FAQ’s

Please make sure to read our frequently asked questions before getting in touch as you’ll most likely find the answer you need here. If you can’t find what you’re looking for and would like to speak to a member of our team you can email us directly at hello@theworkbenchlondon.com.

Last International Shipping Dates for Christmas 2024

Here are the key shipping deadlines to keep in mind for international customers.

Thursday 5th December (before 2pm GMT): 
Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Finland, Greece, Israel, Italy, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Tuesday 10th December (before 2pm GMT):
Austria, Denmark, India, Lithuania, Philippines, Qatar, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

Thursday 12th December (before 2pm GMT):
Belgium, Canada, China (People’s Republic), Croatia, Estonia, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Luxembourg, South Korea, Thailand, and the USA, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Netherlands, Pakistan, Russia, Singapore, Switzerland and Taiwan.

Don’t miss these deadlines to ensure your special gifts make it under the tree this Christmas! 🎄

CAN I UPGRADE MY RING TO A SOLID PRECIOUS METAL?

If you would like solid gold or platinum, no problem! 

You will be able to select your metal choice when you submit your finished wax to our Ring Portal.

Select which precious metal you would like and before casting we will send you a quote based on the current price of these metals.  This quote is generated based on the weight and dimensions of your ring, and the current price of metals. Your quote will be valid for one week. 

You can then make your decision and you will be invoiced the additional cost before we send for casting. We will not send your wax for casting until you have paid your invoice in full.

As a rough guide, a skinny band in 9ct gold starts at £400, average/medium rings start at £600 and chunky rings start at around £850. 14ct gold, 18ct gold and platinum upgrades are roughly double.

Our solid gold and platinum is recycled and hallmarked for authenticity. We always deduct your original silver fee/plating from our quotes.

WHAT RING CARVING KIT CAN I USE WITH THE PET AND IMPRINT KIT?

Our Imprint and Pet Print Kits are NOT ring carving kits. You must purchase them alongside any of our ring carving kits. The kit you choose is down to the style of ring you would like to create. See the section on each product listing called ‘Wax Widths’ to see the wax dimensions.

This add on kit includes all the tools, video tutorials and materials you need to create an imprint for a design you have created with one of our ring carving kits.

WHERE DO I FIND MY KIT CODE?

Not to be confused with your order number, your kit code can be found on your confirmation email and the order confirmation form inside your box.

Make sure not to confuse your kit code with another if you have purchased more than one kit as each kit code holds specific instructions individual to its kit.

WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY KIT?

We post orders on Tuesdays and Thursdays by 3pm. You will receive an email confirmation with shipping information once dispatched. Each kit is packed by hand to your own size and kit specification.

We post all your kits using 48hr tracked delivery so you can keep an eye on it using the tracking number provided.

For international orders shipping takes appox 5-7 days.

HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO RETURN MY CARVED WAX RING?

Kits are valid for 1 year from the date of purchase. Wedding band kits are only valid for 6 months.

Kits older than 1 year cannot be redeemed. However, If you still wish to send in your wax you can order a refill kit from our website.

Please do not send in kits that are older than 1 year. Your wax will not be processed. This is due to metal price changes, missed allocated workshop hours and structural business changes. This is stated on the packaging and multiple places on the website.

CAN I RETURN MY KIT PURCHASE?

Please see all our returns information here.

HOW LONG WILL MY RING TAKE TO BE FINISHED?

All rings are made bespoke.

We aim to have silver and gold plated rings ready within 4-6 weeks from arrival to our workshop.

Rings with rose gold plating / engraving / solid gold or platinum and stone set rings will take longer especially if you have a combination of these treatments. Please allow an additional 2-3 weeks.

During peak seasons e.g Christmas please be aware this can also effect our estimated timings.

Please note all timelines are estimates as every ring is hand finished to your individual specifications.

I'VE FINISHED CARVING MY WAX. WHAT DO I DO NOW?

Now you have perfected your design, it’s time to send it back to us at The Workbench HQ to work our magic.

First, you must submit your ring to our Ring Portal. For this, you will need your Kit Code which can be found on your kit order conformation.

This is where you will input your polishing specifications, gemstone selections, and additional engraving or plating information so that we know exactly how you would like your ring finished! Most importantly, you will tell us where you would like your ring delivered so this step is vital before you post your wax back to us. Only once you have completed this will you be provided with the return address to send your carved wax to us at The Workbench.

WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY FINISHED RING?

We work very hard to get your silver and gold plated rings to you within 4 – 6 weeks of us receiving them at The Workbench HQ.

Once your ring has been cast in your chosen metal, we hand polish it to your specification, and then it is ready to come back to you.

We will send an email to let you know it’s on its way. We post all your rings using 48hr tracked and signed delivery so you can keep an eye on it using the tracking number provided.

Rose and yellow gold plated rings, stone set, engraved and solid gold/platinum rings usually take an additional 2 weeks.

If you have been waiting longer than 6 weeks please get in touch with us at hello@theworkbenchlondon.com.

CAN YOU POST MY KIT/ RING ABROAD?

Yes. We post this kit worldwide; however, you will need to arrange your own method of shipping to return your carved wax back to the UK. We recommend that you use a fully tracked service.

Before shipping, please submit your carved wax to our Ring Portal where you will be asked to enter the address you would like your finished ring sent.

UK postage is included. If you are opting for delivery abroad we will update your delivery cost and you will be asked to pay for your chosen shipping in the Ring Portal.

I WANT TO BUY THE KIT AS A PRESENT, BUT I DON’T KNOW HIS/HER RING SIZE. WHAT DO I DO?

Not sure about your ring size? Want to gift the kit and don’t know their size? We have a few options to make ordering stress free.

When purchasing your kit select the ‘size it yourself’ option. When you come to carve your wax you will find a handy ‘how to size your wax’ video in our online tutorials.

All kits come with ring sizers which you can use to check your ring size. You will be asked to add your size to the Ring Portal when you submit your carved ring so we can perfect it in the workshop.

Or if you prefer you can order a ring sizer from our website before purchasing your box.

MY WAX RING DOESN’T FIT. WHAT DO I DO?

If your wax has arrived and it is too small, don’t worry you can size it yourself. We have plenty of tips and tricks on how to do this on our online video tutorials and Instagram.

If you require a wider wax for larger ring sizes, you can purchase ‘extra wax’ in your size here. We charge extra for wider waxes to cover the extra cost of material needed for casting.

If the standard wax is too big we will need to know your correct ring size before casting. All kits come with ring sizers which you can use to check your ring size. You will be asked to add your size to the Ring Portal when you submit your carved ring so we can perfect it in the workshop.

Help! I broke my wax whilst carving!

Don’t worry! We can fix your ring if it has snapped cleanly in the final stages of your carve. If it has broken in more than one place and there are still scratches that need smoothing then we recommend using your second wax to perfect your design or ordering more wax here.

CAN I CAST THE SECOND WAX RING IN MY KIT?

Yes! it’s an extra £45 for a standard width and £70 for a wide or signet wax. For 15mm wide signet wax it costs £100.

When you submit your first ring to the Ring Portal you will be asked if you would like to submit your second ring too. You will be charged for casting your second wax in the portal.

*Please note, to receive the discounted casting price, you must send your second wax at the same time as your first wax.

I want to add something extra to my ring design that was not included in my kit. How do I do this and how much will it cost?

No matter which kit you ordered you can always add additional gemstones, plating or engraving to your finished design. You can do this when you submit your ring to the Ring Portal before posting it back to us.

After you have made your choices you will be asked to pay for any extras that are not included in the price of your purchased kit.

CAN I ADD ENGRAVING? HOW MUCH IS IT?

Yes! Professional engraving starts at £35 for (1-3 characters).

You will be able to select your characters, engraving style and pay for any extra costs when you submit your ring to our Ring Portal.

If you would like to add more than 3 characters or something a little more bespoke such as handwriting or drawing let us know and we will send you a quote.

You must submit your ring to our Ring Portal before you post your wax back to us.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I SEND IN AN UN-CARVED or MINIMALLY CARVED RING?

On the rare occasion rings arrive un-carved or minimally carved The Workbench will post the ring/s back to your for further carving. We do not cover postage.

The reason for this is due to the un-wearability of the final product. Rings must be carved and not left in their ring blank original shape.

If you do not wish to carve the ring down a metal surcharge will be added.

CAN I ADD GOLD / ROSE GOLD PLATING? HOW MUCH IS IT?

Yes! It’s £35 extra for a triple layer of 18ct rose or yellow gold vermeil. You will be able to select your choice and pay for any extra costs when you submit your ring to our Ring Portal.

You must submit your ring to our Ring Portal before you post your wax back to us.

HOW DO I MAKE A FINGERPRINT RING OF MY CHILD / BABY'S FINGER?

We would advise against using the melting method for this as the wax will be too hot for their little fingers. You can purchase our imprint kit and add our special pink peelable wax to your hand carved ring. This wax doesn’t get as hot as the blue wax, however we would recommend testing it yourself before testing on a child or animal so you know how it feels. This can also be used to capture your pets print forever! Shop the imprint and pet print extension kits.

Or alternatively you can instead have your little one’s fingerprint engraved onto your ring. Get in touch and we will send you an inky pad to take their print which can then be engraved onto your finished ring by one of our master engravers. 1 fingerprint engraving costs £60 which you will be charged for when submitting your ring to the Ring Portal.

HOW DOES THE WEDDING BAND BOX WORK?

The payment for our Wedding Ring kit differs slightly from our other kits.

We understand wedding rings come in many different shapes and sizes and this can affect the price, so we have created an upfront split payment system. No waiting for quotes or being shocked by the final price. You will be spreading the cost by paying in 2 installments too.

Your first instalment:

This is paid when you purchase the Wedding Ring kit.

  • 9ct Gold/Rose/White Box £250
  • 14ct Gold/ Rose/White Box £500
  • 18ct Gold/Rose/White Box £650
  • Platinum Box £650

Your second & final instalment:

This is based on your ring size and the width and depth of your finished ring.

Once carved with the help of our pricing sheet, found inside your box, you will be able to align your wax ring width and thickness to the diagram to see what your second payment will be. This payment will be invoiced to the email address specified on your box form. Once we receive your second payment we will begin the casting & polishing process so please allow 6 weeks before your big day.

CAN YOU RESIZE MY RING?

Yes, if you find that your fingers have grown and your ring no longer fits we can resize it.

To resize a silver ring it costs £35 + postage and to resize and replate a gold plated ring it costs £60 + postage.

CAN YOU RE-POLISH MY RING?

Yes. We’re so happy your ring is getting worn!

Some wear and tear over time can add to the beauty of the ring but if you would like it returned to its original finish we can re-polish your ring.

To polish a silver ring it costs £30 + postage and to polish and replate a gold plated ring it costs £50 + postage.

WHAT’S THE ENGRAVING ON THE INSIDE OF MY RING?

It’s a unique ring code identifying you to the event/ kit and ring maker. During casting the rings are removed from their envelopes, so in order to make sure the right ring ends up back in the hands of the right maker we add a unique mark to identify it.

We do not polish the inside of our rings as this can alter the ring size. We wouldn’t want your dream ring slipping off and this cannot be seen when being worn.

MY RING IS FEELING VERY CHUNKY, CAN YOU SLIM IT DOWN OR FILE IT LOWER?

We do not alter the rings once cast. We simply polish and post.

It’s really important you take your time with the wax and make sure you’re happy with it before posting as it will be the exact ring that you carve at home. Comparing it to other rings you own really helps!

You will find a handy checklist in your kit booklet to help you decide when your ring is ready for casting and comfy to wear.

I HAVE LOST MY RING! CAN YOU RE-MAKE IT/ DO YOU KEEP THE MOULDS?

Sadly not. Due to the ancient casting method we use the wax is melted out and therefore lost during the process. Your ring is a one off and completely unique!

There's no gemstone in my Gemstone Kit

Please note you do not get a physical stone when ordering a kit. The stone you choose will be kept at our workshop and set in your finished ring.

Can you source a special stone for me?

If you don’t find what you’re looking for on our gemstone menu, we can source it for you!

Get in touch with us at theworkbenchlondon@gmail.com and let us know what you would like and we will come back to you with options and quotes.

CAN YOU SET A STONE I ALREADY OWN?

Yes! For pricing and more information on using your heirloom stones see our gemstones page.

WHEN WILL YOU BE HOSTING WORKSHOPS?

Any future workshops will be listed in the shop under tickets. We always post new workshop dates on our Instagram so make sure you are following us @theworkbenchldn, or sign up for our newsletter and you will be the first to know.

If you would like to create a special private event we’d love to hear from you! Simply fill out this form and let us know where you would like to host the workshop, when, and for how many people.

For brand collaborations and corporate enquiries click here.

 

DO I NEED TO BRING ANYTHING TO AN EVENT?

No, just yourselves! We check your name against our booking records and provide everything you need to make your ring.

You are welcome to think about what you would like to make prior to the event. It’s always good to have some idea of styles you like and some inspiration. We always recommend looking at our Instagram @theworkbenchldn to see what’s possible.

AT AN EVENT CAN I BRING A FRIEND TO WATCH?

Unfortunately, we can only provide materials and seats for pre-ordered ticket holders only. We currently work with small venues so seats are like gold dust!

WHAT HAPPENS IF MY CASTING FAILS?

Although it’s very rare, sometimes designs don’t survive casting. This can happen due to the nature of the casting process or because they are fragile.

If this has happened to your creation, (we can’t stress enough how rare it is!) we will offer you the opportunity to recarve your design, which we will recast. Alternatively, we can refund you the cost of your ring/ pendant.

ARE YOUR GEMSTONES ETHICALLY SOURCED?

Yes! we have a close relationship with our Hatton Garden gemstone dealers. We only work with gemstone dealers who can ensure their stones are conflict free and sustainably sourced from mining to cutting.

To find out more about our gemstones, take a look at our gemstone page here.

IS THE METAL YOU USE FOR CASTING SUSTAINABLE?

Yes. We use recycled metals to cast all of our rings to reduce the demand on mining these precious materials. We always have done since we began in 2014.

Can I personalise both sides of my pendant?

Yes, you can personalise both sides of your pendant! Please note if you add more than one soft orange wax ball to your pendant shape, there will be an additional metal fee which we will invoice you for when we receive your wax back at the workshop. Also, if you’re using gemstones, particularly the larger 2.5mm stones, please be aware that the depth required for setting may make the setting visible on the back of the pendant—so keep this in mind when designing.

Can I adapt the shape of the pink wax?

Yes, you can adapt the shape of the pink wax! We’ve included a tutorial on our Tutorials page to guide you, and the kit comes with a helpful design guide full of tips and tricks. You can also purchase extra waxes, giving you the chance to practise or even try out a different pendant shape.

Can I cast more than one wax pendant?

Your kit covers the casting of one pendant upfront, and if you’d like to add more, you can pay for up to two additional pendants when submitting them through our portal (for a total of three pendants per kit). Pricing for each additional pendant will depend on the shape and metal you select but is a cheaper cost than the original kit price.

Can I make more than one necklace?

Yes, you can make more than one necklace! You’ll have the option to add a chain to each pendant cast when you submit your pendants through our online portal.

Can I make a pet print/ fingerprint pendant?

Yes, you can create a pet print or fingerprint pendant! Each wax pendant shape in the kit comes with a soft orange wax ball, perfect for capturing imprints. With the Pendant Kit, you have everything you need—no separate Pet Print Kit required. (*Just note that the Ring Kits do require the Pet Print Kit for imprint designs.)

Can I set stones in the pendants?

Yes, you can set stones in your pendants! Choose from our gemstone library or use your own heirloom stones. Just be sure to check the depth of your pendant against the stones, as the setting may go through to the other side. If the depth affects your design significantly or we encounter any issues, we’ll get in touch with you via email to discuss.

Can I make different pendants in different metals?

You can choose different metals for each pendant when you make your selections in the Portal. This gives you the flexibility to create a collection of unique pendants, each in the metal of your choice.

My gift voucher has expired. Can I still spend it?

No, unfortunately if your gift voucher has expired, you will not be able to redeem it. Our gift vouchers have an expiry date of 6 months from the purchase date, which is clearly stated on both the confirmation email and the voucher itself. Be sure to redeem your voucher before the expiry date to enjoy your purchase!

Can I have a discount applied after my purchase?

No, unfortunately we’re unable to apply discounts from sales or offers after a purchase has been made. Each transaction involves fees and administrative costs, which can add up for our small business. We hope you understand and appreciate your support.

The best way to stay updated on deals, offers, and discounts is to sign up for our mailing list—make sure you don’t miss out next time!