Frequently Asked Questions

Once a ready-to-wear piece is complete, we’re generally unable to make changes to the design beyond resizing. If you love a piece but are looking for a different gemstone, metal, or other design detail, we may be able to create something similar as a custom project.

Because many of our gemstones are one of a kind, we can’t always recreate a piece exactly—but we’ll work with you to find a stone with a similar color, shape, or character.

Our Customizable Settings are some of our most-loved ring designs, priced and ready to be made with the gemstone of your choice. You can choose to keep the design as is or customize details such as the accent stones, band, prong style, and more. The price shown reflects the setting as pictured; customizations that change the amount of gold, diamonds, or other materials may change the final price.

For a fully custom design, the possibilities are much more open. We can start with one of our existing designs, combine elements from a few favorites, or create something entirely new for you. We do our best work within the Porter Gulch aesthetic, but there’s plenty of room to make the design distinctly yours.

Absolutely. We create fully custom engagement rings, wedding bands, heirloom redesigns, and other one-of-a-kind pieces. We’ll guide you through the process from gemstone selection and design through the finished piece.

Explore Custom Design →

Every custom project begins with a conversation about what you’re looking for. From there, we’ll help you select or source a gemstone and refine the design. Once you’re ready to move forward, we’ll send an invoice for a 50% deposit to begin your project.

Next, we’ll create CAD images so you can see your piece and make any adjustments before it goes into production. Once you approve the final design, your piece is handcrafted by our jewelers in San Francisco. The remaining balance is due when your piece is complete.

Learn more about our Custom Design process →

Yes. Gemstone sourcing is one of our favorite parts of the process. If you don’t find the right stone within our current online collection, we can source options specifically for you through our network of trusted gemstone vendors.

We require a $300 Gemstone Sourcing Fee to begin a personalized search, $100 of which will be applied toward your purchase.

Yes. We’re happy to create a custom piece around a diamond or gemstone you already own, whether it’s an heirloom stone or one you’ve purchased elsewhere.

Because there is always some risk involved in setting a gemstone, we require a signed Release of Liability for stones not sourced by Porter Gulch. Our Outside Stone Setting Fee begins at $400, depending on the stone and project.

Absolutely. We’re happy to help you reimagine a piece of jewelry you already own into something new. We can work with your existing gemstones to create a design that feels more like you and gives them a new life.

Once we’ve selected your gemstone and finalized the preliminary design, most custom projects take approximately 4–7 weeks for CAD design and production. Gemstone sourcing typically takes 1–2 weeks, but a more extensive search may take longer and extend the overall timeline.

If you have a specific date in mind, let us know at the beginning of the process and we’ll do our best to accommodate it.

Yes. You’ll receive CAD images of your custom piece before it goes into production. This is your opportunity to review the design and request any adjustments you’d like to make.

Once you’ve approved the final CAD and your piece goes into production, we’re unable to make further design changes.

Yes. We offer both hand engraving and laser engraving to personalize your Porter Gulch piece. Hand engraving is done by a skilled local engraver and is a beautiful option for a more traditional, handcrafted finish. Laser engraving offers a clean, precise option for names, dates, initials, or short messages.

Pricing varies depending on the type and length of engraving. Please contact us for current pricing and to discuss what will work best for your piece.

We source sapphires from around the world, including Montana, Australia, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, and Nigeria. We work with a small network of trusted gemstone vendors, many of whom we’ve worked with for years, and select each stone individually for its color, cut, quality, and character.

Responsible sourcing is very important to us. We work with a small network of trusted gemstone vendors who share our commitment to transparency and responsible practices, many of whom we’ve worked with for nearly a decade.

We’re also proud to partner with Misfit Gems, whose commitment to transparency and responsible sourcing aligns closely with our own. We prioritize knowing as much as possible about where our gemstones come from and how they make their way to us.

If you have questions about the origin or sourcing of a particular stone, we’re always happy to share what we know.

Yes. We work with both natural and lab-grown diamonds and are happy to source either for your project. We select diamonds based on the needs of each design and can help you understand the options and choose what feels right for you.

We work with 14k and 18k gold in yellow, white, and rose, as well as platinum. Our ready-to-wear collection is primarily made in 14k yellow gold, which we love for its beauty and durability.

For custom projects, we’re happy to help you choose the metal that works best for your design, lifestyle, and preferences.

Yes. Gemstones in our Porter Gulch Gems collection are available to view at our Sausalito showroom by appointment.

If you’d like to see gemstones from our Misfit Gems collection, we’re happy to have them brought in for your appointment. Because these stones are held by our vendor and must be shipped to and from our showroom, our $300 Gemstone Sourcing Fee applies, $100 of which will be applied toward your purchase.

If you don’t find what you’re looking for in either collection, we’re also happy to source gemstone options specifically for you through our network of trusted vendors.

Yes. Any of our loose gemstones may be purchased on their own—there’s no requirement to pair your gemstone with a Porter Gulch setting or custom project.

We source both heated and unheated sapphires. Heat treatment is a common and widely accepted practice in the gemstone industry, used to enhance a sapphire’s natural color or clarity. A heated sapphire isn’t lower quality simply because it has been treated—in fact, many exceptional sapphires have been heated.

Unheated sapphires are rarer and can command a premium, but we believe the beauty and quality of the individual stone matter more than whether or not it has been heated. You may also see some sapphires described as “light heat,” which indicates a lower-temperature heat treatment.

We always know and disclose whether a sapphire has been heat treated, so you’ll find this information clearly noted with each stone.

Timing depends on the type of piece you’re purchasing:

• Ready-to-wear: Pieces that don’t require resizing typically ship within 1–3 business days.
• Ready-to-wear rings requiring resizing: Please allow 7–10 business days for resizing, plus approximately 2 business days for shipping.
• Customizable Settings: These pieces are made to order and typically take 4–7 weeks to complete.
• Custom Designs: Once we’ve finalized the preliminary design, please allow approximately 4–7 weeks for CAD design and production. Gemstone sourcing and the time needed to finalize your design happen before this timeline begins.

If you’re working toward a specific date, please let us know and we’ll do our best to accommodate it.

Sometimes! If you’re working with a specific deadline, please let us know as early as possible. Rush availability depends on the piece, the complexity of the project, and our current production schedule, but we’ll always do our best to accommodate your timeline.

If a custom piece isn’t possible within your timeframe, we’re happy to help you explore our ready-to-wear collection.

Yes. For Custom Design rings, we offer one complimentary resize within the first six months of receiving your ring. Clients are responsible for shipping costs to and from our studio, or you’re welcome to drop off and pick up your ring at our Sausalito showroom by appointment.

For ready-to-wear rings, one complimentary resize is included at the time of purchase so we can adjust the ring from its listed size to yours before it ships.

Any additional resizing starts at $120, with the final cost depending on the ring and how much the size needs to be adjusted.

We only offer resizing services for Porter Gulch jewelry.

We’re happy to help. You can visit our Sausalito showroom by appointment to have your finger measured, or visit a local jeweler if you’re not nearby. If you prefer to measure at home, contact us and we’ll recommend a ring sizer.

If you’re ordering a surprise engagement ring and don’t know the recipient’s size, contact us and we can help you determine the best size to order.

Our jewelry is designed in Sausalito and handcrafted in San Francisco by a small team of skilled jewelers and stone setters. We work closely with our production team throughout the process, from the first stages of fabrication through final setting and finishing.

All domestic orders ship complimentary via UPS 2-Day service and are fully insured for their value. Once your order is on its way, we’ll send you tracking information so you can follow its journey. A signature is required at delivery for all Porter Gulch shipments.

International orders are shipped via UPS Worldwide Saver. International shipping rates vary by destination and are calculated based on the country we’re shipping to. The purchaser is responsible for all duties, taxes, and import fees charged by the destination country. These fees are not included in your Porter Gulch purchase or shipping charge.

All Porter Gulch shipments require a signature at delivery. We’re happy to coordinate your ship date for a time when you’ll be available to receive your package, or we can arrange to have it held at a nearby UPS Store for secure pickup.

Yes. We currently ship to Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

International orders are final sale, and we may require additional identification before processing your order. The purchaser is responsible for all duties, taxes, and import fees.

If you don’t see your country listed, please contact us—we’re happy to confirm whether insured shipping is available to your location.

No. Duties, taxes, customs charges, and other import fees are not included in your purchase price or shipping charge. The purchaser is responsible for paying any fees assessed by the destination country.

Because import requirements and fees vary by country, we recommend checking your local regulations before placing an order. Porter Gulch is not responsible for customs fees or delays related to the customs process.

We accept returns and exchanges on eligible ready-to-wear pieces within 7 days of purchase, or within 7 days of delivery for online orders. Pieces must be unworn, unused, and in their original condition.

Returns are refunded to the original form of payment, less shipping charges and a 5% restocking fee. The restocking fee is waived for exchanges of equal or greater value.

Custom designs, customizable settings, resized rings, sale items, and international orders are final sale and cannot be returned or exchanged. Return shipping is the responsibility of the purchaser.

To begin a return or exchange, please contact us at team@portergulch.com.

All Porter Gulch shipments are fully insured for their value and require a signature at delivery. In the rare event that a package is lost or stolen in transit, we’ll work directly with our insurance provider to file a claim and guide you through any information or documentation needed from you.

If you have any concerns about your delivery, please contact us at team@portergulch.com as soon as possible.

Fine jewelry is made to be worn, but a little care will help keep it looking its best. Remove your jewelry before activities that could expose it to impact or excessive wear, such as weightlifting, gardening, or other hands-on projects.

To clean your jewelry at home, use a soft toothbrush, mild soap, and warm water to gently clean around and underneath the gemstones. We recommend using ultrasonic cleaners sparingly, as repeated vibration can loosen small stones over time.

18k gold has a higher gold content than 14k gold, making it a softer metal that can be more susceptible to scratches, dents, and changes in shape. Pieces made in 18k gold should be worn with a little extra care.

If your jewelry experiences a significant impact or you notice a gemstone rattling or feeling loose, stop wearing it and contact us so we can take a look.

Yes. We offer complimentary cleaning and inspection of Porter Gulch jewelry at our Sausalito showroom. We’ll clean your piece, check the settings and gemstones for signs of wear, and let you know if we recommend any maintenance or repairs.

Appointments are required for drop-off and pickup.

Yes. We stand behind our work and offer a one-year warranty on accent stones under 3mm. If an accent stone is lost during the first year due to normal wear, we’ll replace it at no charge. Center stones are not covered by this warranty.

Fine jewelry can require maintenance and repairs over time. Damage caused by impact, excessive wear, or other circumstances beyond normal wear and tear is not covered by the warranty, but we’re happy to repair Porter Gulch jewelry for a fee.

We recommend insuring your jewelry, particularly pieces with higher-value center stones, to protect against loss, theft, or accidental damage that isn’t covered by our warranty.

If your piece needs attention, please contact us at team@portergulch.com. We’ll take a look and let you know the recommended repair and any associated cost before moving forward.

Yes. We offer financing through Bread Pay, which allows you to split your purchase into payments over time. Available terms and eligibility are determined by Bread Pay and can be viewed during the purchasing process.

For custom projects, we also structure payment with a 50% deposit to begin your project and the remaining balance due when your piece is complete.

We accept all major credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover, as well as Apple Pay, PayPal, and Shop Pay.

Sales tax is collected where required by law and is calculated based on the shipping destination.

For international orders, any applicable duties, taxes, and import fees are the responsibility of the purchaser.

Yes. Our showroom is located in Sausalito, California, just north of the Golden Gate Bridge. You can visit us to see our ready-to-wear collection, view loose gemstones, explore customizable settings, or meet with us about a custom project.

Our showroom is open by appointment only, so please book an appointment before your visit.

Yes. If you’re not able to visit us in Sausalito, we’re happy to meet with you virtually. Virtual appointments are a great way to explore gemstones, discuss a custom project, or get help choosing the right piece.

Book a Virtual Appointment →

In addition to our Sausalito showroom, a selection of Porter Gulch jewelry is available through a small group of retail partners. Because many of our pieces are one of a kind, inventory varies by location.

Visit our Stockists page to find a retailer near you. We recommend contacting the retailer directly before visiting to confirm what they currently have available.

Yes. We work with an independent third-party appraiser and are happy to coordinate an appraisal for your Porter Gulch jewelry. Appraisals begin at $250 and provide documentation that can be used for insurance purposes.

We don’t currently buy back or resell previously purchased Porter Gulch jewelry. If you’d like to sell your piece, third-party resale platforms such as The RealReal, 1stDibs, or eBay may be an option.

If you’d rather transform your piece into something new, we’re also happy to work with you on a redesign using your existing gemstones.

We’d love to hear from you. You can reach our team at team@portergulch.com or call us at (415) 488-5880. We’ll be happy to answer questions about our jewelry, gemstones, custom designs, orders, or anything else we can help with.