TL;DR: our prices are set in pounds, so when you pay from Canada your card issuer or bank converts the amount into Canadian dollars at its own rate. The final cost depends on the exchange rate on the day and on any foreign transaction fee, and a bespoke ring is often paid in stages, so each payment can convert at a different rate. Ask us to confirm the currency and payment method in writing before you order. Pieces start from £600.
How the conversion works
When you pay in pounds with a Canadian card, your bank turns pounds into Canadian dollars at the rate it applies on the day, usually with a margin built in. The rate moves daily, so an estimate you work out on Monday can differ from what you are charged on Friday. This is normal for any overseas purchase, and it is worth allowing a small cushion in your budget so a slightly weaker dollar does not become a worry.
Foreign transaction fees
Some Canadian credit cards add a foreign transaction fee, usually a percentage of the purchase, while others charge none. On a larger purchase such as a ring, even a small percentage is noticeable, so check your card's terms before you pay. If you have more than one card, compare them. A debit card or a transfer may have different charges again, so ask your bank.
Converting at payment or at your bank
Sometimes a payment page offers to show or charge the amount in your own currency. That can be convenient, but the rate may be less favourable than the one your bank would apply. If you are given the choice, compare the two before deciding. We explain which currency and payment methods are available when we confirm your design, so please ask us rather than assume.
Paying in stages
Bespoke pieces are often paid in stages, and we set out our terms in writing for your design, including when each payment is due. Because the exchange rate changes, each stage can convert at a different rate, so the Canadian dollar total can differ a little from your first estimate. Keep a note of each payment and the amount your bank charged. Nothing is made until you have approved the design in writing, and our guide to how written approval works explains that step.
Staying safe when you pay
Paying anyone you have not met in person calls for care. Only pay into an account named on your invoice, and if payment details arrive by email, confirm them with us by video or phone before sending money. Our guide to paying a deposit safely online explains the checks worth making.
Duty and tax on arrival
The customer pays import duty and tax, and the rules differ by country and change over time, so we explain what to expect rather than quote figures that may go out of date. Delivery is insured and tracked with FedEx, and the courier will tell you if anything is due on arrival. Budget for it alongside the ring itself, and remember it may also be charged in Canadian dollars.
Planning the timing
Standard making time is 5 to 6 weeks, varying with your location and how busy we are. If you are working to a date such as a proposal, work backwards, allow time for design and for delivery, and pay attention to when each payment falls. Our guide to winter proposals in Canada has ideas if you are planning for the colder months.
Questions to ask before you commit
- Which currency will the invoice be in?
- Which payment methods are accepted, and are there any fees?
- How and when are payments staged?
- Who pays duty and tax, and when?
- What happens if I want to change something after approval?
Ask for the answers in writing and keep them with your invoice. Our guide to changes after approval covers the last question.
Keeping records
Keep every invoice, payment confirmation and design approval in one folder, together with any stone report. They help with insurance, any customs query and future valuations. Our guide to reading your invoice and certificate explains what each document shows.
Frequently asked questions
Will I pay in pounds or Canadian dollars?
Our prices are set in pounds. Please ask us to confirm the currency and payment method in writing before you order.
Do Canadian cards charge a fee for paying in pounds?
Some do and some do not. Check your card's terms before you pay.
Will the exchange rate change between payments?
Yes. Each payment can convert at a different rate, so the total may differ slightly from your first estimate.
Who pays import duty?
The customer pays import duty and tax, which differ by country. We explain what to expect before you order.