What is Bali Silver? 

Bali Silver is sterling silver.  It is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper.  Our pieces that are large enough, such as some clasps and our pendants, are stamped “925” on the back.Vermeil is gold over sterling silver.  The Balinese use 22K gold, which is a more yellow gold than we usually see here.  Our copper beads feature sterling silver decoration.

What makes Bali Silver different than other silver beads and jewelry?

The Balinese have perfected silversmithing to a fine art.  Although some of the Balinese beads are cast, all those with dots and swirls are completed handmade.  Each dot and each piece of wire is applied by hand, using natural glue.  It is then heated to solder the metal together.

Why are some of your beads & findings bright silver and others are duller?

The bright silver is how the piece looks when it is finished and polished.  Since many people prefer the “duller” look and because it will bring out the design in many pieces, a chemical is applied to oxidize the silver.  

How are your beads priced?

We sell our beads by the grams, instead of by the bead.  Since each bead is handmade, it may vary in size and weight.  We feel that pricing by the gram gives you a fairer and more accurate price.  Certain clasps, earwires, clasps and earwires with stones, and all our pendants and other jewelry are sold by the piece.  You will see this noted in the individual listing.We discount our prices for larger quantities.  Please see our pricing chart for details for our by the gram items.  Pieces priced by the piece will include a quantity discount price when quantities are available. 

What type of bone is used in your bone pendants and cabochons?

All of the bone is from domestic animals: cow, pig, goat, water buffalo.  The Balinese (and other Indonesians) use all of the parts of the animal.  Not much is wasted.

I can’t find a specific bead I want or I have an idea for a bead or piece of jewelry.  Will you find it or have it made for me?

Yes, we will in most cases.  If one of our suppliers doesn’t already have it or something similar, we will consider having it designed for you.  We want to be careful not to infringe on another person’s designs, just as we don’t want anyone copying those designs that we have had made.  You also need to be aware that the process can takes several months and that there are minimum orders on new designs. The best way to have a design made is to send us an actually sample.  A photo or drawing is next best.  We need very detailed information about size, in metric measurements.

Do you have a minimum order?

No.  If you want one bead or one headpin or one pair of earwires (or even one earwire), we will be happy to sell it to you.  On our quantity discounts, the weights are for mix and match beads.  For example, you can buy one each of 50 beads or you can buy 50 beads of the same design.  The price is based on the total weight of the order.

Do you have sell wholesale?

Yes.  For the beads, the wholesale price is the same as the retail.  Since most of you buying wholesale buy in larger quantities, you will get the lower prices.  Once you have established yourself as a regular customer, we will establish a lower price for you on all orders.  If you are from Washington State, we need your business name, address, and UBI number. On other items, we will negotiate a wholesale price with you, based on the number of items your are buying.  We plan to establish a wholesale catalogue in the future.

How do I order?

Choose the items and quantities that you want and type them into our order form.  If you have more than 10 items, send the first form and then add additional items to another form.  We will calculate your total and e-mail an invoice to you.  We try to ship within 48 hours of receipt of your payment (excluding weekends).  If that is not possible, we will notify you of the anticipated shipping date.  We will also notify you when your order has been shipped.

Do you have a store?

No, we don’t.  We are a small, home-based business.  In addition to our website, we sell on eBay (matursuksema) and at bead shows locally (see our show schedule on our homepage).  We will also take appointments on a limited basis.  We are happy to do trunk shows at your business or at your home in the Puget Sound area. You will receive a credit equal to 10% of your customers’ purchases.  You’ll receive the same credit if you refer customers to us, (on their initial purchase only) but please be sure one or both of you tells us it’s a referral so we can properly credit you.

Do you have a catalog?

Not yet, but we’re working on it.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes, we are happy to ship anywhere in the world. 

How do you ship?

Both domestically and internationally we use the United State Postal Service under most circumstances.  We ship First Class Mail unless you request and pay for Priority Mail.  Items over 13 ounces are automatically Priority Mail.  For very heavy orders we will work with you to determine the best method for your order, including USPS, UPS, or FedEx.  Internationally we give you the option of regular airmail or Global Priority Mail where it’s available.  On occasion we have sent order by ship at the customer’s request.

What are your shipping charges?

We charge actual postage plus $2.00 handling fee in most cases.  For large items that require extra packing, the fee may be higher.  We will tell you at time of purchase so you aren’t surprised.  We require EVERY order to be insured.  We are self-insured at the rate of $1.00 for each $50 or portion thereof of value. 

What type of payments do you accept?

We accept checks and money orders.  On international orders, we will also accept wire transfers.  We also accept credit cards, electronic checks, and international payments through PayPal. 

What is your return policy?

It’s important to us that you are happy with our products and our services.  We try to thoroughly and honestly describe the items but sometimes they aren’t what you expected.

Please contact us within 3 days of receipt and we will refund your money or replace the product.  If an item arrives broken or damaged, please e-mail us with a description of the damage, including a picture whenever possible, and we will refund your money or replace the product.

Where are your items made?

At this time, all of our items come from Bali and other islands of Indonesia, including Lombok, Flores, Alor, and Java.  We travel to Indonesia at least once a year.  We work directly with our suppliers and their workers.  While many of our suppliers are Indonesian, we also work with ex-pats who live in Indonesia and produce their designs there.  We look for suppliers who have ties to the villages, treat their workers fairly, and return something to the villages. 

How do you support Bali and the other islands?

We donate funds and goods to organizations and persons that we know are helping the villages.  For example, we work with the East Bali Poverty Project which helps villagers in isolated mountain village build and maintain schools for their child.  We also continue our support of Pondok Pekak, which has built a children’s library and provides lost cost dance and music programs for local children.