Yes! Please note that we are only able to ship to Canada or the US.

BUY IT HERE

From our experience, the best machines on the market are Orion Micro Welders, made in the USA, by Sunstone Engineering. The many reviews from users state that they are vastly superior in portability, reliability and power control. If you are considering an unbranded machine, please read reviews and ask your peers on their experiences before purchasing. Although many use unbranded machines, and have had no issues, some machines are listed as good for Permanent Jewelry, but were not designed to be used in this manner. The biggest complaints we have heard with some Chinese made unbranded machines was uncontrollable flashes. This can cause issues with welding and possible burns for your client. 

Our PJ expert, Dana, has only ever used the Orion welders and here is a video of how simply it is to operate.

You can clean the oxidation build up by using a tissue and wiping the electrode every few welds.  As it dulls, the easiest and cheapest way to sharpen it is simply to use a thick file.  Here is a free video to demonstrate how.

For most jump rings of 24ga-22ga, there is no need to change power setting (7w has worked best for me) and no need to change electrodes (some welding machine makers suggest having sharper electrodes for more power and duller electrodes for easier metals like 925 silver, but it is a hassle to change if you have a line of people waiting).  The difference is minimal and you should find success by keeping your electrode sharp and simply adjust the power as you need.

It is best to buy at least 2m because often groups (bridal party, sororities, teams..) have more than 5 people, and they often want the same bracelet.  Two meters will give about 10 bracelets and that is not a lot for one style of chain.  

You should also begin with 3-5 different styles of chain.  Although there will be one or two that will be the most popular, selection is key to customer shopping experience satisfaction.

As you expand and there is also more competition in the markets you are at, then you want to increase your variety to 8-10 different styles.

Try one of our Kits!

1 meter = 3.28 feet = 39.4 inches

Average North American female wrist size is 6.5” (so, 1m makes 6 bracelets)

Average North American male wrist size is 7.5” (so, 1m makes 5 bracelets)

Pricing by-the-bracelet is best under most circumstances, for the following reasons:

1. It will avoid people making appointments only to realize, when they finally get measured, that it is out of their budget or more expensive than they had anticipated.
2. By the inch is harder for gift giving and budgeting for the gift giver.
3. A lot of time is wasted on doing the calculation and decision making because one chain is more than another x the cost of then length.

The following method may be more practical:

1.  Build into your cost that the average bracelet will be 6.5” to 7.5”, depending on the wrist size of your local population. 
2. Have a range of 3 different price points for dainty, medium and thicker chains and different metals.
3. If others are advertising based on per inch and your per bracelet price seems expensive, you can always quote  in brackets “avg $6 per inch” or something of the sort

For Solid 14K gold, where the cost of material is a more significant portion of the sale, pricing by the inch is fine.

Watch our video here

No, a jump ring is not necessary for a successful weld, but it is highly recommended.  A well made jump ring will have ends which are completely flush, allowing for an easy, secure and lasting weld.  The consistency of using a jump ring will be an enormous time saver and a small jump ring is inconspicuous.  The use of jump rings is favored by the vast majority of Permanent Jewelry welders.

If you choose not to use a jump ring, please make sure that you use flush cutters when cutting the chain link, making sure that both ends of the cuts are completely flat.  In this way, they can meet together with the maximum amount of connecting surface.  If the ends are not completely flat and touching, it will not weld securely.

When the chain is too fine for a jump ring to go through the link, we have developed a way to weld the chain by balling the ends.  Here is a video to demonstrate the technique.

24ga (0.5mm) wire thickness is the easiest for welding. However, if your chain allows for a larger size, 22ga would be the next best. If you are using the Orion Micro Welder (other brands may vary in power), the power setting of 7w is the ideal.  3mm diameter jump rings are large enough to connect most fine chains.

All of our 925 silver chains are made in Italy.

Half of our solid 14K gold chains are made in Italy, the remainder made in USA.

Virtually all of our gold filled is made in USA, a few styles are from a USA company that has factories they operate elsewhere.

Yes, you can.  There will be a small dot (size of half of a poppy seed) of weld mark that may darken over time, due to exposed metal that has been fused with the exterior gold sheet of gold filled.  However, it is inconspicuous and customers do not seem to mind.  If you do not feel comfortable, you can always choose to use solid gold jump rings.

Here is a video with a more in depth discussion.

It has mostly to do with how well you are closing the jump ring before you weld.  There are a few other possibilities.  Here is a free video for troubleshooting common mistakes in welding.

It depends on the chemical makeup of the person’s skin, whether the silver has been exposed to toxic chemicals like chlorinated pools and sulphur springs.  However, welded bracelets can be easily cleaned.  Here is a video to show you how. 

No, we do not carry silver filled.  Silver naturally tarnishes, although the amount varies with different people, and in some cases, it becomes shinier with wear.  To clean silver, especially with Permanent Jewelry, it is advisable to clean with liquid cleaner, which takes microscopic amounts away from the surface.  This would not be advisable for silver filled, which has a brass core that can be exposed with long-term and frequent cleaning.

We have a large selection of premium quality 925 silver chains from Italy.  Due to the high volume we purchase, along with keeping the margins low, we are able to offer tremendous .925 silver chains similar to the price of silver filled. 

There is a huge difference between gold plated brass and gold filled – gold plated base metal should never be used in Permanent Jewelry.  While the inferior metal is less expensive and popular in cheap costume jewellery, permanently welded jewellery must be able to withstand being worn in the shower, exposed to sweat and skin care products.  Plated base metal chains would tarnish within a couple of months under these circumstances. Here is a video explaining the differences. 

Yes, but sometimes the plating bubbles and peels.  It depends on the metal and the plating job.  It is highly not recommended for permanent jewelry.  Normally, base metal chains are finished before it is plated as the final step, for the aforementioned reason.

This is hard to say because it is still fairly new.  In our own experience, the breakage was not at the weld seam, but rather when the chain finally broke as it got caught on something while the person was in a hurry.  This was after 7 months of love and rough wear.

Theoretically, it should last for many years, if one doesn’t get it snagged.  However, after it breaks, one could easily weld it again at the break.

This is because many sellers, unknowingly or unscrupulously, name plated brass or copper as gold filled.  In some countries, they are understood as one in the same.  However, in the USA, and by extension North America, gold filled is a legal standard that cannot be confused with gold plated.

We guarantee that all our sterling silver components and chains are at least .925. All our sterling silver is nickel and cadmium free.

Sterling silver must be at least 92.5% silver. The 7.5% alloy in sterling silver is made up largely of copper.   ( There might be a bit of another proprietary metal formula that the manufacturer uses to make it stronger, but we are not privy to the formula. )   It does not contain nickel in the 7.5% alloy that makes up 925 silver.

There are so many types of metal sensitivities. There are people who are simply allergic to Sterling Silver. Often these people can only wear high carat gold (smaller percentage of base metals in the mix). If your customer is very sensitive to copper, they may have a problem with sterling silver. If your customer is very sensitive to brass, they may have a strong reaction to gold filed (the core is brass).

• Storage and packaging is important to keep your silver brighter longer. Some dyes from strings and gift bags can cause tarnish. We used to use dyed brown wool for tags for labeling products, all the silver touching the wool would tarnish but nothing else.
• Leaving jewelry in gift boxes, without sealing the silver in a bag, will leave the sterling exposed to air and any chemical that can be in the puffy filling or dye from the box.
• Mixing silver with other metals may also accelerate darkening.
• Exposure to fluorescent lights can also accelerate tarnish. 
• Certain things, like dampness and sun exposure can accelerate oxidation.
• Certain environments, like a salon/spa (chemicals in the air) will also cause your silver to darken faster.
• At the home, near/in a bathroom or a window. Dampness is the very worst for sterling. Simple things, such as a hot day and slightly sweating hands, can also accelerate tarnish.

We guarantee that all our Gold Filled components and chains are all American standard . All components and chains are 1/20th gold with a brass core. All our gold filled is nickel and cadmium free.

Gold Filled is an American metal manufacturing process and legal standard of quality. GF is two sheets of solid karat gold. Most popular being 14kt gold. These sheets are  bonded over (or for wire, rolled in tube) a core of brass. A piece of jewelry to be legally stamped with the telltale ‘GF’ marking, its weight must be at least 1/20th gold. This explains the typical stamp you would expect to see on gold filled articles: “1/20 14K GF”, which means that 5 percent of the piece is 14 karat gold. Due to the surface layer of gold-filled jewelry being about 100 times thicker than any plating, gold-filled pieces tend to last much longer, and are considered ‘lifetime jewelry’

Watch our video on the differences of gold filled and other gold products.

There are so many types of metal sensitivities. There are people who are simply allergic to Sterling Silver. Often these people can only wear high carat gold (smaller percentage of base metals in the mix). If your customer is very sensitive to copper, they may have a problem with sterling silver. If your customer is very sensitive to brass, they may have a strong reaction to gold filed (the core is brass)

Not always. 

You have probably noticed that Gold Filled discs tend to be thinner than their silver counterparts. This is due to the higher costs of the metal. Each American standard gold filled component has to be 1/20th gold, so the thicker it gets, the more gold is in it and higher the costs. Most are 0.3mm, but can be up to 0.8mm. The thickness will be listed in the description section of the product code. 

When stamping thinner discs, you need use less strength when hammering.

You can view our video on stamping gold filled components.

Any metal can be electroplated with sterling silver or gold. The precious metal plating is often quite thin and does require gentler handling to preserver the plating. 

We cary many items that are gold or silver plated.

Example #1: We carry hand cut semiprecious stone pendants that have a base plate of copper and then further electroplated with gold or silver.

Example #2: We carry a selection of gold plated sterling silver. These items are casted in sterling and then electroplated with gold. One of our most popular items are our 6mm round bezel set stone charms.

Example #3: We carry a selection of gold plated sterling silver that has a clear protective coating baked on. The coating is much like a ceramic glaze which is baked on – making it highly durable against wear and tear, and will prevent future tarnish. Here is an example of this style of plating.

No, the size may have a tolerance of -0 +1/4.

From the Manufacturers:

“We try to hold a tolerance on the rings of -0 + 1/4 ring size, about the best we can hold depending on the style. Some of the handmade can be more. But in general ¼ is the best we can do.”

We do our best. We try to provide multiple images and detailed descriptions to help you have a better experience shopping online. However, we are not able to guarantee that colours from screen to screen will be accurate.

If you are purchasing strands of stones or pearls: These are natural products and will vary from strand to strand. The photo will be an average of what you will expect. If you wish for further images of our most current stock, please email us at : Sales@stonesandfindings.com

All dimensions are approximate.

For strands, since there is variation from bead to bead. We try our best to provide dimension information as precise as possible, however, in many cases there is variation in the stones themselves and we do make mistakes.

• Not exactly. It is just an estimate. We count a few of the strands to get the best average.
• All prices are based on a single strand as it is, NOT on any specific length or any specific number of pieces in a strand.
• Buy a little more than you need. The actual count always varies due to variations in the individual items. In addition there are always some pieces not suitable for your use for various reasons. Therefore, after you figure out the quantity you need, you should add extra depending on your own tolerance for quality.

• All dimensions are approximate. 
• Strands: The measurement of a bead will the the overall average from the strands purchased. The size may vary from strand to strand
  • Some strands are strung in a graduated pattern with the smallest size at either end gradually getting larger towards the middle. In this case we measure the largest bead. 
  • The weight is is average based on multiple strands

• Chains: The length of the chain is in mm. For example, chains sold by the meter will be 1000 mm. An 18 inch chain will be 457mm.
• Findings: We try to be as detailed as possible, if you do not see the information you are looking for please email us at Sales@stonesandfindings.com

• Please review the photos. These are natural products. There are variations depending on the mine, dye lot, etc. Inevitably there is variation, dips, inclusions and irregularities. 
• We do our best to pick out the best quality available so that our quality is better than other suppliers. However, we do not grade our strands.
• You should expect some Irregularities. We do not guarantee that each bead on a strand has no chips, irregular drills, pits (pearls) or inclusions. This is already accounted for in the price. Order slightly more than you need to account for your quality preferences. (Delicate stone beads tend to have more breakage and chips than standard shapes. (Waved Square, Waved Triangle shapes have more broken pieces than round.)
• You should expect variance in pattern. As stone is mined it goes through various veins that produce different patterns in the beads. Not all the beads on a strand contain the same pattern, and the pattern of the strand may not necessarily match the pattern in the picture. This is especially true for highly patterned stones like feldspath and snake skin jasper. If you require a specific pattern then please email us for further images.
• If you are worried about quality start with a small test order.
• If you really need 100% guarantee on the quality of the stones on a strand, please ask for more photos and we will gladly send them. Email us at Sales@stonesandfindings.com

Yes, we do. As long as you meet our minimum of $150 before tax. A $15 handling fee will be applied to all orders below $150. 

If you’re a registered Canadian customer, your prices will be displayed in CAD. If you’re an international customer, your prices will be displayed in USD(to see the current USD conversion )

Yes. We can ship to just about anywhere. You will be responsible for figuring out and arranging for any duties or cross-border shipping issues. Having said that we are very familiar with shipping to the US.

No, we will not break up a strand. On occasion strands do break and we are left with partial strands or loose beads. If you are looking for just a few loose beads, please contact your local bead shop for help.

No, we don’t. Please browse through this website for all information.

No. Strictly first come first served. Availability is based on ship date. If you place an order for future delivery, we do our best to fill the order at time of shipping not when it is ordered.

If you can’t find a particular item that you had seen before in this web site, that means it is either temporarily out of stock or discontinued.

• Minimum Order: $150.00 for assorted items.
• Handling Charge: $15.00 A handling charge will be added to orders less than $150.00.
• Items sold per piece: For items sold per piece, the minimum quantities are based on the wholesale price of the item.

No, we do not provide terms to customers. We will only ship or hold orders that have been paid for.

• We accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express through PayPal 
• We accet credit card through STRIPE payments.
• We accept $CAD Canadian E-Transfers.
• We do not accept personal, company, or COD checks.

• Stones and Findings is located in Toronto, Ontario. We charge Provincial Sales Tax on all orders fulfilled to customers in Ontario. Sales made and shipped to customers in other provinces are exempt from Ontario sales tax but expected to comply with their province’s current laws regarding out-of-province purchases.
• The federal General Sales Tax is charged on all sales to customers in Canada, except for Maritime customers (excluding PEI) who are expected to pay Harmonized Sales Tax instead of PST/GST. Orders shipped to customers in other countries, including the USA, are exempt from both the PST and GST taxes. Some customs fees may apply.

• No. It really depends on the market demand and material supply. We try to carry popular and regular items all the time. However, we can not guarantee the availability of any particular item at any time
• Check your receipt. Once we have received your order we pack it and only at that time are the quantities and availability known.
• Large quantities. For some items it takes 2 months to receive a new shipment. Give us as much lead time as possible and we will do our best to make sure you have the items you need.
• Reserve the Right to substitute. When you sell the items make sure you reserve the right to substitute beads so that you do not get caught in an awkward situation.

• We do not make money on shipping! We charge you what we have to pay. We do our best to get the best rates and the most convenient service.
• Canpar. Canpar delivers to commercial areas from 10-6, and there needs to be someone to receive the package when it gets delivered, otherwise they get sent back to us.
  We get a discount off their regular rates but to get approximate rates use M5C1R6 as our postal code. This options is available by request. 
• Canada Post: Canadians: These options will calculate at card level
• Purolator: Canadians and USA: These options will calculate at card level
• DHL: For customers in the USA, DHL options are calculated at cart level. For international orders, please contact us for quotes.
• Chit Chats USPS an Asendia: USA and International: These options will be calculated at cart level.
• Insurance. Will always be applied. (except for USPS) The maximum amount of insurance for any parcel is $5000. If you need more insurance we will ship it as 2 parcels.
• We will provide you with a tracking number. 
• Back order shipment is considered a separate shipment from original order. Freight charges will be added to every back order shipment.
• Exchange is considered a return of shipped order followed by a separate new order. Customer need to pay both return freight and new order’s outgoing freight.
• International Shipping (outside USA). We currently use DHL Express Worldwide and Asendia for International orders. The DHL rate for your individual order will be calculated once it has been received, and you will be asked for confirmation before payment.

Shipping costs usually depend on the shipping company chosen, the weight of the package, and destination. Addresses within Canada can expect a lower shipping rate than international destinations. Also keep in mind any extra customs or taxes you might have to pay on top of the shipping from us.

Within Canada, we offer Purolator and Canada Post as our shipping companies.

To the United States we use DHL, Purolator and USPS.

Please note that if you choose DHL, but your location is considered a “remote location” by the carrier, your order will be shipped using Purolator. We will refund the difference for Deferred/Ground (Purolator is cheaper) and we will match the cost for Express.(Purolator is more costly)

For international destinations we use DHL and Asendia/Chitchats International.

By choosing to have your order shipped you are agreeing to the terms and conditions of that carrier.

All our packages are fully insured up until confirmed delivery. Once it is delivered the contract we have with the carrier has been completed.

CANADA POST, PUROLATOR and DHL all require signature upon delivery. 

If you wish for us to ship DHL or Purolator without required signature, please provide an email with this request as written confirmation. Our packages are insured up until confirmed delivery. We do not insure for localized theft. By agreeing to removing “signature required” you agree to these terms. 

The delivery times listed are estimates and are not guaranteed. However, if your package was very late, we can contact the courier and attempt to get a full or partial refund. The most likely candidate for a refund is CanadaPost for late deliveries.

• Cut chains are all final sale. No Exceptions.
• Permanent Jewelry Chain Kits are final sale. No Exceptions.
• Cut wire is final sale. No Exceptions.

Orion Micro Welders: There is a 10% restocking charge for unopened boxes, 20% restocking charge for opened boxes within 20 days of receipt, and no refund after 20 days.

• Sale and Last Call Items can be returned with 7 calendar days of receiving the product. Sales and Last Call items cannot be returned after this period. 
• No returns for trade show purchases or custom orders.
• If the return drops the order total below the $150 minimum, the $15 handling will apply. 
• If you have purchased a kit, that does NOT have cut chains, you can return the kits as a whole, but not in part. For example, if you bought a kit of all the birthstone month charms as a kit, you can return the whole (100%) of the kit, but you cannot just return the June charms. The kits are prices not a one SKU and cannot be broken up. 
• All returns need an authorization number. Please email us to get one. (if you do not get a reply in 1 business day, please call us.)
• Customer need to pay the return freight and any applicable duties or taxes incurred in the return.
• We reserve the right to change the quantity discount if the return drops you out of a quantity discount bracket.
• If a return is improperly packaged or damaged in shipping we will not accept it.
• Items must be returned in their original format. (No broken strands will be accepted.)
•  
• Our Return address is:

   

  Stones and Findings

  Att: Lori French

  9 Adelaide Place

  Toronto ON

  M5V 2N7

  Canada

   
  Our location only has a secure mailbox with a slot measuring

  28cm x 1cm.  If your parcel is bigger than these dimensions, please send it to us with “Signature Required”. Insuring the return is the responsibly of the sender.

• We will handle refunds as laid out in the following table. (Days refers to calendar days not business days.)

It is common to have some beads or pearls in a strand not suitable for your use for various reasons. We do NOT issue credit for those beads or pearls because the price always reflects the general quality of the entire strand, not every single piece . Therefore, if the overall quality of the entire strand doesn’t meet your requirements, you can return the whole strand in its original condition. Please refer to our return policy. We do not issue refunds for returns of partial strands or used strands.

The email may have been intercepted by your Spam Filter. Check through your spam and see if there is an email from us.

This means that you probably have HTML emails turned off. You can turn it on and follow the instructions on the email. If you don’t want to turn it on, you can have a temporary password sent to you in plain format. Send Password page.

Yes, you can pick up your order at our Toronto Office.

Please wait until you received your pickup notification before stopping by.

Average processing time is 24-48 business hours.

Our Address:
9 Adelaide Place
Toronto, Ontario
M5V2N7
Canada

Open Monday to Friday 10-4

Yes, we do.

When placing your order, please choose the shipping option:

Local Courier Pick-up

In the NOTES section, please let us know the company that you will send for the pick up.

Example: “I will be sending UBER to pick up my order”

Unless you purchase insurance with your courier, your package will not be insured through us, for this type of delivery method. 

Order processing time is 24-48 business hours. Please wait until you receive your pickup notification before sending your courier. We process order in a first in first out method. We will not prioritize your order if you send your courier before we send you the pick-up confirmation. 

Your courier must come directly to our office for pick-up. The driver must have a copy of the invoice or Your Invoice Number and full name(s) for security. If they do not have a copy of your invoice and cannot confirm your address or order number, we cannot hand over the parcel to the courier.

If your courier requires it, our office phone number is:

416-628-8550

Once you receive your confirmation that your order is ready for pick-up, please confirm that the courier is on the way, once you have ordered their service. 

Please provide us with the drivers license plate number.  If a courier is able to provide us with your invoice, we will release the parcel and consider it delivered.  We will not be responsible for non-deliveries thereafter.

The purchaser must arrange for the courier pick-up. Stones and Findings will not arrange for this service.

By choosing Local Courier Pick-up at checkout, you agree to these terms and conditions.