Frequently Asked Questions

ORDERING - EHDesigns is a one-of-a-kind collection and each piece ships immediately. For any questions, please contact us at info@ellenhoffmandesigns.com.

ORDER PROCEDURE - After your order is placed, you will receive an email confirming your order. If you do not receive this within 24 hours, please contact us at info@ellenhoffmandesigns.com and we will respond the next business day. After the order is shipped, you will receive a second email with the tracking number.

REPAIRS OR REPLACEMENTS - Please contact us at info@ellenhoffmandesigns.com concerning the repair or replacement of a piece. Our ability to repair a broken stone depends on the availability of the material.

CUSTOM ORDERS - EHDesigns is happy to speak with you about a custom order piece. Please contact us at info@ellenhoffmandesigns.com to begin the discussion.

DEFINITION OF TERMS:

Vintage - If the pieces making up the item are more than 20 but less than 100 years old, they fall in the category of Vintage. Vintage items often have a distinct look or patina that can’t be found in new pieces.

Antique - If the pieces making up the item are over 100 years old, it falls in the category of Antique. An antique is an item that is desirable because of its age, beauty, rarity, condition, or unique features.

Ancient - This is a term used to describe pieces from former ages, periods in history before the Middle Ages. 

Thai Flower Money - These 400-600 year old silver ingots are extremely rare coins from the Kingdom of Lanna, in Northern Thailand. The front of the silver ingot symbolizes flowers and the back raindrops. Each ingot is cast separately and no two are alike.

Ancient Roman Glass - The ancient Roman glass used by EHDesigns is 1500-1800 years old, 4th - 7th centuries, found mainly in Israel and Afghanistan, but throughout the world wherever the Romans lived. These broken pieces of vases and jewelry left by the Romans are found in the ground. After centuries of being buried, a process of oxidation forms a layer of iridescent patina on the glass. In general, any holes drilled in the glass are from modern times.

Bactrian - Bactria was an ancient region in Central Asia that flourished 2000-4000 years ago. The ancient Bactrian carnelian used in the collections of EHDesigns is from 2500~2000 BC to 300 BC. After centuries of being buried, a process of oxidation occurs, changing and muting the color of the carnelian.

Pyu Gold - This rare excavated high-karat gold comes from the Pyu city states, 6-10th century A.D. The Pyu city states existed in present-day Burma (Myanmar). The gold pieces are in a myriad of small shapes and sizes.

Elegant Boulder Opal - Elegant boulder opal, also known as precious boulder opal, has a play of color caused when light diffracts into a spectrum of colors through ordered micro-silica spheres. Precious boulder opal is only found in Queensland, Australia and forms in cracks or as coatings on the surface of sandstone or ironstone boulders causing a striking display of color.

Keshi Pearls - Keshi pearls are a gorgeous by-product of the pearl culturing process. These pearls are solid nacre, usually small in size and usually highly lustrous. They come in every pearl type: Akoya, Tahitian, freshwater, and South Sea. Keishi pearls have irregular shapes and are not found in large quantities.