FAQ

From your first enquiry to delivery, the process takes about one month.

1. Initial consultation (WhatsApp)
2. Wrist Assessment to determine your size and curve
3. Place your order on this website
4. Made to order (approximately one month)
5. Dispatch

There is no permanent store. Pieces can be seen in person only at a trunk show or at the private salon in Daikanyama, Tokyo.

Available payment methods are shown securely at checkout and may vary by country. Major credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay may be available. For a high-value order or payment enquiry, please contact me before completing your purchase.

All orders are charged as a single payment. Instalment and bonus payment plans cannot be selected at checkout. If you would like to pay in instalments, please contact your credit card company after your purchase and arrange this with them directly.

Each piece is made to order. Most pieces are completed approximately one month after your fit and order are confirmed. I will contact you if a particular material or commission requires additional time. International delivery time varies by destination.

Yes. Complimentary insured international delivery is available to eligible destinations. Applicable import duties, VAT, local taxes and customs-clearance fees are calculated and paid at checkout, with no additional payment due on delivery (DDP).

Please contact me before returning any piece. For orders within Japan, return instructions and a prepaid label will be provided where applicable. For international orders, the client is responsible for insured return shipping, customs duties, taxes and related charges. Personalised, altered and specially commissioned pieces may not be eligible for return except where defective or otherwise required by applicable law.

Begin with a Wrist Assessment. Your wrist circumference provides a starting point; the inner curve, opening and final dimensions are then refined for your individual wrist. Remote assessments are available in English via WhatsApp.

Forging shapes precious metal through repeated hammering and compression, creating a dense and resilient structure. I choose this method because it allows the curve, balance and fit of each piece to be refined individually by hand.

A Wrist Assessment considers the natural contours, thickness, proportions and movement of your wrist—not circumference alone. If you cannot visit Japan, I can begin remotely using approximately five photographs and a conversation via WhatsApp.

Curve adjustments and refinishing are provided without charge to the original purchaser and their immediate family. International clients are responsible for insured shipping to Japan, customs duties, taxes, insurance and any related charges. Complimentary insured return delivery is provided after service. Please contact us before sending your piece.

Yes. Personal consultations and remote Wrist Assessments are available in English via WhatsApp. Please share the pieces you are considering and a few suitable dates and times.

Yes. I undertake selected heirloom redesign and remodelling commissions, subject to an assessment of the piece, material and intended design. As every commission is different, pricing is provided individually after consultation.

Gold, platinum and silver pieces without gemstones may be safely exposed to water. As part of your daily care, gently wash your bangle or ring with hand-soap lather when washing your hands, rinse thoroughly, and dry with a clean towel or soft cloth. Regular washing helps minimise dirt and discolouration caused by perspiration and skin oils. Pearls, opals, coral, turquoise and plated pieces should not be washed with water.

Yes. Each piece is presented in a paulownia-wood box, wrapped in hand-finished black Japanese paper and finished with a silver mizuhiki cord. Gift presentation is included in the price.

I do not operate a permanent retail store. Pieces can be tried at a trunk show, or at the private salon in Daikanyama, Tokyo, by appointment. Please see the Appointments page for current dates and locations. If you cannot visit, I can provide a remote Wrist Assessment and personal guidance in English via WhatsApp.

LIGHT offers the most discreet and lightweight presence for everyday wear. BOLD brings greater visual weight while remaining balanced and versatile. EX BOLD is the most sculptural expression of the collection, with a presence comparable to a watch. Your preferred proportions, wrist shape and style will be considered during your Wrist Assessment.

LIGHT is the most refined proportion in the collection, with a standard width of approximately 3 mm and thickness of approximately 2.5 mm. A slimmer commission may be considered, but structural limits can affect long-term curve stability and eligibility for complimentary adjustments. Please contact me to discuss what is possible.

KATSUYOSHI SHIMADA jewellery is created to be worn, not sold as an investment product. The value of gold can rise or fall, and a finished piece includes design and craftsmanship beyond its metal content. For financial guidance, please consult a qualified adviser.

Yes. Each pure-gold piece is accompanied by a certificate card and bears the appropriate quality hallmarks.

Pure gold allows the material itself—its depth of colour, weight and softness—to become the focus. Rather than forcing it into a conventional form, I work with generous proportions and a forged structure designed for daily wear. Subtle traces of use will develop naturally over time.

Pre-owned pieces are assessed individually. Where the original Wrist Assessment record is unavailable, a new assessment may be required, and complimentary Lifetime Care may not apply. Please contact me with photographs and any provenance or purchase documentation before sending the piece.

Every piece is designed, forged, fitted and finished by Katsuyoshi Shimada. Working independently allows me to carry each client’s Wrist Assessment through to the final piece and to maintain a direct relationship over time.

I do not apply a prominent brand logo. Each piece bears the appropriate quality hallmarks for its precious-metal content, placed discreetly so the wearer—not the brand—remains the focus.

Yes. Up to two characters are hand-stamped and included at no charge; uppercase letters and numbers are available. Please write the characters you would like in the order notes at checkout.

From three to twenty characters, the engraving is carried out by laser, with an additional charge of ¥5,500. Please contact me before placing your order.

Yes. If you order in advance, your piece can be completed before you arrive and collected in person at our private salon in Daikanyama, Tokyo, where the wrist assessment and final fitting are carried out. As every piece is made by hand, please contact us at least one month before your trip. Delivery to your hotel in Japan is also available. Orders collected in Japan are not subject to customs duties associated with international shipping; upon returning home, you may be required to declare the item and pay applicable duties or taxes under your country's regulations.

Yes. Consultations are available in English, both in person and via WhatsApp. Your Wrist Assessment can also be conducted in English.