Shipping charges in our store reflect handling charges and we strive to offer a fair cost for us to prepare items, fill orders, package and ship. S&H charges DO NOT include insurance. We are instituting an aggressive campaign to offer merchandise at a fair price and a program to calculate the shipping and handling at a fair price. We primarily use Paypal Shipping in conjunction with the USPS. Although this program raises the minimum costs to ship, it provides a more secure and reliable process to track and receive packages. We offer a multiple item shipping discount, usually after 4 items. Let us invoice before payment so that we can calculate correct shipping and handling amounts. See Store Pages Box (left column) for International and Canada shipping information. Once again, S&H charges do not include insurance. Uninsured orders cannot be guaranteed for delivery or replacement unless insured for an additional amount at checkout. Payment of an uninsured invoice indicates acceptance of these terms. Contact us before payment to calculate amount. We generally ship within 2-4 business days after receipt of payment, sooner if possible. We are closed on Mondays, Wednesdays and most weekends. Over the next couple of months, there may be intermittent slowdowns in our shipping times. In special cases, we will accept returns with prior approval. Items priced under $2.00 are nonreturnable. We ask that our sealed bags are returned unopened. Also our counts will be guaranteed when they arrive and cannot be returned when opened. This ensures our accuracy. With regard to one of a kind, unique items, we may inadvertently misplace or sell elsewhere, so we will offer a substitute or a refund to prevent problems. When you see items that are unique, slight imperfections (inclusions) are the things we find beautiful about nature's art, so we will accept returns on items in their original condition with prior approval by us. Shipping & handling are nonrefundable.