Terms and Conditions

Our Terms & Conditions apply to all transactions made on this website & its content, purchases & orders placed in person at a retail event, all forms of commission undertaken via email or in person, all courses & talks (whether in person or via zoom) & competitions.  Please read them carefully.  Using this website, placing an order, creating an account, booking a place on a course, class or talk, attending a course, class or talk or entering a competition signifies that you agree to our terms & conditions. 

Sally Spencer reserves the right to amend or update these terms & conditions at any time, & you agree to be bound by such amendments or updates. Any changes which are made will take effect on the date they are posted on this website.

 

Disclaimers

All information issued by Sally Spencer is for the sole purpose of giving an approximate idea of the goods.

We take all reasonable care to ensure all details, descriptions & prices on this website are correct.  Occasionally there may be information on our website or in Sally’s books or classes which may contain typographical errors, inaccuracies or omissions.  We reserve the right to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions & to change or update information if any information is inaccurate at any time without prior notice.

The information given regarding the gemstones offered for sale is based on testing the gemstone using standard gemmological instruments, not laboratory equipment.  Sally Spencer shall not be liable for any differences arising from the testing of the items by another party.

While every effort has been made to describe gemstone colours, these are only a guide to be used in conjunction with the photographs (taken in daylight with daylight bulb studio lights) but colour accuracy in images cannot be guaranteed due to different computer monitors & browsers.

Many of the loose gemstones have been cut by hand & may not always be symmetrical.

Gemstone information regarding possible suitable uses for the stone & details of their hardness & physical properties are a generalisation for all gemstones within that variety & will not apply exactly to every gemstone within that variety, for example, if a gemstone has any internal or surface reaching fractures, this may influence its durability which would not fit the generic species’ properties.  Care should always be taken when handling & setting stones, regardless of their hardness & physical properties.

Please note that items are not shown to scale in the photographs.  Approximate dimensions & weights are included in each individual description.

We are not responsible if information made available on this website is not accurate, complete or current.  The material on this website is provided for general information only & should not be relied upon or used as the sole basis for making decisions without consulting primary, more accurate, more complete or more timely sources of information.  Any reliance on the material on this website is at your own risk.

We reserve the right, but are not obligated, to limit the sales of products or services to any person, geographic region or jurisdiction.  We may exercise this right on a case-by-case basis.  All descriptions of products or product pricing are subject to change at any time without notice, at our sole discretion.

Any ambiguities in the interpretation of these terms & conditions shall not be construed against the drafting party.

 

Prices

VAT at the current rate of 20% is included within all the prices displayed on this website, at retail events & in any quotations given for commissioned work.  The currency of this website is British Pounds Sterling.

 

Orders

When purchasing loose gemstones from this website, you will receive the items shown in the photographs, unless specifically detailed in the description. 

Online orders are accepted at Sally Spencer's sole discretion & there is no contract between us until we confirm by email.  If an order cannot be accepted, you will be notified, & any payments refunded in full, as soon as possible.  Non acceptance of an order is unlikely but may happen if a gemstone has been sold to another customer at a retail event, we do not deliver to your region or country, identification of a pricing or product description error on the website occurs, a discount code is used incorrectly or due to our inability to obtain authorisation for your payment.

Orders must be paid for in full, in advance, including any postage costs.

 

Payment

Our secure online payment systems for orders, course bookings & talks placed via this website are Paypal or Stripe.

Once payment has been authorised, you will receive notification of your order or booking via email, however, online orders & bookings are accepted at Sally Spencer's sole discretion & there is no contract between us until we confirm by email.

Payment at retail events will be via secure mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) company, SumUp.

Payment may also be made via bank transfer if preferred.

 

Dispatch

Loose gemstones & copies of the book are usually dispatched within 2 to 3 working days of order confirmation, but at busy times this could be up to a maximum of 7 working days from order confirmation.  In the unlikely event that your order is delayed we will contact you with an alternative dispatch time & the option to cancel your order. 

If you require your order for a specific date, then we will do our best to accommodate your requirements but cannot be held responsible if the item is not received in time.

 

Packaging

All purchases are sent packed to ensure they arrive safely. 

 

Delivery

United Kingdom

All gemstone orders can be sent by Royal Mail First Class Signed For service or Royal Mail Special Delivery (fully insured) – both services are tracked & will require a signature upon delivery.

We offer free postage & packing on copies of the book sent within the UK.

If your order has not arrived when indicated or is damaged or faulty in any way you must contact us immediately. 

The rest of the world

We currently only ship copies of the book overseas (not loose gemstones).  Please note that we are not responsible for any customs or import fees or taxes.

Details of the subsidised, fully tracked delivery options available for each country are shown under the delivery option at checkout.

International customers are responsible for tracking their parcels.  If the parcel has not arrived by the estimated delivery date, you must notify us within 3 days of that date to be eligible for a loss claim with the shipping company.  Outside that time, it is not possible to claim for a lost parcel.

 

Returns/refunds

We want you to be happy with your purchase of loose gemstones but in the unlikely event that you are not happy with your online purchase we will accept return of loose gemstones within 14 days of purchasing for a full refund (minus the cost of any postage) provided the goods are returned in their original packaging & in the condition sent. Refunds will be made on the original payment method once the goods are received & inspected by us.

Items bought in person at a retail event can only be returned for exchange or Credit Note.

Please contact us prior to returning any goods by emailing [email protected]. Items must be returned using a secure delivery service (such as Royal Mail Special Delivery) insured to the full value of the goods & sent to the address you will be given in our email acknowledging your return request. We are not responsible for the delivery cost of returned items or for any loss or damage of items being returned for refund.

We reserve the right to charge for goods returned in a condition unsuitable for resale.

Faulty or damaged items or incorrectly sent items

Faulty or damaged items or incorrectly sent items can be returned.  Please check goods on delivery & notify us by email within 7 working days of receipt - after this time, we have no liability for goods said to be damaged on delivery. 

Items must be returned using a secure delivery service (such as Royal Mail Special Delivery Service) insured to the full value of the goods & sent to the address you will be given in our email acknowledging your return request.

A full refund will be given upon their return which must be within 30 days of delivery.

Refunds will be made on the original payment method once the goods are received by us & will include the cost of return postage. 

Distance Selling Regulations

If your order has been confirmed, but you have not yet received the items, you can change or cancel your order by emailing us.

If your order has already been dispatched, you have the right to cancel your order up to 14 days after your order has been delivered, without giving a reason.  Once you have emailed us to advise us of your intention to cancel your order, you then have 14 days to return the goods, at your own expense, to the address given upon receipt of your cancellation email.  Goods should be returned in their original packaging & in the condition sent.  A full refund, inclusive of postage & packaging costs will be made on the original payment method within 14 days of receiving the goods back.

 

Course Booking (other than live zoom classes, see below)

When booking a course directly with Sally, you may securely pay for the course through the website (see Payment section above). 

Course Cancellations

There are conditions around cancellations that have an impact on other students & our business.  Please familiarise yourself with our terms of cancellation below before booking your course.

Cancellation by student

If you need to cancel your booking, please let us know as soon as possible.  Your booking will be considered as cancelled from the time at which you inform us of your wish to cancel.

If you cancel your booking more than one calendar month before the start of the course the course fee will be refunded in full, or the monies may be used towards another course.

If you cancel your booking within one calendar month of the start of the course, we will attempt to re-sell your place. If we are successful then you may transfer to another class of the same or greater value, if not then we regret that any fees paid will not be transferable or refundable. You may substitute someone else to attend in your place, with prior agreement.  

For classes that run over more than one session, it is the responsibility of the student to ensure they can commit to all dates listed on their course booking as unfortunately there will be no opportunity to make up missed classes.

Cancellation by Sally Spencer

Occasionally we may need to cancel a course due to low enrolment.  We will give you at least two weeks’ notice where possible.  If your course is cancelled you may use the monies towards another course, subject to availability, or alternatively we will refund your course fee in full.  If we need to cancel a course for any other reason, such as tutor illness, you will receive a full refund of your fee & be given as much notice as possible in the circumstances.  If you paid for the course using gift vouchers, these will be reinstated.

Please note that in the event of cancellation, Sally Spencer will not reimburse for any materials already bought by the student or any travel or accommodation arrangements made.

No reductions or refunds are available to students if classes are cancelled due to epidemic or hazardous weather conditions.

Course materials fees

Any materials fees for the course will be detailed in the course information, confirmed upon booking & should be paid for on the day itself.

Course instructions & information

Students will be contacted at least one week before the start date with final instructions & information for the course.

 

Live zoom classes

Please note that audio & video recording of the classes & of the participants is not permitted by any means.

Live zoom classes – booking

When booking a class with Sally, you may securely pay for the course through the website (see Payment section above).  Please familiarise yourself with our terms of cancellation below before booking your class.

Live zoom classes - cancellation by student

If you need to cancel your booking, please let us know as soon as possible.  Your booking will be considered as cancelled from the time at which you inform us of your wish to cancel.

If you cancel your booking more than one calendar month before the start of the course the course fee will be refunded in full, or the monies may be used towards another course.

If you cancel your booking within one calendar month of the start of the course, we will attempt to re-sell your place. If we are successful then you may transfer to another class of the same or greater value, if not then we regret that any fees paid will not be transferable or refundable. You may substitute someone else to attend in your place, with prior agreement.  

Live zoom classes - cancellation by Sally Spencer

Occasionally we may need to cancel a class due to low enrolment.  We will give you at least two weeks’ notice where possible.  If your course is cancelled you may use the monies towards another course, subject to availability, or alternatively we will refund your course fee in full (excluding the cost of any book included in a course deal & its associated shipping costs).  If we need to cancel a course for any other reason, such as tutor illness, you will receive a full refund of your fee (excluding the cost of any book included in a course deal & its associated shipping costs) & be given as much notice as possible in the circumstances.  If you paid for the course using gift vouchers, these will be reinstated.

Please note that in the event of cancellation, Sally Spencer will not reimburse for any materials already bought by the student.

No reductions or refunds are available to students if they are unable to access the live zoom class due to issues with their internet connection.  If there is an issue with Sally’s internet connection which makes it impossible to hold the class you may use the monies towards another course, subject to availability, or alternatively we will refund your course fee in full (excluding the cost of any book included in a course deal & its associated shipping costs).

Live zoom classes - instructions & information

Students will be contacted 3 days before the start date with final instructions & information for the course as well as the zoom link they will need to attend the live class.

 

Zoom talks

Please note that audio & video recording of the talks & of the participants is not permitted by any means.

Zoom talks – booking

When booking a ticket for a talk with Sally, you may securely pay through the website (see Payment section above).  Please familiarise yourself with our terms of cancellation below before booking your ticket.

Zoom talks - cancellation by attendee

If you need to cancel your ticket, please let us know as soon as possible.  Your booking will be considered as cancelled from the time at which you inform us of your wish to cancel.

If you cancel your booking more than one calendar month before the talk the fee will be refunded in full, or the monies may be used towards another talk.

If you cancel your booking within one calendar month of the talk, we regret that any fees paid will not be transferable or refundable. You may substitute someone else to attend in your place, with prior agreement.  

Zoom talks - cancellation by Sally Spencer

Occasionally we may need to cancel through unforeseen circumstances.  We will give you at least two weeks’ notice where possible.  If the talk is cancelled you may use the monies towards another talk, subject to availability, or alternatively we will refund your fee in full.  If you paid for the talk using gift vouchers, these will be reinstated.

Please note that no reductions or refunds are available if talk attendees are unable to access the zoom talk due to issues with their internet connection.  If there is an issue with Sally’s internet connection which makes it impossible to hold the talk you may use the monies towards another talk, subject to availability, or alternatively we will refund your fee in full.

Zoom talks - instructions & information

Attendees will be contacted 3 days before the talk with final instructions & the zoom link they will need to attend the talk.

 

Gift vouchers

Sally Spencer gift vouchers are valid for 1 year from the date of purchase & may be used towards loose gemstones on the website or at a retail event or courses that Sally has arranged (it may be possible for them to be used against Sally’s courses that are organised by others, but this should be confirmed with Sally prior to booking).  When purchasing through the website the code should be entered during check out.  When using in person at a retail event, the original gift voucher must be presented (gift voucher monies cannot be deducted from a purchase at a retail event without the original gift voucher).

Sally Spencer gift vouchers cannot be exchanged for cash.  If you buy a gift voucher for someone & then change your mind within the 14-day cooling off period, you will be entitled to a full refund in accordance with the Consumer Protection Regulations.  Sally Spencer must be informed by email of your wish to cancel within the 14-day cooling off period.  No refund can be given for unwanted gift vouchers after the 14-day cooling off period.

 

Competition terms & conditions

Competitions are open to residents of the UK unless otherwise stated.

There is no entry fee & no purchase necessary to enter a competition.

You must be 18 years or over to enter a competition.

Only one entry will be accepted per person unless otherwise stated.

By entering a competition, an entrant is indicating their agreement to bound by these terms & conditions.

By entering a competition, you are happy for Sally Spencer to announce you as the winner on our website & social media.

The winner will be notified within a week of the competition closing.

If the winner does not respond within 2 days, another person will be selected as the winner.

Promotions are in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with any social media platform.

 

Intellectual Property

All designs on this website, books, classes & talks remain the intellectual property of Sally Spencer.  These materials & the content of this website are for your personal (non-commercial) use only.  You must not copy, reproduce, transmit, publish, display, distribute, commercially exploit or create derivative works of the website or its content, books, classes or talks without written permission from Sally Spencer.

 

Governing Law

Each & every transaction carried out via this website, in person or remotely is deemed to be completed within the United Kingdom & therefore shall be governed by English Law. The terms of this charter shall be governed & interpreted in accordance with English Law & the English Courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction.