FAQs

When choosing your piercer, there are several factor that you should take into consideration:

- Make sure you understand the piercer’s qualifications. It’s the person who will make you the piercing, you want to know his work. Feel free to ask them about their experience and knowledge. 

- The studio itself should be adapted to piercing. There should be separate spaces for retail, waiting areas, bathrooms, sterilization and the piercing-performing area.

- The piercer uses an autoclave device to sterilize the jewelry and equipment, thus ensuring the items are germ-free.

- You are able to observe the set-up first hand. Make sure the piercer washes and gloves his hands and uses a new needle that hasn’t been contaminated in any way. Utilizing piercing guns is not at all recommended.

- The needles are discarded in specialized containers. This lets you know they aren’t reusing them!

- You can check for the studio’s licensing and permits by contacting your local health department.

- The piercer will give you precise aftercare instructions before starting the procedure. If they tell you to wash your piercing with harsh soap, alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, this means they are not following the standards.

- Check the piercer’s photo portfolio to see how the final product looks on several customers. Be attentive to the placement of jewels and how natural they look on the body. 

Everybody’s pain threshold is different, thus it becomes hard to accurately say how a single person will react to getting pierced. However, there might be a general consensus on which spots are generally the most painful to get pierced.

It is recommended to use a thicker gauge when getting pierced for the first time, since it helps the healing and scarring process. 

You can also visit this link to have more information.

Disclaimer: we are not piercers and all bodies are different 

When considering piercing size, you have to take into account the size (length) and the gauge (thickness). There are standard gauges used for specific types of piercings. For example, navel piercings are made with a 14 gauge needle, which is equivalent to about 1.6mm. The used gauge also depends on your piercer and your personal preference. Please consult your piercer if you have further questions.

You can also visit this link to have more information.

Since a piercing is pretty much an open wound with a foreign object lodged in, there are several precautions and tips you should follow to ensure the best possible healing process.

In the following link you will be able to find the care that you must follow step by step so that your new piercing heals and looks beautiful on your body.

You should consult a doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms:

- Fever.

- Excessive redness and swelling around the pierced area.

- Pain when touching the area.

- Discharge of a yellow and foul-smelling substance.

Follow your doctor’s instructions to treat the infection.

Each body heals at a different rate. The body part in which you got your piercing also affects how long it will take to heal. You can take a look in this link to know better the healing times depending on the piercing you have.

Even if you really want to wear a new piece of jewelry, you should be careful during the healing process of a new piercing. It is preferable to keep your jewel in until you are fully healed. A piercing might look healed and ready but that is not always the case. Wounds heal from the outside in, so you might still be healing. Consult your piercer if you have any questions and they will let you know if you are ready to change jewels.

When you just got a new piercing your options tend to be quite limited. You have to avoid jewelry that can move around and snag on clothing (for example, big hoop earrings) since you still have to prioritize healing over everything else. During these stages, studs or smaller styles are recommended. 

But...Once you are fully healed,welcome to the world of jewelry, you can try all kinds of pieces according to your body and style! At Agha you will find an incredible variety of designs so you can experiment freely with new jewellery.The material is just as important as the design. With us you don’t have to worry about that, our jewelry is made of ASTM F-136 Titanium, 14k and 18k gold and implant grade steel. 

If you suspect an infection or show infection symptoms after changing to a new piece of jewelry, contact your medical professional as soon as possible. The infection was most likely brought on by hygiene deficiencies in the new piece of jewelry, so make sure any new product you buy is properly sterilized. For your convenience Agha Jewelry offers a sterilization service.

Some people have the need to cover up their piercings, maybe because of their job’s policies or simply wanting to hide it from somebody else. Please note that all of these methods are recommended for healed piercings only. You have several options in this case:

Put on a retainer. Be wary of the material of the retainer since some are not recommended. In Agha Jewelry, we use borosilicate glass since its lead-free and, thus, safe for piercings. 

Use flesh colored studs or small jewels.

Use the smallest possible accessory so that piercing won’t notice. 

But under any circumstances we recommend you to cover your piercing with micropor or anything similar as the perforation would not be able to breathe.

During the process of sterilization, we use an autoclave device in which the jewel is exposed to high temperature steam for several minutes. This process makes the jewel sterile by killing all bacteria, viruses and fungi that might be in the jewel. What this does is protect you from any disease caused by one of these microorganisms once the jewel comes into contact with your piercing.

Disinfection is the process in which harmful bacteria or microorganisms are removed from an object. On the other hand, sterilization is a more extreme form of disinfection in which all microorganisms are eliminated from the object, usually through methods like heat, chemicals, irradiation, high pressure, and filtration. If you choose to, Agha Jewelry products can be sterilized by heat and pressure using an autoclave before shipping and preserved in a sterile bag which prevents all contact with exterior microorganisms. 

When shopping online for a brand new piece of jewelry, you should take the following into consideration:

- Make sure the product is made of either titanium or 14k or 18k Gold (free of nickel). Implantation steel or niobium are also acceptable. Avoid silver and copper jewelry.Our materials are certified by Olympus Corporation of the Americas by Application Scientist, ANI-XRF and XRD Technologies. Our latest analysis certification was in August 2020.

- Verify how reliable the seller is. It is a good idea to check for reviews on their site to see how other customers have experienced the service.

- When you receive your product, check the packaging and see if it comes inside a sterile and sealed bag.

This is a tricky subject. Underaged piercing is dependent on several factors, including the specific State Laws and even the piercing parlor’s policies. Most jurisdictions require the formal authorization of a parent or guardian in order to get a piercing. Be sure to check your state’s law and call the piercing parlor beforehand to inquire about their treatment of these cases. 

However, there are some reasons why minors are not pierced:

-The body is still developing

-Piercing can leave scarfs

-In many countries is forbidden by law

Agha jewelry recommends taking into account several considerations when deciding if you should pierce your baby’s ears. A piercing is a procedure that requires some serious after-care. In some cultures, babies get earrings while very young, but be sure that as a parent you are willing to responsibilize for cleaning and caring for the piercing for the months it takes to heal. Be sure to select jewelry made of safe materials and avoid any loose parts that can signify a choking hazard. 

Depending on your views, you might also want to consider waiting for your child to be old enough to make their own decisions regarding piercings.

We love our planet and work everyday to preserve it. We aim to be a sustainable company and reduce our carbon footprint as much as we can. That’s why, just as we have a commitment to you, we also have a commitment to the environment and our society by minimizing the use of non-recyclable materials as much as possible. Likewise, the packaging in which you will receive your jewelry was made by single mothers who want to give you a rewarding experience. Also we have partnered up with EcoEnclose to utilize recycled packaging for our shipping, our personalization processes use the clean anodization methods, etc.

If you wish to change your order before it is shipped, contact us and we will modify it. (Valid only for products of equal or greater value)

Once you make your order, you can not. In this case, you would have to make a separate order. Shipping costs for additional purchased orders can’t be combined.

If you want to change your delivery address please notify us ASAP.  We are able to do it only if your order hasn’t been shipped. Please send us your order ID number and the correct address. 

There is little we can do after the package has been given to the service carrier. Your best bet is to contact the service carrier directly and check if you can change the address. 

If the package is returned to the sender (in case you typed in the wrong address) we will notify you and request you to cover shipping costs and provide the correct address. We will send your package again to the address provided within a couple of days. 

Free shipping is included depending on your purchase:

- Included within the US for orders over 35$ 

- Included for shipping to Canada with orders over 100$ 

- Included for shipping to other countries with orders over 150$

We offer several shipping options for your convenience:

US Domestic Shipping 

- USPS First Class $: Delivery in 1-5 business days. 

- USPS Priority $$: Fast delivery in 1-3 business days.

- FEDEX $$$: Delivery in 1-5 business days depending on your state.

- UPS $$$: Delivery in 1-5 business days depending on your state.

International shipping options include:

- USPS First Class Mail International (Canada) $: Does not have an estimated delivery time frame. Shipping can take between 2-3 weeks. 

- USPS Priority Mail International $$: Estimate Delivery Between 6-10 days. 

- USPS Priority Mail Express International $$$: Ships in 3-5 days. 

- FEDEX (Rest of the World) $$$:   Guarantee delivery in 2-5 days.

- DHL (Rest of the World) $$$: Guarantee delivery in 2-5 days.

For tracking, we will send you an email with your tracking number. You can consult the status of your order at anytime with the following link: 

US Postal Service: https://tools.usps.com/go/TrackConfirmAction_input

FEDEX: https://www.fedex.com/en-us/home.html

DHL: http://www.dhl-usa.com/en/express/tracking.html 

UPS: https://www.ups.com/track?loc=en_US&requester=ST/

Your shipping will be insured depending on the plan you choose:

US Domestic Shipping insurance plans:

- USPS First Class: Plan does not include insurance. 

- USPS Priority $$: Insured for 100$ USD.

- FEDEX $$$: Insured for 100$ USD.

- UPS $$$: Insured for 100$ USD.

International shipping insurance plans:

- USPS First Class Mail International (Canada) $: Plan does not include insurance.

- USPS Priority Mail International $$: Insured for 100$ USD.

- USPS Priority Mail Express International $$$: Insured for the equivalent cost of the package.

- FEDEX (Rest of the World) $$$: Insured for the equivalent cost of the package.

- DHL (Rest of the World) $$$: Insured for the equivalent cost of the package.

At this moment we cannot accept exchanges; we can only do it as a return. 

Return shipping costs are not covered. Please contact us to send you the correct return address. You can now purchase the new size of jewelry directly from our store.  We recommend getting a tracking number, as packages get lost in the mail and we are not responsible for lost packages.

Please note that shipping cost won’t be refunded. Once we receive the returned package, we will process your refund directly to your payment method, please allow 3-5 business days for the money to be reflected in your account. 

If you make a second purchase we will issue a complete refund on the price of the original product. If we made any mistake on the order or you are not satisfied with the condition of the product, contact us and we will check if you are eligible for a full refund. 

You won’t be able to return a product that has been manipulated in any way and taken out of its sterilized packaging upon reception. 

This will work as a regular return. Please make sure to send us the order ID number to start the return process. 

Yes you can. In this case, the same refund rules apply and we will honor the sale price on the second purchase. 

Custom items are made just for you. Utilizing our anodization option deems the product unreturnable.  

That’s embarrassing, but sometimes it can happen! Please contact us via email at:

info@aghajewelrystore.com

Please describe the situation and attach a photo of the product you received, we will sort it out free of cost.

Feel free to contact us via email at info@aghajewelrystore.com Please describe the imperfection you found and attach a photo, we’ll solve the issue. 

We cover all manufacturer defects but we won't cover damages related to misuse of the jewelry.  We will review your case after you get in touch with us. 

Unfortunately, at this moment, all international warranty cases don’t include the transportation cost. 

We know that it is frustrating to lose a piece of jewelry. However, we cannot be liable for this situation. Please follow our recommendations on how to take care of your jewelry daily, weekly and monthly in this link.

Please note, to ensure your products reach you we will require a signature upon reception for orders over 100$ USD.

- Straight barbell: a straight tube with threaded balls on each side. You can use it in several parts of the body, it's a very versatile jewel. 

- Curved barbell: also known as a “banana”, it’s a barbell with a slight curve. You can use it in your eyebrow piercings.

- Circular barbell: forms an incomplete circle. Also known as a “horseshoe” because of its shape. This type of jewel is most common for septum and ear piercings.

- Industrial barbell: a longer version of the straight barbell, designed to fit between the two openings of an industrial piercing.

- Captive Bead Ring (CBR): consists of a ring with a partial opening in which a ball is held in place by both sides of the ring. 

- Labret:  it consists of a bar with a decoration or ball on one end and a flat surface on the other. 

- Studs: simple pieces of jewelry, worn on the ears, nose or other parts of the body.

- Internally threaded: the threading is inside the jewel so the accessory screws into it. If you are longing for a new piercing, or if you already have a healed one, this can be a fine option since the surface that comes into contact with the skin is smooth and without sharp edges. And does not allow the accumulation of residue that can generate infections in your piercing. Remember that this type of closing can be found mainly in titanium jewelry. They also tend to be more durable!

- Threadless: threads are not invited to the party. Instead, the mechanism relies on the tension/friction between the pin and the inside of the jewel. They have a smooth surface which keeps the skin safe. They are easy to use since there is no screwing involved, the manipulation is easier and you can adjust the desired tension. Remember it’s important to bend the top pin a little bit before you introduce it in the bottom to get the fit.

- Clicker: this mechanism you will find in “infinite” ring or hoops in which the bar is connected and it’s closed by  a “click”.  At one end of the bar you will find a tip that will be inserted with pressure into the hole located at the other end of the ring. The clicker offers an easy, fast and convenient way to secure your jewelry as it works with pressure and is versatile as it can be used in different piercings.

- Captive Bead Ring (CBR): voilà, an incomplete ring with a metal ball slightly larger than the opening of the ring. The pressure between the ring’s end-points secures the metal ball. This type of jewelry is very unlikely to snag on clothes because of its enclosed design. 

Now  you can find a wide variety of accessories for your CBR, such as gemstones in different colors and sizes.

- Seamless: practicality is the last name of this kind of jewels. it's one of the simplest methods for securing jewelry: it consists of a ring with a tiny opening that can be bent in order to put it through the piercing hole.

Bezel setting: the protagonist here is a thin band of metal that surrounds the gemstone in order to protect it. This setting prevents snagging on clothes. 

In Agha Jewelry we use this setting for most of our products, so glue or adhesives to keep the gemstone in place aren´t part of the ingredients of our recipes.

Prong setting: it makes more of the gemstone visible in comparison to other settings since it´s held in place by a number of thin “claws” or prongs.

Cubic Zirconia: this type of synthetic gemstone makes your jewelry look and feel like a diamond.

Swarovski Zirconia: Swarovski has upgraded the manufacturing process for zirconia and gave birth to a branded variant: brighter gems that most closely resemble real diamonds by the form the light came into your christal by the triangular cut form.

Flat Swarovski Crystal: Swarovski´s patented cutting methods are responsible for the amazing sparkling in their crystals. The flat surface on one of their sides allows them to fit into jewels without protruding too much.

Cabochon-cut opals: Opals are mineraloids composed of silica. Surprisingly they come in almost any color of the visual spectrum! Cabochon refers to a dome-shaped cut. Here at Agha Jewelry, we use cabochon opals in our jewelry to give them a distinct look and allow the use of close to skin jewels.

At Agha Jewelry we use this method so that you can customize your items. When you place your order you can choose between rose gold, gold and more than 20 colors! Remember this can only be done on titanium and niobium pieces. Bear in mind that you can not return your jewel after it has gone through an anodizing process.

PVD is the acronym for Physical Vapor Deposition. The metal or jewel is placed inside a vacuum chamber alongside another “target” metal. A small amount of argon gas is introduced into the chamber and then exposed to an electrical circuit. Argon ions bombard the target metal, releasing its atoms and coating the surface of the jewel. This gives it a thin layer and a new color.

Plating is a process in which a thin layer of gold is deposited on the surface of a metal to make it look like actual solid gold. This can be done by using electricity or chemical methods.

PVD produces a thin layered coating on the surface of the metal, giving it its color. Even though it’s quite resistant, it can still chip or peel if damaged. 

On the other hand, anodization integrates the color into the underlying metallic substrate, making it impossible for it to peel off. Anodized metals require low maintenance, they are aesthetically pleasing (retaining their metallic look), safe for humans and environmentally friendly. 

Finally, gold plating doesn’t actually alter the molecular structure of the jewel’s metal; it just deposits a layer of gold on top. Because of this, it is much less resistant than the other methods and, if scratched, can reveal the lower original metallic surface.

Even though we try our best to replicate the color of solid gold, anodizing a titanium piece of jewelry will not make it look exactly the same since there is no actual gold being used to cover the surface of the titanium. Instead, an electrical current is what alters the natural color of the titanium.

If you are planning on getting pierced, there are several steps you should take beforehand to ensure you have the best possible experience:

- Choose a piercer that you consider will provide the service you want.

- Make sure that the place you the choose to get your piercing meets all hygiene requirements

- Make an appointment if the studio will allow it; this helps you cut out the waiting times.

- On the day of your piercing, make sure you are clean and well-bathed.

- Wear fresh clothes that will cause the minimum amount of snag, especially if they will cover your piercing.

- If you have long hair, it is preferable if you tighten it.

- Make sure to drink water and have a meal at least 4 hours before. This will raise your blood sugar level and reduce the risk of passing out during the procedure.

- Be completely sober. Alcohol and drugs are off the table before getting pierced.

- Don’t take aspirin or other blood thinners beforehand. 

- We recommend that you tell your piercer if you have any medical conditions that may affect your piercing.

- If you have a trip planned, it’s best to postpone your piercing and do it when you get back. 

- Bring a valid ID. Most states won’t allow a minor to get pierced unless they are authorized by an accompanying adult. 

- Bring all the questions you may have.

- And relax, you are going to have the piercing you always wanted, the pain will be just a moment, your piercing can be forever.

Be honest with you piercer about your medical condition and you should consult your doctor before piercing if you have any of these medical conditions:

- Diabetes.

- Hemophilia.

- Hepatitis.

- Pregnancy, especially for navel and nipple piercings. 

- Heart conditions.

- Diseases of the immune system.

- If you are currently taking steroids or blood thinners.

- Allergies (reaction to some materials)

- Skin diseases

Since your piercing is pretty much an open wound with a foreign object lodged in it, there are several precautions and tips you should follow to ensure the best possible healing process.

- Cleaning solutions will be your best friends, always have enough. 

- Your piercing will thank you for touching and cleaning it with washed hands, so soap and water are the previous steps before any contact.

- If at the moment of cleaning your piercing you need gauze pads or cotton swabs or other cleaning elements, remember that this material is for one single use.

- Here is a new habit for you: at least twice or three times a day wash your piercing with saline solutions, or special products for cleaning your piercing. Remember not to apply soap or products containing alcohol which can irritate your piercing. 

- Overcleaning may irritate it, so put some of the product you are going to use on the jewel and piercing and let it sit for a few seconds. Make sure to rinse the area properly until no residue remains. Remember to make gentle movements so you don’t hurt your piercing. 

- Another exciting part of your self-care routine is to soak the area at least once a day with a saline solution 

- When drying your piercing, DON’T do it, let it dry by itself

- Like in hotels, you’ll have to clean your bedding often. Also please use clean clothes that allow the piercing to breathe. 

- Your piercings are your body treasures, so keep the pierced area free of all possible trauma.

- A healthy lifestyle isn´t just to be fit, it can speed up your healing process. Get enough sleep, eat well, and avoid stress.

- Excessive alcohol, sugar or fats, nicotine, recreational drug use, and caffeine have no passport to your body during the healing process.

- As part of the self-caring healing process, you´ll have to protect the pierced area from unhygienic bodies of water, bodily fluids such as saliva, and beauty care products or makeup. 

- You will need to wait at least a month before going to a pool, beach, river or other water source. 

- When doing any physical activity don’t forget to do your cleansing after you finish.

- Don’t move, don’t play with your jewel

- Do not apply any kind of creams on the piercing as this does not allow it to breathe. 

- During your healing process it is mandatory that you do not sleep, hit or put pressure on the piercing as it may cause you some complications.

Don’t worry if you notice some bleeding, swelling, tenderness, itching, and secretions that form a crust on the jewelry. This is completely normal during the initial phases of the healing process! 

If you would like to keep your piercing, make sure to always have a jewel on since they can heal (and close) up very quickly, even if fully healed. Specific body parts have specific directions for care, so feel free to ask your piercer for tips, especially when taking care of oral piercings.

You should consult a doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms:

Fever.

- Excessive redness and swelling around the pierced area.

- Pain when touching the area.

Discharge of a yellow and foul-smelling substance.

- Follow your doctor’s instructions to treat the infection. 

If you suspect an infection or show infection symptoms after changing to a new piece of jewelry, contact your medical professional as soon as possible. The infection was most likely brought on by hygiene deficiencies in the new piece of jewelry, so make sure any new product you buy is properly sterilized. 

For your convenience, Agha Jewelry offers a sterilization service.

Getting a piercing is relatively safe. However, bad care or preexisting conditions may entail some risks:

- An allergic reaction to the jewel, especially on bad-quality jewelry.

- Infection.

- Keloids or irregular scar tissue.