Användarvillkor
Thank you for purchasing from Nico and Bear. We take pride in the quality and craftsmanship of our jewellery. Below is a list of our policies and some general information about our jewellery.
Please carefully read these terms before making a purchase, to ensure our jewellery meets your expectations.
We are happy to answer any questions you may have – just drop us an email at nico@nicoandbear.com and we will be glad to assist you!
POLICIES
WHERE IS MY JEWELLERY MADE? DO YOU ‘DROPSHIP’?
All of our jewellery is designed and carefully crafted by hand in our very small (but cozy!) jewellery workshop in West Sweden.
We do not drop ship any items. Your jewellery will be made and shipped directly from our studio in Sweden. From time to time we post photos and videos of our processes on our Instagram (@nicoandbearjewellery) so you can see how we make your items!
DO YOU HAVE A PHYSICAL STORE?
Currently, we only operate online at our website nicoandbear.com, nicoandbear.co.uk, and nicoandbear.se.
You can also find us at local fairs and events in Västra Götaland from time to time. Please check out our Instagram page for more information!
WHERE DO YOU SOURCE MATERIALS?
Using sustainable and ethically-obtained materials is really important to us. We buy precious materials (such as silver, gold, gold plated / gold-filled components and gemstones) from reputable jewellery suppliers within the EU (currently France and Sweden) and the UK. Those suppliers in turn source the raw materials globally, but are responsible for ensuring they are safe and meet all EU requirements (which we check before purchasing).
If you have any questions or queries about a specific item, please contact us as we would be happy to provide further information.
Wherever possible, we use recycled materials and currently, we are able to obtain and use recycled silver and silver wire from our UK supplier.
Our presentation boxes are made with materials from well-managed FSC certified forests and other controlled sources, and are made in Denmark.
Here in Sweden, you can put the cardboard elements of the boxes into paper recycling. For other countries, please check your local requirements for recycling.
MATERIALS
Our product descriptions set out what materials we use, along with any variations or customisations. However, we are happy to answer any queries you may have – just ask!
Silver
Wherever possible, we use 100% recycled silver. All our silver is sourced from suppliers in Sweden and the UK, and conforms with requirements for purity and allergens (for example, nickel).
Sterling silver (‘925’ silver) is an alloy that is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals (usually copper). Pure (or ‘999’) silver is too soft for most jewellery and other objects and using sterling silver increases strength and durability.
Our silver jewellery is made in sterling silver (unless the description specifically states otherwise) and will be stamped with the ‘925’ stamp. We are voluntarily registered with Swedac, the Swedish national authority responsible for accreditation of testing, certification, and inspection bodies, ensuring quality and safety.
Brass
Our brass jewellery is made from an allow containing approximately 65% copper and and 15% zinc. This has impurities that are certified by the manufacturer as within the safe limits required by EU legislation.
We use jewellery-standard coated brass, stainless steel, gold-plated and/or gold-filled for the brass earring wires. If you have any specific requirements please let us know. Gold-plated and gold-filled will have a slightly higher price point.
ONLINE ORDERS
All orders are made through our website. You will receive an order confirmation to your email. This will include information about the product(s), price, payment and delivery address.
Please let us know immediately at nico@nicoandbear.com if you notice anything wrong with your order. We will do our best to amend any orders that have yet to be shipped.
DELIVERY
Our product descriptions set out the delivery fees.
Pre-made items – Are usually shipped within 5 business days of your confirmed order. We will send notification, and where relevant the tracking number, when your order is shipped by us.
Made-to-order – For made-to-order and customisable items, please allow up to 4 weeks for completion and shipping. If you need a piece by a particular date, please contact nico@nicoandbear.com before ordering, to confirm whether an earlier shipping date is possible.
Delivery Address - You are responsible for providing us with a safe and secure residential address for the items to be shipped and for which you have access.
Currently, we cannot ship items to Post Office boxes or non-residential addresses.
Please note that we do not accept any responsibility for items that have not been received by you, which have been marked as delivered to the address you have provided. We also cannot accept any liability for items shipped to an incorrect address where you have provided those details to us. Please check your order confirmation to ensure all provided details are correct and in case of errors, contact us immediately.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
- Always remove jewellery and avoid contact with water, perfumes, cosmetics, and any household chemicals, as these can damage and tarnish your jewellery.
- Patinas – Silver and brass both develop patinas over time, which creates a unique character to these metals. If you prefer to a brighter, non-patinated finish, regular and gentle polishing with a soft lint-free cloth will help keep its original shine.
For a deeper clean, mild detergent-free soap or lemon juice can be used with a very soft cloth or toothbrush, in gentle circular motions (taking care to avoid scratching the item). After cleaning, rinse thoroughly and dry immediately.
- If you want to use a specific brass or silver cleaner, please ensure this is specifically recommended and safe for jewellery.
- Store each piece separately in its pouch or box to prevent scratches and keep in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and humidity.
SAFETY INFORMATION
Allergies
Allergies to jewellery can be caused by various metals. Surgical steel and sterling silver are usually good options for most people with sensitivities. Gold-plating and gold-filled (a thicker layer of gold bonded to the base metal) are also good choices.
However, these may not be sufficient for those with allergies and some people also can react to those metals too.
If you have an allergy to metal or have had allergic symptoms in the past (but are not sure what metal(s) may trigger this), we would recommend that you do not purchase our metal jewellery.
Whilst we take precautions to ensure that the metals are of the highest quality and comply with legal requirements within the European Union as to known allergies, we cannot guarantee that the materials will be safe for those with severe allergies and 100% hypoallergenic.
If for any reason you have any reaction to our jewellery, we recommend that you immediately cease wearing it and if needed, seek medical attention. Our product descriptions set out the materials used.
If you have any questions or concerns or would like to discuss the need for specific materials for your jewellery order, please contact us before ordering at nico@nicoandbear.com as we would be glad to help you. Please note that use of certain materials (i.e., silver or gold) may result in a slightly higher sales price.
Not allergic, but sensitive?
Sometimes, jewellery may not cause an allergic reaction, but can be uncomfortable. If you have ever had any issues with non-allergic sensitivity, please let us know so we can advise you on what might be best. Generally, sterling silver, yellow gold, medical grade titanium or medical grade stainless steel are usually the best options.
We also recommend the following:
For earrings, consider lighter-weight earrings and use silicone backings. Heavier earrings can cause sensitivity after prolonged periods of wearing.
Take off jewellery before showering, swimming or exercising or during very hot weather, as sweat can interact with jewellery metals and create irritation.
Avoid putting jewellery on areas with perfumes, aftershaves, lotions, hairspray and avoid contact with cleaning products.
Reduce wearing time and take off before bed.
Patinas will develop on metals such as brass and silver, which can discolour the skin. Using a soft cloth to gently wipe the jewellery after use can reduce this. Please see our care instructions for more information.
EU Safety Representative for compliance with General Product Safety Regulations
Nic Johansson - Email: nico@nicoandbear.com
Address: Bergabovägen 11, 44163 Alingsås, Sweden
HOW TO CONTACT US
We love to hear from our customers. If you have any questions about your order or our products, please feel free to reach out to us at nico@nicoandbear.com. For order queries, please provide with your order number (and, if relevant, photos of the item).