McTeigue & McClelland FAQs

Thanks very much for your interest in our work. McTeigue & McClelland is a small company of artists and craftsmen devoted to making the most beautiful jewelry imaginable. We make everything by hand, one piece at a time. We’re interested in quality – not quantity. The small numbers of pieces that we produce each year are only available through us directly.

Luckily for us, people who really care about quality and originality are willing to go out of their way to find and buy the very best. And since we’re off the beaten path, we try extra hard to be as helpful as we can to make it easy for you to find and buy a piece of McTeigue & McClelland jewelry.

We invite you to come visit our Gallery & Workshop in the beautiful Berkshires. Especially if you are buying a piece of jewelry that will be worn and treasured for years to come. You’ll get to see the best selection of our jewelry firsthand and meet the people who create it. It’s an experience you won’t forget.

If you are not able to come, we will do our best to make your purchase an easy and pleasant transaction. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information. We’re a friendly, knowledgeable and enthusiastic bunch and we’ll be happy to hear from you.

General Questions

• Where can I see McTeigue & McClelland jewelry?

  Our jewelry is available only through us directly. Our Gallery & Showroom is in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Our New York Office is open weekdays by appointment only. All of our jewelry is handmade, one piece at a time and production is limited. In order to maintain the highest level of quality craftsmanship, we no longer produce jewelry for Bergdorf Goodman, or any other retailers.

• What are your business hours?

  Our Great Barrington showroom is open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm, and by appointment only in March. Our New York office is open by appointment only on weekdays.

• What if I can’t come to you?

  If you are not able to come see us, we will do our best to make your purchase an easy and pleasant transaction. If an item on our website is Currently Available and in stock, you may contact us by telephone or email to purchase it. Upon receiving payment for the item, we will send the piece to you by insured carrier. If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase you may return the item within 15 days for a full refund. Please review the terms in our Return & Guarantee Policies. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

• What does “Available by Special Order” mean?

  This item is not currently in stock but can be made to order, subject to current pricing and stone availability. Please contact us for the current price and delivery time. A minimum deposit of 50% is required and all major stones must be paid in full at the time of order.

• What does “Sold” mean?

  This item is sold and not available for special order. It is displayed solely as an example of our work.

• Do you have more items than the ones featured on your website?

  We are a small company of craftsman and artisans making jewelry the old fashioned way - one piece at a time. It’s a slow process. We are not trying to be the biggest that we can be, instead we are very dedicated to being the best that we can be. For us, smaller is better and in this way we can continue to make pieces of the very highest quality. Fortunately there are people who like what we do and the way we do it. Unfortunately, unlike commercially made jewelry, this also means that we are not able to maintain a very large selection in our inventory. Please keep in mind that we are always producing new items that have not been posted to our website yet. Feel free to contact us about items that are currently being made in our workshop.

• Do you make matching wedding bands?

  Yes, we make several styles of bands that compliment many of our engagement rings as well as a handsome collection of hand forged men’s bands.

  Wedding bands can present several challenges when worn beside rings other than the most simple solitaire designs. If you are planning to wear your engagement ring and wedding band together, we suggest that you consider two things:

  First of all, will they damage each other? Metal rubbing against metal or stones will cause damage. Most simple solitaire designs have flat sides with no details, and damage caused by the rubbing is minimal. A ring with details along the sides (like most of our designs) will show wear over time if anything is in continual contact with this part of the ring.

  Secondly, will they complement each other? Quite often women decide to wear their engagement ring and wedding band on different hands. This gives you more options when choosing a wedding band in terms of style and proportion - and solves the issue of damage, so we highly recommend considering it!

• How is your pricing?

  Our diamond and precious stone pricing is very competitive. As diamond and precious stone merchants for over 100 years, we have generations of expertise and unrivaled access into the diamond and precious stone market through an extensive network of dealers and cutters. This, together with our ability to produce our own designs and sell directly to our customers allows us to be very competitive.

  Our mountings offer tremendous value. We specialize in handmade jewelry which requires a great deal of time, attention and skill to produce. Handmade jewelry is intrinsically stronger, more durable and inherently more beautiful than cast and mass-produced jewelry. Initially, handmade pieces may be more expensive than “production quality” pieces, but if beauty, durability and originality are important, we are sure that you will be pleased with the quality and value of McTeigue & McClelland jewelry.

Custom Design & Special Orders

• Do you offer custom design?

  We offer an extensive portfolio of our own exclusive designs. One of a kind commissions are accepted on a limited basis, prices start at $20,000 and up.

• Do you charge a design fee?

  If you select a design from our portfolio of designs there is no design fee. If you’d like us to create a sketch based on our existing designs, we require a non-refundable deposit of $500 which can be applied towards the purchase price.

  Our one of a kind commissions start at $20,000. and require a non-refundable design fee starting at $1,000.00.

• Will McTeigue & McClelland make a mounting for my own stone?

  We appreciate your interest in our work however, McTeigue & McClelland only makes and sells complete, finished pieces - we do not make mountings using client's gemstones. We maintain the highest standards of beauty for the gemstones featured in our jewelry. Every stone is selected with a great deal of consideration - aesthetically and technically - of the finished piece of jewelry. Our rings are then entirely handmade, for the specific stone, one at a time, by highly skilled craftsmen and artisans. Due to the nature of producing handmade jewelry of this caliber, we are only able to make a limited number of pieces each year - and we are currently working to full capacity with our own stock of diamonds and gemstones.

• How long does it take to have a piece of jewelry made?

  All of our jewelry is handmade, one piece at a time with a great deal care and attention. Presently, our turnaround time is 10-12 weeks from the time ordered starting when we have received a deposit, sizing information and any client supplied materials.

• Is everything made in your workshop?

  All of our jewelry is designed and fabricated in our workshop in Great Barrington, Massachusetts by a team of the finest artisans and craftsmen in the jewelry industry. In addition to the jewelers in our workshop, we use the expertise of several specialists such as our diamond cutter, lapidary, stone setter, enamellist and hand engraver, who maintain studios and workshops elsewhere.

• Will you find a particular diamond or gemstone just for me?

  As diamond and precious stone merchants for over 100 years, we have generations of expertise and unrivaled access into the diamond and precious stone market through an extensive network of dealers and cutters. If we do not have the perfect stone for you in our stock, we will find the diamond or gemstone that matches your exact specifications. A deposit may be required.

• Do you use white gold?

  Platinum is a far superior metal to white gold, especially for rings because of its strength and durability. We use very little white gold and virtually never for rings. White gold is not colorless like platinum and must be rhodium plated to appear white, but rhodium plating wears off very quickly on rings. Incidentally, with handmade jewelry the majority of the cost is for labor and there is very little cost savings with white gold versus platinum. Occasionally there is an advantage to use white gold in certain cases when the properties of white gold are desired, such as the tongue of a clasp or other findings.

• Do you require a deposit for special orders?

  Yes, the full price of a diamond or gemstone purchased from us is payable in full before the start of a special order. Otherwise depending on the order, a minimum deposit of 50% is required.

• How to determine the correct finger size:

  Determining a finger size can be challenging considering that there are many variables including shape of the finger, internal shape of the ring or band to be worn, lack of standard calibration between ring sizers and ring measuring sticks, and the fact that finger sizes vary at different times of day and of month as well as depending on the weather and the degree of water retention at any given time.

  Everybody’s fingers are shaped differently but ideally a ring should be tight going over the knuckle so that it does not easily slide off but snug enough on the base of the finger to not spin, although not so tight that it’s uncomfortable.

  A band or ring without stones on the top can be slightly less snug since it won’t matter if it spins. Over time, knuckles get larger and allowing a little extra room at the beginning may make sense. Men who are not accustomed to wearing rings tend to order rings that are too large and then find them uncomfortable. We advise carefully measuring and ordering a size that fits snug without being tight.

  It is very important to accurately determine the ring size before we make your ring or band. Many of our designs are created with unusual techniques and finishes that cannot easily be re-sized without damage to the ring or finish. Bands with stones set all the way around may be impossible or very costly to re-size. For best results, please request our calibrated ring sizer with instructions on how to measure your finger. A deposit of $50 is required and will be credited to your purchase. Another option is to allow us to determine the finger size by sending us a ring or band that would be worn on the same finger and that has a very similar width to the ring you are ordering.

Purchase Questions

• How do I purchase something from you?

  If you are unable to come see us in Great Barrington, items are also available for purchase by contacting us by email or telephone. We do not offer point and click purchases via our website.

• Warranty Policy

  McTeigue & McClelland proudly stands behind our jewelry and we offer a lifetime warranty against defective materials and craftsmanship. We guarantee our diamonds, gemstones and jewelry to be as described in our documentation and accompanying gemological reports. If the jewelry is not as stated in our documentation, we offer a full return policy.

  Repairs or resizing by unqualified jewelers may cause irreparable damage and may void your warrantee. Please contact us before you have any work done on your jewelry. McTeigue & McClelland offers no warranty of any kind against loss or damage. Please make arrangements to insure your jewelry against loss and/or damage.

• Return Policy

  Return Policy for items purchased from our stock:
  Your satisfaction is guaranteed. If you are not completely satisfied, you may return your item within 15 days of purchase for a refund. The item and packaging must be in original, saleable condition. Shipping, insurance, sizing or alterations costs are non-refundable. Refunds will be made to the purchaser, gift recipients are entitled to a nonrefundable merchandise credit.

  Return Policy for Made-to-Order Items:
  Made-to-Order pieces are non-returnable. Your purchase is handmade to your order and tailored to your stone. In the event that you are not completely satisfied, we will make every reasonable effort to satisfy you. We want you to love your jewelry.

  Return Policy for Diamonds and Gemstones:
  McTeigue & McClelland guarantees that your stone will match the certification. We carefully inspect every stone to ensure that it meets our strict quality standards. Once you have approved a special order stone, there are no refunds.

• Payment

  We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover Card, as well as personal and business checks, bank cashier’s checks and wire transfers. All purchases must be paid in full and have cleared our bank before your item will be shipped or delivered to you; please allow sufficient time for checks to clear. Items can only be shipped to the authorized cardholder’s confirmed billing address.

• International Purchases

  We do not accept payment by credit card for international shipment. Bank wire transfer payments must be received and have cleared our bank before an order is processed or an item is shipped to any address outside of the USA.

• Sales Tax

  For delivery in Massachusetts, please add 6.25% sales tax.

  For delivery in New York City, please add 8.875% sales tax.

  For delivery elsewhere in New York State, please contact us for the rates.

  For delivery outside of New York or Massachusetts, we are not required to collect sales tax, however you may be required to report and pay a use tax in your state.

• Packaging, Shipping & Insurance

  Your purchase will be shipped to you in a beautiful handmade jewelry box, ready for presentation. Gift wrapping is available by request at no charge.

  All packages are shipped with insurance via UPS Next Day Air or FedEx Overnight. Delivery is guaranteed for next day in most locations within the US.

  Please refer to the chart below to determine your total shipping costs within USA:

  Total value of shipment	Shipping Cost:
  Up to $1,000	$ 35.00
  Up to $5,000	$ 45.00
  Up to $10,000	$ 55.00
  Up to $20,000	$ 75.00
  Up to $50,000	$130.00
  Up to $75,000	$185.00

  Please contact us for pricing for values over $75,000.

  For shipments outside of the U.S.A. please contact us for quote.

Jewelry Questions

• What is bloomed gold?

  The rich color and exquisite luster of our unique bloomed gold is a hallmark of McTeigue & McClelland jewelry.

  Gold is too soft to be used in its pure form in most jewelry so it is usually alloyed with copper and silver to make it harder and stronger. These metals make the gold harder but also change the color. At McTeigue & McClelland we alloy our own gold to create 18 karat (75% purity) that has the properties we want for workability and durability. We then use an ancient process that strips the alloys from the outer layer of the finished piece, leaving the rich color of pure gold - but with the strength of alloyed gold. This process is called “blooming” and the finished product is called “bloomed” gold.

  Jewelers have been blooming gold since at least the 17th century but the process is tricky and requires a great deal of expertise to master. Ever since the invention of electro-plating in the 1930’s the process was largely forgotten. After exhaustive research and experimentation, Tim McClelland rediscovered and mastered this technique, and has made it a hallmark of his work.

  Bloomed gold has a durable surface and does not require any special care yet, like all metal, it burnishes with wear and the patina becomes more beautiful over time.

• Sizing & Repairs

  Repairs or resizing by unqualified jewelers may cause irreparable damage and may void your warranty. Please contact us before you have any work done on your jewelry.

  Do you do repairs?
  We only repair and resize jewelry that was purchased from McTeigue & McClelland. If you have an item in need of repair that was purchased from us, please contact us for shipping instructions and cost estimate.

  Can you re-size the ring I purchased from you?
  Yes, provided that the ring is re-sizable, we are happy to resize your ring. Please contact us for shipping instructions and cost estimate.

• Ethical Sourcing of our Diamonds, Precious Stones & Precious Metals

  It is our goal to attain 100% of our diamonds, gemstones and precious metals from sources that are both environmentally sustainable and fair to the people and communities involved. We will continue to seek out and support vendors and suppliers who are also committed to this goal. Presently we acquire 100% of our gold and platinum by recycling old jewelry.

  McTeigue & McClelland offers a selection of diamonds which have been mined in Canada. In addition, we only purchase diamonds through dealers that are full participants in the Kimberley Process, an international cooperative monitoring system created to eliminate the flow of "conflict diamonds" by tightly controlling the import and export of rough diamonds.

• Caring for and cleaning your jewelry

  Jewelry that is worn frequently should be inspected by a jeweler at least once a year in order to insure that the prongs are in good condition and that the stones are secure.

  We suggest that you avoid wearing your fine jewelry when working in the garden or in situations where impact or abrasion might damage your stones or mounting. We also suggest that you not wear your rings while lifting weights or playing golf, especially when wearing gloves as the torque can be very damaging.

  How to clean your jewelry at home:
  For diamond, sapphire, ruby, gold and platinum only!

  Close off the drain in case anything drops. Run hot tap water over the item to be cleaned and using a soft toothbrush with a drop of liquid dish soap, brush the stones and mounting, being especially sure to thoroughly clean all nooks and crannies and the backs of stones – this is where the film adheres and causes stones to look dull. Rinse under hot water. You may wipe the item dry with a lint free cloth or use a blow dryer.Do not clean emeralds, opals, turquoise, pearls or other stones with this method.

• Appraisals and Insurance

  Please note: McTeigue & McClelland offers no warranty of any kind against loss or damage. Please be sure to make arrangements to insure your jewelry against loss or damage.

  Appraisals for Purchased Items
  An Estimate for Replacement will be prepared for each purchase at no charge. This document will provide your insurance company with the pertinent information required to insure your purchase. The appraisal will include a photograph (when available), a complete description, a gemological evaluation of any stones, and an estimate of the cost to replace.

  Insurance
  Be sure to keep your insurance up to date. Please check with your insurance company about how often to update your appraisals. Some but not all policies may have an automatic increase clause to cover you for price increases, check with your insurance broker on how often you should update your appraisals. We will be happy to provide updated appraisals at your request at minimal cost.

  Appraisal Services:
  With generations of continuous hands on trading and market experience, McTeigue & McClelland offers unrivaled expertise in the appraisal of precious jewelry. We specialize in providing precise, accurate replacement value and resale market value appraisals for important diamonds, precious stones and fine jewelry.