If you can not find the answers to your questions here in our database then we have a very professional, highly knowledgeable team who will be able to assist you.
ORDERING
Can I purchase from you as a consumer? Pure Rock Colours only supplies business to business.
How can my business purchase from you? Your business can apply to open a wholesale account.
How can I access your price list? Once your business wholesale account has been approved you will receive a price list for all of our products.
What are the requirements to open a wholesale account with Pure Rock Colours™? Any registered business that has been actively trading for at least six months can apply for an account.
Does my business need to be VAT registered? No, we are here to serve all businesses large and small, we know that from tiny acorns big oak trees do grow! However your business will need to have been active for a minimum of 6 months and should be connected in some way to reselling, manufacturing or educating using our products.
Do you have an MOQ? Yes we have an MOQ of €150, value of goods excluding shipping and tax.
My business is based within the EU but in a zone that requires customs clearance, can I still order from you? Yes you can still order from us, however our carrier will charge for the extra paperwork required to clear your goods through customs. This surcharge will be added to the shipping cost of your order.
I am not based in the EU, can I still open an account with you? At present Pure Rock Colours™ only handles accounts for businesses based within the EU Zone.
Can I open a trade credit account with you? We do not offer trade credit accounts.
HOW TO OPEN A WHOLESALE ACCOUNT
How do I apply for a wholesale business account? On the menu bar at the top of our home page click on ´Open An Account´ Fill in the form applicable to your business, ´VAT Registered´ or ´Non-VAT Registered´ and click submit. We will contact you within two business days to either confirm your account has been opened or to request additional information if necessary.
Do I need an intra-community VAT number to purchase tax free? Yes, to purchase across EU borders tax free you will need an intra-community VAT number, this number will be validated with each order. If your business does not have an intra-community VAT number then tax at 21% will be added to your order.
What is an intra-community VAT number? An intra-community VAT number is a tax number that is issued by a member states within the EU so that businesses can carry out tax free cross border transactions. To acquire an intra-community VAT number you must apply to the tax office in your own country.
How do I place an order with you once my account is opened? Once your wholesale account has been opened and you have received our Wholesale Price List, there are two ways that you can place an order and you can choose whichever option is most convenient to you at any time:
You can email your accounts manager with a list of products (including stock numbers) that you wish to order.
Use our online order form, available to all account holders via a secure link.
Our company uses an auditing system that places orders automatically, is this acceptable? Orders placed in this way may be treated as spam by our security system if not accompanied by some form of communication or company/customer data which can be recognised by our software.
How long is the order process from the time I place my order to receipt of my goods? Generally, once your order has been submitted and we have received your payment, it will be the lead time as shown on your Proforma Invoice which can be between 6 to 10 business days unless otherwise specified, plus the shipping time to your destination. It is always wise to take the following points into consideration when ordering:
Length of time from submission of your order to receiving your Proforma Invoice
Length of time for any changes to be made to a Proforma Invoice
The cancellation and subsequent changes to a Proforma Invoice once it has already been submitted
Communication times between both parties
Bank transfer time period
Lead time (processing time) for your order
Shipping time
Allowing plenty of time for the whole order process will ensure you are always restocked on time.
How long does it normally take for an order to be processed? The lead time (processing time) will be indicated on your Proforma Invoice and is carefully calculated taking into consideration multiple factors. The lead time, which will vary with each order, begins when payment for your order has been received by us but will generally be 6 to 10 business days unless otherwise specified.
However there are exceptional circumstances where these lead times will not apply and that will be if items are out of stock or an order is made close to annual Summer/Christmas vacation periods. Although we inform our customers of any impending closures well in advance, we are aware that sometimes this information can be misplaced or forgotten. In these instances we will contact you to discuss how you would like to proceed.
How long is a Proforma Invoice valid? It is valid for 10 days from the time it is issued and these dates are indicated on your Proforma Invoice.
Will the products be reserved for me during the 10 day time period? Yes, we reserve the products for you during the 10 day time period indicated on your Proforma Invoice. If we don´t hear from you during the 10 days indicated on your Proforma Invoice then the products will be placed back into our inventory. Should you wish to continue with the order after the 10 day time period, then we will let you know if all the items previously ordered are available and issue you with a new Proforma.
Can I make changes to my order before payment is made? Yes, any changes to your order should be carried out before payment is made and we will issue you with a new Proforma Invoice.
Can I change an order once I have made payment? Once a bank transfer is in progress it can not be stopped without bank charges being incurred. Any additions/changes to be made after payment has been initiated will need to be treated as a new order.
I need to change my order, can I just recalculate the cost and make the bank transfer anyway? No, you will need to contact us so that we can issue a new Proforma that reflects the changes made to the products, the shipping cost (should weight, dimension or number of cartons change) and new dates.
Can I request that my goods be processed faster than the lead time given on my Proforma Invoice? Our warehouse will always endeavor to ship your order within the lead time given on your Proforma Invoice. Unfortunately we can not speed up this time period, as all orders are packed according to the sequence in which they are received and the lead time specifically given at that moment in time. This ensures all customers goods are processed and shipped on time. What happens if I send an email and don´t hear from you? If you have contacted us by email and you don´t hear from us within 2 business days then you should check your spam settings as our response will have probably ended up in your spam box. We always aim to respond within 2 business days to all communications received.
PAYMENT METHODS
How is payment made? Payment for orders is via bank transfer.
Can I use any other form of payment method for my order? We do not accept any other forms of payment for wholesale orders. Most of our customers take advantage of 'SEPA' for cross-border Euro bank transfers.
Do you offer samples? Please contact us if you require samples for testing.
If I want to add extra items to my order, can I recalculate the total amount owed and adjust the bank transfer accordingly? No, this will delay your order. You will need to contact us so that we can issue a new Proforma Invoice that reflects the changes made such as new dates, product changes and shipping cost etc.
SHIPPING
Do you ship worldwide? No, we presently only ship within the EU Zone.
I am within the EU but my country is located in a non free trade zone, what happens if my parcel is stopped at border control? We provide all the necessary documentation for customs clearance but occasionally in certain destination countries goods can be held for inspection or further information may be requested by Customs. Should there be a problem and your parcel is delayed, we will work with the customs in your country to help resolve the problem. However occasionally the information required is from the importer, in this case you will need to liaise with them and provide the necessary information.
Do you still ship to the UK? Yes, we do but since Brexit came into effect at the beginning of 2021, certain aspects of the shipping process have changed. We can now only ship to registered companies who have a valid intra-community VAT number/EORI number which is required for the smooth transition of goods through customs. Payment of taxes/duties to the UK authorities before goods are released is now necessary, the same as it would be for any international shipment. If you do have any questions then please contact our customer service at [email protected] for further information.
How long will my parcel take to arrive? We only ship via UPS overland service unless otherwise specified. Depending on your location the transit time within Europe is between 3 to 8 days. This time period assumes no exceptions such as but not limited to; severe weather conditions, local /national holidays or any other circumstances beyond the control of our carrier. You will receive your tracking number/updates directly from UPS, so you can track your order at all times.
Do you ship to post office boxes? No, we can not ship to post boxes as a signature is required upon receipt of the goods.
Do you ship to third party facilities such? No, we do not ship to third party facilities.
How is the shipping cost calculated? Shipping costs are calculated on the gross weight, CBM and destination of the consignment.
What happens if I receive a damaged carton? If on delivery the damage to your carton is obvious then you can refuse acceptance and our carrier will return it to us. Upon receipt we will resend your order. Normally damage to a box and its contents is obvious and can be seen from the outside. However if the carton has been accepted and damage to the goods was only observed at a later date, then we would ask that you contact us by email as soon as possible with images detailing the damage. This helps us to assess the situation and ensure a swift solution. What if there are items missing or incorrect items in my order? If you find that you are missing any item from your order, contact us by email as soon as possible stating the missing item(s) and we will immediately inform our warehouse who will investigate and then send you the missing item(s) where necessary. If incorrect items have been received, then photos of the incorrect items would be appreciated so that we can resolve the situation as quickly as possible. Can I request freight collect? No I´m afraid we do not facilitate freight collect orders, we use our own carriers for all shipments.
RETURNS
Can I return a product? Products may only be returned if they are damaged or you have received incorrect items. Our products are classified as cosmetic raw ingredients, therefore under EU Hygiene regulations they are not subject to the same returns policy as finished products.
What happens if I have been sent a wrong item? If you have been sent wrong item(s) you need to contact us by email as soon as possible. We would appreciate images of the incorrect item(s) so that our warehouse can resolve the problem without delay. We would request that you do not open the packaging as this will render the contents contaminated/unusable and we will then be unable to accept a return.
What happens if any items that I have ordered are missing? All orders go through a double checking system in our warehouse to ensure that customers receive the correct goods that they have ordered. However, mistakes can be made so should you be missing any item(s) then please contact us by email as soon as possible. Our dispatch department needs to go through certain protocol in the event of missing items from an order which generally takes 24 hours after which they will contact you to resolve the problem.
PRODUCT INFORMATION - GENERAL
What are Pearlescent Pigments (Coloured Micas)? Pure Rock Colours™ pearlescent pigments or coloured micas as they are also known are natural mineral based inorganic pigments used to colour a wide variety of materials in numerous applications. You can see pearlescent pigments everywhere on a daily basis as they are used in cosmetics, plastics, inks, resin, silicone, artists paints, car paints, pottery and so much more. They are normally composed of mica, titanium dioxide coated with flat pigments or dyes. They are available in different particle size ranges and it is the particle size that determines the effect which can range from soft focus to twinkling. The most common particle size range is 10-60µm as this range imparts strong chroma with a lovely luster/shimmer effect and also some sparkle for the colours containing tin oxide. Particle Size - Effect & Coverage 1 - 15µm - Soft focus effect with high coverage 5 - 25µm - Satin silk effect with strong coverage 10 - 60µm - Pearl luster effect with good coverage 70 - 210µm - High sparkle effect with low coverage 80 - 400µm - Glittering effect with very low coverage 100 - 700µm - Twinkling effect, transparent with no coverage
Are your products cosmetic grade? All of our products are cosmetic grade unless otherwise specified as we consider this grade to be superior quality providing higher colour intensity and superior performance as well as higher purity levels essential for cosmetic applications. It is for these reasons that our pearlescent pigments are chosen for such a wide variety of applications.
My application is not cosmetic - what are the benefits of using cosmetic grade products? Pure Rock Pearls™, Pure Rock EcoSparks™ and Pure Rock AquaPearls™ are chosen for non cosmetic applications as they deliver a far superior performance compared to industrial grade products. Both series impart higher colour saturation with longer lasting effects that are stable in a wide range of mediums. Less is needed to achieve optimal results.
Which other non cosmetic applications can your products be used in? Apart from cosmetics, Pure Rock Pearls™, Pure Rock EcoSparks™ and Pure Rock AquaPearls™ are used in a wide variety of applications: resin (jewellery and artwork), clay (surface decoration of pottery and sculptures), artists paints (water and oil), candles (surface decoration), ink (calligraphy), silicone pigmentation, plastic and many more...If you are interested in pearlescent pigments for an application that you don’t see on our website, then contact us and we will be only too pleased to help with your enquiry. We have a dedicated research team who can advise on whether our products are suitable in your application.
Can you provide necessary documentation for cosmetic product assessment purposes? Yes, if you have purchased products from us, you will have access to the technical documentation area where you can download TDS/MSDS. COA's will need to be requested and will be available to you within 3 working days.
Do your products comply with EU regulations for use in cosmetics? All of our products meet or surpass the Purity Criteria as set out in Commission Directive Annex 1V of Regulation (EC No. 1223/2009) for raw cosmetic ingredients.
How should your products be stored when I take possession? We strongly suggest that you keep them in dry conditions at all times as humidity is the worst enemy of pearlescent pigments.
How can I find out if your products will work in my application? If you have opened an account with us and would like to test our products before purchasing larger quantities then please contact your accounts manager for further information.
Do any of your products contain nano particles? No, none of our products contain nano particles.
We would like to resell Pure Rock Colours™ products under our own label, is this possible? Yes, if you would like to resell Pure Rock Colours™ products under your own label, then you need to let your accounts manager know this when you make an order as there is a different format for labelling. Can we sell your products under the Pure Rock Colours™ label? Yes you can resell under the Pure Rock Colours™ label, please contact us for further details.
What are the requirements to sell under the Pure Rock Colours™ label? The minimum requirements will be a fully functioning website that has been active for 6 months or more.
Can I use Pure Rock Colours™ Images? If you are reselling our products under the Pure Rock Colours™ label, then it may be possible to use our images once we have obtained the necessary permissions in relation to intellectual and copyrighted material. You will need to contact us by email and we can discuss this with you further. Images may not be used without first obtaining permission from the intellectual and copyright holders.
Do you stock any finished products for resale? No, we do not stock fully finished products.
Do you offer a formulating service for any other products? Our technical department may be able to help you with a specific colour or range of colours but we do not formulate finished products. Our speciality is very much pearlescent pigments.
Can you make pearl pigments (coloured micas) matte? We have not found a way of matting our pigments yet but then they are loved for their enchanting sparkle.
QUALITY CONTROL
Can your pigments differ in shade from one batch to another? As pearlescent pigments are a more natural product, occasionally there may be a slight variation in shade but only to a maximum of 2% which is almost undetectable to the human eye. Every new batch of pigment is inspected for a colour match with previous batches to ensure colour continuity.
How are your products stored? We have secure warehousing and only authorised members of staff are permitted to enter, all warehouse staff wear protective clothing at all times. Furthermore our warehouse is kept at an ambient temperature which is necessary to preserve the integrity of our products and humidity is strictly controlled to ensure all products leave us in perfect condition. We also periodically have microbial testing done at an independent laboratory to ensure that high purity levels are maintained.
How should your products be stored when I take possession? We strongly suggest that you keep them in dry conditions at all times as humidity is the worst enemy of pearlescent pigments.
PACKAGING
How are your products packaged and what sizes do you offer? Pure Rock Pearls™ are packaged in food grade plastic bags. Bags are available in the following sizes: (5g pots, 25g bags - unavailable at present), 100g, 200g, 500g, 1/kg, 5/kg, 10/kg, 25/kg etc. Pure Rock EcoSparks™ are available from 100g to 5/kg and multiples of.
Do you offer special packaging options? We are not able to offer any packaging options other than those mentioned above.
PRODUCT INFORMATION - PURE ROCK PEARLS™
Are Pure Rock Pearls™ biodegradable? Biodegradable is not really a term that can be used in conjunction with pearlescent pigments as they are classified as inorganic pigments. Being of mineral composition, they return to the earth to resume their original mineral state so eco-friendly or earth friendly is a better description for them.
Are Pure Rock Pearls™ certified organic? Organic is a term used to to describe plant or animal derived products and does not apply to pearlescent pigments which are of mineral composition and classified as inorganic pigments.
Can Pure Rock Pearls™be used in non cosmetic applications? Yes Pure Rock Pearls™ are used in a wide variety of applications that are non-cosmetic such as resin art, jewellery making, candle decoration, artists paint, pottery, home decor, inks, car paints, plastics, silicone and much more.....
Which types of cosmetics can Pure Rock Pearls™ be used in? Pure Rock Pearls™ are very popular in a wide range of cosmetics including rinse off products such as CP Soap and M&P Soap, viscous lotions such as Sun Tan lotions and Body Shimmers, face makeup such as highlighters, bronzers, blushers, eyeshadows and lip products including lipsticks, lip glosses, lip balms, face paints, body art (temporary tattoos).
Are there regulatory limitations for the use of special effect pigments? In the EU there are no limitations regarding how much pearlescent pigment may be used in a cosmetic product.
Can Pure Rock Pearls™ be used in bath bombs? Pure Rock Pearls™ can be used in bath bombs but Polysorbate 80 needs to be added to aid dispersion. Pure Rock AquaPearls™ would be a better choice as they have been designed for water based applications so are much more suited for use in bath bombs for instance.
PRODUCT INFORMATION - PURE ROCK ECOSPARKS™
Are EcoSparks™ biodegradable? Biodegradable is not really a term that can be used in conjunction with EcoSparks™ as they are of inorganic mineral based composition. Being of mineral composition, they return to the earth to resume their original mineral state, eco-friendly or earth friendly would be a better description.
Are EcoSparks™ certified organic? Organic is a term used to to describe plant or animal derived products and does not apply to EcoSparks™ as they are of inorganic mineral based composition. Which types of cosmetics can Pure Rock EcoSparks™Series be used in? They can be used in all cosmetics to impart high sparkle effects. They have a very light soft tactile feel unlike poly glitter which can be abrasive. In the EU there are no limitations regarding how much may be used in a cosmetic product but EcoSpark colours containing Chromium Oxide Green may not be used in lip products. There are no regulations in the EU concerning particle sizes for use in eye products but we would not recommend the use of Ecosparks™ as they are composed of larger particle sizes which could cause irritation to the eye.
Can Pure Rock EcoSparks™be used in non-cosmetic applications? Yes they can to great effect and in a wider range of applications compared to both poly glitter and conventional bio glitter. They are non-flammable, solvent resistant and stable in water based applications.
SAMPLES
Do you offer samples for testing purposes? Registered account holders who would like to test our products before purchasing larger quantities, should contact their accounts manager.
How do I order samples for testing? As soon as you receive confirmation that your account has been opened, you can ask your accounts manager who will give you the necessary information regarding samples.
Can I request samples with future orders? Yes you may request samples to be included in subsequent orders which will be free of charge.