Shipping

The Way Olertis Ships Custom Jewelry — The Way Art Deserves to Be Treated

At Olertis, we take shipping each custom piece seriously. We take care of our customer’s custom pieces like we would an original piece of artwork. In the sections below, you will see exactly how we take care of each of your orders and how we ship them safely — including specific examples of how we track packages, full insurance information and how we protect your custom item in transit.

Quality Control Inspection Prior to Shipping of Each Piece

Before sending any custom piece out of our office, we complete a thorough inspection as part of our custom jewelry shipping process:

  • We check the gem setting(s), metal work, and verify that all specifications match the approved design.
  • We document and photograph the condition of the piece to establish a permanent record of its condition prior to its departure from our facility.
  • We ensure that what is shipped is identical to what was designed and approved by the customer. These records also serve to support potential insurance claims in the event of loss or damage by the shipping company.

In addition to providing protection for the customer, this process creates accountability and transparency. Many reputable jewelers consider a quality control inspection mandatory prior to declaring the value of the piece or applying for insurance.

Insuring Your Custom Jewelry — Not Just “Declaring Value”

Each custom piece we ship is covered by our eligible insured shipping plans. However, we want to provide some background on what this really means:

  • For standard customers, Federal Express (FedEx) has a declared value maximum of $1,000 per package for jewelry.
  • Olertis participates in the FedEx Declared Value Advantage Program (DVAP), which can allow declared values up to high limits (for example, $50,000–$100,000) for eligible domestic shipments, depending on account qualification and shipment type. (DVAP availability varies by account and shipment.)

Therefore, we are able to confidently declare the appropriate value of your custom jewelry pieces — not just the cost of materials — when using eligible high-value carrier programs and high-value jewelry shipping options. We do not rely solely on the standard declared-value limits provided by the carrier; instead, we opt into the carrier’s high-value shipping programs to ensure stronger protection whenever applicable. This is part of our insured jewelry shipping approach.



Shipping Options: Trusted Carriers

We only ship with top-rated carriers that support high-value shipping protocols, real-time tracking and require signatures upon delivery: Federal Express (FedEx), United Parcel Service (UPS), and Deutsche Post DHL Group (DHL). As stated earlier, we select the best carrier based on the value of the custom piece, where the piece is being sent, and the level of risk associated with shipping to that location. We balance speed and security appropriately for each shipment while maintaining standards for safe jewelry shipping.

Packaging: Protecting Your Custom Jewelry

We use double-layer packaging to protect your custom piece in transit. On the exterior of the package, we use blank, unmarked packaging that doesn’t indicate that there is a valuable item inside. This reduces the likelihood of theft or attempted theft of the package while it is en route to you.

On the interior of the package, we create a premium unboxing experience. We include a protective padded liner to prevent movement of the custom item. We include a professional jewelry box or alternative gift box. We include documentation for the custom piece (certification or order information when applicable). When you open the package, the entire experience will match the quality of the custom jewelry.

Many professional jewelers who ship high-value pieces follow the same method as Olertis to satisfy carrier and insurance requirements. This approach supports secure jewelry delivery for high-value items.

Tracking and Secure Delivery

We give you a tracking number immediately after we hand your package over to the carrier. We provide real-time updates throughout the duration of the shipment. For shipments containing a custom piece valued above the carrier’s threshold, a signature is required upon delivery. This ensures that the package is delivered directly to the intended recipient at the confirmed address — not left on the porch or in a mailbox. If needed, we can also provide additional services (at your request) such as hold-for-pickup or rescheduling delivery to accommodate your schedule while maintaining secure delivery.

Why Does It Matter? — The Risk of Under-Valued Shipments

Some customers report frequent problems when the declared value of a shipment is too low or when the shipment is treated as a regular package instead of a high-value item:

“I declared a value of $2,000 … but FedEx only insured $1,000 — then the package disappeared.”
“If a package is scanned into the system — insurance goes into effect. But if you under-declare, you’re out of luck.”

These stories illustrate the extreme importance of a systematic process for shipping custom jewelry pieces — including a pre-inspection process, accurate declaration of value, and a high-value shipping program. Using proven high-value procedures reduces risk and supports safe, reliable delivery.

What You Receive from Olertis — No Hidden Risks, No Guesswork

To summarize, when Olertis delivers your custom jewelry, you receive:

  • Insured shipping through eligible high-value jewelry shipping programs (not just default low limits).
  • Secure and discreet packaging with a premium unboxing interior.
  • Trusted carriers (FedEx, UPS, DHL) with real-time tracking.
  • Signature-required delivery for added security.
  • A pre-shipping inspection and documentation for potential insurance claims.
  • Free shipping within the U.S. (International shipping rates apply separately under the same high-value standards.)