FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Transparency & Value: Decoding Our Pricing
"Price is what you pay. Value is what you get."
At Atelier Paulin, we choose not to hide the economic reality behind our creations. Here is why our jewelry costs what it costs.
I. The Economy of the Unique Gesture vs. Mass Production
The Cost of Rarity: Why "Handmade" Has a Price
In standard industry practices, jewelry is cast in thousands of identical copies to split costs. At Atelier Paulin, we refuse this logic.
The Requirement of Training: Our technique of shaping a single wire of precious metal cannot be learned in school. We must train every artisan in-house for a minimum of 6 months before they can create a market-ready piece. This cost of training and excellence is integrated into the value of every item.
Emotional Value: Beyond the metal, you are investing in a piece with meaning. Because it is shaped by hand specifically for you, every jewel is personal and unique. It captures an emotion, a name, a story. It is this extra "soul"—impossible to reproduce industrially—that constitutes the true value of our creations.
No Economies of Scale: Every piece is made specifically on demand. There is no dormant stock, but neither is there automation. A personalized bracelet requires the same intense concentration and time, whether it is the first or the thousandth one made. You are paying for this incompressible, qualified human time, located right here in Paris.
II. The Technical Reality: Beyond Just "Gold"
Why our metals justify a higher investment
Appearance can be deceiving, but durability does not lie. A large part of your jewelry's price resides in the actual quantity and quality of the gold used.
14k Gold-Filled: Unlike simple "gold plating" (a tiny layer deposited by electrolysis that fades away), our Gold-Filled metal is obtained by mechanical heat compression.
Result: A layer of gold up to 100 times thicker than standard plating. This allows your jewelry to resist water and daily life, where costume jewelry would tarnish in a few months.
We work exclusively with certified noble metals:
- 18k Gold (750/1000): The gold standard of fine jewelry.
- 14k Gold-Filled (585/1000): The perfect alliance between durability and accessibility.
- Sterling Silver (925): The purest massive silver used in jewelry.
III. Responsible Commitment Has a Cost (That We Assume)
Refusing "Fast-Jewelry"
A low price often hides a high social or environmental cost elsewhere. Our pricing structure includes strong ethical choices ensuring your gift is as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside.
- Exceptional After-Sales Service: Because life is made of movement, we ensure the longevity of your jewelry despite life's little accidents. Our Parisian atelier is always there to repair, reshape, or revive your piece, ensuring it stays with you for the long run.
- Zero Waste - Full Recycling: We throw nothing away. All of our precious metal scraps are recycled. Likewise, damaged jewelry that cannot be repaired is melted down to be reborn. You pay for material that never loses its value.
- Local Production in Paris: We maintain our jobs and know-how in France, with the social and wage costs that this implies, out of conviction.
- Certified European Packaging: Your jewelry is delivered in a box made in Europe, FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified. We pay more for these materials to guarantee sustainable forest management and reduce our carbon footprint.
REAL LUXURY IS WHAT LASTS.
By choosing Atelier Paulin, you are not buying a consumer object. You are investing in a meaningful piece of craftsmanship, designed to travel through time and tell your story.
CREATE MY UNIQUE PIECE
How do I get my jewelry repaired? Is it under warranty?
Our artisans put their heart into hand-shaping your jewelry. These remain delicate, handcrafted pieces, however.
All our jewelry is covered by the legal warranties for conformity and against hidden defects. In addition, we offer a commercial warranty:
• 18k gold (750/1000): 10 years from the date of purchase, covering manufacturing or material defects.
• 14k gold-filled and sterling silver 925: 1 year from the date of purchase. The shine of the 14k gold-filled, however, is guaranteed for life.
• Reshaping and cleaning: free, regardless of the age of the piece. Sterling silver 925 and 18k gold can be re-soldered upon quote; 14k gold-filled cannot be re-soldered: a clean break is remade from scratch, at half the original price outside of warranty. A cord can be replaced for $25.
Not covered: damage related to inappropriate use, impact or accident, as well as rhodium plating, setting, and cord wear.
For any repair, please fill out our online repair request form
What are the shipping methods and delivery times?
Please note that the delivery time does not include the time it takes to handcraft your jewelry.
- Delivery within the contiguous United States is handled by our carrier and typically takes 2 business days.
- Delivery to Canada and internationally is handled via DHL Express, arriving within 24 to 72 hours depending on the country.
To receive your order as quickly as possible, we recommend providing an address where someone is present during daytime hours, or making sure someone can receive the package on your behalf. We are unable to take responsibility for a lost package once it has been marked as delivered by the carrier.
DHL: If you are not present at the time of delivery, the carrier will attempt delivery again the following business day. If no one is available for the second delivery attempt, you can pick up your package at a DHL sorting center within 15 days before it is returned to our atelier. Follow the instructions on the DHL delivery notice left in your mailbox.
Handcrafting time
Our pieces are shipped directly from our atelier in Paris. Our artisans hand-shape and ship your 14k gold-filled and sterling silver jewelry within 1 to 3 business days, and your 18k gold jewelry within 3 to 7 business days. Each piece is work-hardened, then laser micro-welded at tension points before it leaves the atelier.
What are the shipping costs for your order?
We ship worldwide, except to Russia and regions declared at risk.
Free DHL Express shipping is offered on orders over $250 within the European Union.
UNITED STATES & CANADA
- DHL Express: 2 business days, $25, duties included (DDP)
- Pickup at our Paris atelier (La Caserne – 12 Rue Philippe de Girard – 75010 Paris, France): Free.
EUROPEAN UNION
- Home delivery with signature: 2-3 business days, €12.90
- DHL Express: 1-2 business days, €19.90
REST OF THE WORLD
- DHL – International shipping: 2 business days
Africa, Asia, Europe (non-EU), Monaco – Andorra, Oceania, South America, Switzerland, United Kingdom: €24.90
Central America – Caribbean – French overseas territories: €24.90
Are customs fees and taxes applied to your order?
Atelier Paulin covers all customs duties and taxes upfront for international shipments (USA, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Japan…). The price paid at checkout is the final price: no additional fees are charged upon delivery, ensuring an experience as seamless as a local purchase.
Packaging
Each piece of jewelry is delivered in its signature Atelier Paulin case along with its warranty certificate. Gift wrapping can be requested in your shopping cart.
The Atelier Paulin Creative Studio offers you the chance to design your own custom jewelry.
Reach out to us by email to share your vision—whether it's a unique creation beyond our usual models, a special gemstone you'd like to see transformed into jewelry, or a beloved accessory you'd love to personalize.
You can also inquire about an Atelier Paulin piece that’s currently unavailable in your preferred material on our website.
How to gift an Atelier Paulin gift card?
Not sure about the right size or style for your special someone? Need a last-minute gift idea? Give the gift of choice with an Atelier Paulin Gift Card.
Our gift card is a unique code made up of letters and numbers, which the recipient can redeem anytime on our eShop. They simply enter the code during checkout, and the gift card amount will be deducted from their total. Please note that if the full amount isn’t used, the remaining balance cannot be saved for future use.
To gift a gift card:
1. Choose the amount you’d like to give and add a personalized message.
2. Choose from two delivery options:
- Print at home : Print a beautifully designed Atelier Paulin e-gift card at home to present in person.
- Send by email : Send the gift card directly to the recipient’s inbox.
Get your e-gift card and make gift-giving effortless!
How to find my order number?
A confirmation email with your order number was sent to the email address you used for the purchase. If you don’t see it in your inbox, please check your spam folder and allow a few minutes after placing your order. You can also view your order history by logging into your account. if you haven't created an account yet, you can do so using the same email address you used for the order.
How to cancel or modify my order?
If you need to modify or cancel your order, please email us within 24 hours of placing it. We strive to craft and ship orders as quickly as possible, so it may not be possible to cancel or modify your order.
Please note that personalized creations cannot be modified or canceled.
How to change my shipping address?
ITo update your shipping address, please contact us via email within 24 hours.
As we work to dispatch orders quickly, we may not be able to change the address once the shipment is processed. If your order has already shipped, you can reach out directly to the carrier for further assistance.
How to track my order?
Log into your account to track the status of your order. If you don’t have an account, you can create one using the email address linked to your order.
Once your order has been shipped, you’ll receive an email with the tracking number. If the email doesn’t arrive immediately, please wait a few minutes and try again.
What Payment Methods Are Available?
You can complete your purchase online on our website through the following methods:
- Credit/Debit Card (Visa, Mastercard, and Carte Bleue), with secure payment processing by Payplug.
- Paypal – offering the option to pay in 4 interest-free installments.
- Scalapay – pay in 3 interest-free installments, available in France, Belgium, Italy, and Germany, with secure payment processing by Stripe.
You can also use Atelier Paulin gift card for pay your order.