Can I come visit your office?
We are a warehouse distributor so we do not operate a standard store. We no longer
have a showroom available for visitors. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Can I pick up my products in person?
As a service to our local customers we will allow orders to be picked up at our
front door at a prescheduled time. Please understand that we are a wholesale warehouse not a retail
store and as such we must impose limitations on pick up visits. Orders for pick-up will be boxed and
sealed prior to your arrival. We cannot change contents or add items while you wait. Visitors may not
enter the warehouse section of the building. Visitors may not request employees to retrieve merchandise
from the warehouse for review. Orders for pick-up must meet all normal sales terms and conditions. We
appreciate your cooperation and thank you for your business
Can I sell back scraps of silver?
We love our recycled silver, too! Unfortunately, we do not buy back scraps of
silver.
Do you attend any trade shows?
We do not exhibit in trade shows. Please request our free printed catalog or shop
online to see our selections.
Do you offer gift certificates?
We can create gift certificates in any amount. Please call 1-800-528-0535 or
email the Customer Service department to order your gift
certificate.
Do you offer coupons?
We offer weekly coupons that are emailed out each Tuesday morning and are
valid through the following Sunday. Please note that coupons cannot be applied to past orders,
substitutes or redeemed for cash. Subscribe today!
If I am reselling your product can I use your images?
We allow limited use of our images to customers who are stocking resellers of
our goods. Thumbnails can be copied off the website for that purpose only. Bloggers and teachers are
also welcome to use images for illustrative purposes. However, in those cases proper credit to
Halstead Bead, Inc. is required.
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Can you guarantee items will be in stock when my order is filled?
Unfortunately, we can not guarantee items will be in stock when your order is
filled. Our inventory is very fluid, and we can only give you a snapshot of what we have available
at the time you place your order.
Do you offer any larger volume discounts?
All of our prices are wholesale. Discounts on individual items are given as you
order larger quantities. Our best discount is offered on orders over $2,500. Please contact customer
service for further details on this program.
Do you require a resale license from customers?
We require that all purchased goods be for resale. Customers must certify that
every order is for wholesale use prior to completing each transaction. For any order shipped to a
recipient in the state of Arizona, we must also have a copy of a valid Arizona resale license where
both the business name and address on the license match the shipping name and address. For other
states, we plan to phase in a resale license requirement over the next few years. US legislation
proposals involving internet transactions may mandate that we start requiring licenses from customers
in all issuing states soon. We will give our customers plenty of advance notice as we increase our
licensing requirements.
How can I get on Net 30 terms?
We do not offer Net 30 terms. We do not want to inflate our prices to cover the
risks associated with Net 30. Moreover, we have found that most small businesses today create their
own Net 30 terms by holding several credit cards for purchasing. By using the 30 day no interest grace
periods on these cards, you are achieving the same end result as negotiating terms with individual
vendors.
How long does it take you to restock items?
Unfortunately, we cannot answer this question on specific items because lead times
on our orders vary tremendously. We receive items somewhere between 2 days and 8 months from the day
we order. Our vendors' shipping is simply beyond our control and we do not want to give you unreliable
information. Please try to reorder out of stock items on your next order prepared, or see our terms on
backorders.
To order wholesale from another state, what do you require?
For states other than Arizona, we do not currently require licenses. However,
current US legislation proposals involving internet transactions may mandate that we start requiring
licenses from customers in all issuing states in the future. We will give our customers plenty of
notice, should this legislation affect our business. Our minimum order is $100, and we accept Visa,
Mastercard and Discover.
What pricing method do you use online?
The price we use is the prior business date's London PM Fix Price. You can view
a running history of daily fix prices at Kitco.com.
Due to time differences and the fact that we can only update system pricing during off-hours we will
update prices each business day at approximately 5p.m. MST. Those prices will be valid on orders placed
from that moment until the next business day at 5p.m. when prices are updated again.
Why do you insist on a $100 minimum?
We are a wholesale corporation. The $100 minimum is non-negotiable and easy to
achieve for legitimate wholesale buyers. We strongly enforce our minimums in order to protect our
customers who resell our products. Moreover, it is simply unprofitable for us to process transactions
below $100 given our pricing and slim wholesale margins. If this amount is difficult for you to reach,
you need to be buying at the retail level.
Why don’t you automatically backorder the items shorted on orders?
Our policy is to only backorder items when a customer specifically requests it
at the time they place their order. Backorder items must total $30 per stock number to be put on a
backorder. This policy is explained in our terms, which can be found inside the front cover of your
catalog or on the website. We have this policy because some customers want backorders and some do not.
Moreover, as a wholesale operator we cannot profitably process backorder items below our minimum
requirement.
Is faxing my credit card information secure? Can credit card information be given by phone instead?
While our fax is as secure as we can make it, we do understand that concern of
any electronic transmission of personal information. If you would like to fax your order, you may ask
us to contact you for credit card information. Please understand, however, if we are unable to reach
you promptly, this may delay the processing of your order.
Do you accept American Express?
At this time we do not accept American Express.
What is a credit card pre-authorization?
We will pre-authorize your credit card (not debit cards) to reserve funds
equal to your estimated order total and shipping charges on your card. A pre-authorization is not
a charge. Your card is not charged until your order is processed and shipped. At that time your card
is charged for your exact total and any remaining pre-authorization amount is dropped off the
transaction by your bank, usually at midnight that night when banks clear their systems. Since we
usually process orders within 24 hours of receiving complete order details most customers never even
notice that funds have been reserved for charge. We do not pre-authorize debit cards since many banks
will put double holds on directly linked bank account funds when a card is pre-authorized. We must know
whether your card is a credit or debit when your order is placed in order to process it properly.
How do I prevent double holds on my debit card when placing an order?
We do not pre-authorize debit cards if we know they are debit cards. Many banks
will hold pre-authorizations and final charges as separate transactions against bank accounts on debit
card transactions. This is a bank protocol that we have no control over. If we are informed that a card
is a debit card we will not pre-authorize it in order to prevent this problem. If we are told a card is
a credit card and it is actually a debit card we can still work with clients to remove the
pre-authorization hold placed by the bank. We will require some additional cardholder information. Most
banks release holds within 24 hours of merchant release requests.
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Do you drop ship merchandise?
No, we will only ship directly to clients who place their own orders.
Do you ship to international destinations?
Yes. Please view our International Order Terms.
What is your least expensive shipping method?
FedEx Ground is almost always the least expensive shipping method. Many people
believe that USPS is less expensive but that is seldom the case when you add the high insurance fees
charged by the postal service. We wholly insure the contents of all our shipments through the carrier
or private insurance. Flat rate shipping rates advertised by the postal service do not include any
insurance. Please use our shipping rate estimator.
What countries are indicated by the abbreviations on the product detail screens of the website?
The two letter abbreviation key for nations of origin is as follows
AT – Austria
CN – China
DE – Germany
HK – Hong Kong
ID - Indonesia
IL – Israel
IN – India
IT – Italy
MX – Mexico
PK – Pakistan
TH – Thailand
TR – Turkey
US – United States
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Can footage chain be returned?
Yes. Please refer to our
Order Terms & Return Policy
How do I return an item?
Please refer to our
Order Terms & Return Policy
Why are returns only accepted if they are in a padded envelope or box?
Since all returns come to us via the United States Postal Service, they are
handled and automatically processed through several steps along the way. Even though our customers
often request that their envelopes be hand-stamped, damage can occur. In order to keep our prices
low, we cannot afford wasted product and we cannot accept returns that have been damaged in return
mailing. If you have received a damaged item, we are more than happy to replace or reimburse you for
the item; however, we would not be able to verify that the damage occurred before going through the
mail, if it is not protected for the return shipment. Returns that are sent in non-protective
packaging will be returned, unopened and will not be eligible for refund or replacement. Please refer
to our Order Terms & Return Policy
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Are your earring findings sold as pairs or pieces?
Unless otherwise indicated, all earring findings are sold as pieces. So for
example, a "10" pack of leverbacks contains 10 pieces, not pairs. Please ask our customer service
representatives if you are unsure if an item comes as a pair.
Are your weights for silver measured in ounces (troy) or ounces (avdp)?
All of our metals are measured in troy ounces.
Can I get samples of items?
No. We do not break minimum packages for sampling. Orders must meet our $100
minimum and comply with all other terms & conditions.
Do all gold-filled items have 14/20 or 12/20 stampings?
Not all gold-filled items are stamped. Some are impossible to stamp, depending
on the size of the item.
Do sterling silver products (non-Argentium) contain nickel?
Both gold and sterling silver can have trace amounts of nickel in them. The legal
industry definition for lead free is a product containing less than .05% lead. To the best of our
knowledge any items containing more than that in lead content are noted.
How do you make jewelry with your products?
We do not offer instruction on jewelry making. There are many websites as well
as books and magazines that offer jewelry technique tutorials. We also recommend that you visit your
local bead store to learn jewelry making skills if you are new to the craft.
How do you use crimp beads?
Crimp beads are a great way to finish necklaces or bracelets without showing
knots or blobs of glue. To use crimp beads, you string them on as the end bead of the jewelry piece
and leave a long tail of stringing material at the end. You then double the strand back through the
crimp and several of the beads preceding it to leave a tiny loop at the end. You crush the crimp to
keep this loop in place and secure beads on the strand. If you are using a larger stringing material,
it is sometimes possible to secure a crimp bead using an epoxy product instead of re-threading back
through. Crimp beads can be tricky at first, but after practicing you will get the hang of it pretty
quickly. Most jewelry making books include information and graphics on this finishing method if you
would like more.
How durable is the gold plating on the 22kt Gold-Plated Sterling items?
The gold plating on our 22kt Gold-Plated Sterling items is a standard electroplate finish.
This plating can wear through over time depending on usage and maintenance. This is true of any plated
product. However, we have not received a single customer complaint on the durability of the finish of
our gold-plated products since we began carrying the line many years ago. If you are looking for a
lifetime product, your best option is gold-filled. Gold-filled products are not plated. Instead, thick
layers of gold are bonded to a brass base using heat and pressure. The gold content is much higher than
that of plated goods and the bonding process ensures that coloration is less likely to change or wear
off over time.
How many beads are included in the dollar bags and which materials are they made from?
The beads that are included in the pre-marked dollar bags are usually glass beads
from China, the Czech Republic and India. The size and shape of the beads vary, as do the quantity
per bag. There are usually at least 20 pieces per bag. Our price is $.50 per bag, and they resell for
$1. A great mark-up for you with no additional time or labor at your end. Our customers that have
tried our dollar bags have always come back for more.
How many beads is 10M?
M equals 1,000 so 10M would be 10,000 beads.
How much do you charge to cut a piece of wire more than once?
The first cut is free, the 2nd cut is $.50 and every additional cut after that
is $.75 per cut.
Is Sterling 100% Silver?
Sterling silver is 92.5% (.925) pure silver metal. This standard is used to
assure consistent quality among sterling products. Silver that is not described as "sterling" or
".925" usually has less pure silver content and will often be darker in color and less shiny. Sterling
is 92.5% pure instead of 100% pure in order to achieve the requisite hardness and stability to resist
wear and tear, and hold its shape. When running an assay on silver items you should remove ferrous
springs inside lobster claws or spring rings, ferrous hinge pins and magnets inside magnet clasps
before running tests. X-ray testing has a wider margin of error and is not recommended for determining
alloy ratios.
What are SmartBeads?
SmartBeads appear like any plain or corrugated round from the outside. However,
their unique design allows them to slide into place on most stringing materials and stay in position.
They can be used to hold other beads in place, or alone to create illusion necklaces and interesting
spacing patterns.
What does the abbreviation OD mean?
OD stands for Outer Diameter. This notation is usually used on jump rings.
What is Gold-Filled?
Gold-filled is a United States layered gold product that is gaining popularity throughout the Americas,
Asia and Europe. It is a quality material that is common in all types of jewelry. The product is easy
to care for and will usually maintain its golden shine for a lifetime.
Gold-filled is constructed in two or three layers. The core metal is jewelers’ brass. A gold alloy is
then bonded to one or both surfaces of the brass core with heat and pressure. The bonded raw material
is then sold as sheet or wire to jewelry manufacturers for use in designs.
Gold-filled is legally required to contain 5% or 1/20 gold by weight. This 5% is then described by the
karatage of the gold alloy. Most gold-filled is 12kt or 14kt gold-filled. It is most accurately labeled
with the karatage, the “/” symbol, and then 20 to reflect this construction. Products are identified
as 14/20 Gold-filled or 12/20 Gold-Filled; alternatively, 14kt Gold-Filled or 12kt Gold-Filled are also
acceptable.
Care and Cleaning
Gold-filled does not de-laminate or peel like plated products. Nor does it tarnish as readily as
silver. Many owners find that they never have to clean gold-filled items at all. However, from time
to time your jewelry may become dirty from everyday wear. To clean gold-filled it is best to use mild
soap and water. Hot weather and water will not damage the material.
Gold-filled cannot be melted because it is a layered product. Similarly, exposure to chemicals or
acids will damage the gold layers and erode the product’s integrity. Gold-filled is not recommended
in extremely humid environments where there are also high levels of pollutants in the air. This is not
a problem in any US states we know of, but we have had reported problems in South-Central Mexico and
parts of Asia.
Comparison with Other Gold Products
Solid Gold – Solid gold is an alloy that is described with the karatage of pure gold. Pure gold is
24kt. However, it is much too soft to hold its shape or wear well. Therefore, it is mixed or alloyed
with other metals to make it harder and easier to work with. Karatage refers to the alloy’s purity.
For example, 8 karat gold is 8/24 pure gold or 33.3% pure. Gold-filled is not the same as solid gold.
It is a layered alternative product. The gold-filled karatage only refers to the gold layers that
compose 5% of the product on the surface.
Gold Plate – Gold plating is a miniscule layer of solid gold applied to a brass base. The plating does
not compose any measurable proportion of the products total weight. It is estimated to be 0.05% or
less of the metal product. Gold plating will wear off rather quickly and expose the brass base product.
It does not stand up to heat, water or wear over time.
What is rhodium?
Rhodium is a naturally occurring metal element. It is frequently used in the
jewelry trade as a surface plating to make silver items more resistant to tarnishing. Rhodium is
slightly darker than silver and gives items a more "steely" look.
What is the difference between finished and unfinished chain?
Finished chain is made into necklaces or bracelets with the appropriate jumprings
and spring ring/lobster claw closures. Unfinished chain is sold as footage and can be used by the
client to make finished chain or as component links for jewelry designs.
What percentage breakage can you expect in the glass beads?
Indian & Chinese glass beads are typically of lower quality than European made
products, which is why they are priced at such a great value. There is more variance in size, color
and shape. Breakage is typically about 5% for most mixes. This may be slightly higher for beads that
are thin or have dots or frosting added to the surface. Czech beads are generally less prone to
breakage at 1-2%, unless otherwise noted. If Czech beads are “seconds” or prone to higher
breakage/unusable rates, we will include that information with the item description.
Why do you discontinue items?
We discontinue stock items for any one of several reasons. The most common
reason is that an item does not sell well enough to justify the stocking expenses for our company.
This usually occurs because an item goes out of fashion, or is replaced by a better substitute. Less
frequently, we will have a quality control problem with an item or a vendor will not be able to
reliably supply the item. We make every effort to wait to discontinue items until we print a new
catalog. However, some times it is necessary to discontinue an item immediately because of quality or
supply problems. Our customer service staff can sometimes refer you to a close substitute for
discontinued items, but we will not release information on our sources for our own protection.
Are your earrings sold in pairs?
No, we sell all our products by the piece. So, you would need to order 2-each
to get a complete pair of earrings. A 10-pack of earring findings is 5-pairs.
Can I order less than a pack?
We ask that you order in multiples of the smallest pack size shown. If an item
is shown in eaches you can order any quantity in whole pieces. For items sold in packs of 10 pieces
please order 1 for 10 pieces, 2 for 20 pieces, etc. All pack quantities are in pieces
(not pairs in the case of earwires, etc) unless otherwise noted.
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Do you know how much lead is contained in the swarovski crystal beads?
We have been unable to confirm the exact lead content on any of the Swarovski
crystal, or fire-polished glass beads but we do know that they do contain a fair amount of lead. All
children's jewelry to be sold in California may not contain any leaded components, according to the
new legislation.
Do lampwork glass beads contain lead that is not suitable for children's jewelry?
Yes, they do. Any cut or fire polished glass beads are likely to contain lead
as part of the glass formula.
What is the Prop 65 Warning in your catalog and on my invoices?
California state law requires disclosures on any products sold in the state that contain any amount
of lead. Various other states are also enacting more disclosure legislation on lead content. Our glass,
crystal, gold filled and pewter items contain very small amounts of lead but we must disclose ANY lead
content to comply with Prop 65 in California. If you are reselling components or jewelry to customers
in California you must also comply with Prop 65.
• See this link for details on CA Prop 65
• We also have more detailed information on
lead content & legislation.
• We do not recommend using our findings and components for children’s products.
Please see our Terms for more details.
Why don’t you provide lead testing results for each of your items?
We do not recommend the use of any of our components for children's jewelry.
First and foremost, small beads and findings are a choking hazard for young children. Many of our
products may also contain small amounts of lead. While these lead levels are within limits for adult
use they may not always meet standards for children’s jewelry in some states. Moreover, historically
very few of our clients have manufactured children’s products and most have discontinued their lines
since recent legislation. The cost of testing all of our components on a regular basis is exorbitant
given that children’s products are not our focus.
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How can I order items that are in the catalog but not on the website?
Items not on the website and items from sales sheets can be ordered easily by
phone, fax or email. If you are using our online shopping cart to place an order, you can list items
and quantities in the comments section during checkout.
How can I search for an item?
We have two great options for product searches. First is our
Product Search page which can
find any item on our website by item number or description. You can get to this tool by clicking the
magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner on any page. We also have our
EZ-Shop tool that allows you to enter specific item
numbers. This tool is located in the upper right corner with a "EZ" shopping cart icon.
How can I tell the size of the stock items?
Our printed catalog shows items at actual size in full color. Online imaging is
very difficult to scale items, so we added sufficient detail describing items' dimensions in
millimeters. We recommend using a millimeter ruler as a reference while you browse products online.
How often do you publish catalogs?
We publish one catalog each year. It usually arrives to active customers in late
January. The catalog features full color, actual-size images of most items we carry. However, we are
constantly adding new items to our website throughout the year. You can view new items under the
Brand New section. Our website
also features many Clearance
items that are no longer shown in the printed catalog. Request a
printed catalog today! Please keep
your catalog all year as a reference.
Why aren’t your prices online the same as prices printed in your catalog?
Due to market volatility in gold and silver costs we use daily market based pricing
for all precious metal merchandise. Prices published in the 2011 catalog are based on a $1300 gold market
and $22.00 silver market. The website is updated with current pricing each day. Please note that metals
have been extremely volatile in recent years. Silver fluctuated between $14 and $30 per ounce in 2010. It
is difficult to predict what to expect in future months.
Shipping options are not showing in the online shopping cart when I try to check
out. How do I select shipping?
Occasionally we experience brief interruptions in communications from FedEx.com.
This leads to a temporary outage in shipping quote availability. You can still submit your order and note
your shipping method choice in the comments or Customer Service will contact you to discuss shipping
options.
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Any tips to set myself apart in the grant application process?
We are looking for innovation in design. We also want to see a clearly defined
sense of style. Many similar pieces are present in the marketplace and we would like to see something
different; yet, the collection of five pieces should be cohesive enough to represent a single brand
concept. We are also looking for thorough business planning. Show us that you have thought about
marketing, finances and logistics. We want to see well-rounded individuals that bring both creativity
and a business mind to the table.
Do components have to be from Halstead Bead to be eligible for the grant?
No. We welcome the full range of diverse materials available on the market.
Do I have to be a Halstead Bead customer to apply for the grant?
No; however, we do hope you will consider us for your future sourcing needs.
How can I find out about your annual business grant competition?
Click here to visit the grant web
page. Each year we award a business grant to a new jewelry designer starting a national company.
I buy many of my components, is my work still considered original under the requirements for the
grant?
A piece may consist entirely of purchased components if the crafting techniques
and design significantly alter their appearance into a unique piece of wearable art. We also encourage
the use of original castings, wire-work etc. Please note any original components you have made in your
materials lists. Purchased components such as large carved pendants or handcrafted focal pieces should
be avoided if you are not the artist.
I primarily sell my jewelry at craft shows, am I eligible to apply for the grant?
Maybe. This grant is designed for individuals pursuing a full-time career in
jewelry. If you are making jewelry for extra income on the side, you are not eligible. You will also
need to demonstrate that you are developing a branded line of products via a well thought out marketing
plan. These products can be sold under the banner of a store name or as distributed labeled goods that
are sold in other stores.
What is "Bridge" jewelry?
Jewelry is roughly divided into three market segments:
1) Fine Jewelry - generally high end and the most expensive. Fine jewelry is primarily crafted from
gold, platinum and gemstones such as diamonds, pearls, rubies, sapphires etc... Fine jewelry is
dominated by stone settings and castings.
2) Bridge Jewelry - spans the gap between fine & costume jewelry. Bridge items are high quality
accessories that can be worn every day. Primary materials are silver, copper, gold composite products,
crystal and semi-precious stones such as lapis, onyx, turquoise, malachite, quartz, freshwater pearls
etc. Bridge work can be strung beadwork or castings.
3) Costume Jewelry - is low end jewelry that is very inexpensive. Costume items are usually mass
produced overseas and sold in franchise stores. Primary materials are base metals, rhinestones,
plastics, acrylics etc. A lot of costume jewelry is cast and set with low quality materials or
machine assembled.
Obviously, there is considerable overlap in these segments in styles and materials; but these product
classifications are generally recognized in the industry.
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