Cart
0
Goldfinch Grillz FAQ
Ordering Custom Grillz
How do I order custom grillz?
Pick the number of teeth you want covered, choose sterling silver or solid gold, and place your order. We post you a free impression kit, you take a mould of your teeth at home, and you send it back to us. From there we handcraft your grillz in our Christchurch studio and ship them out to you. Nothing needs to happen in a dental chair, and the whole process works from home anywhere in New Zealand or Australia.
How does the impression kit work?
Every Goldfinch Grillz order includes a free at-home impression kit with putty, a tray, and clear instructions. You mix the putty, press the tray onto your teeth, hold it still for a few minutes, and lift it off. That mould captures the exact shape of your teeth, and everything we make is built from it. Most people get a good impression on their first go.
What if I mess up my impression?
It happens more often than you would think and it is usually easy to sort out. Send us a photo of your mould before you post anything back, and we will tell you whether it is usable. If it is not, we can send a replacement kit. Catching a bad impression early saves you weeks of waiting on grillz that were never going to fit.
How long does it take to get my grillz?
There are two stages. Your impression kit ships within 3 business days of ordering, then production takes 2 to 4 weeks on average from the day your completed impressions reach our Christchurch studio. How fast you post your impressions back is the part that varies most, so most orders typically land within 3 to 6 weeks start to finish.
Do I need to visit you in person?
No, and most customers never do. The process is built to work entirely from home using our impression kit and prepaid return shipping. That said, if you are in Christchurch and would rather have your impressions taken in person, we do offer appointments. Get in touch to arrange one.
Can I use impressions from my dentist?
Yes. If you already have a dental stone made by a dental professional, get in touch through our custom orders form and a discount may apply to your order. Your impressions need to be less than six months old, and we cannot take liability for damage to them during production, so please only send impressions you are comfortable parting with.
Can I buy grillz as a gift?
Yes, with one catch: we cannot make them in secret, because your person needs to take their own dental impressions. What you can do is place the order if you know what they want, whether that is a 2-piece in silver or a full set in gold, and gift them the impression kit when it arrives. They take the mould, send it back, and the rest of the process runs as normal. If you are not confident picking for them, get in touch about a gift voucher instead.
Do I need to be 18 to order?
Yes. The consent form supplied with your grillz includes confirmation that you are over 18, and by signing it you are confirming that is accurate. We cannot accept responsibility where incorrect information has been supplied to us.
Sizing, Fit and Impressions
What do 2-piece, 3-piece and 6-piece grillz mean?
Every standard Goldfinch Grillz set is one connected span of teeth cast as a single unit, and the number tells you how many teeth that unit covers. A 2-piece covers two teeth joined together, a 6-piece covers six joined together, and so on up to our 8-piece. The teeth in a set always sit next to each other, because the set is physically one piece of metal rather than separate caps. Where the set sits in your mouth is entirely your choice.
Can I get grillz on teeth that are not next to each other?
Yes, they are just made as separate pieces rather than one set. Because a set is a single connected span, teeth with a gap between them cannot be joined. A grill on each canine, for example, is two Single Tooth pieces rather than a 2-piece, since your four front teeth sit in between. The same applies if you want your teeth covered by two separate sets rather than one continuous run. Six teeth across two separate 3-piece sets means ordering two 3-pieces, not a 6-piece. Work out how many separate runs of touching teeth you want, and each run is its own piece.
Do I have to order top and bottom together?
No. Top and bottom grillz are separate pieces and separate orders, so you can start with whichever you want. Plenty of people only ever get a top set. Your impression kit takes moulds of both your upper and lower teeth regardless, so one kit covers you either way.
How many teeth should I get?
Entirely up to you and how bold you want it to sit. For what it is worth, the 2-piece is far and away our most popular option, because it reads as stylish without taking over your whole smile. Full 6-piece sets are much less common by comparison. If you are stuck, think about what actually shows when you smile and talk, or message us a photo and we will talk it through.
Will my grillz fit properly?
They are made from a mould of your own teeth, so the fit is specific to you. New grillz are made close-fitting and often feel snug for the first few wears, which is normal and usually settles. If yours feel tight or are not seating properly, get in touch before doing anything to them and we will guide you through adjusting them.
What if my grillz do not fit when they arrive?
Get in touch and we will walk you through adjusting them, because most fit issues resolve with a small guided adjustment at home. If that does not get you a proper fit, our Fit Guarantee covers an adjustment or remake at no cost, provided the piece was made from an accurate impression. Where the issue traces back to an inaccurate impression, a replacement kit may be needed at your cost.
Can I wear grillz with braces, crowns, veneers or implants?
Get in touch before ordering. Existing dental work changes the shape we are working with and affects whether we can get a safe, accurate fit. Message us with the details and we will give you an honest answer about whether it will work rather than take an order we are not confident in.
Grillz Styles and Customisation
What styles can I get on my grillz?
Four options, all included at no extra cost: plain, windows, cutouts and fangs. Plain is a solid metal face with no openings, windows (also called open face) expose the centre of the tooth with a metal border framing it, cutouts are shapes cut through the face, and fangs extend the tooth into a point. You can mix styles across a set, so a 6-piece could have plain teeth with fangs on the canines.
What is a plain or solid grill?
A plain grill is a solid metal face covering the whole tooth with no openings, which gives you the boldest, most classic look. It is the most popular choice and works in any metal we offer. If you want something that reads clean and simple rather than detailed, this is the one.
What are window or open face grillz?
A window grill, also known as open face, has the centre of the tooth cut away, leaving a border of metal framing your natural tooth showing through the middle. It gives you a lighter, more open look than a solid cap while still framing the tooth in gold or silver. Included at no extra cost on any piece.
What does a cutout mean?
A cutout is any shape cut through the face of the grill so your tooth shows through the gap. Letters, initials, stars, hearts, crosses, numbers and symbols are all included at no extra cost on any Goldfinch Grillz piece. The only limit is structural, since the design needs to hold together as one connected piece with nothing floating unsupported.
Can I get fangs on my grillz?
Yes, and they are included in the standard price. A fang extends the tooth into a point rather than following its natural shape, and they are most commonly done on the canines, either as single teeth or as part of a larger set. You can combine them with any other style, so fangs with a cutout design or on a plain face both work.
Can I get letters or initials cut out on my grillz?
Yes, and it is one of the most popular options we do. Letters and initials are included in the standard price on any piece, so there is no custom quote needed. Add your letters in the order notes or message us after ordering. Each tooth takes one letter, so initials across two teeth means two separate pieces.
Do fangs, cutouts or windows cost extra?
No. Plain, fangs, windows and cutouts are all included in the price on every Goldfinch Grillz piece, whichever size or metal you choose. You are not paying extra to have your grillz look the way you want them to. Want something outside those four? Hit us up about custom orders.
Do you offer diamond or iced grillz?
Not at this stage. We do not currently offer stone settings or iced pieces, though it is something we are working towards. If you are after colour and contrast, enamel inlay is worth asking about as a custom option.
What is an enamel inlay?
Enamel inlay is a solid colour set into the surface of your grillz, giving you contrast and detail without stone setting. It works well alongside cutout designs and on plain faces. Enamel work sits outside our standard listings, so get in touch through the custom orders form and we can talk through the design and pricing with you.
What counts as a custom order?
Cutouts, fangs and windows are all standard, so most design requests are covered by our normal listings. A custom order is for enamel inlay work, unusual structural designs, or anything else falling outside the standard range. Those go through our custom order form so we can discuss the design and quote it properly before anything gets made.
Materials and Pricing
How much do custom grillz cost in New Zealand?
Goldfinch Grillz start at $239 NZD for a single sterling silver tooth and $540 NZD for a single tooth in solid gold. Larger connected sets are priced up from there, with sterling silver sets running from $399 for a 2-piece. Gold pricing varies with karat and colour, so check the product page for current prices.
What metals do you offer?
We work in .925 sterling silver and solid gold, with gold available in 10ct, 14ct and 18ct, in yellow, white or rose. Everything is solid metal rather than plated, so the colour is the metal itself and will not wear off over time.
Why does gold pricing vary?
Gold is priced from a starting figure because the final cost depends on the karat and colour you choose, and because gold itself moves with the market. Sterling silver has a fixed price per product. The product page always shows current pricing.
Are your grillz solid or plated?
Solid, always. Plated grillz have a thin layer of gold over a cheaper base metal, and that layer wears through with use, particularly somewhere as wet and high-contact as your mouth. We get asked about plated options often enough that we are considering adding them, but we are hesitant precisely because of the flaking and wear that comes with them. For now, every piece we make is solid sterling silver or solid gold all the way through.
Should I get silver or gold grillz?
Sterling silver is the more accessible entry point and suits people who want a cooler tone or are trying grillz for the first time. Solid gold costs more but holds its colour without polishing and lasts effectively forever with basic care. Both are made to the same standard in the same studio.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes. Afterpay is available at checkout, which splits your order into four payments. If you do not use Afterpay, we are happy to arrange a payment plan directly: 30% upfront, 30% before we cast the piece, and the remaining 40% before your finished set ships. Email orders@goldfinchgrillz.com to set that up.
Do you offer bulk or wholesale pricing?
No. Every Goldfinch Grillz piece is made one at a time from an individual customer's dental impressions, so there is nothing to produce in bulk. Each order is its own job from mould to finish.
Shipping and Delivery
Do you ship free within New Zealand?
Shipping is included on our end both ways, so there is no charge for us to send your impression kit out or to send your finished grillz back to you, anywhere in New Zealand. The one cost on your side is posting your completed impressions back to us, which usually runs around $10 with NZ Post.
Do you ship grillz to Australia?
Yes. Australian orders have a flat $60 shipping cost, covering your impression kit coming out to you and your finished grillz being sent back. Posting your completed impressions to us is at your own cost. International shipping beyond New Zealand and Australia is coming soon, and our email list is the first to hear when it opens up.
How do I track my order?
Tracking details are emailed to you as soon as your order is dispatched, for both your impression kit and your finished grillz. If tracking has not come through or something looks wrong, message us and we will chase it up.
Care, Wear and Safety
Do grillz damage your teeth?
Grillz are cosmetic jewellery, and the problems people run into usually come down to three things: a poor fit, poor quality materials, and poor hygiene. A custom-fitted piece in solid metal handles the first two. The third is on you, which means removing them before eating, drinking anything but water, sleeping and exercising, keeping both the grillz and your teeth clean, and not wearing them constantly. There is no long-term research on daily wear either way, so if you have any concerns about your own teeth, ask your dentist first.
Can you talk with grillz in?
Yes, though it takes a little getting used to. Most people find speech feels slightly different for the first day or two and then stops being noticeable. A well-fitted piece made from your own impressions sits close to the teeth, which makes a much bigger difference to speech than a generic fit ever would.
Can you eat or drink with grillz in?
No. Take your grillz out before eating or drinking anything other than water, and before sleeping or exercising. Eating with them in traps food and bacteria between the metal and your teeth, and puts pressure on the piece in ways it was not made for.
How do I clean and care for my grillz?
Give them a gentle scrub with a soft toothbrush and a little dish soap, rinse in lukewarm water, and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth. Keep toothpaste and any other abrasive cleaner well away from them, since both will scratch the finish. Sterling silver benefits from an occasional polish with a silver cloth. Store them in the box they came in rather than loose.
How long will my grillz last?
With reasonable care, years. Solid gold, including yellow, white and rose, holds its colour and shine indefinitely. Sterling silver tarnishes naturally over time, which is normal for the metal and comes straight back with a polish. Because everything we make is solid rather than plated, there is no coating to wear through.
Are grillz dental appliances?
No. Goldfinch Grillz are cosmetic jewellery only. They are not dental appliances, they will not fix, straighten, protect or replace dental work, and they should not be worn while eating or sleeping. If you have a dental health concern, a dentist is the right person to see.
Can I sleep in my grillz?
No. Take them out before you sleep. Wearing them overnight risks damage to both the piece and your teeth, and traps bacteria against your enamel for hours at a time.
About Goldfinch Grillz
Where are Goldfinch Grillz made?
Every piece is handcrafted in our own studio in Christchurch, New Zealand, from your dental impressions. We are a small independent workshop rather than a reseller, so nothing is outsourced or mass produced. The person making your grillz is the person you are talking to.
Do you have a physical store?
We do not have a retail shop, since everything is made to order rather than sold off a shelf. We do offer in-person appointments in Christchurch if you would prefer to have your impressions taken by us rather than doing them at home. Get in touch to arrange a time.
How do I contact you?
Email orders@goldfinchgrillz.com, message us on Instagram at @goldfinchgrillz, or use the contact form on our website. We aim to get back to you within 1 business day.
Can I get a refund?
Because every piece is made to order from your own dental impressions, we cannot offer refunds for change of mind. What we do offer is our Fit Guarantee, which covers adjustment or a remake at no cost if your grillz do not fit correctly from an accurate impression.
Do you have any discounts?
Sign up to our email list for 10% off your first order. We also run offers throughout the year, so it is worth keeping an eye on our emails and our Instagram at @goldfinchgrillz to catch them when they drop. The 10% welcome discount cannot be combined with other offers.