FAQ

Each piece is handmade by me, Corkie Bolton, in my Rhode Island studio. I’m an independent jeweler and take pride in crafting thoughtful, small-batch and one-of-a-kind pieces using high-quality materials. I fabricate the jewelry, set the stones and do the engraving. Some wax pieces and customs are cast for me by a local caster in Rhode Island.

I source my opals ethically from Ancients17, a collaboration between Loren and Jo, who are dedicated to providing natural, solid Australian opals from Lightning Ridge. They work directly with small, independent miners, ensuring minimal environmental impact and fair labor practices. All opals are hand-cut in the USA, offering traceability and assurance of ethical sourcing.

I source my diamond melee and salt and pepper diamonds from Misfit Diamonds. Their salt and pepper diamonds, also known as "galaxy" diamonds, are celebrated for their unique, rustic appearance featuring a mix of white and black inclusions. Misfit Diamonds specializes in ethically sourced, traceable diamonds from Canada, which provides a level of transparency that's uncommon with most salt and pepper diamonds. This commitment to ethical sourcing offers peace of mind for those who value sustainability and responsible practices in their jewelry choices.

I source my Canadian salt and pepper diamonds from Misfit Diamonds. They come from the Gahcho Kué Mine in the Northwest Territories. Each diamond is individually traced from rough to polish with full provenance, offering a rare blend of natural inclusions and crisp brilliance. Unlike cloudier salt and pepper diamonds, their's feature beautiful celestial inclusions paired with high-quality cuts like old mine, European, step-cut hexagons, kites, pears, and more. Misfit hand-selects each diamond, proudly bringing you ethically sourced, one-of-a-kind stones with a verifiable chain of custody.

I use certified recycled or in-house recycled gold almost exclusively in my studio. This commitment to sustainability ensures that my pieces are crafted with responsibly sourced materials, minimizing environmental impact while maintaining the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship.

I primarily work with 14k and 18k yellow and rose gold, crafting pieces that are both beautiful and durable, using responsibly sourced materials. I do not work with white gold due to the additional maintenance it requires. White gold is typically alloyed with metals like nickel or palladium to achieve its color and is often coated with rhodium to enhance its bright white appearance. This rhodium plating can wear off over time, necessitating periodic re-plating to maintain the desired finish.

While I do not work with platinum in my designs, I can source platinum wedding bands upon request. Platinum is a naturally white metal that does not require rhodium plating and is known for its durability and hypoallergenic properties.

If you're interested in platinum wedding bands or have specific metal preferences, please contact me to discuss your options.

Custom Work

Custom work is limited, but I do take on special projects! This includes modifications to existing designs or unique commissions. These are considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on availability, production time, and material sourcing.

If you're dreaming up something unique, feel free to contact me with your idea and I’ll let you know if it’s a fit.

I am happy to work with customer-provided diamonds for custom work, but I do not accept other stones. This policy is in place due to the risk of breaking or damaging precious, irreplaceable stones during the setting process, which cannot be replaced. To ensure the highest quality and safety, I am more than happy to help source beautiful stones for your custom piece. If you have a custom request, feel free to reach out, and we can discuss the possibilities!















I work in 10k, 14k, + 18k yellow or rose gold. I do not work in white gold, or platinum.

I do not create custom work in silver. However, in some instances I will create mixed metal pieces that include sterling —just reach out to discuss your request, and I'll let you know if it's possible. I love working with my customers to create something special that suits their vision!

In some cases, you may see a piece in my inventory that you would love to have created in a different metal. Options may include 10k, 14k, and 18k yellow or rose gold.

We can also add some special engraving! We can switch out stones so that we use something meaningful like birthstones or add a different pop of color.

I have a minimum cost of $500 on gold custom projects.

Once a project and price has been agreed upon a 50% deposit is required to begin the project.

Once production begins, cancellations forfeit the deposit. Any significant changes requested after production has started may incur additional fees.

Final payment is due upon completion; the piece will not ship until the balance is paid.

If the final payment isn't received and attempts to contact the customer fail, the piece may be sold as inventory. Due to the personalized nature of these pieces, all custom work is final sale and cannot be returned or exchanged.

Shop Pay, powered by Affirm, enables eligible U.S. customers to split their purchase into manageable installments. For orders between $50 and $999.99 USD, you can opt for four biweekly, interest-free payments. For higher amounts, monthly installment plans ranging from 3 to 12 months are available, with interest rates varying based on eligibility

These options provide a convenient way to invest in unique, handcrafted jewelry without the need for full upfront payment. Your piece ships to you immediately, as it's a credit card-like payment method.

Custom orders can take up to 4 months to complete, depending on the complexity of the design and the availability of materials. Each piece is crafted with care and attention to detail, so this timeline ensures the highest quality and craftsmanship for your custom jewelry.

Use the form below to tell me about your project, please be as specific as possible! I will email you back and let you know if it is a good fit.

Next we can schedule a 15 minute ZOOM call to further discuss. That consult is complimentary and does not require a commitment.

READY TO GET IN TOUCH?

If you do not find the answer to your question in our FAQ, you can send me a message!

If you are interested in starting a conversation about a custom project use this form. Please be as specific as possible including type of metal, gemstones if applicable, and what type of project and I will get back to you as soon as possible!