Refund and Returns Policy
Grounded Lifestyles, LLC.
Returns and Refund Policy
1. Our Commitment
At Grounded Lifestyles, LLC., we want you to be confident in every purchase you make. We take great care in selecting, photographing, packaging, and shipping our products so they arrive safely and accurately represented.
Because many of the products we sell are natural, one-of-a-kind, or limited-availability specimens, our Returns and Refund Policy is designed to balance fair customer service with the unique nature of our inventory.
This policy applies to purchases made directly through the Grounded Lifestyles website.
Purchases made at gem and mineral shows, temporary events, or through authorized retail partner locations may be subject to different return policies established for those locations or events. Unless otherwise required by law or expressly stated at the time of purchase, this policy does not apply to those sales.
2. Return Eligibility
If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, you may request a return authorization within fourteen (14) calendar days of the documented delivery date.
Requests received after the fourteen-day return period will not be eligible for return approval except where required by applicable law.
Submission of a return request does not guarantee that a return will be approved.
All returns require prior authorization from Grounded Lifestyles before any item is shipped back.
Unauthorized returns may be refused or returned to the sender at the sender’s expense.
To qualify for a return, the item must:
- Be in the same condition in which it was received.
- Be unused and unaltered.
- Show no signs of wear, damage, cleaning, polishing, repair, or modification.
- Include all original packaging, labels, and any accompanying materials.
- Be securely packaged to prevent damage during return shipment.
Grounded Lifestyles reserves the right to deny any return that does not meet these requirements.
3. Return Authorization Process
To request a return, please contact Grounded Lifestyles within the fourteen-day return period.
Your request should include:
- Your name.
- Your order number.
- The reason for the return.
- Clear photographs of the item from multiple angles.
- Additional photographs of the packaging if the return involves shipping damage or an incorrect item.
Photographs are required because they help us evaluate the condition of the item before authorizing a return and assist in resolving shipping claims when applicable.
Grounded Lifestyles may request additional photographs or information before making a return determination.
Once your request has been reviewed, you will receive either:
- Return authorization instructions; or
- Notification that the return request has been denied, including the reason for the decision.
Approved returns must be shipped within five (5) business days after return authorization is issued unless otherwise approved in writing.
Return authorization numbers are valid only for the specific item and order for which they were issued.
4. Please Inspect Your Order Immediately
We encourage customers to inspect all orders as soon as they are delivered.
If your shipment appears damaged during delivery, please photograph the package before opening it whenever possible.
If you discover concealed damage after opening your package, retain:
- The shipping box.
- All packing materials.
- Product packaging.
- The damaged item.
These materials may be required to support a shipping carrier claim.
Prompt inspection helps us resolve issues more quickly and improves the likelihood of successful shipping claims.
5. Damaged, Defective, or Incorrect Items
We carefully inspect and package every order before it leaves our facility. If your order arrives damaged, defective, or you receive an incorrect item, please notify Grounded Lifestyles as soon as possible, and no later than three (3) calendar days after the documented delivery date.
To help us investigate the issue and, when applicable, file a claim with the shipping carrier, your request must include:
- Your order number.
- A brief description of the issue.
- Clear photographs of the item from multiple angles.
- Photographs of the shipping box, including the shipping label.
- Photographs of the interior packing materials.
- Photographs showing any visible damage to the packaging or product.
Please retain the original shipping box, packing materials, and all product packaging until your claim has been resolved. These materials may be required for inspection by the shipping carrier.
If the claim is approved, Grounded Lifestyles will, at our discretion:
- Replace the item, if an identical replacement is available;
- Offer a comparable replacement when appropriate;
- Issue store credit; or
- Provide a refund to the original method of payment.
Grounded Lifestyles will provide instructions regarding the return of damaged or incorrect merchandise when applicable.
6. Natural Variation Is Not a Defect
Grounded Lifestyles specializes in authentic natural crystals, minerals, fossils, meteorites, gemstones, and related natural products.
Every specimen is naturally unique.
Variations in color, crystal habit, inclusions, matrix, transparency, texture, polish, shape, size, weight, and other naturally occurring characteristics are expected and are not considered manufacturing defects.
Product photographs are intended to accurately represent each item; however, slight differences in appearance may occur due to lighting conditions, camera settings, screen calibration, and the inherent characteristics of natural materials.
Returns requested solely because of natural variation, personal preference, or a change of mind regarding the appearance of a naturally occurring specimen may be approved at Grounded Lifestyles’ discretion but are not considered defective merchandise.
7. One-of-a-Kind and Limited-Availability Specimens
Many products offered by Grounded Lifestyles are unique, collector-quality, or limited-availability specimens.
Because these items are naturally unique, an identical replacement may not exist once the original specimen has been sold.
If a return of a one-of-a-kind specimen is approved, Grounded Lifestyles may offer:
- A refund;
- Store credit; or
- A comparable replacement specimen if one is available.
Grounded Lifestyles cannot guarantee that another specimen will match the original in appearance, size, color, formation, or other natural characteristics.
8. Non-Returnable Items
Unless required by applicable law, the following items are not eligible for return or refund:
- Clearance or final sale merchandise.
- Customized or special-order items.
- Digital products, including downloadable guides, e-books, and other electronic content.
- Gift cards or gift certificates.
- Items that have been altered, repaired, cleaned, polished, or modified after delivery.
- Items damaged due to misuse, neglect, improper storage, accidents, or normal wear after delivery.
- Products returned without prior authorization.
- Products returned without adequate protective packaging that are damaged during return transit.
Grounded Lifestyles reserves the right to designate additional products as final sale, provided such designation is clearly communicated before purchase.
9. Return Shipping
Unless the return is the result of our error or shipping damage covered under this policy, customers are responsible for all return shipping expenses.
Approved returns should be packaged carefully using appropriate protective materials to prevent damage during shipment.
We strongly recommend using a shipping service that provides:
- Shipment tracking.
- Shipping insurance appropriate for the value of the merchandise.
- Delivery confirmation.
Grounded Lifestyles is not responsible for returned merchandise that is lost, damaged, or delayed while in transit to us.
The customer remains responsible for the safe delivery of returned merchandise until it has been received and inspected by Grounded Lifestyles.
10. Restocking Fee
Grounded Lifestyles does not routinely charge a restocking fee for approved returns received in original condition.
However, we reserve the right to assess a reasonable restocking fee of up to ten percent (10%) when additional inspection, handling, repackaging, cleaning, or administrative processing is required, or when unusually large, high-value, or multiple-item returns create significant costs.
Any applicable restocking fee will be deducted from the approved refund and will be disclosed during the return review process whenever reasonably practicable.
11. High-Value Merchandise
For higher-value purchases, Grounded Lifestyles may require additional return procedures to help protect both the customer and our business.
Depending on the value and nature of the item, we may require:
- Additional photographs before authorizing the return.
- Signature confirmation upon delivery.
- Fully insured return shipping.
- Additional verification of the item’s condition before processing a refund.
These requirements are intended to ensure the safe return of valuable collector specimens and are not intended to limit any rights provided under applicable law.
Need help?
Contact us for questions related to refunds and returns