FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Click on any question to jump to the answer.

What are we all about at Global Beads, Inc.?
Global Beads is designed to be a customer-driven company. This is most evident in the content of our online catalog and other web site features. Many of the items you see on www.globalbeads.com came about from specific customer requests. So tell us what you need via email and let us shop for you!

Do you sell wholesale or have quantity discounts?
Wholesale discounts are offered for the trade with proper identification (business license and resale certificate). Please fax, 650-964-1115 or email info@globalbeads.com a copy of your credentials prior  your order. We do not offer wholesale discounts on “Old World” items, books, tools, Finished Jewelry, labor or classes.  The resale discount offered applies to common beads and supplies regularly stocked.

Our wholesale discount applies to new bead and cording purchases over $200.00. These discounts apply to new beads and findings. Our discounts are not applicable to books, classes, labor, custom orders, sale items, and law-away. Old World beads and collectibles or finished Jewelry does not qualify for any discount.  If you have questions please ask.

Use these codes when prompted as you check out. You will see the total with discount automatically applied before you finalize the order. One coupon per order (choose the one that works best for your particular order). These codes can be used more than once, as long as you meet the order minimum.

May I receive a Global Beads Catalog?
We do not have a printed catalog. Although not everything we sell in our store is visible through the web-site, you may submit inquiries as to other products available. Or suggestions as to what other products you would like to see available through our web-site.

What do we do to ensure your order is accurate?
We’re proud of our results in filling your order accurately. At least two people quality check your order for accuracy and bead quality. We cannot eliminate errors completely, but we’ll always take care of any errors promptly. Please check all packaging carefully before discarding anything, and call us immediately if something is missing.

How do we handle back-orders?
We do not offer back-orders. Our online system is designed to notify you of most out of stock conditions as you place your order. Infrequently, you may see the quantity shipped field updated when your order ships. You will not be charged for any out of stock items, and you can simply reorder when it’s back in stock. We are continually working to minimize the number of out of stock situations. Always check Order Status online to see your up to date invoice with quantity reductions, if any, noted.

How do I find something I’m looking for on your web site?
If you are looking for something specific, try our search engine located on the top left of any of our web site pages. If you still don’t find what you want, email or call us and we will let you know if we can get the item for you.

Coupons: 1) How do I get them, 2) What are their terms of use, and/or 3) Why am I having trouble using a coupon?
We may offer coupons through our Newsletter and our store at 345 Castro Street, Mountain View, CA. Coupons are only valid for in-store orders and are restricted to one coupon per order, coupons can only be used once per person. We do not apply coupons retroactively to previous orders. Coupons must be presented at time of purchase or will not accept them.

How do I contact Global Beads, Inc. GBI, Beads?
Call us at 1-650-967-7556. For questions or changes regarding your order, you can email the order team directly at info@globalbeads.com. For new item requests and general questions or comments, email us at info@yahoo.com.

What are Cookies and what are your policies regarding them?
A cookie is a small piece of information a Web server sends to your Web browser when you look at a Web page. A cookie file is the place on your computer’s hard disk drive where the browser stores the cookies. Cookies allow you to save your passwords, purchases, and preferences. For your protection, we never store any of you secure, personal information using cookies. However, we do use cookies to store shopping cart items so you can finish shopping at a later time without losing any information. For this reason, you need to have cookies enabled to shop online. Here’s how to do this with Internet Explorer 6.0 (other browsers should be similar): go to Tools/Internet Options and click the Privacy tab. For best results, set the privacy setting to Medium. If it is set to ‘Block all Cookies’ the shopping cart will not work.

Do you have a physical store? What are your store hours?
Yes, Global Beads, Inc. is proud to be a part of the renovated Downtown Mountain View. If you’re in the area, visit us at 345 Castro Street, Mountain View, CA.

I live in the Mountain View area … should I place my order online or come in the store?
Your choice. Many of our local customers choose to place their order online with a note in the Special Instructions that they will pick it up in the store. Doing so will save you shipping charges.

I have a resale or tax exemption certificate. Do you need it?
We only need your resale certificate if you are in California. If so, we must have a copy of the form “TAX AND USE PERMIT” We must have a copy emailed or faxed to us to relieve us of our obligation to the state of California. Then, for all your orders, put a note in the Special Instructions that says RESALE CERTIFICATE ON FILE and we will credit the sales tax.  See above clarification to what items may receive a resale discount.

What payment options and minimums do you have?
Global Beads, Inc. accepts Mastercard, Discover, Visa, cashiers checks, and money orders.

Are my online credit card orders secure?
Yes. We use secure SSL to process your order and our company has a digital certificate issued by VeriSign, all of which means no one will see your credit card that is not supposed to. Further, we do not store your credit card information permanently on the site, print it on your invoices, or even display it in our back office software used by our order fulfillment team. However, if you are still uncomfortable with using your credit card online, you may email your order. See the Company tab for address and phone number.

How long will it take to receive my order?
Click on the Shipping Policy button for a complete explanation. Please don’t order without reading the shipping policy (it is also displayed as you are finalizing your order). For UPS ground you can go to www.ups.com and see their delivery time map. Enter 94041 as the origin zip code. Remember, you can track your shipment online by clicking on Order Status.

Do you sell Internationally?
Yes as long as the current Federal Trade Embargo allows.  And keep in mind special shiping may have to be arranged, and you are responsible for all import taxes, duties, insurance and costs that may apply.

What are the birthstones for each month?
January: Garnet or Rose Quartz February: Amethyst or Onyx March: Aquamarine or Bloodstone April: Diamond or Rock Crystal (Quartz) May: Emerald or Chrysoprase June: Alexandrite or Moonstone or Pearl July: Ruby or Carnelian August: Peridot or Sardonyx September: Sapphire or Lapis October: Opal or Tourmaline November: Topaz or Citrine December: Zircon or Turquoise

Do you sell to the general public?
A: Yes

What payment methods do you Accept?
A: We accept MasterCard, Discover, Visa, and Visa Check Cards.

How safe is to use my credit card on the Internet?
A: Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, your bank cannot hold you liable for more than $50 of fraudulent charges. In the event of unauthorized use of your credit card, you must notify your credit card provider in accordance with its reporting rules and procedures.

I do not feel safe giving my credit card over the Internet. Can I place my order on hold and send you my credit card information by phone?
A: My website uses the highest standards of encryption software for internet security. If you still do not wish to submit your credit card information through our secure site, please e-mail your order to us with a list of item numbers, description and prices. In your e-mail, please let us know how you would like us to obtain your payment information.

Do you issue credit for unusable beads?
A: It is common to have some beads or pearls in a strand not suitable for your use for various reasons. We do NOT issue credit for those beads or pearls because the sale price always reflects the general quality of the all of the beads, not every single piece. Therefore, if the overall quality of the entire strand doesn’t meet your requirements. See our full Return Policy for all acceptable returns and the accepted time-lines.

Why I can’t find an item that I had seen before?
A: If you can’t find a particular item that you had seen before in this website, that means it is either temporarily out of stock or discontinued. Please try to find a substitute that match the best.

Are your beads treated?
A: Yes, with close to 99% of the more popular gem types treated. As the majority of gemstones traded internationally have undergone some form of treatment, always assume treatment when purchasing gemstones. In fact, some techniques such as heating are centuries old – in all likelihood your grandmother’s ruby ring has been heat-treated!

Why are gemstone treated?
A: Most commonly to improve the color or appearance of the finished product, some gemstones simply would not exist in salable quantities without treatment. For example, heating greenish brown Zoisite to 600 degrees Celsius produces the currently popular vibrant violet-blue Tanzanite. No heating, no Tanzanite!

What grade are your beads?
A: Although I see beads graded A/B/C etc. I can find no common method for doing this. If the wholesaler gives me a grade I use it, otherwise I try to let the Image speak for itself.

You don’t give the weight of your bali pieces. How much is your Sterling and Vermeil by the gram?
A: The reason I don’t give weights, is because I sell them by the piece. Each piece is hand made, depending on who makes them the weight changes, sometimes a lot. I don’t pay a fixed price, by the gram. So I find it easier to sell them by the piece price.

I just received my order. Is everything sterling silver? 
A: In the USA, The National Gold and Silver Marketing Act does NOT require precious metals to be marked with quality. However, if a quality mark is used, the mark must be accompanied by a manufacturer’s hallmark that is a registered trademark.

For many reasons, not all silver jewelry is marked. Registering a trademark costs over $1000. The maker may not spend the money to have a legal hallmark. Small time artists and Native American silversmiths rarely trademark their work. The sizes or designs of some pieces do not lend themselves to quality marking.