As America’s Jeweler of Choice, our policies are some of the most ethical in the industry. Each of the following sections clearly defines how we operate, and the tenets to which we subscribe.
We have kept our Policies simple, and present them here in language that is easy to understand. If you need clarification, we ask that you contact us personally that we may best serve you!
ONLINE STORES
TRANSACTIONS
SHIPPING
RETURNS
PRICING
CONFLICT DIAMONDS
GEMSTONE TREATMENTS
TRADEMARKS
SALES TAX
AMMENDMENTS
ONLINE STORES
Ehrhardt’s Fine Jewelry (a Choice Group International company) presents our online store to meet the growing needs of our patrons, and, by definition, is a “Product Under Development” securely hosted and maintained according to rigid Choice standards. CGI maintains Jewelry Collections as a distinctive feature, and reserves the right to modify or terminate at any time. We are constantly adding new and updated styles to our offerings, and are happy to receive your suggestions and requests concerning new products or services that may best serve your needs. We cannot attempt to maintain individual styles or prices perpetually, however, and will not be responsible for items that may no longer be offered or for pricing that has been updated. Prices for goods listed are for that particular shopping period only, and may be changed at any time. Your price will never be higher than what you authorized.
Shipping, Delivery, Transactions, Stocking Issues, Quality, and other specific policies are clearly defined and posted herein and on website pages, and do not apply to the whole of any other site under the administration of Choice Group International. Customer Service Telephone numbers are also published in the same manner, and are available for every patron to utilize.
TRANSACTIONS
All transactions originating on any page or in-store offering by us are considered secured at the time of order, and are chargeable upon commitment of each order, and appear on your statement as “Choice Group.” Choice Group securely processes each individual transaction immediately or within 24 hours of submission, as verification of merchandise availability and price is automatically performed before any customer’s credit card is comp[lately processed. This prevents any charges being created for orders that are not so verified, another effort by Choice Group to protect you. A Choice Service Specialist may contact you in the event an item is not available, a substitution is required, or for any other reason that may arise that would indicate that your order cannot be processed normally or as promised. Transactions (orders) are considered complete and valid upon funding to our accounts, which may delay your order due to the method of payment you use. Credit Cards post within 72 hours, and bank instruments (checks) usually post within 96 hours from submission. Direct wire transfers may be verified the same day, and are often chosen for this shorter funding time frame (please inquire for instructions if you choose this payment option). Significant value purchases may require Certified or Cashier’s Check, Money Orders, or Direct Wire Transfers, which you will be advised of prior to order processing.
Nonetheless, all transactions are protected using the most advanced systems including SSL secured servers, and are encrypted for security, as indicated by the Seal(s) of Approval from the various governing or authenticating organizations prominently posted on our website. Choice Group is extremely aware of the need for greater security of our patron’s information that has been entrusted to us. All information submitted with each order is used only for that particular order and during the processing thereof, and is not collected or disseminated in any way whatsoever. All encrypted information is properly erased after processing each transaction, which is why we cannot simply “add on” to previous orders. We employ the finest technologies, which are constantly being updated, to present this system of transacting business to our customers. For definitive policy concerning your personal information and our practices in regard thereof, please visit our “Privacy” section.
Choice Group complies fully with the Kimberley Process and the Patriot Act(s), and requires the necessary information from customers for such compliance. IRS Form 8300 and others routinely completed.
Any consumer refusing any of these conditions may be subject to referral and review by appropriate Authority.
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SHIPPING
Due to the distinct value and nature of all shipments from Choice Group International, all shipments will be insured, and are subject to the Policies outlined below. We feel these policies protect the interest and trust of our clients and that any inconvenience they may create is far outweighed by the overall satisfaction we accomplish with the quality, selection, and true value of our products and services.
It is true that other online providers may not charge for shipping, but their unsuspecting customers are in fact paying for it! They simply “build it in” to their prices! We strive to present to our customers the very best quality, selection, and true value in everything we do. The modest charges for shipping our customers incur serve to keep the overall costs down, and for us to concentrate on doing what we do best: deliver our products and services beyond the expectations of our clientele! The ultimate savings our customers experience with only one purchase clearly demonstrate this reality.
Choice Group International has partnered with OneService and Federal Express to offer our patrons the security and convenience of Insured Shipping Solutions, both nationally and internationally, at prices previously unavailable! We feel that this level of service is what you expect from Choice Group International, and is another demonstration of our commitment to your complete satisfaction. Below are the specific policies and pricing schedules regarding shipping, and the limitations that affect all of our shipping operations which are subject to change without prior notice or publishing. For specifics, please refer to your individual invoice or other documentation, or feel free to either email us or call for a personal response.
We value your patronage, and merit your continued confidence!
Minimum Insured Shipping Charge is $18.00 (USD), and is added to all invoices regardless of origin. All items are shipped in secure packaging (standard jewelry boxes, etc.) and all packages are inspected for accuracy prior to release. Shipping Charges are added to invoices according to schedules published here. High Value Shipments ($20,000 and above) require the Customer be Contacted by a Choice Representative, who will then confirm the order, Shipment Cost, and other information pertinent to the nature of these significant purchases. Rates are subject to change without notice, regardless of current web posting.
Whenever possible, items are shipped insured for overnight (next day) delivery following invoicing of shipment. This is our standard level of service, and you have the option of requesting 2nd Day service only if available and authorized by a Choice Group Representative. Authorization may be made without notification, or may require contacting you to acknowledge shipment. Global Shipments are not restricted by this policy, and conform to all International Terms & Conditions as put forth by the carrier. All Global/International Shipments must be confirmed by a Choice Group Service Representative prior to shipment processing, to assure you the security of your shipment as well as notification of any applicable Customs, Duty, or other fees that will be charged to your invoice.
In compliance with the Patriot Act, deliveries are made to the originating customer only, and only to qualified addresses entered at the time of purchase. No deliveries shall be made to Third-Party, Postal Boxes or Drawers, “In Care Of” or any other addresses other than a Qualified address of Customer. Customer home address and Customer business address are Qualified addresses, subject to verification prior to shipment release. In case of customer business address, any and all liability for Choice/Ehrhardt’s ceases when the package is signed for (“Delivered”). Addresses for delivery cannot be changed after entry unless you contact a Choice Customer Service Specialist directly, and then only according to carrier’s restrictions, if any.
Signature Release is required for all deliveries. Delivery will not be made if not signed for, regardless of any “Signature Release On File” and must be made by an individual over the age of 18 (no auto-signatures or minors). Any and all liability for Choice/Ehrhardt’s ceases when the package is signed for, either by customer or another acting as “agent-for.” Choice/Ehrhardt’s does not assume any responsibility to verify the authenticity of signor, nor does carrier.
Claims for loss must be made with the carrier directly at the time of receipt. Please do not accept any packages that appear to have been tampered with, are open, or arrive in “poor” condition. It is better to refuse delivery and have the package returned to us for claims processing rather than nullify any rights you may be entitled to by routinely accepting a package that may be suspect. If you choose to accept delivery, inspect contents in the presence of the delivery person, who will assist you should any actions be required. It is our experience that less than ½ of 1% of all our shipments arrive in less than anticipated condition, and that actual losses are extremely rare!
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RETURNS
For all online transactions, the following Policy wholly applies: In the event the regular item you purchased from us does not meet your satisfaction, you may return it to us for exchange or refund according to our Easy-Return Policy within ten (10) days of original delivery receipt. Custom-made, personalized, auction, sale, special order, specially priced, or clearance items are not returnable or refundable. Shipping, Lab, Appraisal, or Service charges are not refundable.
Simply follow these easy steps to return your purchase:
1. Contact us for a unique Return Authorization (RA) number. This number must be assigned by our Customer Service Specialist, and must appear on the outside of the packaging you are returning the item to us in (as described below). Any packages presented to us without a valid Return Authorization number clearly marked will be refused, and further delay your return.
2. Be sure to return the item(s) in original condition and original packaging, and to enclose all original invoices, shipping documents, and other specific items. You should make duplicate copies of these documents to keep for future reference as your return is being processed. All Lab Reports, Certificates, Warranties, Appraisals, and any other original documents must be returned as originally received, or you will be charged for their replacement. All items must be returned in their original condition to be considered returnable. Seals for individual packages must not be tampered with in any way, or your return will be denied.
3. Properly package contents and seal with paper tape (not clear packing or transparent). It is important to use the proper sized material and packing insulation to prevent damage during transit. Boxes should have all edges sealed with paper packing tape, to assure the prevention of tampering. Remember, you are responsible for any and all liability until pre-authorized return merchandise is properly received by us.
4. Ship your return to us fully pre-paid and insured (for the full amount of the invoice) to:
CHOICE GROUP
R A # ___________ (fill in your RA # here)
2475-1 SAN RAMON VALLEY BLVD.
SAN RAMON, CA 94583
5. Your package must have your complete name and return address clearly marked to be acceptable.
6. You may ship your return Insured via Federal Express, United Parcel Service, DHL, or the United States Postal Service (Registered and Insured), at the appropriate level of service required (required delivery date).
7. We must receive your pre-authorized return in the time allotted for your return to be properly processed.
8. Properly processed returns will be credited to customer normally within 48 hours. All return credits shall be posted to the original credit card used at the time of purchase. No exceptions shall be made. Cash refunds require that the check you sent us properly clear your bank, and that funds were in fact posted to our account. This may delay your refund up to 10 days from original deposit by us.
9. Returns that require Cash Refund (money originally wired directly to our bank), a corporate refund check will be issued normally within 24 hours after processing refund (allowing for weekends, holidays, etc.). It may take up to 14 days from the time of refund processing to actually receive your check via US Mail if you do not authorize expedited delivery.
10. All returns, exchanges, and refunds shall be for the full applicable amount, less cost of Shipping or other non-refundable items noted above. No exceptions can be made, unless the order was incorrectly processed or fulfilled by us, and we acknowledge this by issuing written Authorization.
11. Shipments that are returned to us as undeliverable or that have been refused (intact, unopened, and not tampered with) will be processed as a refund to the original customer and to the credit of the original means of tender only. Re-shipment will be made at additional cost only if requested by customer prior to receipt, and only if Authorized by Choice Group.
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PRICING
“The bitterness of poor quality far outlasts the sweetness of a low price!” is something we fully believe in.
The low prices we present to our customers are the result of constant negotiation with manufacturers, suppliers, and pure creativity from the entire Choice Group staff as we source aggressively worldwide. We pride ourselves in offering the finest quality, the widest selection, and the best true values available anywhere!
From time to time, the price of certain items presented online may actually be higher than currently offered in reality, in which case you will be offered and invoiced for the lowest available price. In the event items have had their cost increase beyond the published price, you will be contacted before any transaction is processed. The rise and fall in the price of gold, platinum, diamonds, and other gemstones in the world marketplace is completely unpredictable and will always predicate our offerings. We simply cannot amend all of our online prices fast enough! In this manner, the prices you see as a value today may be in fact the most you will pay, and more often than not, our customers are invoiced for less than they agreed to purchase for! Rarely have we been forced to suspend a transaction due to the rise in price, and when this is the case, a Choice Service Specialist makes contact with you with all of the pertinent facts for your decision. We never make a decision for you, or substitute any item without your explicit permission. You have our word on it! It is a reputation we have upheld for over 50 years, one that thousands of our loyal customers rely upon!
We charge our customers shipping when others do not for a simple reason: In order to keep the costs for all of our products and services the lowest available, it is impossible for us to absorb the cost of insured shipment “across the board” and maintain our leading Preferred Provider status. We do not “build-in” shipping costs into our prices, nor do we hide the fact we are able to “discount” brand names when others can’t. It is simply a business principle: offer the best quality and selection for the lowest price all the time. Therefore, the only equitable formula that works is those that purchase more will pay more for their shipments, and those that purchase less will pay less. The REAL savings our customers experience are so significant that the actual cost of insured shipping is negligible! Consider this: other providers may offer FedEx shipping at no cost, but is it insured? At whose expense, and whose liability? Most are not willing to give you a straight answer to these questions. We at Choice have specifically negotiated all shipments to be fully insured, usually for less than the standard corporate uninsured rates!
Volume pricing may be available on the items you are interested in, so do not hesitate to inquire! Our services are priced with your satisfaction in mind, and represent the highest quality of workmanship at the minimum price. True, you may occasionally seem to find a price for less, but we know you will not find the quality or services available at the low prices we offer, anywhere.
Corporate Incentive Programs allow companies to take advantage of reserved pricing, and to make a positive difference in their organization as they continue toward success. Please inquire how your company would benefit from a custom-designed Program from the leaders in this industry.
Ehrhardt’s Fine Jewelry/ Choice Jeweler/ Choice Group Intl. makes every reasonable effort to publish accurate data, prices, and content that is up to date and represents the finest technologies available. From time to time, however, inaccuracies do occur that are inconvenient and may delay your purchase. We cannot be held responsible for any system or technological inconsistencies that may delay transactions, or the misdirection of communications submitted. We do not do not honor erroneous prices or process incomplete transactions. If a delay or incomplete transaction occurs, we make every attempt to contact the customer to personally process the event with the correct information supplied to us. All content, images, and operational content on our websites are proprietary information, and remain property reserved for our exclusive use only. Any injuries to any part or entity of CGI will be investigated by the FBI and referred for prosecution according to current provisions.
We hope that you find our online offerings clearly presented to your satisfaction, and that your experiences with us will allow us the distinct privilege of serving you for many years to come!
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CONFLICT DIAMONDS
As America’s Jeweler of Choice, we continue to lead the industry by being one of the first to comply with the Patriot Act and the Kimberly Process, the world’s most important provisions that protect the consumer from the possibility of receiving “Conflict Diamonds” in any of the offerings we proudly present to our clients, and from other schemes, frauds, and threats.
The Kimberly Process is a program that certifies each and every diamond as to the source of that diamond, from the rough that is produced to the polished gem that is featured in the jewelry you admire. We source all of our loose diamonds and finished diamond jewelry from only those select manufacturers that also subscribe to this worldwide program.
CGI is a proud member of the prestigious Premier Diamondtaires International Association, an exclusive association of internationally recognized businesses that adhere to the highest standards and practices, who have only the most esteemed reputation and history of diamond expertise, and who actively participate in the world diamond trade with definitive leadership on a consistent basis.
You can be assured that under no circumstances are any of the diamonds or diamond jewelry offered by us “Conflict Diamonds,” and that as Preferred Provider we comply with all of the laws, regulations, and provisions that have been established for the integrity of our industry and for the benefit of consumers worldwide.
The Best Diamond is a Choice Diamond, certified “Conflict-Free”!
The Kimberley Process
World Diamond Council: PDF
Conflict Diamonds PDF
The Patriot Act,
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GEMSTONE TREATMENTS
Just as wood furniture needs to lacquered, so too gemstones require finishing before they are ready to be sold. Critical as good cutting and polishing, treatments have become an integral part of the modern gemstone industry. Akin to aging fine wine, most of the techniques used simply facilitate the beautiful end results of the earth’s natural processes.
While these treatments are accepted as commonplace within the industry, the general public’s awareness has been much lower, and often skeptically. This section provides clear answers to common treatment questions. If you need further information on gemstone treatments, please do not hesitate to contact us for a personal response by email or you may access the industry standard guidelines provided by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.
Is the use of treatments globally accepted? Yes, with close to 99% of the more popular gem types treated, all permanent techniques are universally accepted. As the majority of gemstones traded internationally have undergone some form of treatment, always assume treatment when purchasing gemstones. In fact, some techniques such as heating are centuries old – in all likelihood, your grandmother’s ruby ring has been heat treated!
Are all the treatments used permanent? Choice Group - with the exception of Emeralds that are treated with colorless oils or polymers – only knowingly accepts treatments that are permanent and stable.
Why are natural gemstones treated? Most commonly used to improve the color or appearance of the finished product, some gemstones simply would not exist in salable quantities without treatment. For example, heating greenish-brown Zoisite to 600 degrees Celsius produces the popular vibrant violet-blue Tanzanite! No heating, no Tanzanite! (Please note the term “natural gemstones” refers to those formed in the earth, whether or not they have been treated after mining – this is distinctly contrasting to “cultured,” “lab created,” “man-made,” or “synthetic” gems)
Does treatment affect a gem’s value? Interestingly, in some precious and semi-precious colored gemstones there is no variation between the value of treated and untreated material. In fact, treating may even increase a gem’s value. For example, when greenish-brown Zoisite is heated to 600 degrees an incredible metamorphosis takes place. Vibrant violet-blue Tanzanite is created, commanding a far higher market price. However, high quality unheated rubies and sapphires are extremely rare, and command a much higher price than treated counterparts. When purchasing high quality rubies and sapphires, please be aware that unheated material is almost non-existent, and as a result, always purchase your gemstone from a reliable supplier who can guarantee these gemstones, or have the seller’s claims verified by a qualified gemstone expert (preferably a Certified Gemologist). For most people, treatments are a godsend, as they make more expensive and rare gemstones more affordable and available!
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What gemstones are usually treated, and how? The following table provides the most common treatments:
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