FAQ
The pieces
What are your pieces made of?
Freshwater pearls and raw gemstones, strung by hand one piece at a time. The materials for each piece are listed in the Details section on its product page.
Are the pearls and stones real?
Yes. Every pearl is a genuine freshwater pearl and every stone is a natural gemstone. Nothing simulated, nothing plastic.
Where are your pearls and stones sourced from?
Our freshwater pearls come from across Asia, home to nearly all of the world's freshwater pearls. Our gemstones come from all over the world, each stone from wherever the earth happened to make it. We select every strand ourselves before a single piece is strung.
Why does my piece look slightly different from the photos?
Because it is. Pearls and gemstones carry their own shapes, marks, and colors, so the piece that reaches you will have its own character. Our photographs show an example of the piece, not the exact one that comes to you.
How do I find my necklace length?
You choose your length on the product page, where the options for that piece are shown before you add to cart. Some pieces come in both 16 and 18 inches, others in a single length. As a guide, 16 inches sits close at the base of the neck and 18 inches falls just below the collarbone.
Care
Can I wear my jewelry in the water?
Officially: salt water, chlorine, and pearls are not friends, and the correct advice is to take your pieces off before you swim. Honestly, we are guilty of leaving ours on. If you do the same, rinse them in fresh water afterward and let them dry fully before they go back in their pouch.
How should I care for and store my pieces?
Perfume and sunscreen first, jewelry last. Store each piece in its linen pouch, out of direct sun. The full routine lives in the Kaoua Care Guide.
Orders and shipping
When will my order ship?
Orders are prepared within 2 to 3 business days.
How long does delivery take?
It depends on the shipping option you choose. Several are offered at checkout, and each one shows its own estimated delivery time and cost before you pay. Express moves fastest, standard takes longer. Every order is sent tracked, so you can follow it from the moment it leaves us.
How much is shipping?
Rates are calculated at checkout based on your location. Shipping is free worldwide on orders over US$200.
Will I have to pay customs or import duties?
Possibly, depending on where you are. Any duties or import taxes are set by your local customs office and are the customer's responsibility. They are not included in our prices.
Returns
What is your return policy?
You have 14 days from delivery to request a return. Pieces must be unworn and in their original packaging. Pierced earrings are final sale. Once your return arrives and is inspected, your refund goes back to your original payment method within 5 to 7 business days. Full details are in our Refund & Returns policy.
What if my piece arrives damaged?
Write to hello@kaouajewels.com within 48 hours of delivery with a photo, and we will make it right.
What if my piece breaks?
Tell us. Send a photo to hello@kaouajewels.com and we will let you know what can be done. Our pieces are strung by hand and made to be kept, and we would much rather repair one than see it end up in a drawer.
The brand
Where does the conservation contribution go?
A portion of every sale goes toward coral reef conservation. Reef work is not one thing. It is restoration in one place, protection in another, research somewhere else, all of it in different waters. We put our contribution behind the people doing that work, and we will keep adding to it as Kaoua grows.
Is my order gift-ready?
Yes. Every piece arrives in its linen pouch inside our magnetic box, ready to hand over as it is. We don't currently offer written gift messages.