Pickup, Delivery, & Shipping
Shipping Policy
Processing time
Most orders ship within 3–5 business days of purchase. Because each stone is individually inspected and packaged with care, please allow extra time during periods of high demand or if your order coincides with active cutting commitments.
Domestic shipping (United States)
We currently ship within the United States only. Standard shipping is calculated at checkout. Orders over $350 ship free via standard insured mail.
Insurance and signature confirmation
Given the value and one-of-a-kind nature of our stones, shipping protection is applied based on order value:
- Orders $1000 are automatically insured for their full value and require a signature on delivery.
- Orders below that threshold ship via insured standard mail at our discretion, and we reserve the right to require a signature on any shipment regardless of value.
This protects both of us — if a package is lost or damaged in transit, the shipment is covered.
Tracking
You'll receive a confirmation email with tracking information as soon as your order ships.
Lost or damaged shipments
If your order arrives damaged or doesn't arrive at all, contact us at michael@maikurumotogems.com within 48 hours of the delivery date (or expected delivery date) so we can file a claim with the carrier and make it right.
International shipping
International shipping is available on a case-by-case basis. If you are located outside the United States and would like to purchase a stone or arrange a commission, please contact us at michael@maikurumotogems.com before placing an order. We will confirm whether international shipping is available for your location, provide a shipping quote, and discuss any applicable customs duties, import taxes, or documentation requirements. Please note that any customs duties or import fees charged by your country are the buyer's responsibility and are not included in our shipping charges.
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In-Person Pickup & Drop-Off
Maikurumoto Gems is available for in-person exchanges for clients who prefer to receive finished stones directly or who wish to drop off rough material for a custom cutting commission. All in-person meetings are by appointment only and subject to the terms below.
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Scheduling an Appointment
All in-person exchanges — whether picking up a finished stone or dropping off rough material — must be scheduled in advance. To arrange an appointment, contact us at michael@maikurumotogems.com with the following:
- Your name and, if applicable, your business name
- The nature of the exchange (pickup of a finished piece, drop-off of rough material, or both)
- Your preferred date, time, and general location
We will confirm availability and agree on a meeting location. We do not accept unscheduled drop-ins. Appointments that need to be changed or canceled should be communicated as early as possible — at least 48 hours in advance where feasible.
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Meeting Locations
We are based in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, and are available for in-person meetings throughout the state and surrounding areas. For individual clients, meetings typically take place in a mutually agreed public or semi-public location. For jewelry businesses and commercial clients, we are happy to meet at your studio, workshop, or place of business by arrangement.
Travel time and distance may affect scheduling availability. For locations outside of central Massachusetts, please inquire and we will do our best to accommodate.
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Pickup of Finished Stones
When picking up a finished stone in person:
- Full payment must be received before or at the time of pickup. For commissioned pieces, the remaining 50% balance is due before the stone changes hands.
- You will have the opportunity to inspect the finished stone at the time of exchange. Once you accept the piece and the exchange is complete, the stone is considered delivered and our return window begins at that point (see our Return & Refund Policy).
- We recommend bringing appropriate packaging or a stone box for transport. We will provide basic protective wrapping, but responsibility for the stone's safety in transport passes to you at the point of handoff.
- Please bring a valid form of identification to confirm your identity at pickup.
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Drop-Off of Client-Supplied Rough Material
We accept client-supplied rough gemstone material for custom cutting commissions, subject to the following terms:
Assessment before commitment
Not all rough material is suitable for precision cutting. Before accepting a commission on client-supplied rough, we will assess the material for cutting viability — including clarity, structural integrity, inclusions, and estimated yield. We will provide you with our honest assessment and a proposed cutting plan before any work begins. If we determine the material is not suitable for the intended cut, we will inform you and return it.
Inherent risks of cutting
Cutting and faceting gemstone rough is an irreversible process that carries inherent risks. These include, but are not limited to:
- Material loss: A portion of the rough is always consumed during cutting. Yield varies by material type, desired shape, and the characteristics of the rough itself.
- Fracture or cleavage: Some rough material contains internal fractures, inclusions, or cleavage planes that are not visible from the surface and may cause the stone to break or chip during cutting. This is a risk inherent to the material, not a result of faulty workmanship.
- Color or clarity changes: Cutting can reveal internal characteristics — inclusions, color zoning, or other features — that were not apparent in the uncut rough.
By leaving rough material with us for cutting, you acknowledge these inherent risks and agree that Maikurumoto Gems is not liable for material loss, fracture, or changes in appearance that result from characteristics present in the rough itself rather than from negligent workmanship on our part.
Care and responsibility
We treat all client-supplied material with the same care and professionalism as our own. We will make every reasonable effort to preserve the material and communicate openly if an unexpected issue arises during cutting. If a problem occurs that is within our control, we will notify you promptly and discuss options before proceeding.
Deposit
The standard 50% non-refundable deposit applies to all commissions, including those using client-supplied rough. The deposit covers design work, cutting time, and workmanship, not the material itself. The deposit is non-refundable once cutting has begun, regardless of outcome from material-inherent risks.
Return of material
If an assessment determines the material is not suitable for cutting and you choose not to proceed, we will return it to you at the time of or following our next scheduled meeting, or by insured mail at your cost if you prefer.
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For Jewelry Businesses and Commercial Clients
We welcome ongoing relationships with jewelers, designers, and other trade clients. For commercial clients with recurring needs, we are open to discussing standing arrangements, preferred scheduling, and volume terms on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out directly to begin that conversation.
Trade clients are subject to the same deposit, payment, and commission terms as individual clients unless a separate written agreement has been made.
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Contact
To schedule an appointment or discuss an in-person arrangement:
Maikurumoto Gems
michael@maikurumotogems.com
Sturbridge, MA, USA
Typical response within one business day.
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