How we earn it

Disclosure, early and in plain words

Every listing opens with a disclosure panel beside the price, never in the small print. It answers four questions:

• Natural or laboratory-grown. We sell natural stones. If we ever list a laboratory-grown stone, its name begins with the words "Laboratory-grown", in the same size and weight as the name of the gem, as trade naming rules require (the US Federal Trade Commission's Jewelry Guides, UK consumer protection law and the CIBJO nomenclature).
• Treatment. One of three statements: No treatment detected; Treated, with the treatment named (for example heated, or minor oil in an emerald); or Stated per stone, where a parcel contains both treated and untreated stones and the certificate of the stone you choose states which.
• Origin, and the basis for it. Where a stone comes from, and how we know: bought at the mine, a supplier's documentation, or a laboratory origin opinion. Where origin is not yet confirmed we say so.
• Certificate. The laboratory, report number and date, a link to verify it and, where we have it, the PDF.

Our listing system will not publish a new stone until its treatment, origin and certificate are filled in.

Certificates and how to verify them

Every stone ships with a VERDAAN (VGD) certificate: our own house document recording the stone's identity, weight, measurements, treatment disclosure and origin. It is a house certificate, not an independent laboratory report, and you can check its number on our certificate register.

For an independent opinion we arrange reports from recognised laboratories on request, including GIA, IGI, GRS, SSEF, Gübelin and AGL. Their reports are checked on the laboratory's own website; listings link straight to the checker. Where a stone is laser-inscribed, the inscription on the girdle should match the report number when viewed under a 10× loupe.

Lab-test guarantee: if an independent, accredited laboratory contradicts our certificate, we refund you in full and pay for the report.

30-day returns

Return any stone within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. Return shipping is on us: we send a prepaid, insured DHL label. Stones must be returned unset, in their original condition, with their certificate. Refunds go back to the original payment method within [[CONFIRM: e.g. 5 working days]] of the stone reaching us. Request a return from Your orders. Bespoke commissions and custom-cut stones are made to order and cannot be returned unless faulty. Full shipping and returns policy.

Insured shipping

Stones travel by DHL Express, insured for their full value until they are in your hands, with tracking from the moment they leave us. Delivery is complimentary on orders over £75. [[CONFIRM: signature required on delivery for all orders, or above a value]]. Outside the UK, import duties and taxes may be charged by your country on arrival [[CONFIRM WHETHER YOU SHIP DDP OR DAP]].

Payment

• Bank transfer, standard for high-value stones. Your stones are reserved from the moment you order. We will never change our bank details by email: confirm them by phone on +44 7513 875488 before a large transfer.
• Card, through a secure Stripe payment link with 3-D Secure.
• Prices can be shown in pounds, dollars or euros; [[CONFIRM: payment is taken in pounds sterling]].

Compliance

• Diamonds. We do not currently sell diamonds [[CONFIRM]]. Any rough diamond we offer will travel with a Kimberley Process certificate, and polished diamonds of 0.5 carat and above sold into the EU or G7 will come with the origin due-diligence evidence those countries' sanctions rules require.
• Protected materials. We do not sell ivory, tortoiseshell or coral of protected (CITES-listed) species. Any organic material is checked before it is listed, and our listing system holds back coral, ivory and tortoiseshell until that check is done.
• Anti-money laundering. [[CONFIRM: We do not accept cash. Payments come by bank transfer or card from an account in the buyer's name, and we may ask for identification on large orders.]]
• Data. Your details are used only to fulfil your order and answer your questions; see our privacy notice.

The house

VERDAAN is a trading name of The Vintage Palace Limited, registered in England and Wales, company number 16008259. Registered address: [[ADD ADDRESS]].

Trade memberships: [[ADD MEMBERSHIPS, e.g. National Association of Jewellers, Gem-A, or delete this line]]

The team: [[ADD FOUNDER NAME, PHOTO AND 120-WORD BIO]]

Our story · How we document origin · Contact