Returns & Refund Policy

1. 3-Day Inspection Window

• Timeline: The 3-day inspection period begins on the exact date and time of physical package delivery as confirmed by the official carrier tracking timestamp.
• Purpose: This period allows you to inspect the gemstone under natural daylight conditions or present it to an independent gemologist for verification.
• Notification Requirement: If you decide to return an item, you must notify our team in writing via email or WhatsApp before the 3-day inspection window expires.

2. Eligibility Criteria for Returns

• Unaltered Condition: The gemstone must be returned in its original, pristine condition. Items that have been recut, polished, reset, mounted into jewelry, chipped, scratched, or physically altered in any way will not be accepted.
• Tamper-Evident Seals & Pods: The stone must remain inside its original protective display jar, vacuum pod, or sealed security casing if applicable.
• Complete Documentation: All original accompanying materials—including laboratory grading certificates, export documentation, authenticity guarantees, and physical invoices—must be returned alongside the gemstone.
• Prior Return Authorization: Returns will only be processed if accompanied by an official Return Authorization Code issued by our administrative desk prior to shipment.

3. Non-Refundable Items & Services

• Custom Cutting & Bespoke Lapidary Work: Charges for custom faceting, re-cutting, or calibrated suite processing executed to client-supplied specifications are non-refundable once physical cutting has commenced.
• Client-Damaged Goods: Any gemstone exhibiting signs of wear, mounting stress, thermal damage, or accidental fracture after delivery.
• Late Requests: Return requests submitted after the expiration of the 3-day inspection window.
• Customs Duties & Regional Import Taxes: Any import tariffs, local sales taxes, or customs brokerage fees paid by the buyer to local government authorities during initial delivery are non-refundable through Baraka Mining & Minerals Limited.

4. Return Process & Guidelines

1. Request Authorization: Email barakaminingmi4@gmail.com or message us via WhatsApp (+254 799 445 800 / +254 769 411 649) within the 3-day window stating your order number and reason for return.
2. Receive Shipping Instructions: Once approved, our team will issue a Return Authorization Code along with specific packing instructions and approved courier options.
3. Secure Packaging: Enclose the gemstone, its original packaging, and all lab certificates inside a secure, tamper-evident parcel. Do not use external packaging that indicates the valuable nature of the contents (e.g., avoid terms like “gemstones,” “minerals,” or “jewelry”).
4. Insured Dispatch: Ship the parcel strictly via an approved express courier (DHL Express or FedEx) with 100% full-value transit insurance and direct signature required.
5. Coverage of Return Costs: The buyer is fully responsible for all return shipping fees, insurance premiums, and any applicable import/export customs clearance charges incurred during transit back to Kenya.

5. Inspection & Refund Issuance

• Quality Control Inspection: Upon receipt at our office in Voi, Taita Taveta, our gemological team will inspect the item under magnification to verify its weight, dimensions, inclusions, and physical integrity against pre-dispatch records.
• Processing Time: Quality inspections are completed within 2 to 3 business days of package arrival.
• Refund Disbursement: Upon successful inspection approval, your refund will be processed back to the original payment method (bank wire transfer, card, or M-Pesa) within 5 business days.
• Deductions: Refund amounts cover the original purchase price of the gemstone. Initial outbound shipping charges, wire transfer fees, or unrecoverable payment processing fees are non-refundable.

6. Damaged or Compromised Shipments

• Do not accept the delivery. Refuse the parcel immediately in the presence of the courier driver.
• Capture clear, high-resolution photographs of the damaged packaging and courier manifest.
• Contact our logistics team straight away at barakaminingmi4@gmail.com or +254799445800 so we can initiate an immediate transit insurance claim.

7. Contact Support