Welcome to Carats & Stones, your trusted jewelry store located in the heart of San Francisco, California. We are committed to providing you with an exceptional shopping experience, including the safe and timely delivery of your precious purchases. This Shipping Policy outlines our shipping procedures, options, and other important information regarding the delivery of your orders.

1. Shipping Locations

1.1 Domestic Shipping

  • We offer shipping to all 50 states within the United States, including Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories.
  • We do not ship to P.O. Boxes, APO/FPO addresses, or military bases.

1.2 International Shipping

  • At this time, Carats & Stones does not offer international shipping. We only ship within the United States.

2. Shipping Methods and Delivery Times

2.1 Standard Shipping

  • Carrier: UPS Ground or FedEx Ground.
  • Delivery Time: 3-7 business days.
  • Cost: $10 flat rate or free on orders over $500.

2.2 Expedited Shipping

  • Carrier: UPS 2nd Day Air or FedEx 2Day.
  • Delivery Time: 2 business days.
  • Cost: $25 flat rate.

2.3 Express Shipping

  • Carrier: UPS Next Day Air or FedEx Standard Overnight.
  • Delivery Time: 1 business day.
  • Cost: $45 flat rate.

2.4 Local Pickup

  • Availability: For customers in the San Francisco Bay Area, we offer in-store pickup at our flagship store.
  • Processing Time: Orders are typically ready for pickup within 1 business day.
  • Cost: Free.

3. Order Processing Time

  • Processing Time: Orders placed by 12:00 PM PST are processed the same day. Orders placed after 12:00 PM PST will be processed the next business day.
  • Customization: Custom orders, including engravings and special requests, may require additional processing time. The estimated processing time will be communicated at the time of purchase.

4. Order Tracking

  • Once your order has been shipped, you will receive a confirmation email with a tracking number. You can track your order directly through the carrier's website.
  • Please allow up to 24 hours for the tracking information to be updated.

5. Signature Requirement

  • For security purposes, all orders over $500 require a signature upon delivery.
  • If you are unable to sign for your package, please arrange for someone else to sign on your behalf or contact the carrier to schedule a redelivery.

6. Shipping Insurance

  • All orders are fully insured during transit at no additional cost to you.
  • The insurance covers the full value of the item(s) being shipped and remains in effect until the package is delivered and signed for.

7. Shipping Address Changes

  • If you need to change your shipping address after placing an order, please contact us immediately at [contact information].
  • Address changes can only be accommodated before the order has been shipped.

8. Delivery Issues

8.1 Lost or Stolen Packages

  • If your package is lost or stolen, please contact us immediately.
  • We will initiate a claim with the carrier and work to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Please note that the claim process may take up to 10 business days.

8.2 Damaged Packages

  • If your package arrives damaged, please retain all packaging materials and contact us within 48 hours of receipt.
  • We will work with you to resolve the issue, which may include filing a claim with the carrier and arranging for a replacement or repair.

9. Undeliverable Packages

  • If a package is returned to us as undeliverable due to an incorrect address provided by the customer, the customer will be responsible for the cost of reshipping the package.
  • If the package is returned to us due to a carrier error, we will reship the package at no additional cost to the customer.

10. Shipping Restrictions

  • Certain items, such as those containing specific gemstones or materials, may be subject to shipping restrictions due to local regulations.
  • We will notify you at the time of purchase if any restrictions apply to your order.

11. Holiday Shipping

  • During peak holiday seasons, shipping times may be extended due to increased demand. We recommend placing your order early to ensure timely delivery.
  • Carats & Stones will provide estimated cutoff dates for holiday shipping on our website.

12. Contact Information

For any questions or concerns regarding your order or our shipping policy, please contact us:

13. Changes to This Policy

Carats & Stones reserves the right to modify this Shipping Policy at any time. Any changes will be posted on our website with the updated effective date.

Thank you for choosing Carats & Stones. We appreciate your business and are committed to ensuring that your jewelry is delivered safely and promptly.