| We are based in the UK, Click a flag for information on international orders. |
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What is the size stated ? The size stated on expanders, tapers, stretchers, hooks and crescents is the maximum diameter of the taper.
But, the size stated for plugs and tunnels is the diameter at which the item sits in the ear. ie: the size of your hole.
If you are buying 'double flared' plugs or tunnels, be aware that the actual diameter of the item is larger than the diameter stated. The flared part of the plug is usually 1mm - 1.5mm larger.
Go here for information on this and the other different types of ear stretching jewellery. |
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Millimeters to gauge / gauge to millimeters ?
In Europe we tend to measure our body jewellery in milllimeters. In the USA and Canada body jewellery is measured in gauge size. These ARE different!
Gauge to Millimeters.
Americans tend to use use gauge sizes, in Europe its generally millimeters
18 gauge = 1.0mm
16 gauge = 1.2mm
14 gauge = 1.6mm
12 gauge = 2.0mm
10 gauge = 2.4mm
8 gauge = 3.2mm
6 gauge = 4.0mm
4 gauge = 5.0mm
2 gauge = 6.0mm
0 gauge = 8.0mm
00 gauge = 10.0mm
000 guage = 11.0mm
after '000' inches are used.
12mm = almost 1/2 inch
13mm = just over 1/2 inch
14mm = almost 9/16 inch
15mm = almost 19/32 inch
16mm = 5/8 inch
17mm = almost 11/16 inch
18mm = just over 11/16 inch
19mm = 3/4 inch
20mm = 25/32 inch
21mm = just over 13/16 inch
22mm = almost 7/8 inch
23mm = 29/32 inch
24mm = just over 15/16 inch
25mm = almost 1 inch
26mm = just over an inch
28mm = almost 1 1/8 inch
30mm = almost 1 1/4 inch
32mm = 1 1/4 inches
35mm = 1 3/8 inch
38mm = 1 1/2 inches
40mm = almost 1 5/8 inch
41mm = 1 5/8 inch
Gauging is another term for stretching. |
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What payment options do you offer? We accept all major credit and debit cards, as well as paypal accounts.
There are two choices.
HSBC secure Epayments. You can pay using your credit/debit card using HSBC secure Epayments. Once you have completed your order, you are directed to the HSBC website where your card details are taken on a fully encrypted SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) page, with up-to-the-minute security features from both Verified by Visa and MasterCard® SecureCode.
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PaypalWe also accept payment via Paypal. You can pay using your paypal account, or your credit/debit card. Once you have completed your order, you are directed to the Paypal website where your account details or card details are taken on Paypals website. PayPal automatically encrypts your confidential information in transit using the Secure Sockets Layer protocol (SSL) with an encryption key length of 128-bits (the highest level commercially available).
Safe shopping online
Wherever you shop on the internet, you must always make sure you are on a SSL page before you enter your card details. There are two ways to check you are on a SSL page.
1. The URL (web address) in your browser should begin with https://www...
Normal webpages begin with http://www... the extra 's' shows you are on a secure page.
2. Also, your browser will indicate that you are on a SSL page by displaying the 'yellow padlock' symbol. This is usually displayed in the bottom right hand corner of the screen, but also sometimes at the top of the browser window.
Once you are on a SSL page, you know its encrypted and safe to enter your card details. This is in fact, safer than ordering over the telephone, or even at a store. |
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I cant find anything in my size ! Have you used our 'seach by size' facility? Choose your size and this will show a thumbnail of every item we have in that size ! Easy. |  |
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What are the different types of ear stretching jewellery ? Double Flared ? 2-piece threaded ? Whats it all about?
For a description of the different types of Ear Stretching Jewellery, go here |
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I didnt receive a confirmation email from you. Our website will generate an automatic receipt email for your order, but you must return to our website once you have completed payment at HSBC or Paypal in order to trigger the receipt.
There is a 'return to merchant' button, on the final HSBC and Paypal payment pages, press this for your receipt.
If you forgot to do this... dont worry, as long as you have a receipt email from Paypal, stating that you have made a payment to 'Arka' or you saw the confirmation page at HSBC then we will have received your order.
You will receive a further email from us, telling you when your order has been posted. |
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My order hasnt arrived All our orders are posted out within 2 working days, or you will be emailed with a reason why not and the option to cancel the order.
Please check you have given us the correct address and postcode (on your receipt email).
We will send you an email the day your order is shipped. Please check your delivery schedule. (see bottom of this page). If your order has not arrived within the maximum time for your destination, please send us an email. |
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My pair doesnt match But did you buy them at the same time? We've had people buying one piece, then the next week buying another, and then complaing that they dont match. All the horn, bone and dichroic glass is handmade.. every piece is slightly different. When people order a pair we go through the stock and pick out a nice matching pair.. If we cant make a good pair we let you know. If you order one piece and then another we obviously cant match them.
If you want a pair, please order a pair together! |
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The item is listed in the size i want, but the choice is not available ? If the size you want is listed in the item description, but is not available as a choice to order, then that size is temporarily out of stock. Please check back in a week or so. Unlike other companies we only allow you to order what we have on the shelf, ready to go out. |
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Are the prices stated for Pairs ? No. They're cheap enough already ! All our items are listed and priced individually, not in pairs. (unless very clearly stated otherwise) If you want a pair then order two. If the item is left or right handed, you will be offered the choice. |
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Does the price include VAT / sales tax? The price you see is the price you pay.
Any VAT or 'sales tax' due is included in the price already. We are registered for VAT in the UK. Our VAT Registration number is GB 947 4621 00. If you are a business that requires a VAT invoice please email us when you make your order.
Orders outside the European Union are subject to a surcharge for the time spent dealing with International Post, this is also included in the price you see. |
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How do i get these double flared plugs in ? Try a bit of Olive Oil on the plug or tunnel, it really helps. Bear in mind that double flared plugs are not to be worn in a fresh stretch. Please read more about double flared plugs and tunnels |
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If i stretch my ear will it shrink back? The answer to this depends on lots of factors.
Generally though, holes of up to about 6mm or 8mm, and even sometimes as large as 10mm, will shrink back down to normal piecing size. (Given enough time)
The factors that affect this are;
How quickly you stretched up... too fast is bad as you can build up scar tissue that might not stretch back down.
How long you rest between each stretch... same reasons as above
Your skin elasticity... everyone is different.
So, unfortunately, there is no definite answer, everybodys ears react differently to stretching.
Ear stretching is a permanant body modification and as such should be taken seriously. Some Body modders would say if youre already thinking about shrinking your holes, dont bother stretching in the first place. In any case, dont rely on the fact that the holes will disappear.. they may not.
Read our Ear stretching Information Page
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You have sent me the wrong size ! If your item is surgical steel, titanium, acrylic or stone, then the size should be correct. The size stated is the point at which the jewellery should sit in the ear. Ie the size of your hole. You may need a 'vernier gauge' to check this properly. Please note that for double flared items the 'lip' will be about 1.5mm wider than the size stated. See this info on double flared plugs.
If after checking this, your sure we have sent you the wrong size, get back to us asap, and we'll replace it for you.
If your item is hand made... carved horn or wood... or blown glass... then please allow a little variation in size and design. Items stated 'hand carved' are genuinely that. We buy direct from the carvers in their village in Indonesia. Hand made items all vary slightly. The size should be no more than 0.5mm bigger or smaller than what is stated. If it is, please get in touch for a replacement. |
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Where does the horn and bone in your products come from? The horn and bone used in our jewellery comes from water buffalo farmed in Asia. The animals are reared and killed for their meat. The horn and bone are a by-product of the farming industry. If the bones and horn were not used for carving, they would be discarded. All these items are handcarved in rural communities in Indonesia. The prices are set by the suppliers, and the carvers are very pleased to have the trade. The carvers come from families of hand carvers who have homed their skills over many generations.
'Organic' materials allow the ear lobe to 'breathe'. Some people find that wearing steel, acrylic or glass can make the lobe a bit smelly.. (nice) Wearing horn, bone and wooden jewellery definately helps with this, which is why some stretchers promote 'organics' as the best material to use for long term primary use, but its all a matter of taste really. |
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Currency Conversion... Dollars, Euros, etc
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 | Our Green Policy Since 1st Jan 2008 for post and packing we have used;
Bio degradable Jiffy envelopes
100% bio-degradable and made from 75% recycled materials (the rest from sustainable sources) and are tough enough to be re-used many times. We used to use the cheaper 'mail lite' air padded envelopes.The plastic in these is not bio-degradable.
Bio degradable bubblewrap
Made fron Sancell bio-degradable film. We used to use standard bubble wrap, which is not bio-degradable. As our business grew, we realised how much of this stuff we were using, and started thinking... "this is all just going in the ground." Even if the envelopes and bubble wrap we use now, do just go straight in the ground, without being re-used, they will quickly bio-degrade.
Invoices on recycled paper
Our paper is made from 100% recycled material. We used to use budget printer paper. This came from 'sustainable forests' but whichever way you look at it, its got to be better to use recycled paper. We also stopped using invoices with 'peel off' address labels, as we were left with lots of the plastic coated backing, from the labels. These were not recyclable or bio-degradable.
Other packaging
Delicate items will be bubble wrapped inside a section of strong cardboard tube.
Website Hosting
Our website is hosted by Memset. Memset is the first provider of Web hosting servers and solutions in the UK to become carbon neutral. This accreditation by The CarbonNeutral Company acknowledges that Memset has committed to minimising its energy usage and to offsetting its unavoidable carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by supporting a Plan Vivo reforestation project in Uganda.
We're commited to being as environmentally friendly as possible.
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Do you ship to my country ? Yes, We probably do.
We ship to most countries in the world. During checkout you will be asked for the destination country. Please choose your country from the dropdown menu. If your country is not there, please email us.
The postage costs and times to the different parts of the world are listed below. |
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 | Orders within Great Britain All prices are in British pounds.
All sizes are in millimeters.
Orders under £30 go standard first class.
Orders over £30 post is by recorded delivery (signed for)...unless otherwise requested at checkout.
Postage costs £1.20 inc bio-degradable packing. (see our green policy above)
You will normally receive your order within 2-5 working days.
Please allow up to 7 working days.
If recorded delivery is not convienient for you, you can request standard first class during the checkout, please ask for this at the 'delivery instructions' box.
You can request a different delivery address from the invoice address if you like...ie: have it delivered to your work.
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 | Orders within the European Union All prices are displayed in United Kingdom Pounds GBP
If you need to see the price in a different currency, click this;
Currency converter Dollar/Euro :
All sizes are in millimeters, to find the equivalent gauge size.. go here
Postage to the EU costs £2.00 (about 2.00 EUR)
Orders under £30 go 'Royal Mail Airmail'
This service usually takes 3 - 5 working days.
Please allow up to 7 working days.
Orders over £30 are sent 'Royal Mail International Signed for Airmail'. Someone will need to sign for the packet on delivery.
This service usually takes 3 - 5 working days.
Please allow up to 7 working days.
We use 100% bio-degradable packaging. (see our green policy)
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 | Orders to USA, Canada, Australia and the rest of the world All prices are displayed in United Kingdom Pounds GBP
If you need to see the price in a different currency, click this;
Currency converter Dollar/Euro :
All sizes are in millimeters, to find the equivalent gauge size.. go here
The USA, Canada, Australia and Rest of the World.
Postage costs £2.50 (3.70 USD, 5.20 AUD)
Orders under £30 go 'Royal Mail Airmail'
This service usually takes 4 - 7 working days.
Please allow up to 12 working days.
Orders over £30 are sent 'Royal Mail International Signed for Airmail'. Someone will need to sign for the packet on delivery.
This service usually takes 4 - 7 working days.
Please allow up to 12 working days.
We use 100% bio-degradable packaging. (see our green policy)
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