Policies & Shipping Information

Contact

Mel's Treasures is a one-woman owned small business, so every treasure and sale is handled directly by Melissa. Each interaction and touch point is managed with care, consideration and compassion by Mel, so please ensure you are communicating respectfully. If you wish to chat with Mel about anything, please reach out via Instagram DM. If you prefer to contact via e-mail, please email Mel at melstreasuress@gmail.com.

Worldwide Shipping

I am located in Sydney, Australia and I ship worldwide! At checkout you'll find several shipping options to choose from. Most options avoid or minimise any tariffs on your end. All shipments include tracking, which will be sent to you via email once your order is placed. If you've purchased through Instagram, Melissa will DM your tracking details directly.

International buyers (outside Australia)

Insurance is available for an additional fee. Insurance is optional, but worth considering for higher-value pieces. The most popular option is Express w/ Signature (without insurance & tariffs), which has worked consistently very well. Standard & Express w/ Signature shipping avoids tariffs, because I put the value lower to assist you with custom fees since you haven't purchased insurance. Please choose the option that feels right for you.

Timeframe: Distance, customs clearance, and local processing times can all affect delivery windows. Please choose Express shipping if you are eager to get your package as it can take several weeks for international packages to deliver with standard shipping. That said, shipping issues are genuinely rare. For reference, most USA buyers opt for express shipping with signature. Please see below for information regarding Tariffs. 

NEW INSURANCE OPTION: 

I am now offering a new insurance option for items over $2500 USD! This is an Express Courier (usually DHL) through pack & send. I value the item at $100-$200 depending on the item, and then purchase insurance for the full value of the item through a third party vendor to avoid tariffs. Tariffs will be collected upon delivery, but they should be around $50-$100. With this method, I am required to be 'vague' about the contents of the packaging, so if any issues arise at customs we can address those issues accordingly. So far, I have not had any issues and this has worked very well. Delivery times vary, but it can take 3-7 days usually. 

Once a package has been handed to the postal service, it is literally out of Mel's hands, but she will always do her best to assist with any shipping questions. Please be respectful and understanding if there are any issues that may arise, it is not Mel's fault, and all she wants is for every package to delivery safely. 

If you have chosen Standard or Express shipping without insurance, you are opting out of insurance. In the very rare occasion that a package is lost, does not deliver or is held by customs, you will not receive a refund as this is entirely out of Mel's control and not covered. If you choose insured shipping, you will get a full refund for the item. Please review all the shipping options, and choose the option that feels right for you.

Tariff Info (outside Australia)

Here's how tariffs work depending on your chosen shipping method:

Layaway/Layby

Layaway (payment plan) is available at checkout through Afterpay on the website. New pieces are usually posted to Instagram Stories first (no site fees there), and anything that doesn't sell through stories or the grid is then listed on the website, where all the site fees are included in the listing price.

Quality & Sourcing

Every piece is personally sourced through trusted jewellers and established estate channels. Before anything is listed, all gold and materials are tested by qualified jewellers.

While Melissa isn't a certified gemologist, each listing includes all the essential details, and she's always happy to go deeper on any specifics about stones or diamonds before you commit to a purchase. Gold quality is fully guaranteed.

Vintage & Antique Condition

The majority of pieces in the shop are secondhand, so please expect normal wear consistent with a vintage or antique piece. Often the originating details are unknown, but Mel tries to do as much research and investigative work as possible for you. 

A little surface wear, natural patina, or the occasional visible clasp spring isn't a flaw, it's proof that this piece has had a life (or many lives!) before you. That history is part of what makes vintage jewelry so special. Please expect normal vintage and antique wear to all items. 

Sometimes there are chains that have been dipped in a previous life, which means that the original chain was quite rosey or light gold. This does mean it is 'fake gold', it means that the solid gold chain has been dipped and restored to a richer yellow color. Many individuals in the late 90's did this to their watch chains, and many people do it still to this day to create a rich yellow color or more even coloring through a chain. 

Every item is carefully reviewed before it's listed and before it ships, so you can always trust that what arrives is in working condition. Condition details are noted in each product description, so please read those carefully before purchasing. If there are any issues upon delivery, please notify Mel within 3 days of delivery for resolving any issues. If you have any questions about a specific piece before committing, please don't hesitate to reach out!

Gold Exchange Program

As of 2026, I am accepting select solid gold jewelry through my Gold Exchange Program which entails us working together to sell your old solid gold in a meaningful way. 

With gold at historic highs, buying and selling jewelry looks very different than it once did. This program was created to benefit both parties, allowing you to give new life to gold pieces sitting unworn in your jewelry box, while helping Mel's Treasures continue sourcing meaningful, high-quality vintage gold in a thoughtful, sustainable way. Thus saving old gold from being melted down, and preserving treasures by giving them a new life and home. This is a highly curated, trust-based program, guided by transparency, respect, and mutual understanding.

If you are interested to hear more, please contact me directly at melstreasuress@gmail.com with your interest so we can discuss the program details. 

All Sales are Final

Every item is careful photographed and described within the product descriptions. Please read the product pages and descriptions very carefully. If you have any further question, please reach out before purchasing!

Most items are vintage, some can be over 100 years old, so some natural normal wear is always to be expected. 

If an item is damaged in transit, please reach out within 24 hours of delivery and we will make appropriate arrangements on a case by case basis.

Thank you!