A few not-to-well hidden "Secrets" of the jewelry trade:
1) We want to sell jewelry!  We often have clients submit a private "Offer" via our Contact Page.  Sometimes it's "Close Enough" and we close the deal.  So, yes.  All jewelers will accept "Offers" on their jewelry items.
2) We want you to be pleased with your purchase so that you'll come back, and that you'll tell your friends.  If we can make our clients happy by negotiating a few percent here or a few percent there, of course we will.  All jewelers will do that.
3) We don't make astronomical profits on our items.  Tales of 500% and 1000% profits are just that.  Tales.  To stay in business we have to be competitive.  Our prices are market driven by, among other things, the price of precious metals and the price of semi-precious and precious gems.  Just as you wouldn't expect to go into a bank and buy $100 Dollar Bills for $80 Dollars, neither should you expect to buy gold at below the current spot price.  The same for silver, platinum, diamonds, and so on.  Still, we believe we have some of the most competitive prices around and because we deal in the secondary market of Estate, Vintage, and Antique items, our margins are lower, often much lower, than our "New Retail" counterparts.  
So, if you have an offer, certainly let us know.

For example, is your Christmas 10% Off Sale limited to one item, or can it be one purchase with several items?  Certain categories?  Certain pieces?

Good question.  But there's no small print here.  One item - 10% Off; Multiple items on one purchase = 10% Off; visit our site multiple times and purchase one item or fifty items = 10% Off.    Rings, Necklaces, Pendants, Bracelets, Fine Writing Instruments - if we have it listed, it's 10% Off.  Our "Thank You" to customers old and new during this special season.

Fill up your cart and when you check out apply the coupon code CHRISTMAS20 and 10% will be deducted from your total purchase price.  And as always, shipping within the United States is free.

But regrettably there is one small catch.  This Sale ends on 20 December so shop early for the best pieces!

Mahalo for your question.  Yes!  We have Fountain Pens.  And like our jewelry items not everything that we hold in inventory is shown on our website.  In addition to Michel Perchin and Emiliano Cesare pens that we have listed, we also have Mont Blanc 149 Desk Sets, Parker Duofold Fountain Pens and Ballpoints, numerous vintage and newer pens by Cartier, and many others.  

If you have a specific pen, or jewelry item, that you do not see on our site, please ask.  You will likely be pleasantly surprised by our response. 

So glad you asked this question.  Let's share it with everyone else.

Of course you can.  We try to post great photos of each item, but we also understand there may be additional photos needed to help make up your mind.  Just ask.

We're happy to take additional photos to send to you, or, we can take a video clip of the item being modeled for you to take a look at.  Just ask.  We're happy to assist in providing you all the info you need to make a decision.

And don't forget, no-questions-asked returns within 2 weeks.  Just let us know.

What a fabulous idea, Terri.  Thanks so much.  We talked it over with our web designer and they've added sub-categories to our "Rings" page so that you can now select Diamond Rings, Colored Gem Rings, and Rings divided into price bands of Under $500, $500 - $1000, and Over $1000. 
We also extended this idea to our "Necklaces" page with a sub-category for Diamond Necklaces & Pendants.
Thanks for the suggestion.  We think it makes the site much more user friendly.

Wow.  Thank you Melanie for your note.  Shook us to our core!  We've been in the jewelry business for a long time and we are proud of our ability to provide estate, vintage, and antique jewelry at prices well below anything comparable in the retail mark.  Really, a lot below.  But we might have lost sight of today's younger buyers, just starting out, who would still like to acquire good jewelry but whose budgets may not be as flexible as our more established clients.

We've heard you!  We're going to begin expanding our acquisition criteria to quality pieces that can be affordable to a broader range of clients.  In fact, we just introduced several very nice items this week in 10k gold featuring Citrine, Yellow Sapphire, Spessartite Garnet, and Swiss Blue Topaz - all with price points UNDER $200.00.  We will continue to offer selections in this range so that more people can enjoy the Aloha Estate Jewelry shopping experience.

Melanie, thanks again for your note.  Hope this helps.

Thank you for your note and your question.
Yes.  We offer a resizing service.  We can resize to 2 sizes smaller, or up to 2 sizes larger on most rings.  Up to 3 sizes larger on some rings.  This service usually takes 2 - 3 business days depending on workload.  Our current charges are:
Yellow & White Gold
-Up to 2 sizes smaller:  $22.00
-Larger 1 size:  $34.00
-Larger 2 sizes:  $39.00
-Larger 3 sizes:  $47.00

Other services:
-White Gold Items (ring, simple bracelet) Clean & Polish:  $24.00
-Yellow Gold Items (ring, simple bracelet) Clean & Polish:  $18.00
-White & Yellow Gold Add Sizing Beads:  $40.00

Note:  Let us know using our contact form if you require any of these services.  We will provide instructions for sending us your item.  For purchased items, resizing or polishing jewelry voids/negates our 14-day return option and the item is non-returnable.

There are over 200 countries around the world and each have different shipping and postal regulations.  For Canada and the UK, for example, we can usually ship for free as well.  For other countries different fees are required by the destination countries and we are required to charge those fees. 
Shortest answer, No, international shipping overall is NOT expensive and in many cases is free as well.  Please use the Form on our Contact Page to inquire and we'll quote the lowest price possible.

Lucky you to be born in April.  The birthstone for that month is Diamond.

Below is a quick reference to birthstones from GIA.
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We're also pleased to provide this clickable link to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) for their GIA BIRTHSTONE CHART and an explanation of the various stones.

We do, but as you're doubtlessly aware, Alexandrite is very expensive.  Even in its synthetic form.
But if you would like just use the Form on our Contact Page to let us know that you're looking for this item and we'll add it to our buying profile.  Should we come across an Alexandrite ring we will notify you, provide you photographs, and quote you a price.  All for no charge whatsoever.  If you like the ring, you simply conclude the purchase.  If you don't like the ring, we'll just add to our inventory.  Again, no charge to you whatsoever.  And...should you purchase the ring but upon receiving it find it not to your taste, just return within two weeks for a full refund.  
​Just let us know if we can be of service.  Aloha.

Aloha.  Thanks for the question.  You're right.  All of our current listings for Diamond Pendants are with chain.  But because you asked, we're going to fix that.  Give us a day or so and we will list two or thee as "Pendant Only."  Also, if there's a larger or smaller Diamond Pendant currently listed that you would like without the chain, just drop us a note.  I'm sure we can accommodate your request, whether it's to remove a chain, or swap for another chain of different style, length, etc.  We will always work with you to find that "Just Right" estate, vintage, or antique piece of jewelry.

Absolutely true!  Jade is a very, very special gemstone.  First because of its rarity, and second for the even greater rarity or scarcity of gem quality Jade.
Books have been written about Jade that are more scholarly that I can provide here, but just a few high points.
1.  The Chinese call Jade "The Stone of Heaven."  Within the Chinese, and many other Asian cultures, Jade has both intrinsic (value in its own worth), and cultural and spiritual value; hence, The Stone of Heaven.
2.  When we say Jade we are actually talking about two different stones:  Nephrite Jade and Jadeite.  Nephrite Jade is a bit softer than Jadeite, but "tougher,"  Jadeite is the hardest Jade and the most popular.  Both Jades in their finest form are very valuable.
3.  There is an objective hierarchy of value in colors, with green being the most valuable, but there are also subjective values which can make other than green more valuable.  
4.  There are many, many, colors of Jade.  Here is a bit about each, followed by an alternate view from yet another authority.

The Chinese identified "ritual colors" of jade and even spoke of colors "invisible to the eye." In fact, jadeite appears in six basic colors, with many variations. These are green, lavender, red, yellow, white and black. Green, the most important and traditional color, varies through apple green to gray-green and finally black-green.
There is a special magical item called Imperial jade. Although originally said to refer to those jades possessed by the emperor and royal family, Imperial jade today should indicate a stone whose color is a deep, translucent green, and is without visible flaws or color variations. Such stones are truly rare.
Lavender jade can be quite dark - almost deep plum-purple, and in some cases can take on a blue cast. At its other extreme, lavender jade approaches the pink range - though never achieving it - and lightens to a pale lavender-white. Often, lavender jade exhibits a sugary texture.
There are written reports of a blood-orange jade, but most red jade actually ranges from a yellow or beige to a deep russet brown.
Black jade is usually nephrite and, in its finer qualities, is glassy black. Surface flecks are common and difficult to avoid on pieces larger than dime size.
White jade, or "pure" jade, can be found in a chalky, opaque white to a translucent gray-white. A good polish is essential.
​
And as provided by another source:
Green Jade is the most popular color. Meaningful in abundance of peaceful,
prosperity and wealthy. Chinese believe that the green jade is the origin of the word.
“Money Flows”

White Jade meaning is to bring good luck to the owner. The symbol of purity both
mind and soul. As well as the longevity.

Purple (Lavender Jade) is the symbol of happiness in life. It alleviates emotional hurt
and provides spiritual nourishment. Its energy is of the highest etheric spectrum.

Black /Gray Jade is the color of immortality. It emanates strong, protective energies
to ward off negative assault, physical or psychological, including self limitation.

Red Jade (Red-Brown hue) is a stone of life-force energy, dispelling fear that holds
one back, and urges one to action. Meaning stimulates vitality. Reduce the anger and
stress as well as increase more creativity.

Yellow Jade is cheerful and energetic, a stone of assimilation and discrimination.
​

Just a SUPER question.  Of course!!  If one of our pendants is to your liking but you would prefer a chain that is a bit longer, or a bit shorter, or of a different style, just let us know.  We have a number of gold chains in inventory which can be paired with any of our pendants.  Too, we can eliminate the chain if you already have one that you would prefer to use.  Use our Contact Form on the "Contact" Page.  Tell us which item by SKU number, and what style and length chain you would like to have instead.  We'll see what we can do.  Please note that there may be a small pricing adjustment up-or-down based upon the gold purity and weight of the substitute chain.  For lighter weight or no chain we will adjust price downward, for heavier chain we will adjust price upward, consistent with fluctuating price of gold.  Thank you Candace, for your question.

When we hear the terms refurbished or restored it sounds as though there’s something lacking in the item.  Rest assured that all of the pieces of our collections are complete and in excellent condition for their respective age, with many pieces being as-new.

That said, it is to be expected that settings, bracelets, pendants, and other pieces made from precious metals will have acquired various “character marks” across their lifetimes.  Precious metals are soft, and can be easily scratched.  Many of our clients are wholly satisfied with this appearance and do not want it changed.  Others, however, enjoy the brilliance and shine of new pieces and will, accordingly, visit a professional jeweler or goldsmith to simply polish the existing settings.  This simple polishing, usually done inexpensively by the goldsmith, will restore luster, shine, brilliance, and remove most, if not all, light scratches on the precious metal.  

It really is a question of personal taste.  If you like the estate, vintage, or antique look, leave the finish as-is.  If you prefer a higher shine or luster, that can be done for a modest price.  As the new owner, it will be your choice.

There are several factors that directly bear on, and influence, the price of fine gold jewelry.  This would include bracelets, but also rings, necklaces, pendants, and so on.

First and foremost are jewelry items made by top designers such as Cartier, Tiffany, Roberto Coin, Bvlgari, and others.  Here you are paying not only for the gold content, design and manufacturing quality, but the aesthetic of owning the designer name.  Take three gold bracelets with a similar design, one by a fine Italian goldsmith, the second by Tiffany, and the third by Cartier and you'd likely see prices of $1,000 for the Italian goldsmith, $6,000 for Tiffany, and $10,000 for Cartier.  
When speaking of fine gold jewelry NOT made by the top designers, cost criteria includes manufacturer, unique design or form, and eye appeal; fineness of detail; finish and construction; and weight and gold purity (i.e., 10k, 14k, 18k).  For example, we find that Italian made gold jewelry is, in the main, better made and of better quality than gold jewelry from Turkey.  Too, finer jewelry tends to be of heavier weight.  Given two similar bracelets in 14k gold, one with a weight of 12 grams and the other weighing 9 grams, by rule of thumb the heavier bracelet is probably the better made of the two - but still bears examination.
We expect that our clients are purchasing jewelry items that will ultimately become family heirlooms so we are very selective of the jewelry we acquire.  We examine each piece for design appeal, karat purity, origin, weight, condition and fineness of detail so that each piece can become a quality heirloom to pass on, and then pass yet again, and yet then again.