1. Introduction

Welcome to RareReal Jewels. We are committed to providing our valued customers worldwide with a secure, transparent, and seamless payment experience. This Payment Policy outlines the accepted payment methods, security measures, transaction procedures, and terms governing all purchases made through our online platforms, including our Magento 2 website, Shopify store, Etsy shop, Amazon storefront, and eBay listings.

By placing an order with RareReal Jewels, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in this Payment Policy. We reserve the right to update or modify this policy at any time, and such changes will be effective immediately upon posting.

2. Accepted Payment Methods

RareReal Jewels accepts a comprehensive range of secure payment methods to accommodate our international clientele:

• Credit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover
• Debit Cards: All major debit cards with Visa or Mastercard logos
• PayPal & Razorpay: Complete transactions securely through your PayPal & Razorpay account
• Stripe: Industry-leading payment processing for credit and debit card transactions
• Shopify Payments: Available for purchases made through our Shopify storefront
• Bank Transfers: Direct bank transfers for high-value custom orders (subject to verification)
• Platform-Specific Payment Methods: Amazon Pay, eBay payment systems, and other secure gateways integrated with our sales channels

All payment methods are subject to validation and approval. We reserve the right to decline any payment method if we suspect fraudulent activity or if the payment fails verification checks.

3. Secure Payment Processing

Our payment security measures include:

• SSL Encryption: All transactions are protected by 256-bit Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption technology
• PCI-DSS Compliance: Our payment processors adhere to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard
• Tokenization: Sensitive payment data is tokenized and never stored on our servers
• Fraud Detection Systems: Advanced algorithms monitor transactions for suspicious activity
• Secure Authentication: 3D Secure authentication (Verified by Visa, Mastercard SecureCode) for eligible transactions

We employ industry-standard security protocols to ensure that your personal and financial information remains confidential and protected throughout the entire transaction process.

4. Payment Authorization and Verification

When you submit an order, your payment method will be authorized for the full order amount, including applicable taxes, duties, and shipping charges. Authorization does not constitute a charge; your payment method will only be charged once your order has been verified and approved for processing.

Verification Process:

• All orders are subject to payment verification and fraud screening
• We may request additional documentation to verify your identity, billing address, or payment method
• High-value orders may require additional authentication or alternative payment methods
• Orders flagged by our fraud detection system may be held for manual review (typically 24-48 hours)
• We reserve the right to cancel orders that fail verification or appear fraudulent

If additional verification is required, our customer service team will contact you via email or phone using the contact information provided during checkout.

5. Currency and International Transactions

RareReal Jewels primarily conducts transactions in United States Dollars (USD). However, we accommodate international customers through multi-currency support on select platforms.

Currency Conversion:

• Prices displayed on our website are in USD unless otherwise specified
• International customers may see prices converted to their local currency based on current exchange rates
• Currency conversion is handled by your payment provider or financial institution
• Exchange rates are determined at the time of transaction processing and may fluctuate
• Your bank or card issuer may charge additional foreign transaction fees

Please note that RareReal Jewels is not responsible for currency conversion rates, foreign transaction fees, or any additional charges imposed by your financial institution.

6. Taxes, Duties, and Import Charges

Applicable sales taxes will be calculated and displayed at checkout based on your shipping destination. For international orders, customers are responsible for all customs duties, import taxes, and related charges imposed by their country's customs authorities.

Tax Responsibilities:

• Domestic Orders (India): GST and other applicable taxes are included in the final price
• International Orders: Customs duties, VAT, and import taxes are the customer's responsibility
• Import charges vary by country and are determined by local customs regulations
• RareReal Jewels is not responsible for delays or additional costs due to customs clearance
• Refused shipments due to unpaid customs fees will not be eligible for full refunds

We recommend contacting your local customs office for information regarding potential import duties and taxes before placing an international order.

7. Pricing Accuracy and Errors

While we strive to ensure that all product information and pricing on our platforms are accurate, errors may occasionally occur. In the event of a pricing error, RareReal Jewels reserves the right to:

• Correct the pricing error and contact you for approval before processing your order
• Cancel the order and issue a full refund if you do not wish to proceed at the corrected price
• Refuse or cancel orders placed at incorrect prices, even after order confirmation

We are not obligated to honor pricing errors and will make every effort to notify affected customers promptly. All prices are subject to change without prior notice.

8. Order Confirmation and Payment Approval

Upon successful payment authorization, you will receive an order confirmation email containing your order details, payment summary, and estimated delivery timeframe. This confirmation does not guarantee that your order has been accepted.

Order Processing Timeline:

• Payment authorization is immediate upon checkout completion
• Order verification and fraud screening: 24-48 hours
• Payment capture occurs once the order is approved and prepared for shipment
• Shipping confirmation with tracking information will be sent via email

If your order cannot be fulfilled due to stock unavailability, payment issues, or verification failure, we will notify you immediately and process a full refund to your original payment method.

9. Custom Jewelry and Personalized Orders

Custom-made, engraved, resized, and personalized jewelry orders require special payment terms due to their bespoke nature and non-returnable status.

Custom Order Payment Process:

• Design Consultation: Initial consultation and design approval (no charge)
• Deposit Requirement: A non-refundable deposit of 30-50% is required to commence production
• Balance Payment: The remaining balance is due before shipment
• Production Timeline: Custom orders typically require 3-6 weeks for completion
• Approval Process: You will receive images or videos for final approval before shipment

10. Deposit and Installment Payment Options

For high-value purchases and custom jewelry orders, RareReal Jewels offers flexible payment options to accommodate our customers' financial preferences.

Available Payment Plans:

• Deposit Payment: Pay a percentage upfront and the balance before shipment
• Installment Plans: Available for orders above a specified threshold (contact us for details)
• Layaway Option: Reserve your item with a deposit and pay over an agreed period

Terms and Conditions:

• Installment plans must be arranged and approved before order placement
• All payments must be completed before the item is shipped
• Failure to complete payment within the agreed timeframe may result in order cancellation
• Deposits are non-refundable for custom and made-to-order items

Please contact our customer service team to discuss installment payment options for your specific order.

11. Failed or Declined Transactions

Payment transactions may be declined for various reasons, including insufficient funds, incorrect payment information, or security holds placed by your financial institution.

Common Reasons for Payment Failure:

• Insufficient funds or credit limit exceeded
• Incorrect card number, expiration date, or CVV code
• Billing address mismatch with card issuer records
• Card issuer security hold or fraud prevention measure
• Expired payment method
• International transaction restrictions

Resolution Steps:

• Verify that all payment information is entered correctly
• Contact your bank or card issuer to authorize the transaction
• Try an alternative payment method
• Contact RareReal Jewels customer support for assistance

If your payment continues to fail after multiple attempts, please contact our customer service team for alternative payment arrangements.

12. Fraud Prevention and Security Checks

RareReal Jewels employs comprehensive fraud prevention measures to protect both our customers and our business from fraudulent transactions and unauthorized purchases.

Security Measures:

• Real-time fraud detection and risk assessment algorithms
• Address Verification Service (AVS) for billing address confirmation
• Card Verification Value (CVV) authentication
• IP address and geolocation monitoring
• Velocity checks to detect unusual purchasing patterns
• Manual review of high-risk or high-value orders

Suspicious Activity Protocol:

• Orders flagged as potentially fraudulent will be held for verification
• We may request additional documentation, including photo ID and proof of billing address
• Orders may be canceled if verification cannot be completed or if fraud is suspected
• We reserve the right to refuse service to customers with a history of fraudulent activity

These measures are in place to ensure a safe shopping environment for all our customers. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

13. Chargebacks and Payment Disputes

A chargeback occurs when a customer disputes a charge with their bank or credit card company, resulting in a forced reversal of the transaction. RareReal Jewels takes chargebacks seriously and will vigorously contest illegitimate disputes.

Chargeback Policy:

• Before initiating a chargeback, please contact our customer service team to resolve any issues
• Chargebacks filed without prior communication may be contested with supporting documentation
• Fraudulent chargebacks may result in account suspension and legal action
• Customers who file chargebacks may be required to return the merchandise before resolution
• Chargeback fees and associated costs may be passed on to the customer if the dispute is found to be illegitimate

Dispute Resolution:

• Contact us immediately if you notice an unauthorized charge or billing error
• We will investigate all legitimate disputes and work toward a fair resolution
• Refunds for valid disputes will be processed according to our Refund Policy
• All disputes must be reported within 30 days of the transaction date

We are committed to resolving payment disputes fairly and efficiently. Please allow us the opportunity to address your concerns before escalating to your financial institution.

14. Refund Processing and Payment Reversals

Approved refunds will be processed to the original payment method used for the purchase. Refund processing times vary depending on the payment method and your financial institution.

Refund Timeline:

• Credit/Debit Cards: 5-10 business days after refund approval
• PayPal: 3-5 business days after refund approval
• Bank Transfers: 7-14 business days after refund approval
• Platform-Specific Methods: According to the respective platform's refund policy

Refund Conditions:

• Refunds are issued only to the original payment method
• We cannot issue refunds to alternative payment methods or third-party accounts
• Partial refunds may be issued for damaged, defective, or incorrect items
• Shipping costs are non-refundable unless the return is due to our error
• Custom, personalized, and made-to-order items are non-refundable

Please refer to our comprehensive Refund and Return Policy for detailed information on eligibility and procedures.

15. Payment Gateway Security

RareReal Jewels partners with industry-leading payment gateways to ensure the highest level of security and reliability for all transactions.

Our Payment Partners:

• PayPal: Trusted global payment platform with buyer protection
• Stripe: Advanced payment processing with built-in fraud prevention
• Etsy Payments: Secure payment system integrated with our Etsy storefront
• Amazon Pay: Seamless checkout using your Amazon account credentials
• eBay Managed Payments: Integrated payment solution for eBay transactions

Security Features:

• End-to-end encryption for all payment data transmission
• PCI-DSS Level 1 compliance (the highest security standard)
• Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
• Multi-factor authentication for account access
• Continuous monitoring for suspicious activity

Your payment information is never stored on RareReal Jewels servers and is handled exclusively by our certified payment partners.

16. Billing Information Requirements

Accurate billing information is essential for successful payment processing and fraud prevention. Please ensure that all information provided during checkout is correct and matches your payment method records.

Required Information:

• Full legal name as it appears on the payment method
• Complete billing address (street address, city, state/province, postal code, country)
• Valid email address for order confirmation and communication
• Phone number for order verification and shipping updates
• Payment method details (card number, expiration date, CVV)

Important Notes:

• Billing address must match the address on file with your card issuer
• Incorrect or incomplete information may result in payment failure or order delays
• We may contact you to verify billing information for security purposes
• All personal and payment information is protected according to our Privacy Policy

17. Promotional Discounts and Coupon Codes

RareReal Jewels occasionally offers promotional discounts, coupon codes, and special offers to our valued customers. All promotions are subject to specific terms and conditions.

Discount Code Policy:

• Only one promotional code may be used per order unless otherwise specified
• Discount codes cannot be combined with other offers or promotions
• Promotional codes are valid only during the specified promotional period
• Discounts apply to eligible products only and may exclude certain categories
• Minimum purchase requirements may apply for certain promotions
• Discount codes cannot be applied to previous purchases or custom orders
• We reserve the right to cancel orders that violate promotional terms

Promotional codes must be entered at checkout before payment submission. Codes cannot be applied retroactively after an order has been placed.

18. Gift Cards and Store Credits

RareReal Jewels offers digital gift cards and store credits that can be used toward future purchases on our platforms.

Gift Card Terms:

• Gift cards are available in various denominations
• Gift cards are delivered electronically via email
• Gift cards do not expire and have no maintenance fees
• Gift cards can be used for multiple purchases until the balance is depleted
• Gift cards cannot be redeemed for cash or used to purchase other gift cards
• Lost or stolen gift cards cannot be replaced

Store Credit Policy:

• Store credits may be issued for returns, exchanges, or promotional purposes
• Store credits are non-transferable and linked to your customer account
• Store credits must be used within the specified validity period
• Unused store credits may expire according to the terms of issuance

19. International Customer Payments

RareReal Jewels welcomes customers from around the world and strives to make international transactions as seamless as possible.

International Payment Considerations:

• All international orders are processed in USD unless otherwise specified
• Your bank may charge foreign transaction fees (typically 1-3% of the transaction amount)
• Currency conversion rates are determined by your payment provider at the time of transaction
• International orders may require additional verification for security purposes
• Shipping costs and delivery times vary by destination
• Customers are responsible for all customs duties, taxes, and import fees

Supported Countries:

We ship to most countries worldwide. However, certain destinations may be restricted due to shipping limitations, customs regulations, or security concerns. Please contact us if you are unsure whether we can ship to your location.

20. Changes to Pricing and Payment Terms

RareReal Jewels reserves the right to modify product pricing, payment terms, and this Payment Policy at any time without prior notice. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting to our website and sales platforms.

Policy Updates:

• We recommend reviewing this Payment Policy periodically for any updates
• Continued use of our services after policy changes constitutes acceptance of the new terms
• Significant changes will be communicated via email to registered customers
• Orders placed before policy changes will be governed by the terms in effect at the time of purchase

The most current version of this Payment Policy will always be available on our website.