Drill holes may vary in size from bead to bead. As a general rule of thumb a 26 (0.4mm) or 28 (0.3mm) gauge wire will fit the majority of our beads - additionally some larger beads will be able to take a 24 (0.5mm) gauge wire (we sell all three sizes in cut lengths). To avoid the risk of breakage it is always better to use soft (rather than half-hard) wire that will comfortably pass through a drill hole, rather than forcing through a larger gauge wire.
We would be delighted to assist and create a special order for you. Please contact us with the item code(s) and quantity required and we will get back to you with a price and lead time (generally around 6 weeks). Payment must be made in advance and returns are not possible.
We always try to offer the very best prices for our high quality goods. For wholesale purchases we currently offer the following discounts (calculated automatically at checkout):
Orders over £100: 5% discount
Orders over £300: 10% discount
Orders over £600: 15% discount
Orders over £1000: 20% discount
Please note: discounts do not apply (or a lower discount rate may apply) if items are returned and the total order value then falls below the wholesale minimum amount. Discounts do not apply to certain products (specified in item description) or those already on sale or reduced in price.
All hand cut gemstones have a standard industry tolerance of +/- 0.25mm. If you buy gemstones and want them to fit our pre-made bezel settings then please add a note at checkout and we will try our best to ensure that the stones we select will fit the settings.
You should use a pearl cup or bead cap that is roughly two thirds the size of the bead you are using.
Gold filled (also known as rolled gold) comprises a solid brass (copper and zinc) core over which gold is mechanically bonded using heat and pressure (this is a different process to plating). Gold filled items must contain, by law, 5% or 1/20 of gold by weight (far more than standard plating). For further information see our blog post.
Gold vermeil comprises a sterling silver core over which gold is plated. In the US, in order to be called gold vermeil, the gold plating must be at least 2.5 microns thick. There is no such legal requirement in the UK, however, for full transparancy we always state the micron thickness of the plating in the product description. In terms of durability we would recommend gold filled metal over gold vermeil.
No, at present we only offer an online catalogue. Our product range is very dynamic with many ‘one-off’ items thus any printed catalogue would be out of date as soon as it was printed.
We are an internet-only business and are not able to show our products to customers at our offices. However you are more than welcome to purchase from the website and return any items which are unsuitable.
Order questions
If your order is urgent please select Special Delivery (UK customers only) as your delivery option and place your order before 2pm for same day dispatch. Overseas customers should select UPS or DHL before 12 noon for a same day dispatch service. We aim to dispatch all other orders within 1-2 working days and orders are processed in the order they are received to make it fair for all customers. We appreciate your understanding and assistance with this.
Please contact us to see if your order can be amended. We'll try our best but unfortunately we are unable to amend orders once they have started to be processed.
Unless your order contains hundreds of engraved items we aim to dispatch it within 1-2 working days, in line with our standard order processing times.
Shop as usual on the website and on the shopping basket page enter the code for the voucher you wish to redeem in the appropriate box. After entering the code your order will be automatically updated with credit to the value of the voucher. If there is any balance to pay you can use your credit/debit card or Paypal in the usual way. Vouchers can be used multiple times until the value of the voucher has been spent.
Terms and conditions: Gift vouchers are redeemable online only via thecuriousgem.co.uk; they cannot be exchanged or redeemed for cash; they are valid for 24 months from the date of purchase.
Payment questions
We know how frustrating that is! It may be that your bank is unable to complete a 3D card security check. This can sometimes be caused by a browser issue or pop-up blocker. We would suggest clearing your browser cookies & cache before trying to complete your order or trying a different browser or device and ensuring there is no pop-up blocker active. If the issue persists, you may need to contact your bank or card issuer or call our team on +44 0131 661 6632 to complete payment over the phone.
When paying with Paypal at checkout, you will be prompted to log into your Paypal account and confirm your payment details. Paypal then conducts a balance check on your card. If you do not return to our website to complete your order, it may look like the funds have been taken from your account. However, this is just a temporary hold that will disappear if the order is not placed.
When an order has been placed successfully your items will be removed from your shopping basket and you will be sent an order confirmation email. If this is not the case your order has not been successfully placed and you should attempt to checkout again.
The payment process for your order is quick, easy and secure. Once you have finished shopping proceed to the checkout. If you have not already created an account you will be prompted to do so, otherwise, you should sign in to your account. Once you have confirmed the details of your order and shipping information you can choose how you wish to pay. The following methods are available:
Paypal
Credit/Debit Card
Visa
Mastercard
Maestro
Apple Pay
Google Pay
Once you have paid for your order you will immediately receive an automatic email confirming your purchase, followed by another email once your order has been dispatched.
We are also able to take credit/debit card payment for orders over the telephone - please call our team on +44 0131 661 6632 for assistance.
For your convenience we display prices in GB Sterling (£), Euro (€) and US Dollars ($) - please choose by selecting a flag at the top of your screen. Important: the prices displayed in US Dollars ($) and Euros (€) are approximate only. Payment will be taken in GB Sterling (£) and automatically converted to your own currency by your card issuer or Paypal using an exchange rate as set by them on the date of purchase.
Delivery & returns questions
Detailed information on the various shipping options we offer can be found on our delivery page
Our full returns policy can be found on our returns page
General questions
Yes - our registration number is GB 982280502. Value Added Tax (VAT) is chargeable on all goods sold to the UK only. VAT is not applicable to goods sent to countries outside the UK and is automatically deducted at checkout once you select your delivery country.
