FAQs

MATERIALS 

1) Is it sterling silver?
Our silver jewellery is classified as 92.5% sterling quality. This means that it contains a minimum of 92.5% pure silver; 925 Sterling is the standard industry for solid silver jewellery. The remaining 7.5% is made up of various metals, which is added to the silver in order for it to be hard enough to keep its shape.

 

2) Will the items (wood/silver/brass) lose its colour?
Due to their natural conditions, the colour may change slightly. This does not happen straight away - it is only part of the magic of natural jewellery! In order to keep them in top condition, it is best to avoid contact with water and to keep them stored in dry surroundings. Wood can be kept smooth by rubbing it with natural oils like jojoba or olive oil. Silver and brass can be kept shiny by polishing them with silver cloths. Brass you can also clean with lemon juice, the acid will give it back its shine.

 

4) Which animal does the bone come from? Where does it come from?
Our bone is sourced from domestic cows, a by-product of the meat and leather industry, which would normally be discarded.

 

5) Which animal does the horn come from? Where does it come from?
Our horn is sourced from the Asian domestic water buffalo, used throughout Africa and Asia, as a working animal and also for it's meat and milk. Horn is regarded as a by-product of this animal's domestic capacity.

 

6) What kind of wood is it? Where does it come from?
In the production of our pieces we use many different kinds of wood: Palm wood, Blackwood, Indian rosewood, sandalwood, black olive, sonokeling and more. It comes from different places around the world, but primarily from India, Java, Philippines and Bali. All the materials are certified by the respective ministries of Forestry as being sourced within the laws of Nature Conservation and do not belong to endangered or protected species.

 

7) Were the animals killed in order to make this jewellery?
A very sensitive question; as a matter of fact, the animals have been killed for their meat. Their skin is an interest to the leather industry- shoes, clothes, etc. The bone and horn are used mainly in the textile industry to make buttons, as well as home decorations and jewellery. The horn, bone and coconuts are by products, our woods are imported with licences to make sure they come from renewable sources.

 

 

STRETCHING

 

1) How to begin stretching?
Before inserting your new jewellery, make sure your hands and piercings are properly cleaned. It is very important that your ear piercing is properly healed. There are two options here; you can begin by using the 2mm hooks in bone, horn, coconut or silver, or to use an expander. Insertion of the jewellery should only be carried out after properly washing the area and the jewellery with a non-chemical soap and allowing to air dry. To aid insertion of the jewellery a little olive, jojoba or vitamin 'E' oil should be applied both to the jewellery and the piercing.

 

2) Does it hurt to stretch your ears?
It is not necessarily painful, just slightly uncomfortable. The stretched area will remain slightly swollen for a few hours, but once it has returned to normal, there is no pain whatsoever. In a small number of cases, hard woods such as rosewood and sandalwood may cause allergic reactions. Should a reaction occur we recommend that you cease wearing them immediately.

 

3) How much can I stretch my ears and still have them go back to normal size?
This depends from ear to ear, but in general we think it’s safe to stretch them to 8mm and they will go back to normal size after a few months of non-stretching.

 

4) How long does it take to stretch your ears?
It depends on the size you wish to achieve. It starts from one day up to several months. It can be done immediately in a piercing parlour, or it can be done gradually by yourself at home. We recommend that anyone wishing to stretch their piercings consult a good quality, licensed piercer for advice and assistance.

 

5) Do I need to stretch my ears for the 2mm hooks?
Only very slightly, but yes. A regular sized ear piercing is 1mm in width. However, if you tend to wear heavy earrings, which have already slightly stretched your ear lobes, then stretching is probably not necessary.

 

6) What is the biggest size in the plugs/hooks?
Our hooks range from 1mm to 16mm, and our plugs/ FT's range from 4mm to 40mm.

 

7) How often should I go up in size? And by how many mm's?
It is probably best to go up 1-2 mm at a time. Everyone heals differently and within different periods of time; we recommend that you do not stretch any further until your ear goes back to its normal state, without any soreness or being swollen.

 

8) Can I use the small stretchers for my septum/tragus/nipple piercings?
It is an individual choice; many of our customers have done so. Awareness of the stretching involved is vital. It needn't be dangerous, however less comfortable than the ears.

 

 

SILVER

 

1) Why is there no stamp on some of the silver?

Stamping Silver is a very costly process, which we have avoided going through with our Tribal Silver collection for two main reasons: 1. It would considerably raise the Retail Price of the items and 2. Some pieces are so small or uniquely decorated that a stamp takes away from their visual beauty.

 

2) How do I polish the silver?
You can polish silver by using a silver polishing cloth.

 

3) What is Tribal silver?

Tribal Silver is our very special range of silver Earrings, Rings, Cuffs and Pendants. It is made in the Northern Thailand and Burmese Hills. Tribal Silver has a higher silver percentage, 98.5% as opposed to 92,5% sterling silver. This makes the silver look and feel darker, matter and softer. Most of our Tribal Silver is not stamped for the above reasons (see point 1).

 

4) Is it Sterling Silver?
Our silver jewellery is classified as 92.5% sterling quality. This means that it contains a minimum of 92.5% pure silver; 925 Sterling is the standard industry for solid silver jewellery. The remaining 7.5% is made up of various metals, which is added to the silver in order for it to be hard enough to keep its shape.

 

5) What does the spiral shape represent?
The spiral is probably the oldest symbol of human spirituality. It has been found scratched into rocks from thousands of years ago, on every continent in the world. The religious significance can only be guessed, but it has been found on tombs, and possibly has a connection with the sun- the sun makes a spiral shape every three months in its travels. In modern times, the spiral is still spiritually significant. It is the symbol of spirit in Wicca, an emblem of the Goddess. Its symbolism differs from one place to another. The spiral represents the flow of energy and represents new beginnings, energy renewal and inner growth"

 

6) Does the silver contain nickel?

All of our items are Nickel-free.

 

 

FAKE-HOOKS

1) Do people wear just one earring?
Yes they do, and most of our split-hooks are sold individually.

 

2) Does the shape mean anything?
Our shapes are derived from tribal designs originating from different parts of the world, such as New Zealand, Africa and Asia.

 

3) Is it ok to sleep with the split spikes/hooks?

We recommend that you do not sleep with split spikes and hooks. Because they are fastened together by a pin and hole system, sleeping in them risks the pin to bend out of shape and damaging the closure mechanism.

 

4) Can I buy spares of the surgical steel balls?
Yes, we sell the surgical steel balls @ £1.00 per piece.

 

5) Is the Split spikes/hooks for normal sized ear piercing?
Yes, our split hooks are for regular sized ear piercings. No stretching is required, however it is made to appear that you have stretched!

 

6) Which part of the Split spikes/hooks goes in the front/back?
Usually the shorter piece is worn in the front and the longer piece in the back. However, there is no specific way to wear our jewellery, you can wear either piece at the front or back, depending on what you personally prefer.

 

7) How do I open them/ How do they come apart?
They work with a simple push and pull mechanism. However, as the silver pin is glued at one side, make sure to never use too much force, as this will damage the pin. When inserting them, make sure you find the correct angle; the insertion should be easy without any force. With some of our spikes, they need only be pulled apart.

 

8) Do they break easily?

If the above guidelines of care and usage are followed correctly our spikes and fake hooks will last for years. Please see our Facebook Page for a video on how to regain a good grip should the grip loosen over time.

 

 

RINGS

 

1) Do you sell rings for men?
Yes, we do sell rings for men. Many of our rings are unisex in design and shape and we sell rings in many different sizes. We also have a ring chart, which will help you to find the right size for you.

 

2) Do you have different sizes for the rings?
We have several different sizes for our rings. If you do not know what your size is, you can find a 'ring size chart' at the bottom of our website page. This should be able to assist you and when selecting a ring, on the website you will need to select from a drop-down bar, which shows all the sizes available in stock. Another method is simply to measure your finger with a string and then hold the string against a ruler to see the mm’s.

 

3) Can I exchange the ring if it does not fit?
We do accept ring exchanges, if you had recently purchased it for yourself or as a gift. You would need to send the ring back to us, and we would then replace it with your selected size. However, we advise you to check the ring chart before purchasing any rings on our website, just to make sure you are buying the right size!

 

GENERAL

 

1) Do you sell the wooden sticks? Surgical steel balls?
Indeed we do. You can find these items on our website, within the 'Organic Earrings' - 'Wood' category and the 'Split Hook'- 'Horn' category.

 

2) Can I get anything custom made?

If you have a specific idea for a design but cannot see it on our site, please email us on info@tribu.co.uk and we will see what we can do for you. Please note that for custom made pieces you should come ready with flexible time and budget.

 

 

3) Does the jewellery suit both men and women?
Many of our items are unisex, especially our fake-hooks, spikes, plugs and flesh-tunnels. Some of our jewellery is more specific for men/women, but much of it relies on personal taste. Our products entitle you to feel unique, we have items for many different styles and characters.

  

4) Do you have nice jewellery as gifts?
We have a wide range of items to pick from as great gifts! And to suit all kinds of different tastes. Just browse our website to find an endless amount of necklaces, bracelets, earrings and more and in many different materials such as horn, bone, wood, silver, gold, etc..

 

5) Does Tribu offer any gift-packaging?

Yes, if you would like us to send your order as a gift and without the invoice, please send us an email to info@tribu.co.uk with your order number.

 

13) Can I have a discount if I buy several items?
Our website is always placing new offers and great deals! You can find them in our 'Special Offers' category as well as our 'Promotions' category!

 

14) Do you have any jewellery with the biblical cross/Ganesh/Shiva?
Yes, we have some beautiful plugs and pendants containing images of some Indian gods such as Ganesh, Shiva, Parvati and Buddha.

 

15) Where are your shops located if I want to visit?
Our shops are located in Camden Town; Stables Market and Lock Market. A map is available on our 'Contact Us' page.

 


PLACING AND TRACKING ORDERS

 

1) How can I check if my order has been placed?
Upon completion of the checkout process, Tribu will send a confirmation email to the email address provided during the registration process. The email will provide you with details of your purchase and a transaction reference number.

 

2) How can I track my order?
Once we have shipped out your order, you will receive a confirmation email with your tracking number and it should then take 3-5 working days for orders within the UK and 7-14 working days for orders going outside of the UK. If you have any concerns regarding your order, do not hesitate to contact us at sales@tribu.co.uk.

 


PRICING AND PAYMENT OPTIONS

 

1) How do I pay for the jewellery that I want to buy?
Credit card payments: We accept VISA, Electron, Switch, Mastercard, Solo and Maestro. All payments will be taken in British Pounds and if you are a customer outside of the U.K it will be converted at the currency exchange rate by our credit card company. We are using WorldPay as our secure online credit card payment provider. Postal or International Money Order: Please make payable to Tribu - London Ltd. Please make sure you include your details and invoice number with the payment. For your own safety please use recorded post only. Send to: Tribu - London Ltd. Unit 1-D, Camden Lock Place, Chalk Farm Rd., London NW1 8AL., United Kingdom Cheques (UK customers only): Please make payable to Tribu - London Ltd A/C Payee only. Please make sure you include your details and invoice number on the back of the cheque. For your own safety please use recorded post only. Send to: Tribu - London Ltd. Unit 1-D, Camden Lock Place, Chalk Farm Rd., London NW1 8AL., United Kingdom.

 

2) Will I be charged VAT on the jewellery I want to buy?
VAT is already included in the item's price stated on the website.

 


DELIVERY INFORMATION

 

1) Can I send the jewellery I want to purchase to an address other than my home address?
If you would like to send jewellery to an address other than your home or billing address, you will be given an option to enter an alternative address during the checkout process.

 

2) Can I send jewellery to multiple addresses?
Tribu can only ship items to one address per transaction.

 

3) Do you ship internationally?
Tribu does ship items internationally.

 

4) How long will it take to receive my order? 
All orders are normally dispatched within seven working days from receipt of payment. International orders will generally be received within 14 working days. If for some reason any of the ordered items are not in stock even if stated so on the website, we will contact you and offer you various options including a refund since we do not operate a back order system.

 

5) Will Tribu deliver products the next day? 
Upon special request and additional payment, we are happy to offer next-day deliveries if the item is available, but only within the UK.

 

6) How much does Tribu charge for delivery?

UK Retail customers:
For orders up to the value of £49.99 there is a £3.00 delivery charge. For orders in excess of £50.00 there will be no shipping charge. 

European customers:
For orders up to the value of £49.99 there is a £6.00 delivery charge. For orders in excess of £50.00 there will be a £2.00 delivery charge. 

Rest of the world customers:
For orders up to the value of £49.99 there is a £7.00 delivery charge. For orders in excess of £50.00 there will be a £3.00 delivery charge.


 

RETURNS, REFUNDS AND EXCHANGES

 

1) Can I return an item?
You may return jewellery as long as it is returned unused and in its original packaging. For hygiene reasons, we cannot accept returns of any earrings. However, you should contact Tribu as soon as possible and preferably by email to info@tribu.co.uk in order to receive authorisation as returns eligible for a refund or exchange must be received within fourteen days of the date on the delivery note. For further details on Tribu returns, refunds and exchanges policy please click on the link below to our Terms & Conditions.

 

2) Where should returns be sent?
You should at first contact us to ensure that your item is eligible for return, preferably by email at info@tribu.co.uk, to look into the matter. Once authorisation has been granted, please send the item back to:

 
Tribu - London Ltd 
Unit 1-D 
Camden Lock Place 
Chalk Farm Rd. 
London NW1 8AL

 

3) Will Tribu provide refunds or exchanges?
We do not exchange nor offer refunds on any earrings or piercing jewellery whatsoever. Other items will only be exchanged if they have not been worn and the condition is as new - no marks, scratches or blemishes. Return postage and packing will be at the customer's expense. We do not accept returns, nor exchange ordered items from wholesale customers, unless they are faulty, once the order has been paid for.

 

ABOUT TRIBU PRODUCTS AND JEWELLERY

 

1) What are Tribu products made from?
Tribu products are created from natural materials. We search the world for the best sources in order to ensure the very finest quality and highest standards for each material. Tribu products are made out of many different materials such as coconut, horn, bone, wood, shells, metals, fossils and obsidian. For more information on the materials we use, please click here.

 

2) Suggestions or complaints?
We are constantly finding ways to improve Tribu's website. We appreciate suggestions and complaints very much and would be happy to hear from you if you have any! For any suggestions or complaints please contact us at sales@tribu.co.uk

 

HOW TO CLEAN AND CARE FOR...

... Abalone Shell
Wipe your abalone jewellery with a damp cleaning cloth after each time you wear it. Saturated the cleaning cloth with warm soapy water to clean abalone jewellery only if it seems soiled. Like the surface of the abalone with the damp cloth and then wipe the abalone stone again with a cloth saturated with water only. Dry the jewellery well.
... Bamboo
Do not get Bamboo jewellery wet as this may result in damage to your piece. You can polish with tea tree oil or jojoba oil.
... Brass
Brass is a metal alloy made from a combination of zinc and copper. Originally a sparkling goldish colour, brass has a tendency to tarnish with age. Tarnishing is caused by oxidation from exposure to air.  In order to keep brass looking good, its necessary to clean off tarnish and polish your brass objects as needed. Brass can be cleaned with a simple soap (washing up liquid) solution. However, Tribu’s favourite is simply a cotton cloth and some fresh lemon juice – this will restore its beautiful goldish tint. Wipe off the juice remainders with a wet cloth.

... Bone
Bone jewellery does not require much care. You can clean your bone items simply by polishing it with a soft cloth. If it is soiled, you can use a water and gentle soap solution and wipe it off with a cloth. You can also rub in a small amount of tea-tree or jojoba oil to ensure a long life. Bone will also naturally change colour of the time, so do not try to bring it back to its original whitish colour if it now has obtained a yellowish tint. This is part of the magic of natural materials. Never soak, as material will swell and dry out.


... Coconut
Simply wipe the coconut with soft wet cloth. Do not use any water or chemicals to clean coconut as that will only dry it out and make it crack. Use some mild coconut or other vegetable oil to prevent the coconut from drying out. Coconut will darken over time. Never soak, as material will swell and dry out.


... Gold
To clean gold, simply place your gold items into a bowl of mild soap and water and let it soak for about 15 minutes. If the item has stones in it though, you might only want to soak for five minutes to prevent stones from being ‘soaked’ out of their setting. Then gently scrub the piece with a soft toothbrush, taking care to also get into the crevices, engravings and details of the peace.
Soap residue can cause gold to look dull and dirty, so you want to make sure you rinse it completely clean. Dry the jewellery by gently buffing it with a soft cloth. This prevents water spots from forming on the surface of the gold and removes any stubborn leftover soap residue.

... Horn
Clean with mild soap and water. Dry immediately and well. If horn has other inlaid material, do the same. If inlay is Silver, polish with silver cloth. Once every few months, rub a bitt of jojoba oil into item to maintain it in a good condition. Never soak, as material will swell and dry out.


... Ivory
Keep your ivory jewellery away from moist places like bathrooms. Dust your ivory jewellery with a soft, fine-tipped paintbrush. If particularly soiled, dampen a soft, lint-free cloth with warm water and gently wipe your ivory jewellery.
You can use flannel or a cloth that you would clean your eyeglasses with. Do not use soap or any other household products. Please note that Ivory will turn yellowish overtime.


... Leather
Leather should not be treated with water at all. If soiled, use a mild soap and a wet cloth to wipe off the dirt. Dry immediately. Depending on the item, you can oil the leather with leather preservative such as mink oil.

... Mother of Pearl
To clean a mother of pearl piece, dip a soft cloth into some olive oil, gently rub the oil into the piece and finish by polishing it with a piece of silk. Make sure the piece is completely dry before returning it into storage. Do not use soap or water, it is not good to get mother of pearl too wet and the contents of soap are likely to be too harsh for mother of pearl and will degrade it.

... Opal
Because opal is not a stone but rather a combination of minerals, it is not nearly as hard and durable as a diamond or sapphire. It's recommended that you clean Opal in a special way so you don't scratch it. Prepare a lukewarm water and unscented soap solution, and scrub the stone gently with a soft toothbrush. When you finish scrubbing, rinse the stone with running water for a few seconds. Pat the opal with a tissue, microfiber jewellery cloth or small piece of silk. This will help the opal dry quickly and give it a shiny appearance.
... Onyx
Onyx is a material that needs to be cared for, liquid can easily be soaked into the onyx therefore try and keep it dry and clean. Light marks on an onyx item can be wiped up with a soft cloth that has some rubbing alcohol on it. Avoid using large amounts of liquid and chemicals as this might change the colour of the Onyx.
... Petrified Wood and Ammonite
Petrified Wood and Ammonite have essentially the same quality as rock. Hot water and a cloth should do the trick here. For fingerprint stains a simple silver cloth can also help to bring back the shiny polish.
... Silver
Sterling Silver: Use a professional silver polishing cloth. Silver polishing cloths are available at major supermarkets, at hardware stores and at jewellery stories. Often, these clothes are impregnated with cleaner and have anti tarnish properties and are excellent for bringing silver to a perfect shine. Tribu does not recommend silver dips or liquid cleaners as our jewellery incorporates natural shells, mother of pearl and other natural materials, which can be easily damaged by these harsh chemicals. Alternatively, you can also polish the silver using brown vinegar and a soft cloth.

Tribal Silver: Use a silver polishing cloth. Please note, the dark oxidised features is part of the tribal silver look, so do not attempt to make them shine like sterling silver.
... Shiva Eye Shell and Other Shells
Use a 100% cotton cloth to wipe the shells free from any dust or grime that may spoil their shine. Do not use any other chemical products, as that will damage them.
... Stones
Most stones are resistant to liquid and can be cleaned with a simple water and soap solution and then dried off well with a cloth.

... Wood
To clean wooden pieces (including wooden plugs) all you need is a soft damp cloth and some olive oil. Take the soft cloth like a chamois cloth and make it damp. Then wipe off the wooden jewellery until the dirt and dust is off the wood.
After you clean the wooden jewellery you need to put oil on the wooden jewellery or it could crack from being too dried out. Take some olive oil and put it on a small piece of soft cloth then rub than the wood with the cloth soaked in the olive oil. Once the olive oil is in the wood you should shine the item with a soft dry cloth. Please note that wood will darken in colour over time, especially after oil treatments. Never soak, as material will swell and dry out.
... Zamac
To clean Zamac, use soft cloths such as cotton terry or chamois and a mild soap and water solution. Never use paper towels, paper-based wipes, cellulose or plastic sponges as well as fake chamois cloths as they are highly abrasive and could mar the chrome finish.