FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If you have any questions not answered here, please contact us directly via email or our contact page.
GENERAL
Do you have a shop or showroom?
Our showroom is now closed. Please sign up to our mailing list for news of pop-up shops and visits to your area.
What are your office hours?
Our office is staffed from 9.30am-5pm, Monday-Thursday.
What are your contact details?
Please email us at sales@marcialanyon.com or fill out the form on our contact page. You can also contact us by post at: PO Box 74713, London, W8 9HY
ORDERING AND BUYING
What do you sell?
We keep a selection of precious and semi precious stones, beads and freshwater pearls (usually sold on 16″ temporary string).
Can I order from Marcia Lanyon Ltd?
Marcia Lanyon Ltd is a Wholesaler supplier and our goods are available to Trade customers only.
Where can I see your stock?
You can see a small selection of our stock on Instagram and via our website.
Marcia Lanyon Ltd also make regular sales trips around the country throughout the year. We visit Scotland, Cornwall, Bristol and Rochester approximately twice a year and Birmingham around four times a year.
Sign up to our newsletter and stay up to date on our latest trip to your area.
If you are a jewellery teacher and would like to arrange for us to visit your college then please email us and we will be happy to discuss it.
How can I pay for my order?
We accept all major credit and debit cards. (Please note we require American Express cardholders to pay a small surcharge). Cheques must be made out to Marcia Lanyon Ltd.
We retain the right of ownership to all goods until full payment is received. Payments outstanding for more than 30 days from the invoice date will be surcharged at 3% per month.
How are your products priced?
All stones are priced per piece and all beads are priced per 16″ string unless stated otherwise.
VAT (20%) will be added to all prices quoted unless we are provided with a non UK VAT number or the goods are to be exported to non EEC countries.
Do you have a minimum order value?
Our minimum order value is (excluding VAT & P&P) : £25 for in-stock items and £100 for bulk and bespoke orders.
Please note that some orders may be subject to minimum order quantities dictated to us by our suppliers. If this is the case you will be notified before confirming your order.
Can I get a discount?
We offer a 5% discount on sales over £250 (excl. VAT & postage) and a 10% discount on sales over £500 (excl. VAT & postage), providing the following conditions are met:
– If you had the goods on approval they were not overdue for return.
– Payment is made immediately by debit card, cheque or cash.
Can I order something that you don’t already have in stock?
Marcia and her team are happy to discuss and advise you on bespoke orders via email.
We always try to deal with your order in an expedient manner. Bespoke orders and bulk orders can however take up to 6-8 weeks for delivery from your order confirmation. Please contact our sales office for more information regarding individual items.
Please note that when dealing with natural materials like gemstones, supply is often subject to forces outside our control.
SHIPPING
What are your delivery charges?
We ship using Royal Mail special or recorded delivery. Prices depend on the size and weight of the package.
Do you ship outside the UK?
Yes, but we demand full payment in advance for all overseas orders. Please contact our sales team if you would like more information.
I placed a special order with you, how long will it take to be delivered?
We usually quote around 6-8 weeks from your order confirmation for delivery. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you would like to know more about your specific order.
RETURNS
Can I return something if I’ve changed my mind?
Invoiced goods can only be returned and credited if they are returned in their original condition (beads strung up with label attached and stones in original boxes or bags) with the respective invoice and within 28 days. Returns are subject to a restocking charge of £5.
No responsibility can be accepted by Marcia Lanyon Ltd for damage caused to returned goods, resulting either from the customer or the carrier’s negligence.
TREATMENTS
Although we always try to label treated materials appropriately, buyer discretion is advised. Please ask our staff if you have any questions regarding a particular material or item of stock.
What does “treated” or “heat treated” mean?
Heat treatment is considered a fairly natural enhancement as it is a continuation of the processes that occurred in the earth when the stone was originally formed. During treatment the stone is heated to very high temperatures which can cause the colour of a stone to lighten, darken, or to change completely. It can also bring about an improvement in clarity and brightness. Heating is detectable only by trained observers in a laboratory setting and is usually irreversible.
There are some gemstones that would not be as readily available if not for heat treatment. For example; the abundance of citrine on the market is actually the result of heat treating amethyst.
What does “oiled” mean?
Oiling of emeralds is pretty universal, but not every emerald is oiled. When the rough emerald is mined it is thrown into a barrel of oil; when it is cut, oil is used as a lubricant on the cutter’s lap. The colourless oil seeps into the fissures on the surface of the emeralds and when the fractures contain oil of a similar refractive index they are less visible to the naked eye. To complete the process oil is pressurised into the fissures of the polished stone.
What does “irradiated” mean?
Irradiation means pounding material with subatomic particles or radiation. Sometimes irradiation is followed by heating to produce a better or new colour for the gem. Blue topaz is the most common example. Although blue topaz does occur naturally, it is much paler in colour than treated topaz and more expensive.
What does “stabilised” mean?
Stabilisation is the introduction of a bonding agent, usually plastic, into a porous material. Some gems are also waxed on the surface to enhance colour and lustre. Stabilised turquoise will not break as easily and will not absorb oils and discolour as untreated turquoise may.
What does “dyed” mean?
Dyeing of chalcedony/agate and of pearls is prevalent, permanent and is generally considered acceptable practice. These colours do not occur in nature are usually pretty easy to spot, although the fact that they are dyed should always be disclosed. Dyeing of other materials however; for instance jade, lapis lazuli, turquoise, rubies, emeralds and sapphire is sometimes done to disguise poor quality goods.
Cultured freshwater pearls grow naturally in a limited selection of colours. Most colours other than white and pale shades of pink and peach can be assumed to be dyed and should be labelled as such. Dyeing can usually be detected by looking for concentrations of dye around drill holes or around blemishes. Other kinds of cultured pearls such as southsea pearls and tahitian pearls may grow into a variety of exotic colours naturally because they are grown in a different variety of oyster.
OTHER QUESTIONS
Are your products ethically sourced?
We are very concerned with ethical issues surrounding the stones that we supply and we try to source stones ethically as far as possible but with such a large and varied stock it is almost impossible to track where every individual stone was mined and cut. Coloured stones often go through many different hands in many different countries before they eventually arrive in the UK.
What is a mabe pearl?
A mabe pearl is a hemispherical shaped pearl which is grown against the inside of the oyster’s shell, rather than within its tissue. Once grown, the nucleus is removed and replaced with resin and they are then given a mother of pearl back.
Although mabe pearls do occasionally appear in nature, all our mabe pearls are cultured.