Frequently Asked Questions

Our pieces are handmade in Kenya by independent artisans we have worked with for years, led by Alex and Jack. Alex's work includes our Maridadi Africa map earrings and necklace and the Twiga giraffe earrings. Jack makes our wooden Nzete earrings, the Ndege bird earrings and the Little Giraffes earrings. We list the maker of every design, because we believe you should know whose hands shaped what you wear.

It means we buy directly from the artisans who make our jewelry, pay them fairly for their craft, and build long relationships rather than one-off orders.

Our artisans work with brass, cow bone, wood, sisal and glass beads. Many pieces combine them, like our Rehema earrings, which pair hand-etched cow bone with brass. Each product page lists the materials for that piece.

Very close, but never identical. Beads, bone and wood vary naturally, and every piece is shaped by hand, so small differences in color and pattern are part of its character. No two are quite the same, and that's the point.

We use nickel-free metals, because nickel is the metal most likely to irritate sensitive ears. Lightweight styles like our Samaki, Ukweli and Rwandan sisal earrings are a comfortable place to start. Have a question about a specific piece? Email us, and we'll help you choose.

Since 2011. We began as The Afropolitan Network, a blog for the African diaspora, in 2007, and opened the shop four years later. Since then, our jewelry has traveled to customers in all 50 US states and 24 countries across six continents. Read our story.

Yes. The Afropolitan Shop is a Black-owned, woman-owned business, founded in 2011 by Beverly Lwenya, who still leads it today from Dallas, Texas. We built it without outside investors, one handmade piece at a time. Read our story. When you shop with us, you support a Black-owned business here and the African artisans who make every piece.

Brass naturally deepens in color over time as it meets air and moisture. Many people love that warm, aged glow. If you prefer it bright, polish it gently with a brass cleaner and a soft cloth.

Keep them dry. Take them off before swimming, showering or exercising, and put them on after lotion and perfume. Store each piece on its own, away from direct sunlight, so beads stay bright and natural materials don't crack or fade.

Orders are processed within 5 business days, excluding holidays. Orders placed after noon, or on weekends and holidays, may begin processing the next business day. You'll receive an email with tracking as soon as your order ships. Delivery estimates for each shipping method are shown at checkout.

Shipping is calculated at checkout based on your destination, order weight and the shipping method you choose. Free standard shipping is available on selected orders, as shown at checkout.

Yes! We ship to more than 150 countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and many countries across Africa, the Caribbean and Asia. International orders may be subject to customs duties, import taxes and fees. Where possible, these are calculated and shown at checkout, so there are no surprises. See our full Shipping Information for details.

Use the tracking link in your shipping confirmation email, or visit our Order Tracking page. Tracking can take a little time to update after your order ships.

Email us as soon as possible at info@theafropolitanshop.com. We can usually make changes before your order ships, but once it's on its way, we're unable to modify it.

Often, yes. Some of our most-loved designs, like the Twiga earrings, stay available for pre-order while our artisans make the next batch. Because each piece is made by hand, pre-orders take a little longer to ship. You can cancel a pre-order any time before it's fulfilled. For other sold-out pieces, use the "Notify Me" button on the product page, and we'll email you when it's back.

Yes. You can split your purchase into smaller payments with Afterpay at checkout. Learn more about Afterpay.

We accept eligible returns within 30 days of delivery. Items must be unused, in their original packaging, and come with proof of purchase. Final sale items can't be returned. Refunds are processed once we receive and inspect your return, and original shipping charges are non-refundable. Please allow 7 to 10 business days for the refund to reach your account. See our full Return Policy.

For a return, sign in to your account with the email you used to order, and you'll see the return options for your order. If you don't see one, or you'd like an exchange, email us at info@theafropolitanshop.com with your order number and the reason for your request.

We're so sorry. Email us right away at info@theafropolitanshop.com, with a photo if you can, and we'll make it right.

Our Pairings sets are an easy favorite, with matching pieces chosen to be worn together. Our Africa map designs, like the Maridadi Africa Set, are a meaningful choice for anyone who carries the continent with them. If you're unsure, email us with a little about the person you're shopping for, and we'll help you choose. You can also browse all our gifts.

Yes. We love seeing our artisans' work in boutiques and shops around the world. Retailers can order through our Faire shop, or visit our Wholesale page to learn more.

Yes. Creators and community builders earn a 10% commission on sales they refer, and their followers get a 10% discount code. Apply to join our Affiliate Program.