Simply Not FAQs
Let's talk about Earring Care.
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Are the earrings waterproof?
NO.
Our earrings are made of wood, which will warp with exposure to water, so they are NOT waterproof. Do not wear your earrings in the shower, swimming pool, or anywhere else with will get wet for an extended period of time.
However, because we seal all our wood with shellac, your earrings will be water-resistant to some degree. While you should still not wear earrings where they will get wet, the shellac can repel some accidental water damage.
The best way to clean your earrings is with a slightly damp cloth and mild detergent, so there is not too much water contact.
How do I clean my earrings?
The best way to clean your earrings is with a slightly damp cloth and mild soap, so there is not too much water contact.
DO NOT use alcohol on the wooden part of the earring, as it will dissolve the shellac and ruin the finish.
Clean the metal part of your earrings according to instructions by your piercer or use a Piercing/Wound aftercare solution.
Let's talk about Allergies.
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What does "hypoallergenic" mean?
As a general definition, hypoallergenic means: relatively unlikely to cause an allergic reaction, or less likely to cause allergies.
In the jewelry industry, hypoallergenic is often used to specifically mean "contains no nickel".
Nickel is the most common metal allergy in the world, and mostly likely the culprit for any reaction to jewelry.
At Simply Not, we use hypoallergenic both to refer to nickel, and in the general sense about all our materials.
- Our metal is tested to be 100% nickel-free.
- We seal the wood with a food-grade shellac to make the surface of the wood safe for skin contact.
- Even though we seal it, we still choose woods with low risk for reactions.
How do you test the metal for nickel?
We use a dimethylglyoxime solution to test the hardware we use. We do a spot test for each order batch of findings (stud posts, etc.) that we receive.
The testing solution can detect the presence of nickel at a level as low as 10 parts/million.
Our CEO, Jennifer, has also tested most of the earring styles with her ears, which are VERY allergic to nickel, and she feels good about releasing this metal into the wild.
* The specific pair of earrings you order were NOT chemically tested. Instead, some materials from the batch it arrived with were tested. If you would like us to test your earring order specifically, please add a note to your order, or visit our contact page to let Jennifer know.
Is the wood in the earrings safe for allergies?
We seal all the wood used in our earrings with a food-grade shellac to make the surface of the wood safe for skin contact.
"Food-grade" means the shellac has been cleared for use on items that will touch food. This means the shellac can be used on wooden kitchen objects: wooden bowls, wooden spoons, etc.
A lot of candies also use shellac as a coating, since food-grade finishes have a very low risk of causing an allergy.
Even with a finish, we still avoid woods that commonly cause allergic reactions.
Are there other allergies to be concerned about?
Unfortunately, there's one allergy I can't make any guarantees about.
We are a puppy-friendly workplace, and our supposed labradoodle has ZERO of the hypoallergenic qualities of a poodle. She is probably the complete opposite.
If you are allergic to dogs, add a note to your order or visit our contact page to let Jennifer know. We will create a puppy quarantine zone and do a full wipe down of everything we use to pack your order. However, even with those precautions, I will still not be able to guarantee an allergy-free experience.
Now that you know it's safe, check out what we have!
Let's talk about the shop.
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What is the return/refund policy?
Please check out the full Refunds, Exchanges & Returns Policy.
Please use the contact page to let Jennifer know if you have an allergic reaction. You will receive a full refund. We may request the return of the earrings for testing.
How are the earrings made?
Each earring design is laser-cut into the wood. Depending on the level of engraving, this can be a quick process (cutting out shapes only) or a very long one (detailed engraving).
Then, in batches, the earrings are coated with a spray finish of shellac for skin protection. Both sides of the earrings are sprayed. Earrings are let out to set for at least 24 hours to air out.
Next, hardware is added, either studs or fishhook dangles. This is done with epoxy or jump rings.
Finally, earrings are wiped down as they are placed onto backing cards and sealed in their packaging.
Who makes the "Made by Kids" products?
My kids do! Mostly my 9 year old makes them. She does her own designs, painting, photography, and more. She even made her own logo!
Everything is made with the same wood and metal. However, most of her earrings are not sealed with shellac.
Check out the earrings she's made!
My other two kids "help" with painting and design things with me. All three of them are absolutely positive they are better designers than me. It's probably true!