Last updated: 9 August 2026
This Cookie Policy explains how Gemstars & Smiles (“we”, “us” or “our”) uses cookies and similar technologies when you visit https://gemstarsandsmiles.com (the “Website”). It should be read together with our Privacy Policy.
1. What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your computer, phone, tablet or other device when you visit a website. They allow a website to recognise your device, remember your preferences, keep your shopping basket working, improve security and help the website owner understand how the site is used.
We may also use similar technologies, such as local storage, pixels or tags. In this policy, we refer to all of these technologies as “cookies”.
2. Who is responsible for the Website?
Gemstars & Smiles is responsible for the use of cookies on this Website.
If you have questions about this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies, please contact us:
Email: contact@gemstarsandsmiles.com
Website: https://gemstarsandsmiles.com
3. Types of cookies we use
Strictly necessary cookies
These cookies are required for the Website to operate. They may support security, account login, checkout, payment processing, cookie preferences and WooCommerce shopping-basket functions. You cannot switch off strictly necessary cookies through our cookie settings because the services you request may not work without them.
Functional cookies
Functional cookies remember choices you make and may provide enhanced features, such as saving certain display, learning or account preferences. If you do not allow these cookies, some features may not work as intended.
Analytics cookies
We use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use the Website—for example, which pages are visited and how visitors move around the site. This information helps us improve our content, products and services. Where consent is required, these cookies will not be set unless you choose to accept them.
Payment and security cookies
When you make a purchase, WooCommerce Payments and its payment-processing partners may use cookies or similar technologies to process the transaction, prevent fraud, protect payment details and keep the checkout secure. Some of these technologies may be strictly necessary for the payment service you request.
Embedded-content and third-party cookies
Some pages may contain content or services supplied by third parties, such as audio players, videos, flipbooks or other embedded learning tools. Those providers may set cookies when you view or interact with their content. Where these cookies are not strictly necessary, they should be blocked until you give consent.
4. Cookies that may be used on this Website
The exact cookies may change when plugins, services or Website features are added, removed or updated. The table below describes the main cookies likely to be used. We periodically review this list and update it following a cookie scan.
| Cookie or service | Provider | Purpose | Category | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
woocommerce_cart_hash | Gemstars & Smiles / WooCommerce | Detects changes to the shopping basket | Strictly necessary | Session |
woocommerce_items_in_cart | Gemstars & Smiles / WooCommerce | Records whether the basket contains items | Strictly necessary | Session |
wp_woocommerce_session_* | Gemstars & Smiles / WooCommerce | Assigns a unique code so the basket can be retrieved | Strictly necessary | Usually 2 days |
woocommerce_recently_viewed | Gemstars & Smiles / WooCommerce | Supports the recently viewed products feature, if enabled | Functional | Session |
| Cookie-consent preference cookie | Gemstars & Smiles / consent tool | Remembers the visitor’s cookie choices | Strictly necessary | Depends on the consent tool’s settings |
_ga | Google Analytics | Helps distinguish visitors and measure Website usage | Analytics | Usually up to 2 years |
_ga_* | Google Analytics | Maintains session information and measures Website usage | Analytics | Usually up to 2 years |
| Payment and fraud-prevention cookies | WooCommerce Payments and payment-processing partners | Processes payments, supports checkout security and helps prevent fraud | Strictly necessary or functional, depending on purpose | Varies by provider and cookie |
| AI Homework Tutor session or preference cookies | Gemstars & Smiles and/or the tutor service provider | Supports tutor sessions, login, security or saved preferences | Strictly necessary or functional, depending on purpose | Varies by feature and provider |
| Embedded player, video or flipbook cookies | Relevant third-party provider | Delivers embedded content and may remember player preferences or measure use | Functional or analytics | Varies by provider |
Website-owner note: Before publishing, run a cookie scan using your consent-management plugin. Replace the general rows above with the exact cookie names, providers and expiry periods found on the live Website, particularly for WooCommerce Payments, the AI Homework Tutor, audio players, videos and flipbooks. Delete this note after completing the scan.
5. Your cookie choices
When you first visit the Website, our cookie banner allows you to accept, reject or manage non-essential cookies. Strictly necessary cookies may be used without consent where the law permits because they are needed to provide services you request.
You can change or withdraw your consent at any time by selecting Cookie Settings at the footer of the website. Withdrawing consent will not affect the lawfulness of processing carried out before you withdrew it.
Rejecting optional cookies will not prevent you from browsing the Website or buying products, although some optional features may work differently or may not be available.
6. Browser controls
Most browsers allow you to view, block or delete cookies through their settings. Blocking all cookies may stop important parts of the Website—such as the shopping basket, login or checkout—from working properly. The help section of your browser explains how to manage these settings.
7. Third-party services
Third-party providers control the cookies they set and may process information under their own privacy policies. You can learn more from the relevant providers, including:
- Google Privacy Policy: https://policies.google.com/privacy
- Google Analytics information: https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/6004245
- WooCommerce privacy information: https://woocommerce.com/document/marketplace-privacy/
Other providers may apply when we use embedded audio, video, flipbook or tutoring services. Their details will be included in our cookie settings or in an updated version of this policy after we confirm the services active on the Website.
8. Children’s privacy
Gemstars & Smiles provides educational content and services that may be used by children. We take children’s privacy seriously. We aim to use only the cookies reasonably necessary to provide age-appropriate services and do not intend to use children’s information for behavioural advertising. Where consent is needed in relation to a child, we will apply the requirements of applicable UK data-protection law and our Privacy Policy.
Parents and guardians should review the Website’s Privacy Policy and cookie choices when helping a child use the Website.
9. Changes to this Cookie Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy when our services, plugins, legal obligations or use of cookies changes. The latest version will always be published on this page, and the “Last updated” date will be revised.
10. Contact us
If you have any questions about this Cookie Policy or how we use cookies, contact us at:
Email: contact@gemstarsandsmiles.com
Website: https://gemstarsandsmiles.com