FAQs | Kali Forbes

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

GENERAL FAQs

Do you personally make the jewellery, or do you only design it?

I both design and create my jewellery. With a BA and MA in Jewellery from renowned UK art colleges and over 10 years of industry experience, I personally manage the design and crafting of each piece. For specialised techniques such as engraving, stone setting, casting, and gold plating, I collaborate with independent UK-based businesses and artisans, many of which are family-run. Occasionally trained interns or degree students assist with some tasks, but as a dedicated solo artisan, I strive to craft as much as possible myself.

How long have you been making jewellery?

Do you have a showroom?

You can visit my studio in South London by making an appointment through the bookings page on my website. Please note that I cannot accommodate walk-ins, and at least 3 days' notice is required to book a visit. If you're unable to visit in person, I also offer virtual consultations where we can discuss your preferences via video call. Feel free to get in touch to schedule an appointment or discuss your requirements further.

What are your opening times?

Bookable design consultations and studio visits are generally available Wednesday to Friday 11am to 6pm and Saturdays from 11am to 1pm. For my current availability, please check the Visit page. If these times are not suitable, please reach out because I'm often able to accommodate later appointments with enough notice. Additionally, virtual consultations are available for your convenience. Feel free to get in touch to discuss your requirements further.

How do I care for my Kali Forbes jewellery?

For detailed information on caring for your Kali Forbes jewellery pieces, please refer to our Jewellery Care Guide.

BESPOKE COMMISSION FAQs

Do you offer bespoke jewellery commissions?

Absolutely, in addition to my Hepworth Collection, I have been creating bespoke pieces for many years. I frequently make engagement rings, wedding bands, anniversary gifts, birthday presents, and self-gifting items, but I am open to all bespoke projects. If you're interested in commissioning a piece of jewellery, please reach out to me via email. You can also book a bespoke design consultation through my Visit page. To view examples of my previous bespoke work, please visit my bespoke gallery.

How long does a bespoke jewellery commission take?

The timeline for a bespoke commission varies depending on the complexity of the design, the particular materials involved, and my current workload. Typically, the process takes between 8-12 weeks from the initial consultation to completion. However, more intricate designs or commissions that involve specialist gemstones or materials may require additional time. Once you have approved the final design, I can usually narrow the timeline to a shorter window based on my experience with similar projects. If you have a particular deadline in mind, please let me know, and I will do my best to accommodate it.

Is the design consultation for bespoke commissions free?

Yes, the initial design consultation for bespoke commissions is complimentary. It's an opportunity for us to discuss your vision, preferences, and any specific requirements you have for your bespoke piece of jewellery. During the consultation we'll explore design options, materials, and pricing to ensure that the final piece reflects your individual style and preferences. Following the consultation, if you decide to proceed with the commission a design deposit is required. This deposit is deductible from the total cost of your bespoke commission upon successful completion. To schedule a design consultation, you can use my booking form on the Visit page. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me. I look forward to bringing your vision to life.

I'm planning to propose, but I'm unsure of my partner's ring size. How can I find out?

This is a common concern among my clients. I offer a complimentary ring resize for all surprise proposals. During our design consultation, I may ask a few discreet questions to estimate your partner's size. If adjustments are needed after the proposal I'm happy to resize it once at no additional cost. This way you can focus on the proposal without worrying about the ring size.

How do I know what ring size I am?

If you are planning to purchase a ring from my website, I have put together a Size Guide to help with the process. For my demi-fine collections, I carry a limited amount of stock in different ring sizes. If the ring size you need is out of stock, you can place a pre-order for that particular size on the product page. The lead time for pre-orders is typically 4-6 weeks, though sometimes it can be quicker. If you have a specific date in mind, please get in touch before placing the pre-order, and I will let you know if it's possible to meet your timeline. For further details, please refer to the Pre-Order Terms.

If you need a ring size that isn't listed, it is usually possible to place a custom order. Just get in touch for more details. Please note that orders for unlisted ring sizes occasionally incur a small additional charge.

If you are planning on self-gifting a bespoke ring or commissioning a wedding ring, I will size you for the ring as part of the design consultation process. If you are planning on commissioning a bespoke ring as a surprise gift for a loved one, in most cases I offer one free ring resize following the gifting. Please get in touch for more details on this.

I've inherited a piece of jewellery, but I'm not fond of its style. Can it be redesigned?

Absolutely, I take great pleasure in breathing new life into sentimental heirloom jewellery by redesigning it to better suit your taste and style preferences. In fact, I've transformed many inherited pieces into stunning contemporary engagement rings and wedding bands. It's often possible to work with heirloom gemstones, and sometimes, we can even repurpose the precious metal. If you'd like to discuss the possibility of reimagining your own heirloom piece, please feel free to reach out by sending an email with detailed photos and any information you have about the materials in the piece. Alternatively, you can book a design consultation at my South London studio, where I can inspect the piece in person.

Do you offer engraving on bespoke commissions?

Engraving is possible on most bespoke pieces. If you'd like to explore adding a personalised engraving to your bespoke commission, simply let me know during the design consultation and I'd be happy to talk you through the options

Should I have my bespoke jewellery insured?

I highly recommend insuring your bespoke jewellery pieces. Insuring your valuable pieces can offer peace of mind against loss, theft, or damage. While I design functionality into your bespoke jewellery pieces and make them with the utmost care, ultimately jewellery is not indestructible and needs to be treated with care and regularly cleaned and maintained. Please see my Care Guide for further details.

Do you offer repairs?

Every piece of Kali Forbes jewellery is meticulously designed and crafted to be worn and treasured for many years to come. However, as with all artisanal jewellery, it should be treated with care and regularly maintained. I provide a one-year warranty on all pieces from the date of purchase, provided they have not been worked on by another jeweller and the damage does not exceed normal wear and tear. Please contact me before shipping an item back for repair so that I can guide you on how to do so.

If your jewellery needs a repair beyond the warranty period, I will assess the piece on a case-by-case basis. I'm committed to making my clients happy, so if you notice any issues with your piece, please send me an email with detailed photos and a description of the problem as soon as possible.

Do you repair jewellery from other jewellers and brands?

Conscious crafting and sustainability are at the core of what I do and are among my greatest creative motivations. In a bid to help reduce waste, I do consider and take on some repairs of jewellery that I have not made myself. However, I encourage you to first reach out to the brand or jeweller that originally made the piece, as they will be best positioned to repair or recondition it.

If that is unsuccessful, please send me an email with detailed photos and any information you have about the materials used in the piece. Several factors impact the ability to repair a piece of jewellery, such as its design, the materials used, the presumed construction techniques, and how often you plan to wear the item, among others. I may ask you to deliver the item to my studio for a thorough inspection before confirming whether the repair or reconditioning is possible.

Please keep in mind:

You will be responsible for all repair costs, including delivery to and from my studio.
I am unable to offer a guarantee or warranty on items not originally made by me.

I cannot be held responsible for any repairs that do not fit if I haven't fitted the item myself.
I cannot be held responsible for any damage to jewellery I did not originally make during repairing. Occasionally, unexpected materials or construction methods can cause faults to appear during repairs, and any repair costs for these faults will be your responsibility.
Due to the scope of jewellery repairs, in most cases I am unable to give a guide price for the repair before taking it in for a thorough inspection.

I have a ring that doesn’t fit me. Can you resize it?

If you purchased a ring from my website and it doesn't fit, I offer exchanges within 14 days of receipt of delivery. Please refer to our Shipping & Returns Policy for further details and conditions.

For bespoke engagement rings made for surprise proposals, I offer one free ring resize following the proposal. Please refer to the Bespoke Terms for further details or get in touch. Similarly, if you commission a bespoke ring as a surprise gift for a loved one, in most cases I offer one free ring resize following the gifting. Please get in touch for more details on this.

If you have a ring that wasn't made by me and would like it resized, I do consider taking on some resizing projects to help reduce waste, in line with my sustainability ethos. However, I encourage you to first reach out to the brand or jeweller that originally made the ring, as they will be best positioned to resize it.

If that is unsuccessful, please send me an email with detailed photos and any information about the materials used in the piece. I may ask you to deliver the ring to my studio for a thorough inspection before confirming whether resizing is possible. You will either need to come into my studio to be fitted for the ring resize, or provide a ring that fits the finger you plan to wear it on.

Please note:

The ability to resize a ring depends on factors such as the ring's design, material, and any gemstones it may contain.
I cannot be held responsible for any resizes that do not fit if I haven't fitted the ring myself.
I cannot be held responsible for any damage to jewellery I did not make during resizing. Occasionally, unexpected materials or construction methods can cause faults to appear during resizing, and any repair costs for these faults will be your responsibility.

Ring resizing starts at £65 and may increase depending on the complexity of the piece, the amount of adjustment needed, and the materials used.

Feel free to contact me with any questions or book a ring resizing appointment through the Visit page.

MATERIAL FAQs

What is gold vermeil?

Gold vermeil is a type of hard gold plating used in jewellery, where a thick layer of gold (at least 2.5 microns) is plated over a base metal. For the Hepworth Collection, I chose bronze as the base metal, which has a yellow-toned appearance similar to 9ct gold. This provides the allure of gold at a more affordable price point while ensuring longevity and wearability. It's important to note that while gold vermeil offers a luxurious look, plated jewellery requires specific care to maintain its appearance. Please refer to my Jewellery Care Guide for further details.

What is bronze?

Bronze, not to be confused with brass, is a metal known for its warm yellow-toned appearance, offering a beautiful and more affordable alternative to precious metals in jewellery making. With a rich history in art and handcraft, this material was used by ancient artisans to create intricate sculptures and artefacts.

The Hepworth Collection, partly inspired by the artist Barbara Hepworth, features pieces crafted from bronze and adorned with a layer of gold vermeil. Hepworth's work in bronze inspired my choice to create The Hepworth Collection from this metal, enhancing the pieces' durability and imbuing them with a sense of heritage and artistic legacy.

What is NHS AgAin silver?

NHS AgAin Silver is an innovative silver alloy made from recycled NHS X-ray film. This film, often stored past its retention date and sent to landfill, is repurposed to generate income for the NHS. This initiative supports sustainability by reducing waste and associated energy costs while complying with data management rules. Named after its symbol on the periodic table, AgAIN Silver is the first recycled silver with known provenance. All elements of the X-ray film are recycled, including the extraction of silver through a specialised electrolytic process, contributing to a more sustainable healthcare system.

ORDER & PAYMENT FAQs

Do you offer gift wrapping?

Of course, if you would like your order gift wrapped, just let me know during the checkout process and I'll ensure your jewellery is beautifully wrapped, ready to be presented to your loved one.

Do you offer payment plans?

For bespoke commissions, I currently offer two payment options. You can either pay the total minus the design deposit in one lump sum, or in two separate payments to help spread the cost. If that's something you're interested in, please let me know during our design consultation and I'd be happy to provide further details.

For website sales, I accept all major credit and debit cards, as well as Apple and Google pay.

Can I make changes to my order after it's been placed?

Once an order has been placed, I begin processing it promptly to ensure timely delivery. However, if you need to make changes, please contact me as soon as possible. While I'll do my best to accommodate your request, please note that changes may not always be possible, especially if the item has already been crafted or shipped. Feel free to reach out, and I'll assist you in any way I can.

What is your returns policy?

I offer refunds on items purchased through this website within 14 days of receipt. Please refer to my Returns Policy for further details and conditions.