.
How can I pay?
We accept several different methods of payment, including most Amex/Visa/Mastercards, including via Apple Pay.
Can I pay in installments?
Yes! We offer to pay in 4 installments via a third party, 'SHOP PAY' when you are checking out.
Simply tap ShopPay's big purple button under Express Checkout. The following screen will explain installment terms to you, including:
Rates from 0%-36% APR. Payment options through Shop Pay Installments are subject to an eligibility check and are provided by these lending partners: affirm.com/lenders. Options depend on your purchase amount, and a down payment may be required. State notices to consumers https://www.affirm.com/licenses.
Please note, this is operated by a third party so we cannot change these terms. If you feel like you're a special case, contact us.
My package is lost!
Once a package is marked as delivered by the carrier, it is considered delivered. We are not responsible for lost or stolen packages once delivery is confirmed. If you are concerned about delivery, please opt in for signature confirmation at checkout.
Customers are responsible for entering the correct shipping address. We are not responsible for orders shipped to incorrectly entered addresses.
If you are unable to locate your package, please first check with your building/mail room, neighbors, and any secure delivery locations. In most cases, packages turn up shortly after delivery.
If your package is in fact lost, we will file a claim with Shopify. Please note, asking us to file a false claim of non-delivery is considered mail fraud and is a federal offense. We take these matters seriously and reserve the right to report fraudulent claims. The shipping carrier may use GPS tracking data, photographic evidence, and delivery confirmation to verify the drop-off location.
This also goes for contents within the package. We document all items prior to shipment. Any discrepancies upon return may result in refusal of refund. If you attempt a chargeback or file a dispute with your bank before contacting us to resolve an issue, you may result in being banned from future purchases.
What about returns and refunds?
We accept domestic returns within 7 business days of delivery. We stand behind every piece we sell and professionally test the gold content and stones on every piece. All information on our antique pieces is in the description, including size, weight, condition, etc. As all pieces are vintage or antique, minor wear is expected and considered part of the character of the piece. These are not defects. We are not responsible for damage that occurs after delivery, including wear, improper handling, or third-party repairs.
If for some reason you're not happy with your piece, please go to your account and request a return (return shipping and restocking fee apply). If you think you have a special case, contact us via DM. Once a return is approved, the item must be shipped back within 5 business days or the return will be voided.
We do not offer exchanges. If you'd like a different item, please place a new order and return the original.
Please note, we absolutely cannot accept returns on gift cards, items on sale, custom-sized items, or items that have been otherwise altered since delivery. We are not responsible for orders paid with installments via ShopPay— generally their terms are non-refundable, please speak with them.
We will provide a return label and you are responsible to package it with care and drop it off at USPS. Please note, we are not responsible for return packages lost or damaged in transit. We strongly recommend securely packaging your return. Items must be returned in the exact condition they were received, and with no signs of damage or alteration. We reserve the right to refuse returns that do not meet these conditions.
We subtract a flat $20 shipping fee to cover shipping both ways, plus a 2% restocking fee. If you feel that your return is a special case, contact us via DM. Refund details will be sent via email (and will be applied to your original method of payment). If your refund is not reflected in your bank account after 5 business days, contact your bank. If you’ve done this and still have not received a refund, please contact us via DM
How can I clean antique jewelry?
We like the natural patina of old gold, but diamonds can get dingy with wear, so we suggest gently cleaning your jewelry from time to time with warm water, soap and a soft toothbrush. Also, avoid wearing any pieces with stones while showering or swimming-- stones slightly expand when soaked in water, then shrink when dry, which can cause the setting to expand and therefore the stone to fall out.
How long have you been selling vintage and antique jewelry?
Elisa first opened her first shop in November 1993, in NYC, selling vintage clothing and antique jewelry, and quickly expanded to three stores. When she closed her last shop in 2011, she decided to phase out the clothing and exclusively sell jewelry.
What’s the difference between antique, vintage, and estate jewelry?
Antique jewelry is over 100 years old. Vintage jewelry is over 20 years old. Estate jewelry is a term that refers to previously owned jewelry.
Where do you find your stuff?
We buy jewelry at shows, online, from estates, when we travel, and, lastly, in NYC’s jewelry district, where we have dealer friends who source items for us on a daily basis. Many of our gold items are found in “the junk pile” where we sift through pounds of gold and save antique and vintage jewelry from being melted! We also have dealers across Europe who source amazing pieces for us monthly.