Terms of Service
Welcome to Vault & Vellum (the “Platform,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), operated by The Gem Expert LLC. By accessing our website, purchasing our physical hardware tags, or subscribing to our cloud-based verification services, you (“Customer,” “User,” or “you”) agree to be bound by the following Terms of Service (“Terms”). Please read them carefully before using our services.
1. Scope of Service and Role as a Technical Service Provider
Vault & Vellum is strictly a technological infrastructure and backend hosting service provider. We specialize in providing encrypted hardware solutions (specifically utilizing NTAG 424 DNA microcontroller chips) and operating the companion serverless routing architecture required to decrypt, process, and verify Secure Unique NFC (SUN) cryptographic payloads.
Our service is limited exclusively to technical authentication infrastructure. We do not manufacture raw gemstones, luxury goods, or physical retail products, nor do we issue formal material grading reports.
2. Strict Independent Status and Non-Association
Vault & Vellum operates as an entirely independent technology enterprise.
No Lab Affiliation: We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or associated with any independent gemological grading laboratories, certification bodies, or research institutions (including, but not limited to, GRS GemResearch Swisslab, GIA, SSEF, or similar entities). Any reference to industry standards, grading metrics, or third-party facilities is strictly for contextual configuration purposes.
No Brand Affiliation: We are not associated with any third-party luxury brands, manufacturers, or dealers. The inclusion of our technology on any physical item does not imply an official partnership between Vault & Vellum and the brand owner of that item.
3. Absolute Limitation of Liability for Customer Data and Tag Payloads
Our platform allows customers to assign digital records, context strings, and metadata to unique cryptographic hardware tags.
User-Generated Content: You retain sole ownership and absolute legal responsibility for all text, data, URLs, images, or documentation uploaded to our backend servers or encoded onto the physical NFC chips. We do not pre-screen, monitor, or audit the specific information written to the tags by our customers.
No Liability for Accuracy or Legality: Vault & Vellum expressly disclaims all liability for the accuracy, truthfulness, compliance, or legality of the data provided by customers. We are not liable for any fraudulent claims, counterfeit misrepresentations, intellectual property infringements, or misleading grading statements uploaded by users of our platform.
Indemnification: You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless The Gem Expert LLC and its officers from any third-party claims, damages, or legal expenses arising out of the content you write onto the hardware tokens or display via our verification interfaces.
4. Subscription Services, Billing, and Cancellation
Vault Core Infrastructure: Access to our live authentication nodes and backend hosting APIs is provided on a recurring, monthly subscription basis (“Vault Core”).
Payment Processing: All subscription billing is handled securely through our third-party payment gateway provider, Stripe. By subscribing, you authorize Stripe to automatically charge your designated payment method each month.
Cancellation: You may manage your billing details or cancel your monthly subscription at any time via the secure Stripe Customer Portal link provided in your account dashboard. Cancellations apply to the upcoming billing cycle; past subscription fees are non-refundable.
5. Hardware Limitations and Security Guarantees
While our tokens utilize advanced AES-128 cryptographic algorithms to prevent dynamic URL cloning and digital emulation, physical tags are subject to environmental wear, intentional physical destruction, or un-mirrored tampering. Vault & Vellum does not guarantee the structural indestructibility of physical stickers. Our system certifies that a cryptographic handshake is authentic to the hardware layer; it does not physically police the chain of custody of the item to which it is attached.
6. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms and any operating rules established by Vault & Vellum shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction in which the operating entity is registered (United States / State of LLC registration), without regard to its conflict of law principles.
Contact Information
For legal inquiries, compliance audits, or data removal requests under these Terms, please contact our technical operations team at: legal@vaultandvellum.app.