FAQs

Where do your jewelry pieces come from?
Our pieces come from reputable gold purchases, private estates, and business liquidations of jewelers. We find it a shame to simply melt down jewelry with a history, so we give it a second life.

Is the jewelry authentic?
Yes. Every piece is professionally inspected by us (alloy test, visual and functional inspection) and comes with our authenticity guarantee.

What is the condition of the products?
Professionally refurbished (cleaned, polished) and without signs of wear. If a piece exceptionally retains minimal vintage characteristics (e.g., engraving), we indicate this in the product description.

Do you offer ring resizing?
Yes. Ring resizing costs €30. After completing your order, simply send us an email with your desired size to janina@ninaalwina.com.

We will then coordinate with our goldsmith and send you a separate payment link for the adjustment. The adjustment usually takes 1-2 business days.

*Note: Returns/exchanges are excluded after resizing, as it is a customized adjustment.

Can I view the pieces in person?
Absolutely!

We invite you to monthly showings where we exclusively present the next drop. We regularly publish dates – come by and see the selection live.
Or visit us in our store at Weserstraße 159 in Berlin (in the vintage store "lots of Elza"). We look forward to seeing you!

What are the shipping costs and delivery time?

Shipping: free within Germany.
Delivery time: usually 2-5 business days (DE). EU/International upon request.
Shipping method: insured and with tracking.

How do returns work?
You have a 14-day return policy from receipt. The product must be returned unworn and in its original packaging.
Exception: Individually altered items (e.g., ring resizing) are generally excluded from returns.

What payment methods are available?
We accept common payment methods such as credit card, PayPal, Sofort/Klarna, Apple/Google Pay, and bank transfer (details in the checkout).

Are your prices fair?
Yes. Our prices take into account material value, craftsmanship, rarity, and design – often significantly more attractive than new goods of comparable quality.

Can you send additional photos/videos?
Of course! Write to us at janina@ninaalwina.com - we'll be happy to send you detailed photos or a short video in natural light.

Do you offer gift wrapping?
Yes, free of charge upon request. Let us know at checkout (note field) or by email.

Care tips for vintage gold jewelry?
Gold is easy to care for. At home, lukewarm water with a little mild dish soap and a soft brush is sufficient. Gently dry and store jewelry separately in soft pouches to avoid micro-scratches.

Do you handle repairs or customizations?
Minor repairs, polishing, chain length adjustments, and ring sizes are possible. We examine other requests individually.

What if my order is a gift with an urgent date?
Contact us in advance – we'll check express options and ensure timely delivery if possible.

What happens if a package is lost?
All shipments are insured. We take care of tracking or replacement/refund according to availability.

How sustainable is vintage gold jewelry?
Very! By refurbishing, we save resources and CO₂ compared to newly mined gold. In addition, the history behind each piece is preserved.

Will I receive an invoice?
Naturally. For vintage goods, margin scheme taxation (§ 25a UStG) may often apply; if applicable, this will be noted on the invoice.

How do I find my ring size?
Measure a well-fitting ring (inner diameter in mm) and compare it with a size chart, or have it measured by a jeweler – just send us the EU size. We will be happy to advise you by email or in our store.

What if the item is sold out?
Many pieces are unique. Set an alert/newsletter or write to us what you're looking for – we'll keep an eye out and let you know as soon as something suitable comes in.

What gold alloys do you offer? What does, for example, 8K or 14K mean?
Our jewelry pieces are made of real gold, mostly in the following alloys:

  • 8 Karat (333er Gold): contains 33.3% pure gold
  • 14 Karat (585er Gold): contains 58.5% pure gold
  • 18 Karat (750er Gold): contains 75.0% pure gold

The rest consists of high-quality accompanying metals (such as silver, copper, palladium), which influence color, hardness, and shine.

All pieces are checked by us for authenticity and the gold alloy is indicated in the product description.

Which is better – 8K, 14K, or 18K?
That's a matter of taste:

  • 8K gold is more robust and suitable for everyday wear, as it is harder
  • 14K gold offers a nice balance between value, color, and comfort
  • 18K gold looks particularly warm and luxurious, but is slightly softer

Do you also have white gold or rose gold?
Yes! In addition to classic yellow gold, we also offer pieces in white gold, rose gold, or bicolor – depending on the style and era.

Can the gold alloy tell us something about the origin or age of the jewelry?
Yes, it can! The alloy can often provide clues about the region of origin and the decade of manufacture:

  • 333 (8 Karat):
    Typical for Germany – especially from the 1950s to the early 2000s, 333 gold was widely used here. Today, it is rarely processed anew, so it is often an indicator of vintage jewelry of German manufacture.
  • 585 (14 Karat):
    Very common in Central Europe (e.g., Germany, Switzerland, Austria), but also in the USA. This alloy is particularly durable and frequently found in pieces from the 1970s to 1990s – but also in high-quality new jewelry.
  • 750 (18 Karat):
    Typical for Southern and Western Europe (e.g., Italy, France) as well as the Middle East. These pieces often appear particularly warm in tone. 18K was also often used for older antique jewelry (19th century to Art Deco).
  • Further hints:
    Stamps (hallmarks), settings, clasps, and design also provide information about the origin – we carefully check this and provide information in the product description if possible.

In short: The alloy is not only a quality feature but often also a small contemporary witness – and helps us in dating and curating your jewelry pieces with history.

Contact
Mail: janina@ninaalwina.com
Store: Weserstraße 159 (in the Vintage Store "lots of Elza")
Live Showings: monthly – dates will follow on our channels & in the newsletter