Terms and Conditions

 Sydney Matthews Fine Jewelry — Returns, Refunds & Layaway Policy 

Effective October 1st, 2026

Thank you for choosing Sydney Matthews Fine Jewelry. Because many of our pieces are created specifically for you, our policies differ by the type of purchase. Please read this policy carefully before you buy, and don't hesitate to ask us questions — we'd rather explain it now than surprise you later.

In-stock merchandise may be returned for a refund or exchange within 30 days of purchase or delivery, whichever is later.

To qualify, the item must be:

• Unworn, undamaged, and in original saleable condition
• Free of any alteration, sizing, engraving, or customization
• Accompanied by the original sales receipt
• Returned in its original packaging, including box, pouch, and any certificates or diamond grading reports

All returns are inspected before a refund is approved. Refunds are issued to the original form of payment within 7–10 business days of approval. Items returned without a receipt may be eligible for store credit at our discretion.

The following are final sale and cannot be returned or exchanged:

• Custom-designed pieces
• Special orders
• Personalized or engraved items
• Items altered or sized after purchase
• Clearance, closeout, and final-sale items
• Gift cards

When you order an item we don't keep in stock, we're committing to purchase or commission that piece on your behalf. For this reason:

• Special orders require a 30% non-refundable deposit to begin.
• The deposit applies toward your total purchase price; it is not an additional charge.
• Once you approve the order, it cannot be cancelled or changed, because sourcing and production have already begun.
• We will notify you when your item arrives. Completed special orders must be collected within 30 days. After 30 days, the deposit converts to a restocking fee and the item returns to our inventory.

If we are unable to fulfill your special order for any reason within our control, you'll receive a full refund of every amount paid, including the deposit.

Custom work is the heart of what we do, and every custom piece is made for one person alone.

• A non-refundable design deposit of [30]% is required to begin the design process. This deposit applies toward the final price.
• Your quote is valid for 14 days, as precious metal and stone prices fluctuate.
• Your initial consultation includes design sketches and up to two rounds of revisions. Additional revisions may incur a design fee, which we'll quote before doing the work.
• We'll ask you to approve the final design, delivery timeline, and payment schedule in writing before production begins.
• All custom jewelry sales are final. Once production has started, custom orders cannot be cancelled, returned, or exchanged.

Because the piece is designed to your specifications, we cannot resell it. That's the reason for this policy, and it's why we invest so much time in the design phase — we want you to be certain before we cut metal.

If you decide not to proceed after design work has begun, your deposit is non-refundable, but it may be applied toward any other purchase from our collection within one year. We'd rather earn your business on something else than keep your money for nothing.

We offer 90-day layaway on eligible in-stock merchandise, so you can reserve the piece you love while paying at your own pace.

How it works:

• A minimum 20% down payment is required to place an item on layaway. This amount applies toward the purchase price. The down payment is refundable on the terms below; it is not a fee and is not forfeited on default.
• Once your down payment clears, the item is removed from active inventory and held exclusively for you.
• The remaining balance is due within 90 days of your down payment.
• You may make payments at any time, and you may pay the balance off early without penalty.
• Layaway is offered on in-stock merchandise only. Custom orders and special orders are not eligible for layaway.
• Available payment methods: cash, credit card, bank transfer.

If payments are missed:

• If the balance is not paid in full within 90 days, or if you miss two or more scheduled payments without contacting us, the layaway will be cancelled.
• We will notify you by the phone number, text number, or email address you provided before cancelling.
• On cancellation, the item returns to our inventory and we will re-list it. Because we incur real costs returning the item to inventory and re-selling it, a 20% restocking fee applies to the amount you paid. That fee is a charge for our actual costs, not a penalty, and it is capped at the total you paid.

You then choose either:

1. a refund of the amount you paid, less the 20% restocking fee; or
2. a store credit for the full amount you paid, with no restocking fee deducted.

Refunds are issued by the original payment method within 30 days of your choosing. Store credit does not expire and carries no fee.

Written agreement:

• Before we accept your first layaway payment, we will give you a written agreement stating the item reserved, the total purchase price and applicable sales tax, your down payment, the remaining balance, the payment schedule and 90-day deadline, the restocking fee and how it is calculated, the consequences of missed payments, and your refund and store-credit terms. Please read it and keep a copy.

Layaway items are final sale once paid in full and collected, except for manufacturing defects covered under Section 5.

This policy does not limit your rights regarding items that are defective or not as described.

• If your piece has a manufacturing defect, contact us within 30 days of receipt. We will repair or replace it at no cost to you.
• If we cannot repair or replace a defective item, we will refund your purchase price in full.
• Damage from normal wear, accidents, negligence, or work performed by another jeweler is not covered.
• Layaway and custom pieces are covered against manufacturing defects on the same terms as any other purchase.

Nothing in this policy waives or limits any right you may have under applicable state or federal law.

Contact us before sending anything back — items returned without prior authorization may be refused. We'll confirm your eligibility and give you return instructions. For your protection, we recommend shipping with insurance and tracking; we cannot be responsible for items lost in transit.

Contact: Cell- 757-282-8370