FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Domestic Shipping

We use USPS for our domestic shipping service. We ship within 24-48 hours of receiving an order, excluding custom orders or Lhasa Signature Collection malas that are backordered. Orders shipped within the continental U.S. are typically received within 3 days.

International Shipping

We ship worldwide. Packages are shipped within 24-48 hours of receiving an order, excluding custom orders or Lhasa Signature Collection malas that are backordered. Buyer is responsible for all import customs, fees, duties and taxes (where applicable) relating to the merchandise they purchase from Lhasa Artisan Brand. Please allow several weeks for delivery. While rare, packages occasionally are delayed during shipment. Depending on your selected shipping method and country, it can take from 3 days to 3 weeks to receive your package. We use USPS for international shipping.

Returns, Exchanges & Refunds

We try to be as flexible and accommodating on returns and exchanges as possible despite the fact that we are a small business. If you have any concerns regarding returns or exchanges at all, please do not hesitate to contact us so we can try to find a remedy to the situation for you and make it right. We understand that a one-size-fits-all return policy doesn’t always suit every individual circumstance. We’re here to help and want you to be happy with your purchase and feel comfortable shopping with us. You may return merchandise (excluding custom orders) within 15 days of delivery. Buyer is responsible for shipping the merchandise back to Lhasa Artisan Brand, including cost. Upon receipt of the returned item(s), the invoiced purchase price of the goods being returned will only be refunded. In instances where we have made an error, we will pay your return shipping costs and refund original shipping cost. Refund will be issued upon the receipt of item(s) being returned. Please allow several business days for that to be reflected on your statement. If your merchandise is damaged during transit, please contact us immediately upon their delivery.

Custom orders are non-refundable. In case of damage during shipment, we will repair it or replace it if necessary at our discretion at no additional cost to you. Please contact us within 24 hours of delivery if damage during shipment has occurred. Mala re-stringing services are non-refundable. Please contact us if you need to return or exchange merchandise.

Merchandise Care Instructions

For textile merchandise such as cotton scarfs and shawls, we recommend using a delicate or hand wash setting separately in cold and hang drying. In general, just use common sense as these are handmade garments. For wool merchandise, follow the same care instructions that is commonly applicable to wool garments. We do not recommend putting wool in your dryer.

Bone and wood mala beads and jewelry. We do not recommend getting them wet. They are very porous materials by nature, and like most porous materials they do not do well with moisture. For inlaid bone mala beads, we recommend removing them before engaging in activity that induces sweating.

Metal Jewelry. Our metal jewelry is very low maintenance. It hardly requires polishing due to its alloy composition paired with sterling silver. If you do polish it, we have found that any all purpose metal polish like Blue Magic (found at most automotive stores) works well. Apply sparingly with a clean cloth and buff off with a clean cloth. As with all metal jewelry, getting it wet will promote faster tarnishing.

Custom Orders

At this time, we specialize in custom mala beads, jewelry involving beads, woodwork or existing pieces we have on our website (such as pendants), and meditation benches. This is a very personalized, tailored-to-fit process. The cost and timeframe is highly dependent on the customer and their request. Our artist will communicate with you through every stage to ensure that your vision becomes a reality. Changes may be made during the creation process but may incur additional costs depending on the change requested. If the change you request incurs an additional cost, you will be invoiced accordingly before the change is made and creation resumes. Please contact us to discuss your design ideas and pricing.

Mala Re-stringing Services

We offer mala re-stringing services. The stringing material of mala beads breaks down over time and stretches or even just breaks. We have a variety of durable stringing materials available for you and what we can use on your mala depends on the size of the bead hole. Price is dependent on what material you select for re-stringing and if its traditionally strung or knotted style. Please contact us for a price quote to re-string your mala beads.

About Our Bone Merchandise

The use of bone is widely thought of as a symbol of impermanence when used in cultural jewelry and mala beads. These animals are not harmed specifically to make these products. Additionally, It is our stance to include and welcome ALL practices, lineages and cultural traditions so as to create an environment of inclusivity and not favor one over the other. We feel our product selection reflects this important value. All are welcome and respected here.

The Heirloom Exotic Collection

Time frame. Anything from our Heirloom Exotic collection takes several days to complete since each bead is individually sculpted by hand. In the event you order a backordered mala from this collection, please allow up to 2 weeks for creation time plus delivery. This timeframe can change due to demand and we do our best to keep these timeframes posted and up to date. Pieces backordered from this collection are created in the order they are received. If you have special requirements or deadline due to your circumstances, please let us know immediately and we will do our best to work with you. Caring for your mala. The exotic wood portion of these malas require the same kind of maintenance that any fine wood based product does. A little wax and/or polish from time to time is all that is required to maintain it. Like most woods, the color and grain will deepen and become more rich over time. Do NOT get your mala wet. We do not recommend wearing your mala while engaging in activities that will induce sweating.

The Heirloom Exotic Collection Craftsmanship Promise

For the lifetime of any mala we create entirely from exotic wood, we will repair it at no cost to you if the beads become damaged under normal usage. This covers only the exotic wood beads made by Lhasa Artisan Brand should they ever break, crack or chip under normal circumstances. This does not cover moisture damage, color change of the wood, or damage to the tassel, stringing material or any accent beads not created by Lhasa Artisan Brand. Please save your purchase invoice to assist us in fulfilling our promise to you. Allergy warning. As with most plant or wood products, there is a possibility of an allergic or adverse reaction to the wood or finish we use. We use a finish that is approved for use on toys (EN71 Part 3 Approved) and contains Alpha pinene. We have yet to personally encounter an allergic or adverse reaction to either the finish or woods we use.