Metals, Gemstones + Responsible Sourcing

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 trusted small business caster.

My Reborn Vintage Collection features thoughtfully curated vintage jewelry that I add additional stone settings and hand engravings to.

What does “responsibly sourced” mean?

For me, it means knowing where my stones come from and choosing partners who value fair practices and sustainability.

I source my opals from Ancients17, a collaboration dedicated to natural, solid Australian opals from Lightning Ridge. They work directly with small, independent miners, keeping environmental impact low and ensuring fair labor. Each opal is hand-cut in the USA for full traceability.

My diamond melee and salt + pepper diamonds come from Misfit Diamonds, who specialize in traceable, ethically sourced Canadian stones. Their unique salt and pepper “galaxy” diamonds celebrate natural inclusions while offering transparency that’s rare in the industry.

Some of my smaller sapphire melee are sourced through reputable wholesalers. While these don’t always have complete traceability, I’m careful to work only with suppliers I trust and who share my commitment to responsible sourcing.

This approach allows me to balance beauty, craftsmanship, and integrity in every piece.

I source Canadian salt and pepper diamonds from Misfit Diamonds, who work with stones from the Gahcho Kué Mine in the Northwest Territories. Each diamond is traced from rough to polish with full provenance, offering a rare combination of natural inclusions and crisp brilliance.

Unlike cloudier salt and pepper diamonds, these feature striking celestial patterns paired with high-quality cuts such as old mine, old European, step-cut hexagons, kites, pears, and more. Every stone is hand-selected by Misfit, ensuring that when I source through them, you receive an ethically sourced, one-of-a-kind diamond 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.

For custom work, I also offer Fairtrade certified gold, sourced from artisanal and small-scale mines (ASM) that follow the Fairtrade Gold Standard. This certification guarantees the gold is mined and traded under fair and responsible conditions, creating both social and environmental benefits for the mining communities. Please note that choosing Fairtrade gold does come at a higher cost, reflecting the true value of responsible mining practices.

I primarily work in 10k, 14k, and 18k yellow gold, crafting pieces that are both beautiful and durable, using responsibly sourced materials. 10k gold (41.7% pure gold) is the most durable and resistant to scratches, though it has a paler yellow tone. 14k gold (58.5% pure gold) offers a balance of strength and rich color, making it a popular choice for everyday wear. 18k gold (75% pure gold) has a deeper, more luxurious yellow tone and is prized for its beauty. While it is softer than 10k or 14k, it is still appropriate for everyday rings with a little extra care, and many people choose it for its richness of color.

I also offer rose gold through made-to-order, custom work, and from time to time you’ll find one-of-a-kind pieces available in my shop.

I do not typically work in white gold or platinum due to the additional maintenance and specialized setup they require. However if you’re interested in either of these metals feel free to contact me I’m always happy to discuss your options.

In some of my listings the silver is specifically called Continuum. Continuum is a proprietary, patented sterling silver alloy that offers enhanced durability and tarnish resistance compared to traditional sterling silver. It has a higher percentage of precious metal (over 95%) and contains elements like palladium, giving it a shine similar to white gold and properties that make it suitable for high-end jewelry production. It is made using 100% recycled precious metals, which are certified by SCS Global Services.

Other pieces are made with certified 100% recycled sterling silver.

Each vintage piece in my Reborn Vintage collection is personally hand-selected — usually in person at antique shops or second-hand stores. The hunt for unique, soulful jewelry is truly one of my passions. Every gold piece is tested to confirm the karat quality, and all items are carefully inspected to ensure they’re in strong, wearable condition before I offer them for sale.

If you have any questions about a specific vintage piece, I’m always happy to share more details.

Production + Shipping

Because my jewelry is crafted in a small studio environment, production and shipping times can vary:

  • If an item is listed as Ready-to-Ship: The item will ship within 1-7 days of payment.
  • Made-to-Order Pieces: Can take up to 5 weeks for fabrication and shipment from the date of payment.
  • Custom Orders: Can take up to 4 months, depending on the design, materials, and sourcing requirements.
  • Merchandise: All merch items are made to order for you and can take 1-2 weeks.

Please check the product description to see if your item is ready to ship or made to order before purchasing!

Your treasure will be shipped either by USPS or UPS, which you can select at checkout.

Both USPS +UPS orders may require signature.

Express options are available at checkout as well.

Once your package is shipped, I am not responsible for delays, lost, or stolen items. If you experience an issue with your shipment, please contact USPS or your chosen shipping carrier directly.

If a shipment is marked undeliverable after three delivery attempts, the package will be returned to my studio. In this situation, a reshipment fee will be required, and I will send the customer a checkout link to complete the additional shipping cost.

Thank you for your understanding!

I offer international shipping to most countries via UPS and USPS. All shipments are fully insured, declared, and invoiced for the full purchase amount.

Please note that risk of loss and title for international orders transfers to you, the importer, once the package is delivered to the carrier. This means that after the shipment leaves my studio, responsibility for the package rests with the customer.

Your order may be subject to import duties, taxes, VAT, brokerage fees, and other customs charges that are not included in my shipping costs. These fees vary by country and are the responsibility of the customer. As the importer, you must comply with all local laws and regulations of your destination country.

By placing an international order, you authorize me to designate your chosen carrier as your agent for customs clearance, duty assessment, and communication with the relevant tax authorities.

If you have questions about international shipping or need help selecting the best carrier for your location, feel free to reach out before placing your order.

I currently ship to a small list of countries with reliable shipping and smooth customs for jewelry. These include:

Australia

Canada

Switzerland

United Kingdom (excluding Northern Ireland)

Hong Kong SAR

Iceland

Japan

Mexico

Norway

New Zealand

Singapore

I keep my international shipping list tight because jewelry can be tricky to send across borders, and I want to make sure your piece arrives safely and without drama. If you’re outside these countries and curious about options, feel free to reach out!

As of December 13, 2024, the European Union’s new General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) requires all businesses selling products to the EU (including Northern Ireland) to have an EU-based “Responsible Person.” This representative is legally required to handle safety documentation, compliance responsibilities, and communication with EU authorities.

Because I am a one-woman business based in the United States, I currently do not have an EU-based economic operator to fulfill these requirements.

Under the GPSR:


  • A product cannot legally be sold or shipped to the EU without an EU-based representative.

  • Selling without one can result in products being removed from the market, fines, and suspension of sales.

  • This applies to all consumer products, including handmade jewelry, whether new, used, vintage, or repaired.

  • The rule is triggered by offering items for sale to EU customers — not just shipping after purchase.

To comply, small businesses must appoint an authorized EU representative, maintain detailed safety and risk-assessment documentation, and include the representative’s full contact details on packaging or product inserts. At this time, this requirement is not feasible for my studio.

I hope to revisit EU shipping in the future if a sustainable solution becomes available. Thank you so much for your understanding and for supporting small makers.

Sizing, Repairs + Warranty

I’d love to size every ring to your exact fit — but sometimes it’s just not possible.

When I engrave on gold, those bright, polished cuts are what make the piece sparkle. Resizing a hand-engraved ring usually requires soldering, which can expose those cuts to oxidation. Once that happens, the only way to restore the shine is to re-engrave the entire piece — and that’s often not possible.

Another reason a ring might not be resizable is if it’s an eternity band (with stones all the way around). In those cases, there’s simply no space to cut and solder without disrupting the design.

Always check the product notes — I’ll clearly state whether a ring can be sized. If it can, it’s typically only up or down by about one size. Please contact me if your heart is set on a ring and the size is close — I’m happy to see what’s possible.

The good news? I offer made-to-order pieces you can customize in your size and metal of choice. And for some one-of-a-kind designs, I can often create a similar version in your size, depending on stone availability. Just reach out, and we’ll figure out the best option together.

I recommend that you confirm appropriate sizing prior to placing your online order. If you are unsure I recommend purchasing this Ring Sizer + Mandrel Kit for $5.99 I have this kit in my studio to help ensure the correct size.

Because every piece I make is crafted by hand with so much care, I’m always happy to help keep your jewelry looking and feeling its best. All CBJ pieces come with a one-year warranty that covers normal wear and tear. If something happens during that time, I’ll repair it for you at no charge — you’ll just be responsible for insured return shipping.

Repair work outside the warranty period is always welcome. I review each piece on a case-by-case basis and will provide a clear quote before moving forward. I always stand behind my work and will do everything I can to help keep your jewelry in beautiful, wearable condition.

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, both melee (small stones) and center stones. I will also work with sapphire melee, 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!

My Made To Order Collection are pieces you can order in customized metals, gemstones, lengths and sizes. They are final sale .

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!