Shipping, Turnaround Time, Returns, and Frequently Asked Questions

TURNAROUND TIME FOR CUSTOM ORDERS

As of 07/01/2026, the average turnaround time for custom orders is approximately 3–3.5 months. New orders placed in late July are expected to ship in October or later, depending on the order date.

This is an estimated turnaround time and not a guaranteed delivery date. We value the quality of our finished products over speed, and we hope you do too. We make every effort to meet our estimated timeline, but our priority is ensuring that every piece meets our quality standards before it leaves the shop. Handmade products simply take more time, and we are a small business operated by two people. We strongly encourage customers to order as far in advance as possible for weddings, holidays, birthdays, and other important events.

If you are unsure whether your deadline falls within our current production schedule, please email us before placing your order.

You will receive a shipping confirmation email once your item(s) are ready to leave the shop.

If you are placing a wedding order or another order needed by a specific date, please include your requested deadline in the order notes. While we make every reasonable effort to accommodate requested event dates, event dates are not guaranteed unless expressly confirmed in writing by Boles Silver, LLC. Customers are responsible for allowing adequate production and shipping time when placing their orders.

We typically do not accept expedited buckle orders due to the amount of time it takes to product each piece. Wedding suite items may be eligible for expedited production for an additional rush fee plus a shipping upgrade, depending on the time of year and current production schedule. Please email us to inquire about rush orders: BolesSilver@hotmail.com.

SHIPPING POLICY

Boles Silver, LLC offers free standard shipping on qualifying orders of $45 or more within the United States. Free shipping applies only to our standard shipping methods and cannot be applied toward expedited shipping upgrades.

Orders under 1 pound are typically shipped via USPS Ground Advantage. Larger or heavier packages are typically shipped via UPS Ground or FedEx Ground.

While we generally ship using the methods listed above, Boles Silver, LLC reserves the right to select the carrier and service level used for shipment based on package size, destination, carrier performance, insurance requirements, and other operational considerations.

Customers may request expedited shipping services, including USPS Priority Mail, UPS 2-Day, FedEx 2-Day, or other available expedited services, at an additional cost. Expedited shipping upgrades apply only to carrier transit time and do not reduce production or turnaround times unless a separate rush production service has been approved and purchased.

Shipping charges are non-refundable once an order has been shipped.

Once an order has been accepted by the carrier, delivery times are estimates provided by the carrier and are not guaranteed by Boles Silver, LLC. We are not responsible for delays caused by weather, carrier disruptions, labor shortages, mechanical failures, natural disasters, incorrect shipping addresses provided by the customer, or other circumstances beyond our control.

Customers are responsible for ensuring that the shipping address provided at checkout is accurate and complete. Orders returned due to an incorrect or undeliverable address may be subject to additional shipping charges for reshipment.

In-stock items will ship within 7 business days, although most ship within 1–2 business days. You will receive a shipping confirmation email once your order has shipped.

If you have not received a shipping confirmation after 7 business days, please verify that the email address provided at checkout is correct and check your spam or junk folder. If you still cannot locate your confirmation email, please contact us at BolesSilver@hotmail.com and we will be happy to provide an update on your order status.

GENUINE TURQUOISE, WHITE BUFFALO, AND OTHER NATURAL STONES

Due to the nature of genuine natural stones, every piece will vary in appearance. Stone color, matrix, shape, size, and placement naturally vary and are not considered defects.

If you would like to discuss stone options or request a specific stone type, please email us at BolesSilver@hotmail.com. Custom stone requests may incur additional costs.

For wedding orders, we do our best to match stones for color likeness and matrix compatibility. Perfectly matched stones are extremely rare, so slight variations in color, shape, and matrix presentation are normal and expected.

RETURNS, CHANGES, AND CANCELLATIONS

Due to the custom and handmade nature of our products, all sales are final.

Customers may request changes to custom orders within 48 hours of placing an order. Once production has begun, any requested changes are subject to the sole discretion of the silversmith and may not be approved.

We do not accept design changes once a custom order has entered production. We encourage customers to carefully review all design selections, spelling, dates, initials, brands, and customization details prior to placing their order.

If an error has been made on our end, please contact us immediately and we will work to correct the issue as quickly as possible.

Any modifications requested after production has begun or after an item has been been completed will be considered on a case-by-case basis at the sole discretion of Boles Silver, LLC. Any costs associated with approved modifications will be the responsibility of the customer. No modifications will be performed until any applicable invoice has been paid in full.

Custom Artwork, Brands, and Designs

By submitting a brand, logo, design, artwork, initials, or other customization for reproduction, the customer represents and warrants that they own the design or have obtained all necessary permissions to authorize its reproduction. Boles Silver, LLC assumes no responsibility for intellectual property disputes arising from customer-subvided artwork, brands, logos, or designs.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What sets a Boles Silver buckle apart?

A few things, starting with the handmade quality and attention to detail. Our buckles are made from scratch, from the ground up, and hand engraved to perfection.

Another part of our buckles that sets them apart is our in-house anti-corrosion coating. The coating we use on our steel components gives a dark, rich color and excellent protection from scratches and rust.

Will my item look exactly like the photos?

No. Every Boles Silver piece is handmade and individually engraved. Variations in engraving, stone appearance, patina, finish, and overall presentation are normal and are part of what makes each piece unique. Natural stones such as turquoise and white buffalo vary in color, matrix, shape, and size. These variations are not considered defects and do not affect the quality or craftsmanship of the finished piece.

How should I care for my new belt buckle?

Buckles shipped October 2023 and after:

Starting in October 2023, we implemented a new in-house steel corrosion preventative coating for our belt buckles. This coating does not require oiling like conventional steel buckle finishes. While no coating is completely damage-proof, it does provide substantially greater corrosion resistance than our previous process.

The overlay metals used on your buckle (copper, silver, or brass) can still patina or tarnish due to the nature of the materials. Care for these portions of your buckle as you would any piece of copper, silver, or brass.

Buckles shipped prior to October 2023:

To ensure the best protection for your buckle, we recommend applying a light coating of gun oil, such as Rem Oil, every few months—or more frequently if you wear your buckle daily or work in it regularly.

Steel can rust if it is consistently exposed to moisture or not properly dried after contact with water or humid conditions. Contact with water removes the protective oil barrier, making the steel more vulnerable to rust and corrosion. Examples include sweat, stock tank work, condensation from drinks, and other moisture exposure.

If your buckle becomes wet, please dry it as soon as possible to minimize rust formation and accelerated patina development.

How should I care for my drinkware and flatware?

Please hand wash and thoroughly dry all Boles Silver drinkware and flatware after use. We do not recommend dishwasher use or prolonged soaking, especially for products containing turquoise or other porous stones.

Does sterling silver tarnish?

Yes. Sterling silver naturally tarnishes over time. This is a normal process and can be cleaned using sterling silver cleaner, tarnish remover, or a polishing cloth. We recommend Sunshine® Polishing Cloths which you can purchase our our site here: Sunshine Cloths

Nickel silver can also tarnish, although it generally does so more slowly than sterling silver. Nickel silver may also be polished as needed.

What is happening to my copper item? The color is different than when I first purchased it.

Copper naturally oxidizes when exposed to oxygen. This process creates a patina, which can cause the copper to become darker, less shiny, or develop color variations.

While this is completely natural, copper can easily be restored to its original shine using a polishing cloth. We do not recommend abrasive cleaners or polishes on copper components used in buckles or jewelry.

If you enjoy the appearance of the patina, it is perfectly fine to leave it as is.

Stones on Drinkware: How do you decide where my stones are placed?

The type of cup, the size of the design, and the orientation of the initials or brand all influence stone placement.

Our goal is to keep both your requested design and the turquoise visible from the front of the cup whenever possible. Stone placement may be on the sides, top and bottom, diagonally, or another orientation determined by the artist.

Stone placement is determined by the artist based on the size, shape, and orientation of the requested design and cannot be guaranteed to match example photos shown in product listings.

If you have a specific placement preference, please contact us before placing your order or within 48 hours of purchase. In some cases, initials or brands may need to be resized to accommodate a requested stone placement while maintaining visibility of both the design and the stones.