What is your return policy?

We want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase, so we keep a fair return policy, understanding you are not trying on the jewelry before purchasing. We have easy size exchanges. For returns and exchanges, please see our Store Policy Page.

How do I track my order?

Please use the "Chat with us" button (see bottom right of all pages). Please have your order number or email address available.

Is everything made in Greece?

Yes! All pieces are handcrafted in Greece. Each piece will have the artist stamp, the metal mark (gold and/or silver), as well as a Greek workshop code to ensure its authenticity. 

We are right here—online! Although our administrative studio is in New Jersey, we do not have a physical jewelry store. We are an American company—All communication with our customers is through our office in the US and all of the jewelry is made in Greece. Direct ship is available to the EU and some countries outside of the US.

You might find some of our artists in stores around Plaka and on some of the islands. We view these workshops as part of our extended family and always encourage visitors to buy pieces while on vacation—it's a special experience. However, if you can't find the perfect size, stone, or style, don’t worry. We carry the entire catalog for our artists and can arrange to have something made for you in Greece after you’ve returned. That’s the beauty of it! We’re frequently asked if jewelry is cheaper in Greece, and the quick answer is no. Tourist prices are usually much higher than what we can offer directly from our workshops.

Yes! We love to hear from you. We have our phone line open for expert advice and phone orders, but there’s a bigger reason: We like talking to our customers. We think you deserve to know about the people you are buying from, but above all it’s really nice to hear about why you are buying something, and what it will mean to you. These stories get passed along to the designer because they like to hear them, too—like the story we received from a couple who are almost 80 years old, married for 56 years, and were searching for a pair of rings to replace their original rings. 

Deciding on a keepsake can be a big decision, so let us guide you. We're available 7 days a week, though hours will vary. Call Pete and Joanne at +1 (862) 222-0442 (New Jersey timing). Here's a little more about us.

Congrats on owning a wonderful piece! This is a very popular question, but no, we are not official appraisers. We can offer insight. We're happy to see what types of pieces folks have, whether it's an inherited heirloom or recently purchased overseas. Pete has been in the Greek jewelry business for over 20 years and is happy to take a look at your photos, look for markings, style, and perhaps help you identify an artist or metal type. But we do not provide official appraisals or paperwork of the sort.  

For the love of saving trees, and the amount of items we offer, we do not have a printed catalog. 

We have a size chart available at this link. We're happy to talk you through how to measure and ways to find measurements of your loved one, so feel free to contact us. Being we are a craft-on-demand business, we encourage folks to try to get the proper size upon order. Less guessing means less waiting if a new size is needed.  

Yes! Every piece we sell comes with a certificate of authenticity. As stated above, each piece is marked with a workshop code, metal type, and artist mark. This is due to Greek law—each piece needs to stamped or etched. We also supply a card for each piece, stating the same, and listing any gemstones.

Yes our gold crosses here are considered solid gold. Most crosses have a small space in it but are considered solid and not hollow. The hollow crosses (not offered in this store) have a completely different technique than what our workshops use, and are much lighter and the metal used is thinner. 

No. Our silver is all solid sterling silver (925 — and in most of our workshops it’s actually higher quality 935) and does not contain any nickel, so is wearable by virtually everyone.

The material for each product is listed on the product page, under the "Details" section. Our workshops use the highest quality metals and sustainable practices.

Our designers work in a variety of materials so we are often asked “is this solid gold?” Here is the simplest and fastest way to answer your question (with a question):

Does the piece say “gold” in the description?

    Yes: Then there is real solid gold in the piece. 

    No: Then if you see something that looks like gold, it is most likely gold plate (this is typically only found in Stilvi pieces.)

The “simple” answer holds true under all circumstances, but here are the designer specific answers:

Jewelry made by Maramenos & Pateras or Kouzoupis

These workshops offer only solid 18k Gold at this time.

Jewelry made by Gerochristo

If the description says there is gold, then it is solid 18k gold decorating a sterling silver piece. Gerochristo uses gold plate for the local European market, and many touristy stores in Greece sell these items as well. We do not offer these items in the United States but they are moving towards a triple-dipped (stronger) 18k gold plating technique that may at least make these pieces an option if requested.

Jewelry made by Al’Oro

Customers typically have a choice of gold values and colors with Al’Oro pieces, but we advertise and price their decorative pieces as 18k gold or 14k gold. The only time you would not get gold from Al’Oro is if you bought a silver chain.

Jewelry made by Yianni

Yianni works mostly in Sterling Silver. He offers a few pieces in the Modern Greek Traditional approach, using solid 18k gold decoration on silver pieces.

Jewelry made by Stilvi

Stilvi has a line of 14k gold pieces in the store. Read the details carefully as the majority of his jewelry is sterling silver with 24k gold electroplating.

Most pieces by Gerochristo and Yianni have every surface area covered in design, leaving no space for engraving. We are not openly offering the service at this time, but if there is a special circumstance, feel free to contact us and allow for extra time and budget. Engraving also renders the piece final sale. 

From tarnishing silver to gold, care instructions can be found in our Jewelry Care Guide here.

Yes! If we sold the piece, we can discuss repair options. We can send a return label and see if the repair is due to manufacture defect (covered by us) or not. Many repairs can be done at our local jeweler in the US. For repairs outside the US, please contact us to discuss if the jewelry needs to go direct to the workshops.

We like to think this is part of what sets us above the rest. The most common custom questions are:

Can I get this in a different size?

Can it be made with bigger [gemstones]?

Can it be made with different gemstones or none at all?

Custom sizes will depend on the workshop and they're availability. Typically it's the 18k gold workshops that have more flexibility with different sizes (larger cross, wider face rings, and so on). With gemstones, there are many options to personalize. We try to keep each listing up to date with availability, but once in a while certain stones are not available. We are happy to answer gemstone requests, and let you know about availability, sizes, and if it incurs extra cost. 

Please note that custom requests or strong modifications from a listings will require a non-refundable deposit. 

We accept a variety of payment methods including all major credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and an option to make a deposit. At checkout you have a chance to see all of the payment options without having to commit to payment. 

We offer a two-part payment system. We can take deposits on all items that are not marked as in-stock and ready to ship. 

You can:

• Pay in full

• Choose to make a 50% retail price deposit, with final payment due once we have the piece in our hand from Greece and ready to ship to you.

The deposit calculation is based on 50% of the retail price shown. You can choose a deposit option (set as default) or to pay in full on the product page. Any automatic sales or discount coupons will be reflected in the final payment that is due before the order ships to you. Any applicable sales tax or shipping will also be applied toward the final payment unless you are purchasing an in-stock item. You will have the option to change your payment method for the final payment. 

Yes, we take the security of our customers' payment information seriously. All transactions are processed securely and we use industry-standard encryption technology to protect your information.

All prices shown are in US dollars (USD) until you enter your address in checkout, or choose a different currency at the bottom of every page. If shipping outside of the US, the currency will change to your local currency. 

(Aside from In-Stock jewelry that ships within 2 business days)

Expect to receive your order within 2 to 6 weeks.

Please refer to our shipping policy for more details.

Our workshops make your piece from scratch, to your size and specifications. This is about 5-20 workdays, depending upon the complexity of the piece and if we need to source gemstones. 

Once it leaves Greece, it can take 5-10 days for shipping and to get through Customs. Once it gets to us in New Jersey, we ship it out same day after a final quality control check. 

Need something right away? We have some items in stock in our Athena Express collection. In stock items are on a first come, first serve basis. 

Shipping cost depends on your location and the shipping method you choose. You will be able to see any shipping charges at checkout, if applicable, before you have to commit to any payment. We insure the pieces, therefore some orders will require a signature delivery.  

Please refer to our shipping policy for more details. 

Yes, we offer free shipping on orders above a certain amount. Please refer to our shipping policy for more details.

Yes, we ship to P.O. boxes. Please make sure to provide your complete and accurate shipping address to avoid any delays in delivery.

Yes, we are happy to hold your order if it arrives in a time you are not able to receive it. We get this question quite often. Contact us to let us know any delivery window that you will not be home, or if you prefer to have pieces held, and we're happy to accommodate. If a final payment is due, it may be processed at this time.

Customer service = Pete and/or Joanne (the owners!) 

We are the only ones who answer the phone and if you're lucky, you'll get one or the other yelling over the other's shoulder :) You can reach us by using the chat icon on the bottom of all pages, emailing athena@athenagaia.com or by calling us at +1 (862) 222-0442. 

We prefer the chat feature because we can quickly link your submitted email to any past orders or communications.  

We are on eastern standard time in New Jersey. We are available every day of the week but our hours may vary. We try to extend hours to accommodate multiple time zones. 

Our business hours are 7 days a week, with varying hours. We communicate with multiple time zones and countries almost every day, so give us a try! 

We welcome and value your feedback! You can leave us a message through our contact page on our website, or email us at athena@athenagaia.com. 

If you would like to submit a review, you can follow this link here. 

For item returns you must first contact us as to adhere to our store policy.

Athena Gaia

21 Brownlee Pl

Suite 407

Basking Ridge, NJ 07920