Jewelry stores

A young couple of my acquaintance asked for advice on where to buy plain, perhaps platinum, wedding bands. Since it's been 36 years since I was in the market for wedding rings, I'm not much help. They're leaning toward Jeweler's Row, if only because of the Oasis Cafe in the back, but if anyone has more educated recommendations, they'd be welcome.

This may be anathema to the LTH way of patronizing local entrepreneurs, but if you don't mind megachain stores, and succeed in fending off the initial upsell for diamond studded rings, maybe the Zayles outlet in the Costco mall would be a good option. K and i found plain white gold rings for a very reasonable price there.

There's always Tiffany's.

Most of the places along Jeweler's Row on Wabash have a good selection at outstanding prices.

My wife and I have been dealing with the same family owned jeweler for over 20 years and I would recommend them without hesitation. S & J Jewelers at 320 S. Dearborn (in the Monadnock building), (312) 427-7653.

When Himself and I were looking for wedding bands as well as a repair to his grandmother's engagement ring, we went to the Denver equivalent of Jeweler's Row. We also visited several neighborhood jewelers, where the upsell was very intense and the taste kind of canned, as well as a discount jeweler.

Prices were extremely competitive at the Jeweler's Row type places, and we were made to feel that they understood how special the occasion was without resorting to spending more money as a way to make it more special. I still have fond memories.

On that, I would recommend Jeweler's Row, as I have found prices very competitive on non-wedding things, and repairs, at a number of different merchants.

Thanks for all the advice We're planning on heading down there this weekend. Or are all the places likely to be closed on a saturday/sunday?

Kman wrote:My wife and I have been dealing with the same family owned jeweler for over 20 years and I would recommend them without hesitation. S & J Jewelers at 320 S. Dearborn (in the Monadnock building), (312) 427-7653.

Antonius and I heartily second this recommendation. We got our wedding bands at S & J Jewelers as well as other things over the years. The people who own it are really nice and really helpful.

Amata

gleam wrote:Thanks for all the advice We're planning on heading down there this weekend. Or are all the places likely to be closed on a saturday/sunday?

S & J is typically closed on weekends, esp. Sundays, but open by appointment on Saturdays.

I'm, ahem, in the market for an engagement/wedding ring now. And a little apprehensive about the purchase (not the event) because I hate buying things when the "price" is not really the price. I've never purchased expensive jewelry before, so could someone offer a primer for how pricing works and how much room for negotiation is there typically?

Also, does anyone have any opinions on Nathan Malnekoff & Sons on Wabash?

Thanks very, very much.

Hi Chris--

I bought my engagement ring at Malnekoff and I was happy with the service. The whole experience was a bit of a time warp for one who has grown up in an age of big-box and online shopping: riding the elevator up into an old Wabash skyscraper, being buzzed in to the shop, which was paneled in 50s rec room faux wood, working with the sales woman, who I found helpful and not pushy (indeed, we settled on the less expensive of two stones I was contemplating).

Incidentally, the particular timing of the proposal--on a trip to Montreal--was meant to be a surprise to my future fiancee but my gig was nearly up when the ring, which I had in a jacket pocket, set off the metal detector at O'Hare. I somehow managed to show it to the security folks without arising the suspicions of either my future wife or the TSA, despite much whispering, fumbling, and suspicious body language on my part.

Patrick

This is probably not helpful for those in immediate need, but my buddy Roger and I plan to do a whrilwind survey of PAWN SHOPS on January 14th. I'm not sure I've ever been in a pawn shop before, so I'm interested in sampling this subculture, and there are a lot to choose from in Chicago and Illinois:

http://www.pawnshops.net/shops_il.htm

http://www.thecityofchicago.com/pawn-shop/

http://www.bre.state.il.us/CBT/REGENTY/Pawn.asp?County=N

Buying jewelry from a pawn broker is, no doubt, a risky proposition unless you know what you're buying -- Roger is a guitarist, and he's lookign for vintage instruments. Me, I'll be happy if I can get a Rolex for under $20.

I will report back, of course.

Hammond

I recommend Monique over on Wabash. It's Monique and her family, and they are wonderful! We have made multiple purchases there over the last few years. Prices are fair, and they're open on Saturdays.

I reiterate my nod to S&J, posted earlier in this thread. Every holiday season I find out what I bought my wife on Christmas Day. Apparently this year I bought her some beautiful diamond stud earrings. My sister loved them as my wife will be giving her the 'old' diamond stud earrings. I, as a stupid husband, didn't see anything wrong with the 'old' ones but I'm told the new ones are about a carat bigger each. Since that doesn't make food taste better or cars go faster I quickly lose interest. Yet I do trust that Natalie and Jeff sold me great quality for a fair price.

Resurrecting this thread, can anyone recommend to me a jeweler that specializes in jewelry repair- specifically rings? Purchasing jewelry is one thing, but having a family heirloom fixed makes me a bit more nervous. Both city and suburb recommendations are welcome.

HI,

No matter where you take your jewelry for repair, take a photo before it is repaired. I was with a friend when she collected her repaired jewelry. There was a dangling part missing, which a photograph would have provided proof. The part was found though there was a bit of a verbal back-and-forth before they initiated the hunt.

Another time, they couldn't find it and wanted a description of what it looked like. Again, a photograph of the piece would have come in handy.

This doesn't apply just to jewelers. The shoe repair guy is really very sweet, though really disorganized. More than once I have had to return for shoes because he couldn't find them. I take photos of those now, too.

Regards,

Another jewelry question. I inherited some jewelry which I may want to sell in the near future. I find the prospect mind-boggling. Someone suggested I just go to jeweler's row and walk around trying to get a good deal. Is this really the best way to go? The stuff is I'd say medium value, some stones but not dazzling ones, not significant antique value, and not impressive designs, which is why I want to get rid of the stuff. Trading it for something more attractive would be an option too, even if I lose a bit of money in the deal.

I'd suggest first taking the pieces to a jeweler and asking them to appraise them, without mentioning that you want to sell them. (Appraise them for insurance purposes.) That way, you'll have a standard by which to judge the offers you get when you want to sell the pieces.

bibi rose wrote:Someone suggested I just go to jeweler's row and walk around trying to get a good deal. Is this really the best way to go?

If you know the jewelry has some value, you should pay to get an independent appraisal first. Then when you walk up and down Wabash (which is not a bad idea), you'll have a better idea if the deals you are being offered are fair. If they're not, eBay is always an option.

(Edit: I mean, what Amata said!)

magpie1140 wrote:Resurrecting this thread, can anyone recommend to me a jeweler that specializes in jewelry repair- specifically rings? Purchasing jewelry is one thing, but having a family heirloom fixed makes me a bit more nervous. Both city and suburb recommendations are welcome.

Try Oak Park Jewelers. They've repaired a couple of antique watches for me, including one belonging to my late father. They cleaned and fixed and pampered it for a very reasonable price. I've also purchased some charms for my niece there. They offered to special-order and gift-wrap, etc., and the charms were only about $18; they are very friendly.

Oak Park Jewelers
101 S. Marion St.
Oak Park, IL
708/383-9695

(And afterward, walk north one block on Marion St. to the Marion St. Cheese Shop; next door is the Prairie Bread Bakery, and across the mall to the east is the French-Vietnamese bakery. )

Hi--I've dealt with 2 family owned jewelers over the years, as well as with Jewelers Row.

Sandberg Jewelers is run by 2 sisters who took over from their parents; they're located in the Village Crossing mall (Central/Touhy in Skokie); kitty corner west of Barnes and Noble. Prior to that they were at Six Corners since the 1900's. Sandberg has repaired my heirloom diamond ring, and my husband has purchased many stunning estate (previously owned) pieces from them. My husband now has a vintage pocket watch collection mostly purchased there.

Schierer & Popp Jewelers (3912 N. Cicero, Chicago) specializes in watch repair, and does other jewelry repair as well. Donna the owner shows me her constantly changing stash of costume and fine jewelry several times a year. I bought a beautiful 1950's diamond & platinum eternity band from them last Christmas at less than 1/2 of retail. Previously owned is previously loved--good karma. Both jewelers do appraisals.

I've browsed through Jewelers Row, and we bought my estate diamond ring from one of the platinum specialists, name no longer remembered. It's a good place to check out what's available and to compare the price points. Most people are very helpful. Happy shopping! Anna

Thanks, Amata and kl5, I will have the stuff appraised. It's strange because the estate gave us all detailed run-downs of the value of everything *except* the jewelry.