Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the difference between by piece and by weight pricing?

Is your product sterling silver?

How does your back order system work?

How do I return product or file a claim?

How do I care for my product?

What is Vermeil silver?  How is it made?

What is the expected delivery time?  And, how far in advance should I place my order to get it when I need it?

What is the minimum order?

How does your pricing work for discounts?

What is anti-tarnish coating?

How is the tri-color chain made?  And, what materials are used?

Where does the product come from?

How are International orders handled?  What are the terms of payment?

How do you handle shipping?  How much will it cost?

What mark-up should I use for silver?

How is your display package priced?  What is the 50% off Offer?

 

     What is the difference between by piece and  
    by weight pricing?

Most precious metal jewelry can be purchased by weight (gram).  However, for customers who are not familiar with purchasing by weight, we offer all of our items by the piece or pair.  The following information will help you evaluate which purchasing method to use when placing your order.

 

First, by piece prices are calculated estimates, whereas by weight prices reflect the actual cost of the item.  In the by weight model, the wholesale price is calculated based on three variables: the item’s weight (because of the nature of jewelry manufacturing, the same item can vary by as much as 10% in weight each time it's made); cost of the precious metal and the cost of the foreign currency.  All of these variables are used to determine an exact price per gram, which is then multiplied by the exact weight of the item(s) to get an exact price for the item(s).

 

In the by piece or pair model, the weight of the item is estimated at its highest potential weight.  Also we must project the metal and currency market into the future.  Hence buying by piece is a calculated estimate.

 

Here are some pros and cons to buying by piece.

 

Pros –

a.      No price fluctuations unless there are very severe market changes in metal and or currency.

b.      In most instances it’s quicker to receive and price incoming shipments.  Exception, in the event you were to receive a large amount of one item and it needed to be counted it would take longer than just weighing the items to verify the billed weight.

c.      No extra equipment needed.  You must have a gram scale to purchase by weight.

Cons –

a.      You have the potential to buy the product for less than the listed per piece prices due to favorable market conditions.  However, the alternative is true; you could pay more due to unfavorable markets.

Regardless of which method you choose, Azur Global Imports has some of the most competitive prices in the industry.  If you decide to purchase by weight, most of Azur's Sterling Silver and Gold jewelry is available for purchase by the gram.

 

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      Is your product sterling silver?

All of our Silver Jewelry is solid Sterling Silver, the international mark for which is 925.  This means that the sterling silver has a purity of 92.5%.  Consistent with the industry, the remaining 7.5% of our silver is composed of copper, bronze & zinc.

 

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How does your back order system work?

We have a computerized back order system to ensure that priority is given to back orders for an item before a new order for that item is filled.  You can decide whether to take advantage of this system and receive your back orders.  Because our inventory is fully computerized we have the ability to quickly spot and/or anticipate inventory shortages and restock.  We receive deliveries from our factories weekly.  Therefore, customers that use our back order system are more likely to receive 100% of their order.

 

As indicated, you are able to choose whether or not you want back orders.  If you do not indicate your preference, we will automatically back order items if the total amount of the items meet our minimum of $40.  Special larger minimums can be arranged.

 

Back orders will be shipped as soon as the back ordered items are received.  Back orders will be subject to market prices at the time of shipping. UPS shipping charges will also be applied to back orders.  On occasion back orders can take longer.  We will notify you if your back order is over 60 days.  At this time you may decide whether you wish to maintain the back order or cancel it.   

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How do I return product or file a claim? 

Your satisfaction is of the utmost importance to us.  We strive to provide the highest quality product and service available in the industry.  (To view our warranty, click here.)  However, in the unlikely event that you are not satisfied with your product, or there is a discrepancy in the quantity received, you must file a claim within 10 days of the invoice.  All returns must be done within 30 days of the invoice.  To begin the return process, contact us at 800-447-4583; you will need the invoice number from which the item was billed and the reason for the return.  We will issue you a Return Authorization Number (RAN).  When you ship the product back to us, mark the outside of the box to the attention of “Returns”.  Inside the package please include a packing list of all the items being returned, and reference the RAN #, the invoice(s) # on which you originally received the item(s) and the reason for your return.

 

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How do I care for my product?

There are some guidelines for the proper care of your silver product, as silver will eventually tarnish over time.  To view complete care instructions, click here. 

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What is Vermeil silver?  How is it made?

Vermeil is a process of plating gold over sterling silver (French word for gilded silver).  Our vermeil jewelry is electroplated with 22K gold over sterling silver (925).  The plating is measured as in either mils or in microns.  Our vermeil is 40 mils.  We offer a small selection of vermeil as in-stock, catalog items.  However, most of our jewelry can be specially ordered in Vermeil, (click here for the required minimum qty).

 

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     What is the expected delivery time?  And how
    far in advance should I place my order to get it
    when I need it?

          We usually ship all orders within 72 hours via UPS
          Ground, unless otherwise specified.  During the 
          holidays, we may not be able to guarantee 72 hour 
          turnaround, but will get your order out as soon as 
          possible. Please call our office at 800-447-4583 for 
          an estimate. If you have a rush situation, we will do
          our best to accommodate it. Because we keep one
          of the largest inventories in the industry, we are able
          to fulfill most orders to an average of 80% 
          completion with in 72 hours.  Items that are not
          in stock may be back ordered
          (click here to view back order policy).

If you have the luxury of pre-planning your purchasing we recommend 4 to 5 weeks lead time.  This will help ensure that you will receive all items in one shipment and by the date you need it.

 

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What is the minimum order?

     For domestic orders:
     If you purchase by piece, the minimum order is $60.  
    
     If you purchase by weight, the minimum order 
     is between $75-1000 depending on your estimated 
     buying volume. This minimum is established and
     conveyed at the time you register or an Azur
     representative opens your account.   
    
     Please be advised, your first order at www.azur1.com
     is subject to a slightly higher minimum than orders
     that follow. This first time minimum is also stated at
     the time of registration.

     Accounts wishing to buy on credit (using Azur’s
     credit line) are subject to a minimum order of $100.

For international orders:

Minimum order of $350.

For further details on international orders please see How are international orders handled. 

     Azur Global Imports periodically reviews our pricing
     and minimum order policy. Azur reserves the right to
     change minimum order amounts at any time.

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How does your pricing work for discounts?

Our pricing discounts are based on the quantity of your purchase.  You are eligible for standard discounts, in the following price categories, if you purchase over a certain dollar amount.  This website will automatically price your order(s) following the standard discounts schedule listed here below:

 

·         If you buy by piece and purchase over $200 worth of merchandise, you will receive an automatic 10%*¹ discount. 

·         If you buy by piece and purchase over $500 worth of merchandise, you will receive an automatic 20%*¹ discount.

·         If you are a 1K customer that buys by weight and purchase over $250, you will receive an automatic 10%*¹ discount.

·         Other price codes that purchase by weight are not subject to automatic discounts. Instead, discounts are built into their pricing structure based on their volume purchases.     

·        Register and log in to determine the discounts that you qualify for.

*¹All items will count towards you total, but not all items are discounted.  Items not discounted: displays, 14K Gold, Winter Gold/Silver and Close-Outs.

 

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What is anti-tarnishing?

Anti-tarnish coating is a plating process that puts a barrier on silver to extend the product’s shelf life.  The coating is non-toxic and hypoallergenic.  This process is intended to help the merchant keep the silver jewelry clean longer and is not intended for the consumer.  While the coating will extend shelf life (2 to 3 times as long), it does not guarantee that the silver will not eventually tarnish.

 

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     How is the tri-color chain made?  And what
    materials are in tri-color chain?

Tri-color silver is created by electroplating different shades of gold over sterling silver (.925).  Ddifferent shades of gold are achieved through alloying process using copper, bronze and other metals.  In tri-color silver, two shades of gold Rose and Yellow are electroplated over the silver to achieve this look.

 

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Where does the product come from?

Azur Global Imports offers the highest quality of fine sterling silver and gold.  In order to ensure top quality and value, we import directly from only trusted sources that we have established over the last 20 years.  Most of our chains are imported from Italy.  In some instances we take advantage of the comparable quality and lower prices offered through manufacturers from India.  Our natural stone pendants and diamond cut charms are manufactured in the United States.  The Cubic Zirconium pendant line is imported from China. 

 

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How are international orders handled? And terms of payment?

All international orders are subject to a $350 minimum.  For international orders, we accept payment via Verified International Paypal. All funds must be in US$. 

 

For shipping couriers, we highly recommend the use of two UPS service levels, “Express” or “Expedited”.  In the cost of freight UPS will act as your broker, providing all documentation necessary to clear your shipment through your country’s customs.  You save on the fee to hire a customs broker (US$100-$150) and through UPS' relationship with the local agency the shipment get cleared quicker.  This makes receiving the shipment cheaper and faster.

 

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How do you handle shipping?  How much will it cost?

All domestic shipments with the exception of those sent to Alaska, Hawaii or United States Territories will be shipped via UPS.  If you live in one of these excepted areas, please call and we will arrange an alternate shipping method.  Shipping costs will be estimated by this website using UPS shipping tables.  All shipping costs will be approximates.  Actual shipping costs will be calculated based on the weight of your completed order.  Arrangements can be made with larger purveyors for the use of their own shipping accounts.  Shipments are packaged so that every item can be easily identified and cross-referenced to the invoice.

 

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What mark-up should I use for silver?

In the Jewelry Industry mark-ups is often referred to as “Keystone” and “Keys”.  Keystone means 100% mark-up! The word "Keys" is used to describe a mark-up greater than 100%.  Although it is up to the merchant to determine the appropriate mark-up, we offer some suggestions here below:  

For items costing:

·         under $1.50:          5 keys

·         under $10.00:        3.5 – 4 keys

·         under $25.00:        3 keys

·         under $50.00:        2.5 keys

·         Greater Than $50    2 keys

These mark-ups are purely suggestions, based on industry averages.  All retail prices are market driven.  We are not responsible for your results.

 

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      How is your display package priced?  What is  
     the 50% off Offer? 

In order to assist merchants in displaying and selling our product, we offer the CD-200 display merchandiser.  When you purchase $750 worth of product at wholesale either as a pre-pack or at your own choosing, you will receive 50% off the cost of the CD-200 display. The CD-200 is regularly priced at $280. The discount applies to the cost of the display and does not include freight.

 

 

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