Frequently Asked Questions

How do I place an order?

There are a couple of different ways you can place an order on our Website. On the left hand navigation bar you will notice the "browse by" feature where you can sort our whole website by the options you choose. For example clicking 'Show/Hide More Options' will bring up our full run of sizes and materials available in each design. Simply choose what you want to see, for example, clicking on 4g will bring up everything we have available in 4 gauge and then under 'Material' choosing Indonesian Ebony will then show you everything we have available in 4 gauge Indonesian Ebony.

You may also choose to shop via any of the fabulous collections categorized on the home page. Click on any of the options from the menu and browse through the designs. Once you find the design you love just make sure you choose the size of the jewelry, the material, and quantity before you 'Add To Cart'. Keep browsing the website or simply click 'CHECK OUT' to purchase. Enter your payment and billing information and voila!... Your jewelry will be processed and shipped within 24 hours (Monday-Friday) of us receiving your order!

The piece I want is out of stock. What is the 'Wait List'?

You will find the wait list button at the bottom of each product page. If an item is not available in the drop down menu it is generally due to the fact that it is out of stock.

We do our best to keep everything well stocked for you. In the chance we are temporarily out of an item, just check the box for the jewelry you're coveting and once we have them back in the office you will receive an update e-mail to let you know! We receive shipments every 6-8 weeks and in most cases, this is the average wait time for requested items.

Wish List:

We love this feature on our web store. You can save products that are coveting here so you can visit with them on a regular basis and purchase when ready. The wish list can also be used as a registry, you can e-mail your wish lists to your friends, family and lovers who are or should be shopping for you. People can also search for your wish list via the left hand navigation through "Search Wish List." Here they can search by your name or email address. If someone is to make a purchase via your wish list the system will automatically remove the item from your list. Go ahead, build up you wish list and send it to all your friends.

Gift Certificates:

Purchase gift certificates for your friends and family via the left hand navigation of our site. Recipient will be emailed a digital gift certificate that can be used as a gift card. After shopping with us there is a place in the checkout where you can enter the code for the girt certificate and the dollar amount will be applied to your purchase, this certificate can also be applied to shipping. If you do not use the total amount you can continue to use the code until the gift certificate is void of funds. So go ahead give the gift of Maya.

Is my information safe with you?

We respect you and your privacy. Therefore we never share or sell your personal information to any third parties. We dislike those sneaky telemarketers as much as the next guy. Any information collected through our site is intended to be used for transactions and communications with Maya only. Your personal information is secured via SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) technology.

Shipping and Payment:

What type of Payments can I use?

We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, PayPal and E-Check on all online orders. You can also send us a money order and we will ship your jewelry as soon as the money arrives. Please call if you wish to pay via money order.

Shipping:

All shipments are made through the USPS. Domestic shipments are made using USPS Priority Shipping with delivery confirmation (2-3 day delivery average) and is $7.00. If selecting USPS Express Shipping with tracking (1-2 day delivery average) it is $27.00 per order. We ship worldwide. For international orders we ship first class USPS (7 to 10 business days average). The cost is $7.00. For expedited international shipping or tracking please contact us for a quote as rates are based on postal code. For larger orders, such as wholesale, we will calculate shipping separately and contact you with a final shipping price. We will make our best attempt to ship your product(s) within 1 to 3 business days from when you placed your order.

Out of Stock Items:

In some rare instances the jewelry you order might be out of stock (we strive to have accurate online inventory but it's not absolute). In such instances we'll notify you as to an expected ship date and you'll have the option to cancel your order if it doesn't meet your needs.

Manufacture's Guarantee:

We guarantee our jewelry 100% against manufactures defect. What is a manufactures defect: anything that we may have over looked that has compromised the integrity of the jewelry. Organic jewelry is extremely fragile, especially the wood. If your jewelry breaks we will replace it only if it was due to a defect in the integrity of the wood or the carving. If you are rough on your jewelry we cannot replace it when it breaks, I'm sure you understand. We guarantee our metal jewelry for up to 6 months from manufacturers defect. Please handle with care when you are opening and closing your metal jewelry, if this is not done gently you can break the jewelry over time.

Returns/Exchanges:

Quality Control:

We are committed to supplying you with the highest quality of jewelry that you can get your paws on. Making sure each pair is a mirror match and is exquisitely polished takes some time and a few homies here and there, checking everything more than a couple of times. We are extremely proud of our master carvers and the quality of art we create together. We don't just view our jewelry as a pair of earrings... but as works of handcrafted art, each unique in it's own way. In case something slips through the cracks and you happen to come across a pair that isn't up to our standard of quality please follow the directions below so we can make sure you are delighted.

I received my order but I picked the wrong size/material or I just don't love it:

We guarantee our product 100% and are happy to take returns for any jewelry that you are not 100% satisfied with. We also understand that mistakes happen and are happy to exchange your purchase for the proper size or material. Here are the simple steps to follow to create a return: When you receive your jewelry from us you will notice that your jewelry arrives in a tamper evident pouch. If you chose the wrong size or material or do not like it we can exchange the jewelry only if the seal has not been broken. We guarantee 100% that our product is sold as new and has never been worn before. If the seal is broken we cannot exchange nor refund the jewelry. We charge a 15% Restocking fee for any returns or exchanges due to an error on the customers end. You are responsible for shipping costs each way.

My jewelry arrived broken! What can you do for me?

We are extremely careful when packing your little gems, but we cannot always say the same about Mr. Postage man. Occasionally jewelry will break in shipping. We do guarantee our product 100% and are happy to take returns for any jewelry damaged in the shipping process. All jewelry here at Maya Organic is guaranteed brand new and never worn. If your delicate jewelry arrives broken, do not break the tamper seal on the bag. If the seal is broken we cannot offer assistance for returns or exchanges. Please e-mail us as soon as you discover the issue. We will send out a return packing slip. When you receive this, simply put the broken jewelry in the box that it arrived in with the new postage sticker. As soon as we receive it we will send out a new pair.

What is Organic Jewelry and why is ours exceptional?

Organic Jewelry:

Maya Organic Jewelry consists of wearable art made from exquisitely carved and cured natural fibers. Organic Jewelry has a long history in the cultural memory of humans and we consider it an honor to continue this tradition in modern times. Keep in mind that all Organic Jewelry is porous and should never be worn in freshly stretched ears or in tissue that is damaged in anyway. If you feel you need assistance from a professional piercer you can check out the Association of Professional (link) Piercers website: www.safepiercing.org to locate a studio near you.

Matching, sizing and duel sides:

All of us here at Maya have or still do work in the piercing industry. We understand body jewelry and have extremely high expectations of what works and what does not. Some of the things we focus on are: quality, sizing, pairing and dimension. All of our designs are 2 sided and are made 3-dimensional whenever possible; some even feature the backs and fronts of the flower like Elfin and Aloha found in the Exquisite Originals category. We take extreme pride in the fact that every piece is a mirror image of its matching pair. We take a lot of time when blocking the wood for each pair to ensure that the grains run in the same direction and therefore match as perfectly as possible. During our quality control process here at Maya headquarters, we measure each pair to make sure it is the proper gauge and if it is not we do not sell it. We think that you will be extremely pleased and clearly be able to see the amount of love that we put into our quality control process.

How do I take care of my Organic Jewelry?

We guarantee your jewelry will arrive brand new and never worn before although due to the porous nature of the materials, organic jewelry cannot be made sterile. Please be sure to wash your jewelry with mild soap and water and dry immediately. All of our jewelry is pre-oiled with jojoba oil and sealed with organic bees wax. Organic jewelry is environmentally sensitive and can be oiled once a month with gentle oil such as jojoba oil or grape seed oil to prolong its luster and durability. Prolonged exposure to sunlight, sleeping or bathing with your jewelry in, as well as exposing it to extreme cold or heat, may warp and crack it. Beautiful jewelry is delicate! Please be careful with your pretties!

About the materials that we use:

All of the materials that we use are sustainably harvested when ever possible. Please see the below descriptions of each of the materials that we work with.

Arang Ebony - Our darkest and densest wood, Arang is one of the most renowned woods in the world and a standard in piercing boutiques. Arang's characteristic deep black is accented with the occasional tan hue making each pair a one of a kind hand carved masterpiece. It has a very high density, fine texture, and has the ability to polish very smoothly making this wood perfect for hanging designs and plugs.
Blood wood - Once you've turned heads wearing a pair of electric Blood wood, the love for this material, will stay in your blood forever. One of our top selling materials, Blood wood is an extremely dense tropical hardwood with small pores and a tight grain found in South America and Central Africa. Once sealed, Blood wood shows its true nature with an attractive deep crimson hue and luster similar to tigers eye, making this alluring wood perfect to be intricately hand carved for jewelry. Blood wood is the most fragile material that we work with, please be aware that it can break easily if not handled with care.
Zebrawood - One of the most exotic woods we offer. This striking wood originally comes from Western and Central African countries like The Congo and Cameroon. It is known for it's beautiful contrasting grain colors that are like that of a Zebra. Our master carvers do an incredible job of matching these striped grains to create a perfect pair.
Tewel - Most people wonder about the luminous golden wood earrings hanging from their local piercing boutique's shelves. This incredibly lightwood is found in the core of the Jackfruit Tree, only found in the tropical lands of Southeast Asia. Also conveniently in the jungles behind our workshop. From Medicine to Musical Instruments, Kitchens in Sumatra to Plugs in your Ears... Tewel has a rich history and just the right splash of golden color to brighten up any outfit.
Indonesian Ebony - Native to Indonesia, this stunning dark brown wood has grains that run so fluidly it's like wearing the most decadent piece of rich chocolate. Our carvers will surprise us and sometimes block the designs so fine, that some pairs will have brilliant blasts of light cream and red colors that will be a present for your eyes and ears.
Saba wood - This wood captures the nature of love in true form. With its stunningly smooth variations of pink to brown tones, it reveals the soft honest side of us all. Fabulous as plugs or hanging designs, Saba wood will open your heart with delicate perfection.
Water Buffalo Horn - Native to Indonesia, water buffalo horn is deep dark black and polishes with an incredible shine. Horn is made up of keratin and other proteins; it is very similar to fingernails in its flexibility as well as durability. Horn is the strongest material that we produce jewelry out of and is very difficult to break. If you are hard on your jewelry and are concerned about durability, horn is the way to go. All of the horn that we use is sustainably harvested from naturally shed horns.
Bone: water buffalo/Cow bone - This material embodies the natural essence of thoughtful organic jewelry. Because of the density of bone, the meticulous craftsmanship of our carvers shines the brightest in this medium. You will be amazed at the detail apparent in each piece of hand carved bone. Due to the fact that bones only grow so large in the water buffalo, we are only able to create and offer designs up to 2g in this medium. All of the bone that we use is sustainably harvested and aged from cows and water buffalos that were killed for food. Both water buffalo and Indonesian cows are used as domestic draft animals (for example, to plow muddy rice paddies) and are consumed as food. They are highly valued and are not dispatched only for their horn or bone. Water buffalo horn and bone are obtained after death or in the case of horn being naturally shed. Since the cultures from which they are attained believe in utilizing the whole animal, nothing goes to waste, and thus the animal is honored more fully.
Mother of Pearl Shell - This illuminating material is the perfect choice in representing delicate femininity. The mother of pearl that we use is native to Bali, it is hand picked by diving deep into the waters by the local boys after it has been naturally shed by the Mollusca. These young boys then sell their treasure on the beach. Our mother of pearl is matched perfectly; one side of the shell is generally golden yellow and the other pearl white. Shell is extremely dense and therefore holds deep and delicate carving exceptionally well. Each iridescent pair is unique in its color formations. Because mother of pearl only grows so thick we are only able to create designs up to 2g in this medium.

Metal:

Whats up with your Heavy Metal?

Jewelry for stretched ears has hit new heights within the body jewelry industry. Not just plugs anymore. Maya Organic has raised the bar, with you in mind, to offer an unsurpassed quality by way of the Heavy Metal Collection. Original designs are available in 925 Silver, Copper that is plated with 24k. rose gold, and brass that is plated with 24k. yellow gold plating. All plated jewelry is designed with integrity, so that it can withstand extended wear. Some of these modified antiquities are available in hand forged brass and copper, for that perfect contemporary take on classic traditional styles. These pieces are strong, bold, and many of them can be worn through eyelets, so no stretched ear gets left behind. We guarantee our metal jewelry 100% against manufacturer defects. We work with some of the most talented silver smiths in Bali. Most of them are 3rd or even 4th generation and have been watching their fathers and grandfathers create magnificent pieces of art since they were crawling. All of our designs are original and hand built.

How do I take care of my metal?

All fine metal oxidizes quicker when left out in open air and also can pick up any fingerprints. We recommend an appropriate microfiber silver or gold polishing cloth depending on your design of choice. Make sure to follow the instructions on the package and be careful putting too much pressure on the jewelry as you might degrade the gold plating. Always keep your polishing cloth clean by keeping it in a plastic bag when not in use, dust can collect on the cloth and scratch your jewelry.

Silver - We use the highest quality of 925 Sterling Silver that we can get our hands on, the heavy metal line features polished brilliance with a bang. Silver on its own is very soft and the jewelry would bend if we did not mix it with a base metal. The 925% is made up of 92.5% Silver and 7.5% Copper to give it the extra strength it needs for you to wear our designs with pride, time and time again.
Copper - Copper has been used for jewelry since the dawn of Human Civilization. The oldest examples being ear weights found in Iraq 8700 BCE. Retaining the purity and tradition of some designs of cultures past, we also incorporate modern sensibility by plating our copper with 24k Rose Gold to keep the beauty of metal longer. Our jewelry is intended to be worn expressing the inner warrior or goddess inside and these epic talismans will do the trick!
Brass - Brass has become one of the most widely used alloys in history. Being adored due to it's gold like color, brass can be seen decorating anything from palaces to ears. Brass has amazing luster when polished and when patinaed has such a handsome texture. Because brass has such gorgeous versatility we offer designs with 24k gold plating to showcase its brilliance, and also solid non-plated brass that we here at the warehouse love once it starts antiquing (but you can always keep it bright and shiny with a good brass polishing cloth).
Gold Plating - All of our plated designs are either copper plated with 24k rose gold or brass plated with 24k yellow gold. Our plating is guaranteed to last with proper care. Do not use any harsh chemicals or jewelry cleaners on your plated jewelry and avoid direct sunlight. Clean your plated jewelry with mild soap and water and try thoroughly. Do not put in plastic bags for at least 24 hours after washing the jewelry to insure that water is evaporated and dried completely. Be aware of facial lotions, perfumes or other body product coming into contact with your jewelry, these can break down the plating. Never shower or work out with your plated jewelry on.