Payment Policy

1. Accepted Payment Methods

• International Telegraphic Transfer (SWIFT / Wire Transfer): Recommended for all major commercial purchases and international orders. Direct bank-to-bank transfers are processed in United States Dollars (USD) or Kenya Shillings (KES).
• Mobile Money Payments (Safaricom M-PESA): Available for domestic clients within East Africa or smaller retail orders processed in Kenya Shillings (KES).
• Direct Bank Deposits / RTGS: Electronic Funds Transfers (EFT) and Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) directly into our corporate bank accounts in Kenya.
• Credit & Debit Cards: Secure online credit/debit card processing (Visa, Mastercard) via integrated merchant gateways for online purchases.

2. Currency & Exchange Rates

• Primary Settlement Currencies: All international trade invoices, cut gemstone quotes, and mineral parcel assessments are priced in United States Dollars (USD) or Kenya Shillings (KES).
• Exchange Rate Calculations: Transactions processed in non-USD foreign currencies will be converted based on the prevailing real-time interbank foreign exchange rates at the exact time of invoicing.
• Banking Charges & Wire Fees: Clients are responsible for any intermediary banking fees, currency conversion surcharges, or foreign wire charges levied by their originating financial institution.

3. Order Processing & Dispatch Clearance

• 100% Advance Payment: In accordance with standard gemstone trade practices and export clearance protocols, full payment confirmation is required before any shipment is dispatched or handed over to high-security international couriers (e.g., DHL Express, FedEx).
• Payment Verification Window: Orders paid via international SWIFT wire transfer will enter processing once funds clear in our corporate account (typically 1 to 3 business days, depending on originating banking networks).
• Custom Cutting & Bespoke Orders: For custom faceting requests or specialized lapidary orders, a non-refundable 50% deposit is required to initiate precision cutting, with the remaining 50% balance due upon final gemological inspection and prior to export dispatch.

4. Fraud Prevention & Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance

• Third-Party Payment Restriction: Payments must originate from a bank account, credit card, or corporate account matching the name and identification of the purchasing client or company listed on the Proforma Invoice. Third-party wire transfers are not accepted without prior written legal verification.
• Know Your Customer (KYC): For high-value transactions exceeding regulatory threshold limits, clients may be requested to provide basic identity verification (such as a passport copy, national ID, or corporate registration certificate) prior to invoicing.
• Cash Limitations: Cash payments at our regional operating facility in Voi are subject to statutory transaction limits enforced by national financial intelligence authorities.

5. Refunds, Cancellations & Invoice Inquiries

• Order Cancellations: Requests to cancel standard inventory orders must be received prior to courier pickup and export permit processing. Once export clearance has been granted and parcels are sealed in courier transit, orders cannot be canceled.
• Discrepancies & Disputes: Any billing inquiries, invoice clarifications, or payment trace requests should be directed to our accounting and finance desk within 48 hours of transaction initiation.
• Refund Disbursement: Approved refunds will be issued exclusively via the original payment method utilized during purchase (e.g., return wire transfer to the originating account).

6. Accounts & Billing Support