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Choker NecklaceMicro Plated White Stones Choker NecklaceFrequently Asked Questions
Answers to what buyers ask most. If your question is not here, write to info.ahankaraka@gmail.com.
What is AHANKARAKA jewellery made of?
AHANKARAKA is fashion jewellery. The pieces are hand-finished and set with decorative stones: kemp, jadau, American Diamond, cubic zirconia, moissanite, pearls and coloured beads. We make no claim to gold, silver or any precious metal content, and no claim to purity, carat or hallmark.
Is it real gold?
No. AHANKARAKA is fashion jewellery, not precious metal. If you are looking for hallmarked gold, this is not that.
What is the base metal?
Brass, with a plated finish over it. Every product page states it under Base metal. The stones are set into that brass by hand, and the finish is what gives a piece its gold or silver tone.
I have sensitive skin. Will these pieces suit me?
We cannot promise that they will, and we would rather say so than sell you something that irritates you. These are brass pieces with a plated finish, not precious metal, and we do not sell them as hypoallergenic or nickel free. If costume jewellery has troubled your skin before, treat these the same way: wear a piece for a short while first, take it off if the skin reddens, and keep it dry, because moisture trapped under metal is usually what starts a reaction.
Some titles say Gold Alike. What does that mean?
Gold Alike is the name of a finish, not a statement of what the piece is made of. It describes the colour and tone of the finish. It does not mean the piece contains gold.
What is kemp?
Kemp is the uncut stone of South Indian temple ornament, usually deep red, sometimes green. It is set in a raised bezel rather than cut and faceted, which is why it reads as soft colour rather than sparkle.
What is jadau?
Jadau is a setting technique in which stones are pressed into the metal by hand rather than held by claws. The surface sits flush and the stones appear to float in the surround.
What is a vanki? And a maang tikka?
A vanki is worn on the upper arm, its form shaped to the inverted chevron of the gopuram. A maang tikka follows the parting of the hair, with the pendant resting at the hairline.
Where are you based?
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu.
Is there a shop I can visit?
No. The house sells online only, and there is no showroom to walk into. What you get instead is a person: message us on WhatsApp or call customer support on +91 93630 42129, Monday to Saturday, 10 to 8 IST, and ask for anything you would have asked across a counter, including more photographs of a particular piece.
Do you take custom or made-to-order pieces?
No. We sell what is on the site and nothing beyond it, so what you see on a product page is what can be bought. If a design you want is not listed, tell us on WhatsApp anyway, because it may already exist under a different reference.
What does the name mean?
It is Sanskrit. Ahankara is the faculty of self identity, the sense that says I am. With the agentive suffix it becomes ahankaraka: that which makes the self.
How long until my order is dispatched?
Within 2 to 3 working days of your order. Orders are not processed or dispatched on Sundays or national holidays.
How long does delivery take?
Within India, 4 to 7 working days after dispatch, depending on where you are. International orders take 6 to 10 working days, and customs clearance may add to that.
Do you ship outside India?
Yes. International transit is 6 to 10 working days after dispatch, plus customs clearance. Free shipping does not apply to international orders, and any customs duty or import tax is payable by the recipient.
Is shipping free?
Shipping is free on domestic orders above ₹999. Below that the charge is calculated at checkout and shown before you pay. Free shipping does not apply to international orders.
Can you gift wrap an order?
Yes, at no charge. Ask for it in the cart, in the box headed Gift note or special instructions, before you go through to payment. Write the message you want on the note there as well and it goes in with the piece.
Do you offer cash on delivery?
No. Every order is paid for online before dispatch.
What payment methods do you accept?
Payment goes through Razorpay, which takes UPI, Indian cards, international cards and Apple Pay. There is no cash on delivery, so every order is paid for online before it is dispatched.
Do you offer EMI?
No. Payment is in full at checkout, by UPI, card or Apple Pay. There is no instalment option and no cash on delivery.
Do the prices include GST?
Yes. Every price on the site includes GST at 3%, which is the rate for imitation jewellery. There is nothing added at checkout: the figure you see on the product page is the figure you pay. Your invoice shows the tax separately, split as CGST and SGST within Tamil Nadu and as IGST elsewhere.
Who delivers my order?
We ship with FShip. A tracking number is sent by email once your order leaves us. If a parcel is already on its way and you need to know where it is, call the transit line on +91 93630 42131.
Can I return a piece?
We replace a piece that reaches you damaged in transit. We do not accept returns for any other reason, and refunds are not issued on domestic orders. Tell us as soon as the piece arrives and we will arrange the replacement.
Can I return earrings or a nose pin?
The same rule applies to every piece: a replacement where it reached you damaged in transit. On hygiene grounds, earrings, ear cuffs, bugadi and nose pins cannot be returned for any other reason.
What if a piece arrives damaged?
On a domestic order, tell us and send photographs. Once approved we arrange a pickup where one is available at your address; where it is not, you send the piece back and we reimburse up to ₹100 of your shipping cost. You receive a replacement of the same or higher value, paying the difference where there is one. On an international order, tell us within 48 hours of delivery with clear photographs and an unboxing video, and send the piece back within 3 days. Return shipping is yours, and the refund follows once we have the piece and have verified the damage.
What lengths do the necklaces come in?
Four house lengths, plus the pendant chain. A choker sits at 14 or 16 inches, a short necklace at 18 to 20, a mid length necklace at 20 to 24, a long necklace at 24 to 30, and a pendant chain at 30 to 32. All figures are approximate. An extension chain is available on necklaces from ₹120.
What sizes do bangles come in?
2.4, 2.6, 2.8 and 2.10. The second figure counts sixteenths of an inch, so 2.10 is the largest of the four and not the smallest. The inner diameters are 2.25, 2.375, 2.5 and 2.625 inches. Not every design is made in every size; the sizes available appear on the product page. A screw bangle opens at a hinge and closes on a screw, so it passes the hand without stretching.
How do I care for a piece?
Five habits. Avoid moisture, and remove the piece before bathing, swimming or exercise. Put it on after hairspray, perfume and lotion have dried. Wipe with dry cotton after wearing. Store it airtight and separate, with silica gel or white chalk. And do not seal it with nail polish to stop fading, because that damages the coating.
What is the reference number on every product?
It is the house reference for that design, for example AKER01. Quote it when you write to us and we will know exactly which piece you mean.
What does Includes mean on a product page?
It lists what actually arrives in the box. On earrings it names the fitting, for example a press type back. On a set it names each piece, so a bridal set that reads necklace and matching jhumkas is two items rather than one. If something is not named there, it is not included.
How do I reach you?
Write to info.ahankaraka@gmail.com, or message us on WhatsApp. Three lines, Monday to Saturday, 10 to 8 IST: customer support on +91 93630 42129, payments on +91 93630 42130, and anything in transit on +91 93630 42131.
Will the pieces tarnish?
The finish on fashion jewellery changes with wear. Moisture, perfume, sweat and household chemicals are what shorten it. Follow the care regimen and a piece holds its finish far longer: avoid moisture, apply scent before you put the piece on, wipe with dry cotton after wearing, and store dry and separate. We do not sell these as anti-tarnish and we make no guarantee on how long a finish will last, because that depends on how a piece is worn.
Are the stones genuine precious stones?
No. They are decorative stones: kemp, jadau, American Diamond, cubic zirconia, moissanite, pearls and coloured beads. American Diamond and cubic zirconia are not diamond. We say what a stone is on the product page and we do not describe any of them as precious.
Is there a hallmark or a purity certificate?
No. Hallmarking and purity certification apply to precious metal, and AHANKARAKA is fashion jewellery. We make no claim to carat, purity or metal content, so there is nothing to certify.
How long will the finish last?
We do not put a figure on it, because it depends entirely on how often a piece is worn and what it is exposed to. What we can tell you is what shortens it: moisture, perfume, sweat and chemicals. The care page sets out the four things that matter.
Can I cancel an order?
No. Once an order is placed it cannot be cancelled.
Can I exchange a piece instead of taking a refund?
On a domestic order a replacement is the only remedy, and only where the piece reached you damaged in transit. We do not offer exchanges on international orders.
How long does a refund take?
Refunds apply to international orders only. They take 7 to 10 working days from the piece reaching us and the damage being verified. Shipping charges, customs duties and taxes already paid are not refundable. If a refund has not reached your account, call the payment line on +91 93630 42130.
Can I put clear nail polish on a piece to stop it fading?
No. It damages the coating it is meant to protect. Follow the care regimen instead.
Size guide · Care · Shipping policy · Returns
