The Latin term “Caveat Emptor” (Let the buyer beware) has little meaning on my Website. I have high ethical standards and I only offer genuine items and to the best of my ability and experience, backed by the opinion of an independent and knowledgeable colleague, my pieces are as described, both in period and composition, however, should you not be pleased with an item, you may return it within seven days of your receiving it. The item must be in its original condition and returned to me by registered post, fully insured for its value. The insurance and postage must be paid for by you. Upon my receipt of the item, I will refund you the full value but not the postage or insurance. If the item has been paid for by a major credit card then a refund will be authorized. Payments by cheque or transfer will be credited in the same manner in which they were received and for the same net amount. I hope this makes my terms clear in the unlikely event of your not being happy with a piece I have sent y
You will find several instances on my website, where I say ‘I am Told’. This means that I have been given information about an item, which is very likely to be true, but in most instances I could not prove.
Any item threaded on Silk or Cotton on my website, which includes, beads, Corals, Amber, etc.. has been professionally re-strung.
Most people have no idea of their Finger Size. Call in at your local jeweller, find out (at least two fingers on each hand) and write it down in your diary or notebook. Although this is still not a 100% guarantee that the size you buy fits. This is because some antique shanks have become slightly oval and cannot be measured accurately on the sizing rod. However, a competent jeweller can size most rings.
A high percentage of my customers here in England who have Lost Rings, loose them when away from home. Not by burglary or other theft, but by leaving them by the side of a wash basin. You must put your rings somewhere safe, either in your pocket or bag and I have met one woman who says she puts her ring in her mouth for safe keeping. I know from personal experience that I have put my rings into my pocket and found them hours later and though thank goodness I did that, as I would have probably left them behind.
You will occasionally see on the website, my opinion that an item is a MEMENTO OF THE GRAND TOUR. I will try and explain briefly what this means. From about the middle of the 17th Century until the middle of the 19th Century, wealthy aristocrats and more often, the eldest son of an aristocratic family, would be sent to Europe and Asia on The Grand Tour. This was done for the cultural experience and further education that would be achieved before the young man married and ‘settled down’ to run the family estates. These Grand Tours, with Florence, Venice and Rome as the principal destinations were funded by the parents and were conducted in a leisurely manner and sometimes took a very long time, whereas you and I would go off for a two or three week holiday, some Grand Tours took 15 years to complete. It was the Italian Renaissance that was the principal attraction for the English, its art and architecture were unparalleled. With regular supplies of money sent from England, artifacts from the smallest gem from antiquity, to paintings, bronzes and huge marble statues, all were purchased and sent back to England, forming large collections, some of which exist to this day. The Grand Tour could also encompass Egypt, Asia Minor (Turkey) and Greece. I read recently how the fifth Earl of Exeter, the owner of Burghley House, and his wife Anne, went on four fully recorded Grand Tours, between 1679 and 1699. Can you imagine what treasures they would have come home with?! I hope that this will explain to you why the United Kingdom has been and still is, a font of wonderful things from the glorious past, now being re-distributed around the world to the enjoyment of so many.
I do not take THE WHOLE WEBSITE to an antique fair, so if there is an item you wish to handle and you will be visiting a particular fair, let me know and if it is still available, I will bring it along
IT IS POSSIBLE that you have been looking at my website and pondering on a couple of items. Nothing much is happening and there is no pressure on you. Suddenly, overnight, thirty items have acquired a red dot and something you quite cherish has disappeared forever. The reason is that I have just finished a successful antique fair where many items have sold. I am not saying that the piece you desire would necessarily vanish in this way, but it might, so if there is something you really like, you should buy it now.
To All My Customers. By reason of my experience, I certify to you, the buyer, that all items on my website, are genuine and as described.
Sincerely, Sue Brown.
