FAQ's - Answers to your Questions

If you don't see your question or answer here, just give us a call at 1-888-497-0456 or drop us a note at julie@littlegirlspearls.com.

What are Freshwater Pearls? Are they real pearls?
How long will it take to get my order?
I'm in a hurry, do you offer expedited shipping methods?
Is the jewelry sturdy? I'm afraid my child will break it.
Do you use sterling silver?
What if I order the wrong size?
What is your return policy?
What if my jewelry needs repair after 30 days?
Do you offer a wholesale program?
How do I clean my jewelry?
Where are you located?
Do you have a print catalog?
May I have the jewelry shipped directly to the gift recipient?
Do you offer gift wrapping or gift cards?
Do you offer coupons or discounts?
How do I sign up for your newsletter and contest?
Swarovski Crystal lead information and California Prop 65 Warning

What are Freshwater Pearls? Are they real pearls?

Yes. Freshwater Pearls are genuine pearls. The only difference between freshwater pearls and saltwater pearls are where they are grown. Saltwater pearls are grown in salt water in oysters or other bivalves. Freshwater pearls are normally grown in freshwater lakes in mollusks or other bivalves.

How long will it take to get my order?

Most orders ship within 1-2 business days. Ground shipping takes approximately 1 week after the order is shipped to reach you. We also offer 3-day air shipping and overnight air shipping. If you are in a rush, please let us know. We are happy to do everything we can to get your order out the same day you order if at all possible.

I'm in a hurry, do you offer expedited shipping methods?

Yes. We offer both 3-day air and overnight express shipping methods. Please let us know the date you need your order by, so that we can be sure to do everything we can to get your order out as quickly as possible. Depending on the time of day you order, we can usually get your order out the same day. If you need your order shipped out the same day, it is best to call to be sure that can be arranged. 1-888-497-0456

Is the jewelry sturdy? I'm afraid my child will break it.

Yes, the jewelry is quite sturdy. We use a special flexible component for our jewelry that is created with 49 strands of steel wound around each other and covered in a soft-white nylon. It is both flexible and quite sturdy. My two little guys, then 2 and 5, volunteered to test the bracelets. They each wore a bracelet for an entire day (playground, jumping, climbing, running and all). Both bracelets were just fine after the day of tough and tumble testing. However, if your child should ever break her jewelry, feel free to return it to have it fixed for a small fee. The fee will depend on the repairs needed as well as if there are any pieces that need to be replaced.

Do you use sterling silver?

Yes, all metal in the jewelry (beads, clasp, chain, incidentals) are all sterling silver. Sterling silver, being true sterling silver, will oxidize (tarnish) with age. However, a simple jewelry cloth for silver will clean them right up. We also have some other interesting jewelry care methods below to help keep your sterling silver sparkling.

What if I order the wrong size?

That is not a problem. We want to be sure the jewelry is simply perfect. The best way to choose the correct size is to measure the person's wrist and add about 1/2" to find the size needed. Because we have adjustment/growth chains on all of our pieces, most of our jewelry will fit. However, if you need to return a piece and exchange it for another size (within 30 days of receipt of the item), that is not a problem. You would only be responsible for actual shipping charges via the method of your choice and if you are going up in size, the difference in price. If you are going down in size, you would receive a refund of the difference in price. Please let us know you are returning a piece before you send it back.

What is your return policy?

We want to be sure you are happy with the jewelry. Jewelry that will sit unloved in a box is just so sad! In the first 30 days after receiving your jewelry, you can return it for a full refund (less shipping) with no questions asked. If for any reason you are unhappy, we of course will work with you to make it right, but if you would rather return it that is fine as well.

What if my jewelry needs repair after 30 days?

If after 30 days your jewelry is in need of repair, please let us know. For a small fee we would be happy to repair it or clean it up. Each repair case is different, so please give us a call to discuss what you need, and we will quote you a price. 1-888-497-0456

Do you offer a wholesale program?

Yes, we offer a wholesale program to retail businesses. You may find all of our wholesale information HERE.

How do I clean my jewelry?

For the pearls, simply wipe with a soft cloth. You may wash the pearls off with warm water (no soap), if they are dusty. Be sure to dry them thoroughly with a soft cloth. To clean the silver, you can use a jewelry polishing cloth. A fun trick that seems to work like a dream is this:

* Line a bowl with aluminum foil
* Place jewelry on aluminum foil (the trick is to get the silver parts to touch the foil.
* Pour nearly boiling water over jewelry just to cover (be VERY careful not to burn yourself.
* Liberally sprinkle baking soda over the silver parts. Shake bowl a bit...baking soda will "bubble"
* If you have parts that don't touch the foil or nasty tarnish spots, you can make a "stick" out of foil and touch the sterling silver parts while the baking soda is bubbling.
* Wash jewelry off with warm water.
* Dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.

Store your jewelry in an airtight container (like a baggie or a Tupperware bowl).

Store your jewelry with a piece of chalk.

Avoid getting chemicals on your pearls like chlorine, soap, hairspray and perfume.

Where are you located?

We are on the gorgeous Central Coast of California. We are about 1/2 way between San Francisco and Los Angeles. We are located near the beach in Lompoc, California. Lompoc is a beautiful little town known as the "City of Murals in the Valley of Flowers".

Do you have a print catalog?

We do not currently have a print catalog. However, we are working on creating one and are extremely excited that it will soon be available. How fun! It has turned out to be quite a lovely project.

May I have the jewelry shipped directly to the gift recipient?

Yes, you may. Be sure to include the "ship to" address when ordering. We are happy to have the gift packaged ready for gift giving. We can include a gift card with your custom gift message to the gift recipient. We do not include an invoice in boxes shipped to an alternate person/address.

Do you offer gift wrapping or gift cards?

We offer beautiful gift wrapping options. Each jewelry piece comes attached to a dainty pink paisley backing with an organza ribbon. The piece is then placed in an off-white organza bag with satin ribbons adorned with a matching freshwater pearl and sterling silver charm. We include your gift card and a little note about the jewelry and how to care for it in the bag.

For special occasions, we also offer other gift wrapping options. We offer a pink box tied with white organza/satin ribbon, a tiny satin beaded purse or our elegant satin gift wrapping with a big pink bow for an additional charge.

Do you offer coupons or discounts?

Yes, we occasionally run promotions or offer coupons or discounts. Most of the time, you will find out discounts in our monthly e-newsletter.

How do I sign up for your newsletter and contest?

Click HERE to sign up for our e-newsletter and contest. We offer a wonderfully fun little newsletter called, "A Bit of Whimsy," which is sent out about once ever month or so. With each newsletter, we choose a newsletter subscriber as a winner. In our newsletter we offer recipes, crafts, quotes, fun things, interesting finds, new items, specials, sales and discounts.

Swarovski Crystal Lead Information & California Prop 65 Warning

This only applies to our pieces that contain Swarovski Austrian crystals. All components we use to create the jewelry are lead free except Swarovski Austrian crystals. We also offer a lead-free alternative for Swarovski Austrian crystals.

Each of our pieces has and always will be made right here in a little town on the Central Coast of California. Nothing we make is mass-produced. Everything is individually made by hand to ensure safety, quality and beauty in each piece. We use only natural pearls without coatings or dyes and all of our silver components are genuine sterling silver.

If you are searching for a lead-free choice of birthstone you can choose our Bohemian glass beads instead of our Swarovski Crystals.

We do offer Swarovski Austrian crystals as birthstone charms, a princess charm and in our name bracelets. Swarovski crystals are the industry's leading crystal because of their durability, color richness and sparkle. They do contain approximately 32% lead. The crystals can be compared to a leaded crystal wine glass which we drink out of. We do ask that your child does not chew on her bracelet.

The state of California has very strict laws regarding lead in children's jewelry. Our jewelry complies with California's strict standards and we are in the process of having our jewelry tested by an independent third party.

Your child's safety is of the greatest concern to us. If you have any questions, comments or concerns we are very happy to discuss them with you.

California Proposition 65 Warning, required to be posted by California Law
This product contains lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, and other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.