Below you’ll find the answers to David’s most frequently asked questions. Please feel free to contact us should you still have any unanswered questions after reviewing this page.
Quicklinks
About Damascus
Pricing
Sizing and re-sizing
Ordering and production
Payment options + COLLECT Art Purchase Scheme
Returns and refunds
Shipping
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About Damascus
The metals utilised in David’s Damascus are “300 series” jewellery grade stainless steels. Stainless steel is subject to wear and tear as are all metals, although it is more scratch resistant than gold. To keep your ring looking good, it’s recommend that you remove it when undertaking heavy work, gardening or exercise.
Should your ring start to look a bit scruffy sometime in the future, you may contact us to arrange for a touch up.
No. The stainless steels used in David’s Damascus are highly corrosion resistant and can stand up to environments many other metals won’t. IS DAMASCUS STEEL SAFE TO BE WORN AGAINST THE SKIN, WILL IT CAUSE A RASH?
David’s Damascus is made from “300 series” jewellery grade stainless steels, known for their fantastic compatibility with skin. In fact this family of steel is often used for body piercing and even some surgical implants and tools.
Most jewellery related skin reactions are due to what is known as contact dermatitis. This can result from metals in cheaper jewellery leeching into your skin and causing a reaction, but more commonly occurs when soaps or other chemicals become trapped between your finger and the ring.
When combining precious metals with the Damascus, David uses only the highest quality non-nickel alloy golds.
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Pricing
You’ll find the pricing in the ring design section of the website. There is a pricing tab at the bottom of each individual ring design page and pricing is also often listed underneath the ring images. All prices are in AUD and include express insured shipping within Australia – international shipping will incur an extra charge, ask us for a quote.
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Sizing and re-sizing
It’s very important that you get your ring size right prior to placing your order as many ring designs cannot be re-sized.
The easiest way to find out your ring size is to visit a few local jeweller’s and ask them to do a sizing for you using men’s wedders (this is free-of-charge). Loan sizing kits are also available for hire for $60 if you can’t make it to a few local jeweller’s (within Australia only).
You can also opt to purchase a cheap ring that’s a perfect fit and send this to David to use as a guide. The ring will be returned to you. This option is strongly recommended for international clients due to differing ring size units from country to country.
Please visit the sizing & re-sizing page for further tips and info on how to find out your ring size and ensure a correct ring fit.
CAN MY RING BE RE-SIZED?Whether your ring can be re-sized depends upon the ring design you order.
The following rings cannot be resized:
- Tantalum rings
- Titanium rings
- Zirconium rings
- Maple burl/wood rings
- Carbon fibre rings
- Custom rough finish Damascus rings
- Damascus rings (standard pattern, finish and shape only – see above for exclusions).
- Pure Mokume rings
- Mokume + titanium liner & rails
- Mokume + tantalum liner & rail/s
Up-sizing is quick and easy and your first up-size will be done free-of-charge (less post).
Most rings cannot be downsized. In a few cases, there may be a method that David can use to downsize a ring, however this will need to be discussed on an individual basis. If a downsize is possible, it will incur a fee. The total of the fee with depend on the design of your ring and how many sizes it needs to go down. For further information, please read the sizing & re-sizing page.
I’VE RECEIVED MY RING BUT I’M NOT SURE IT FITS CORRECTLY, DO I NEED A RE-SIZE?Everyone’s fingers are unique, so it’s difficult to describe what a best fit is. The main thing is that your ring should feel comfortable, without being too wobbly or too tight.
To decide if your ring fits correctly, please read the information on the sizing & re-sizing page. If you decide your ring does need a re-size (and your ring design can be re-sized), then follow the steps outlined on that page.
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Ordering and production
Orders are be placed via email and you’ll find full details on the how to order page. If you have any questions about ordering after reviewing this page, please contact us. DO YOU ACCEPT INTERNATIONAL ORDERS?
Yes we do! Feel free to contact us prior to placing your order to discuss sizing, payment options and shipping rates. All prices listed on the website are in AUD (Australian Dollar). HOW DO I FIND OUT THE PRICE FOR THE RING I LIKE?
You’ll find the pricing in the ring design section of the website. There is a pricing tab at the bottom of each individual ring design page and pricing is also often listed underneath the ring images. All prices are in AUD and include express insured shipping within Australia – international shipping will incur an extra charge, ask us for a quote.
HOW DO I FIND OUT MY RING SIZE?
It’s very important that you get your ring size right prior to placing your order as many ring designs cannot be re-sized.
The easiest way to find out your ring size is to visit a few local jeweller’s and ask them to do a sizing for you using men’s wedders (this is free-of-charge). Loan sizing kits are also available for hire for $60 if you can’t make it to a few local jeweller’s (Australia only).
You can also opt to purchase a cheap ring that’s a perfect fit and send this to David to use as a guide. The ring will be returned to you. This option is strongly recommended for international clients due to differing ring size units from country to country.
Please visit the sizing & re-sizing page for further tips and info on how to find out your ring size and ensure a correct ring fit. Here you will also find a list of which rings may be re-sized.
WHAT WIDTH CAN MY RING BE MADE TO?David makes his rings to 7.5mm – 8.5mm wide for an average men’s size. Width may be scaled up or down a little depending on your required size. Generally the widest David will make a Damascus ring to is 9mm and the narrowest is 6mm. If you’re interested in a width outside of those specified, please contact us to discuss. Rings made wider than standard (7.5mm – 8.5mm) that have a gold liner, or are made from mokume-gane will incur an additional fee and will be considered a custom design. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO MAKE MY RING?
This will vary greatly depending on the amount of orders already on the books and the complexity of your ring design. The current turnaround-time on a ring is 2-6 weeks depending on design.
If you require your ring sooner please contact us as arrangements may be made to fit you in, or a stock ring may be available in your size.
DO YOU CARRY STOCK RINGS?Yes, but only in limited quantity. Please contact us to find out what’s currently available.
ARE YOUR RINGS AVALABLE THROUGH ANY JEWELLERY STORES ACROSS AUSTRALIA?
No, David’s rings are only available directly though David Parums Designs.
WHERE IS YOUR BUSINESS LOCATED, CAN I COME AND VISIT?
David works out of his studio located in the Derwent Valley in Southern Tasmania, Australia. The studio is not open to the public. I’M CONCERNED ABOUT PURCHASING SIGHT UNSEEN, WHAT ASSURANCES DO YOU OFFER.
David offers a full satisfaction guarantee including a 7 day return period on all non-custom designed orders. Upon receiving your ring, should it not live up to your expectations, it can be returned within 7 days for a full refund, excluding postage, but it must show NO signs of wear.
Custom designed rings cannot be returned unless deemed faulty. Custom designs include mokume-gane rings, or a new design commissioned by a client. A variation of an existing design is also considered a customisation – such as extra width or an extra inlay – as well as any personalised interior engraving.
All metals will scratch and mark with standard wear, regardless of how careful you are. This is not considered a fault, rather the natural aging process of a ring. Surface finishes, such as sandblasting, will wear back over time. This is also not a fault as surface treatments are not permanent and are subject to wear.
A fault is an issue with the manufacturing of the ring, such as a component (rail, liner or inlay) coming loose.
I’VE RECEIVED MY RING BUT I’M NOT SURE IT FITS CORRECTLY, DO I NEED A RE-SIZE?Everyone’s fingers are unique, so it’s difficult to describe what a best fit is. The main thing is that your ring should feel comfortable, without being too wobbly or too tight.
To decide if your ring fits correctly, please read the information on the sizing & re-sizing page. If you decide your ring does need a re-size (and your ring design can be re-sized), then follow the steps outlined on that page.
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Payment options + COLLECT Art Purchase Scheme
- Bank transfer (EFT).
- Credit Card (a surcharge will apply for international clients only).
- 12-month interest-free finance is also available to Australian residents through COLLECT – see below for further information.
12-month interest-free finance is available to approved clients through COLLECT Art Purchase Scheme. Please note that you MUST contact us before applying to the scheme otherwise your application will be rejected.
The COLLECT Art Purchase Scheme is an initiative of Arts Tasmania and aims to encourage people to purchase works by living Tasmanian artists and jewellers. It’s available through selected arts businesses across Tasmania and can be used to purchase a range of works from paintings and drawings, through to sculpture and jewellery.
All Australian residents can apply to the COLLECT Art Purchase Scheme for a loan valued between $1 000 – $8 500. The length of the loan is one year and repayments are to be made each month in 12 equal instalments paid via direct debit. There are no application or administrative costs and there are no penalties for early pay out of the loan.
Please note that if you are approved for a COLLECT loan, you will be required to sign a loan deed with the Tasmanian Government, the finance is not provided directly through David Parums Design.
For more information on the COLLECT Art Purchase Scheme, please contact us or visit the COLLECT website.
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Returns and refunds
David offers a 7 day return period on all non-custom designed orders. Upon receiving your ring, should it not live up to your expectations, it can be returned within 7 days for a full refund, excluding postage, but it must show NO signs of wear.
Custom designed rings cannot be returned unless deemed faulty. Custom designs include mokume-gane rings, stone-set rings, or a new design commissioned by a client. A variation of a existing design is also considered a customisation – such as extra width or an extra inlay – as well as any personalised interior engraving.
All metals will scratch and mark with standard wear, regardless of how careful you are. This is not considered a fault, rather the natural aging process of a ring. Surface finishes, such as sandblasting, will wear back over time. This is also not a fault as surface treatments are not permanent and are subject to wear.
A fault is an issue with the manufacturing of the ring, such as a component (rail, liner or inlay) coming loose.
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Shipping
All pricing listed on the website is inclusive of express insured shipping within Australia. All parcels are sent signature on delivery with clear instructions not to safe drop.
For international clients an additional shipping fee will be required.
– add $35 (AUD) for express uninsured shipping
– add $60-$120 (AUD) for express insured shipping. The fee will depend on the country being shipped to and the value of the ring. Request a quote.