Casting Policies, Terms & Conditions

Apex Jewelry Casting – Policies, Terms & Conditions

This page explains how Apex Jewelry Casting handles customer-supplied files, casting results, recasts, refunds, and our limits of responsibility.
By uploading a model, placing an order, or using our services, you agree to these terms.

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1. File Requirements (Your Responsibility)

Apex Jewelry Casting prints and casts directly from the files you provide. We do not redesign or correct your models unless explicitly arranged as a separate service.

Your files must be:

  • Fully manifold and watertight (no holes, no open edges)
  • Structurally sound and castable for the chosen metal
  • Correct scale and dimensions (including finger size, stone size, and thickness)
  • Free of non-manifold edges, self-intersections, and broken geometry
  • Free of unintended hollow areas or internal voids that may trap investment or air

Any issues present in your file will be mirrored in the print and casting. Apex Jewelry Casting is not responsible for failures caused by file design flaws.

2. Sprues, Supports & Print Preparation

Proper spruing and support are critical for a successful casting.

  • Models should include appropriate sprues and/or supports when submitted, unless you have specifically arranged for us to add them.
  • Files without sprues or supports may be delayed, incur additional preparation fees, or be cast strictly “as-is” at your risk.
  • If we offer a “Sprue & Support Placement” service and you select it, our team will place sprues/supports for better metal flow, but this is still constrained by your original geometry.

Files with inadequate sprues/supports or extremely thin features may print or cast with porosity, incomplete fills, or failure. These outcomes are considered a result of design limitations, not production error.

3. Casting Limitations & Expected Variations

Lost-wax casting is a physical process with natural tolerances and limitations. By using our services, you acknowledge that:

  • Final dimensions may vary by approximately 1–3% depending on alloy, geometry, and processing.
  • Surface texture is influenced by the print resolution, orientation, and original file quality.
  • Porosity, micro-bubbles, and minor surface irregularities can occur even under proper casting conditions.
  • Very thin walls, sharp details, and unsupported geometry are more likely to fail, warp, or not fill.

These variations and risks are inherent to the lost-wax casting process and do not constitute defects or negligence.

4. Finishing, Cleanup & Polishing

Unless otherwise specified, castings are delivered in a raw or minimally cleaned state directly suitable for professional finishing.

  • Sprue stubs, parting lines, minor surface roughness, and typical casting marks are normal.
  • Filing, sanding, polishing, assembly, and stone setting are not included in standard casting unless explicitly purchased as additional services.
  • If a “Clean & Assembly” or similar pre-polish service is offered and selected, we will remove sprues, perform basic cleanup, assemble components (if applicable), and prepare the piece in a pre-polish state.

Final polishing, texturing, and finish work are the responsibility of you or your chosen bench jeweler, unless contracted separately.

5. Stones, Settings & Fit

We cast parts based on the digital geometry you provide. Apex Jewelry Casting is not responsible for:

  • Stone seats that are too tight or too loose
  • Prongs that are too thin, too short, or poorly supported in the model
  • Inadequate tolerances for bezels, channels, or pavé layouts
  • Designs that crack or distort during stone setting due to underbuilt structures

We do not guarantee fit for stones, shanks, heads, or components designed by third parties. Any adjustments or redesigns must be handled via separate design work or service agreements.

6. Recasts, Redos & Refunds

Our responsibility is to print and cast from your file using professional procedures. We do not offer refunds in the following cases:

  • Design errors present in the original file
  • Incorrect dimensions, sizes, or proportions in the submitted model
  • Weak or thin structures that fail due to geometry
  • Subjective dissatisfaction when the casting faithfully matches the supplied design

Recasts or reprints may be offered at our discretion only in cases where a clear process-related defect can be attributed to our equipment or workflow, not the file design. In such cases:

  • Recasting will use the same file.
  • Design changes, modifications, or corrections will require a new paid order.

7. Delivery & Inspection Window

All castings must be inspected promptly upon receipt.

  • Any concerns regarding casting integrity, major porosity, or apparent process-related issues must be reported within 72 hours of delivery as indicated by the carrier.
  • After 72 hours, all jobs are considered accepted and final.

Timely communication allows us to review, investigate, and respond fairly when there is a legitimate process-related concern.

8. Cancellations

Orders may only be cancelled before printing or production has begun.

  • Once a model has been printed, cast, or entered into production, cancellation is no longer possible.
  • Design changes requested after production begins will be treated as a new order.

9. Payment, Pricing & Billing

Pricing for casting depends on:

  • Metal type and market rates at the time of casting
  • Final weight of the casting
  • Any selected add-on services (such as cleanup, assembly, sprue/support placement, etc.)

Payment methods, terms, and any applicable fees are disclosed during checkout. Production may not begin until payment is authorized or received, depending on the payment method.

10. Shipping & Lost Packages

We ship orders using reputable carriers and can offer insurance upon request or as part of your selected shipping option.

  • Once a package is marked as delivered by the carrier, Apex Jewelry Casting is not responsible for theft, loss, or misdelivery at the destination.
  • Claims for lost or damaged packages in transit must be filed with the shipping carrier. We will assist with documentation where possible.

11. Liability Limitation

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Apex Jewelry Casting’s total liability for any claim related to a job is limited strictly to the amount paid for that specific casting service.

We are not liable for:

  • Lost profits, missed deadlines, or loss of business
  • Customer or end-client dissatisfaction with design choices
  • Costs associated with stones, settings, or additional bench work
  • Downstream damages resulting from design or usage of the piece

12. Agreement to Terms

By uploading files, placing orders, completing checkout, or otherwise using Apex Jewelry Casting services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to all policies and terms stated on this page, as well as any casting-specific disclaimers presented during checkout.

If you have questions about these policies before placing an order, please contact us directly for clarification.