MARBLE:
Marble is a hard but brittle substance. We cannot warrantee any of the marble pieces against breakage. Since each set is cut from a single slab of marble, we cannot offer replacement pieces as the color would not be the same. If any marble set is received in damaged condition, we will exchange it or offer a full refund per our RETURN POLICY.
We also suggest that you use these pieces on a soft surface such as a tablecloth or felt gameboard to avoid scratching or chipping. If in the event that a piece chips or breaks, you can usually repair it to “like new” condition with “krazy glue”.
You may also notice that the DOTS may not be perfect. Each one is hand indented and the hardness of the marble itself may have caused the drill to shift slightly. These imperfections are normal and in some ways add to the uniqueness and beauty of your set.
ONYX:
YOUR Onyx chessboard should be given a light protective polish to assist in minimizing scratches. The easiest product to use is furniture polish such as "Pledge". Because we hold the cost of our sets to the lowest price, we have not added the protective felt to the pieces. We suggest putting a little “round” of green felt on the bottom of each piece. They are available at any market, or “dollar store” and will greatly add to the protection of scratches on the board.
IRONWOOD:
Your statue has a light polish/wax already applied. Our craftsmen actually use shoe polish to achieve the luster you see and that acts as a sealer. We recommend a light coat of a neutral shoe polish and buff with a soft cloth every 6 months to maintain the beauty of your carving and protect the wood. We do NOT recommend any sealer such as varnish, shellac or urethane. Otherwise, just a wipe with a soft cloth is all that is needed.
It is difficult to describe in words, or even pictures the beauty and grain of each item. The usual comment we receive is "I had no idea how heavy it was, it's SOLID wood". We love to hear comments like that.
Conservation: We at JB Exotic are very concerned about conservation and the creation of art statues from this beautiful wood. Please keep in mind that in order to harvest the wood, the tree must be dead for 10 years. During that slow period, the liquid sap and elements are leeched out of the wood, and replaced with an almost “petrified” mineral content while retaining the beautiful grain and color.
For the most part, the Mexican artisans who carve and create these beautiful designs are poor families working with crude tools. By purchasing these artworks, you are actually helping families use their natural resources to create these masterpieces we offer to you.
To the best of our knowledge, there are NO factories or large shops creating this work. Only the small “cottage industry” groups. To the trained eye, individual families can be recognized in the specific carvings they produce. Some families only produce eagles, while others are more expert at bears or dancers. We, at JB Exotic have “secondary” artisans who apply the additional detailing and polishing that make your purchase Grade 3 and unique. We are very proud of our support of the local family traditions.
Flaws and Defects: In each piece of wood, there could be minor flaws or little defects in your item. These are completely normal and while we try to select the most flawless "blanks", when cutting, shaping and polishing happens, it's possible a minor crack will be revealed. This will NOT affect the structure of your item. Rather than us trying to conceal this, we will polish the item to minimize any flaws. If, when you receive your purchase, you are IN ANY WAY unhappy with it, contact us and we will certainly exchange it per our return policy.