Frequently Asked Questions
Product
Yes, all of the bakelite we use is vintage material. Please visit the Materials section of our website to learn more about the materials used and how we source them.
Yes, the vintage bakelite used in our products is inherently tough and has survived for decades. However, dropping a piece on a marble or tiled floor may cause it to break or crack. We can often repair such damage but there is often a slight "scar" or "blemish" left behind.
The bakelite that all of us are familiar with is old. Dating from the 1920s to the early 1950s, the pieces that we generally see have had decades of exposure to dirt, dust, patina and oxidation. The once brilliant colors have been hidden away by years of ageing. We process the bakelite aggressively and the effects of years of ageing are removed to reveal the original colors.
It is also important to keep in mind that we finish the bakelite to a level that it has never been subjected to in the past. We use abrasives on the bakelite that are fine enough to polish precision optics. Although the material is unquestionably vintage, its current appearance is decidedly contemporary.
Yes, we use 18-karat pink gold, 18-karat white gold and platinum. The vast majority of our products are made using 18-karat yellow gold. However, you may special order most items in the gold color of your choice. We do not use gold of a lesser purity than 18-karat.
Yes, in fact Mark Davis jewelry is the most sustainable fine jewelry brand in the world. Please see our Sustainability section for detailed information on why our products are so uniquely sustainable and eco-friendly.
Ordering
Please feel free to contact us with any questions or requests that you may have. We will be happy to assist you.
Yes, we are happy to accept custom orders. This process requires personal assistance from a dedicated client services specialist. Please contact us to begin the dialogue and to get exactly what you are looking for.
Yes, if you are not delighted with your markdavis.com purchase, you may return it to us within 7 days of receipt.
All merchandise must be in its original, unworn condition, with any price or security tags attached, contained in its original unblemished packaging, for a full refund.
You must request a return merchandise authorization (RMA) number prior to shipping your return. Returns received without an RMA number clearly noted on the outside of the package will be refused. Following the issuance of an RMA number, the merchandise must be received by our office within 7 days in order to complete the transaction. Please contact us for assistance.
All returns must be shipped freight and insurance prepaid.
The following are not returnable under any circumstances: Items marked “Final Sale,” customized, special order or personalized items, altered, sized or modified items and gift cards. Additionally, items purchased from any source other than markdavis.com must be returned to their original place of purchase and are subject to the original retailer’s terms and conditions.
Gift recipients are entitled to a non-refundable markdavis.com merchandise credit. Gift cards are not returnable. Items purchased with a gift card in part, or in whole, may be returned so long as they do not meet any of the criteria listed in the preceding paragraph.
Please note that credit for returned merchandise is given in the form of the original payment. If the item being returned was paid for by check, a delay of up to thirty (30) days, from the date we receive the returned item, may be incurred in the issuance of a refund check.
The Return Policy above is extracted from our Terms and Conditions and is provided here for your convenience. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with our complete Terms and Conditions.
Yes, we will be pleased to personalize any of our items. There is an additional charge for personalization and the item will not be returnable. Personalization will also add to the time needed to fulfill your order. Please contact us for specific information and assistance.
Yes, all Mark Davis products are carefully and beautifully wrapped. If you have specific packaging requirements or would like us to enclose a handwritten message, please contact us.
We accept all major credit cards. You may use VISA, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB, UnionPay, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Shop Pay. You may also pay by wire transfer, ACH transfer or check.
If you would prefer to arrange payment with a client service specialist, please contact us.
Yes, at Mark Davis, we understand how important security is to you and we are committed to making your shopping experience a positive one. We assure you that any transactions that you make and any personal information you share with us is secure. We use industry-standard encryption technologies when transferring and receiving customer data exchanged with our site server.
Shipping
Yes, we are pleased to offer complimentary international shipping with a few exceptions. We are unable to ship merchandise to Afghanistan, Bulgaria, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Lithuania, Macedonia, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Romania, Ukraine, Yemen and Yugoslavia. This list of restricted countries is subject to change at any time.
Items generally ship within 1 to 3 days depending on availability. U.S. domestic shipments are normally received the day after they have been shipped. For the security of items in transit, we avoid shipping on Fridays for Monday deliveries. If your order is placed on Friday, and the item is available for immediate shipment, it will ship on Monday for Tuesday delivery.
International shipment transit times are variable and may range from 1 to 5 days. Although we will electronically transmit all pertinent information to the carrier to expedite customs clearance, there may be a delay in customs releasing the shipment. Unfortunately, we have no control over this. We will however be pleased to provide documentation and support to the broker clearing the item for import.
All shipments will require a signature upon delivery. There are no exceptions and this requirement supersedes any “Release on File” that you may have with the carrier.
If you require Saturday delivery, have a specific delivery date requirement or need any other special services, please contact us and we will be pleased to assist you.
We ship all U.S. domestic and international orders by Federal Express. Should you have specific shipping requirements, please contact us.
Shortly after your order has been placed and confirmed, you will receive a tracking number and link to the tracking information. Please note that information regarding tracking may not be immediately available until the shipment is in the possession of the carrier.
For assistance with tracking or to receive an update about your shipment’s status, please contact us.
Care and Repair
We strongly recommend that you store your Mark Davis bakelite pieces in individual pouches or boxes to prevent scratching. It is also recommended that you avoid storing them in direct sunlight or areas of intense heat. The vintage bakelite used in our products is inherently tough and has survived for decades. However, dropping a piece on a marble or tiled floor may cause it to break or crack. We can often repair such damage but there is often a slight "scar" or "blemish" left behind.
For your convenience and for best results, we offer a thorough cleaning and refurbishment of your Mark Davis items, at our studio, by the same highly trained technicians that made the piece. Please contact us to request information about refurbishment or to initiate the repair or alteration process.
Should you desire to clean the piece yourself, we recommend that you use a solution of dishwashing liquid and cool water. Never use harsh or abrasive cleansers. Rinse well and dry with a soft microfiber cloth. Ultrasonic and steam cleaning should be avoided.
As with our bakelite jewels, we recommend that you store your Mark Davis wooden pieces in individual pouches or boxes to prevent scratching. We also recommended that you do not store them in direct sunlight or areas of intense heat. Although the wooden pieces have been sealed with wax or a protective lacquer, we still recommend that you avoid areas of extreme dampness and prolonged contact with water.
Cleaning your Mark Davis wooden jewels should be done with a slightly damp cloth immediately followed by drying thoroughly with a soft towel or microfiber cloth. For your convenience and for best results, we are pleased to offer a thorough cleaning and conditioning of your Mark Davis wooden pieces, at our workshop, by the same highly trained technicians that created the piece.
Jewelry made primarily of precious metals should be stored in individual pouches or boxes to prevent scratching.
To clean your precious metal pieces, use a room temperature solution of dishwashing liquid and small amount of ammonia. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth. This method works well with most gem-set pieces. However, there are exceptions and this solution must never be used on bakelite, turquoise, pearls, wood, shell or other organic materials.
You may find that the highly polished surface of your pieces has scratched or dulled with wear. If your piece was made with a brushed or matte finish, you may find that over time the finish begins to appear more polished. Both of these changes are to be expected with any item made of precious metal that is used and enjoyed. Returning your Mark Davis item to our workshop for refurbishment will make it look almost new again.
Any piece of jewelry that is often enjoyed will eventually show signs of wear. Whether your Mark Davis item is bakelite, wood, gold or platinum, small scratches or tiny blemishes may become noticeable with time. Also, you may find over time, that your ring size or the width of your hand changes to the point that wearing your jewelry is uncomfortable. Conversely, you may need a bangle or ring reduced in size to ensure a more secure fit. Because we manufacture all of our products in our own workshop, we are able alter and repair practically every item that we make. Since much of our jewelry incorporates unusual materials and proprietary manufacturing and assembly techniques, we insist that any repair or alteration be carried out by the trained specialists at Mark Davis. Please contact us to initiate a refurbishment, repair or alteration.
Authenticity
Mark Davis products are unique in their appearance and in the way that they have been produced. Over the years, the success of Mark Davis has attracted imitators. A Mark Davis item is finely crafted and is easily discernible to the knowledgeable eye. If you have questions or doubts about a piece, please contact us for clarification.
Please note that we will provide written appraisals and authentications upon request. There is a charge for this service, and we will need to physically receive the item(s) in question. Please contact us for additional information.