FAQ

Chemically, physically, and optically, they are identical — both are pure carbon in a cubic crystal structure, both carry the same hardness (10 on the Mohs scale), and both are graded by the same gemological standards. The difference is origin. A natural diamond formed under the earth over billions of years. A lab-grown diamond was grown in a controlled environment over a matter of weeks using either High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) or Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) processes. Natural diamonds carry geological rarity and tend to hold more of their value over time. Lab-grown diamonds allow you to acquire a significantly larger or higher-quality stone for the same budget, with no mining involved. We offer both without hierarchy. The right choice depends on what matters to you.

Yes. All diamonds above 0.30ct supplied by Maison Thaevia are accompanied by a certificate from an independent gemological laboratory — IGI (International Gemological Institute), GIA (Gemological Institute of America), or HRD (Hoge Raad voor Diamant, Antwerp). The certificate documents the stone's exact carat weight, cut, colour, clarity, and provenance. It is issued by a laboratory entirely independent of the Maison and serves as the authoritative record of your stone. For insured shipments and insurance purposes, the certificate is the primary valuation document. Please keep it safely.

All Maison Thaevia pieces are made in solid precious metal — never plated, never hollow. We work in 9kt, 14kt, and 18kt gold (yellow, white, and rose), and platinum 950. Solid gold is the only construction we consider appropriate for pieces meant to be kept and worn for decades. A solid gold ring can be resized, re-polished, and repaired. A plated piece cannot. Recycled gold is available on request at no additional cost for most pieces. If this matters to you, note it when ordering or contact us beforehand.

Our Ring Size Guide covers two methods — measuring an existing ring using its internal diameter, and measuring your finger using a strip of paper or length of string. It also includes a full international conversion chart covering European, UK/US, and Japanese sizing. A few things to bear in mind: fingers are slightly larger in the evening than in the morning, and your dominant hand tends to run a quarter to half a size larger. Always measure the specific finger you intend to wear the ring on. If you are unsure between two sizes, choose the larger. A slightly loose ring is easier to resize than one that cannot be removed. You can also visit us in Antwerp for a fitting — contact us to arrange.

We offer a complimentary first resize on all Maison Thaevia rings within 30 days of delivery. Email care@maisonthaevia.com with your order number and the required size — we will arrange insured collection and return. Please note that some ring styles cannot be resized: full-eternity bands with continuous stone settings, certain wide-profile pieces, and rings with complex shank constructions. We will advise at the time of your enquiry if this applies to your piece.

You have 30 days from the date of delivery to return any ready-to-wear piece for a full refund or exchange. The piece must be unworn, in its original packaging, and accompanied by its gemstone certificate where one was supplied. Made-to-order and bespoke pieces cannot be returned — these are crafted specifically for you. Pieces that have been resized, engraved, or altered after delivery are also non-returnable. To initiate a return, email returns@maisonthaevia.com with your order number. We will send a prepaid insured return label within 24 hours on business days. Refunds are processed within 5 business days of the piece being received and inspected.

Ready-to-wear pieces held in stock are dispatched within 1–2 business days and typically arrive within 1–4 business days depending on your location. Made-to-order pieces carry a production window of 3–4 weeks from the date of order confirmation, followed by the standard courier timeline. You will receive a dispatch notification with full tracking details the moment your piece leaves the atelier. Bespoke commissions follow a timeline agreed during the design consultation — typically 6–10 weeks depending on complexity.

Yes — we ship worldwide via DHL Express with full insurance and tracking. Delivery is typically 3–6 business days internationally, 2–4 days within the EU, and 1–2 days within Belgium. All shipments are insured for their full retail value in transit and require a signature upon delivery. Import duties and customs fees for non-EU destinations are the responsibility of the recipient — we recommend confirming your local import thresholds before ordering. Full shipping costs and thresholds are detailed on our Shipping & Returns page.

Our Bespoke service is a private commission — a piece designed in collaboration between you and the Maison, built around a specific stone, occasion, or vision. The process begins with a consultation, either in person at our Antwerp atelier or by video call. We discuss the brief, your stone preferences (we can source or work with a stone you already own), and the design direction. This is followed by hand sketches, then CAD renders for your approval before anything is made. Bespoke pieces typically take 6–10 weeks from approved design to delivery. Pricing is confirmed at the design stage and depends on the stone, metal, and complexity of the commission. To begin, visit our Bespoke page or email hello@maisonthaevia.com.

Yes. Personal engravings can be added to most rings (inside the shank), lockets, and certain pendants and bracelets. We use both machine and hand engraving depending on the piece and the style of text. Engraving is available at the time of order or as a separate service on pieces you already own. To request engraving on an existing piece, email care@maisonthaevia.com. Please note that engraved pieces cannot be returned, as personalisation constitutes a bespoke alteration.

Our atelier services — cleaning, polishing, re-rhodium plating, prong re-tipping, and stone replacement — are available primarily for Maison Thaevia pieces. For repairs to pieces from other jewellers, we accept commissions on a case-by-case basis. Please contact care@maisonthaevia.com with a description and photographs of the piece and the work required. We will advise on feasibility, cost, and timeline.

Maison Thaevia is based in Antwerp, Belgium — the diamond capital of the world and one of Europe's foremost centres of fine goldsmithing. We do not operate a walk-in retail boutique. Appointments at the atelier — for consultations, fittings, bespoke commissions, and jewellery care — are available by arrangement. To book, contact us at hello@maisonthaevia.com or through our Appointment page. Antwerp is an easy day trip from Brussels, Amsterdam, Paris, and London.

We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), PayPal, and bank transfer for orders above €5.000. For high-value orders and bespoke commissions, we typically work with a 50% deposit at the time of order confirmation and the balance on completion, before dispatch. Full payment upfront is also accepted. All transactions are processed securely. Card payments are handled by Shopify Payments, which is PCI DSS Level 1 compliant.

Yes. All Maison Thaevia pieces in gold and platinum are hallmarked in accordance with Belgian and EU precious metal standards. The hallmark confirms the metal type and fineness (e.g. 750 for 18kt gold, 950 for platinum) and identifies the piece as originating from a registered Belgian workshop. For pieces exported to the UK, we can arrange assay office hallmarking on request.

The fundamentals: remove rings before washing hands, applying cream, or swimming. Store pieces individually to prevent scratching. Clean diamonds and gold with warm soapy water and a soft brush — but not pearls, opals, or emeralds, which need different care. Our full Jewellery Care guide covers care by stone type, care by metal, at-home cleaning, storage, and the professional services available from our atelier.