Ideas what vendors, shows, etc. to visit in Bay area?

[Arkteia]

Basically, the question is in the heading...

I do not go to CA that often and it would be a nice opportunity

 

[jstarfireb]

Depends on where you're going...it's a big area! How long are you going to be here?

I don't actually know a lot of the vendors/jewelers despite living here. I know Joe Escobar comes with rave reviews. I've also met Shawn, the owner of D&H Sustainable Jewelers in San Francisco, and he's delightful, but I've never been to his store. I met him when he worked for a different jewelry store.

 

[innerkitten]

When will you be in the Bay Area? There may be a few shows coming up. In sf there is a building full of gem cutters on market street near Powell. Not sure how you'd get in touch with them though, or which sell to the public. You will probably enjoy the jewelry stores on Union street. Don't forget to visit Lang Antiques.

If you like vintage and antique type trinkets you might want to check out the Alameda flea market, and I hear there is a new flea market these days on Treasure Island that some etsy sellers attend.

 

[Arkteia]

Hi Innerkitten,

Thank you for the response. I do not know the exact date, perhaps next week, but I shall visit the places you have mentioned, and see what shows are there soon. In fact, I can try to adjust the date in such a way so that I could visit a show.

 

[movie zombie]

in SF:

http://www.langantiques.com/
and
http://galleryofjewels.com/
and
http://unionstreetgoldsmith.com/

and for pearls but across the bay:

http://www.kojimapearl.dreamhosters.com/contact/

not sure but may require an appointment for kojima.

Gleim in the Stanford Mall: http://www.gleimjewelers.com/

 

[y2kitty]

I second Lang Antiques. They are lovely.

 

[movie zombie]

3 for Lang: first InnerKitten, then me and now herekittykitty!

with such recommendations, how can you resist?

 

[Arkteia]

Thank you, dear PS ladies. I got the list, and I am going to start working on my travel plans... Since I have seen other places last time, this should be a pure gem venture!

 

[innerkitten]

3 for Lang: first InnerKitten, then me and now herekittykitty!

with such recommendations, how can you resist?

...and if you're going to Lang Antiques you can also hit up De Beers and Shreve and Co., since they are all within a few blocks of each other.


BTW This is one of those gem cutters in that building along Market street. I have seen his shop once. Everything on display was pretty much commercial type stuff, lots of citrine, hessonite, and amethyst etc. But I know one jeweler that buys tiny rubies and sapphires from him for her pieces.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/hongs-gem-cutters-san-francisco

ETA: Found another one.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/good-neighbor-gems-and-lapidary-san-francisco

 

[gsellis]

Barbara does not have a retail storefront that I am aware of, but she might be someone to hook you with something nice.

http://www.sfgemlab.com/index.html

 

[gsellis]

Just realized updating my post above. Barbra is at Lang Antiques.

 

[innerkitten]

If you get to D&H Sustainble jewelers I'll run over meet you there for a few minutes. It's by my house.

 

[movie zombie]

if you share your dates and availability i bet some would join you for lunch and/or a jaunt to a jewelry store........

 

[yanaazul]

Oh, yes, you must go to Lang Antiques. I always park at the Sutter/Stockton garage when I'm in the Union Square area, primarily so I can pass by, and dream... They take great pictures for their website, but in person, to see everything all surrounding you, oooooh.

I was just there this week. And, um. I may not have walked out empty-handed.

 

[movie zombie]

that was so cruel!

 

[yanaazul]

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/art-deco-sapphire-line-bracelet.178880/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/art-deco-sapphire-line-bracelet.178880/[/URL]

 

[Arkteia]

Dear PS fellows! I did not check this thread, I have not been on the PS for a while and missed everything.

First of all, thank you for your advises.

We did get to San Francisco but I seriously overrated the weather forecast! 70-90, they said, so I threw in something very light into my luggage bag... It was friggin cold! (Sorry for semi-expletive). I never realized how cold it could be! So instead of enjoying the city, me and my kid were dragging down the streets, sneezing and complaining. We did not have much time, but we went into Lang Antiques, and I saw a gorgeous ring there. But you know how it is, what you can afford immediately you do not necessarily like, and what you like... ah. (But I am making a small venture fund, because their selection is very good ). Apart from that, we saw several museums and left the rest of the excursions and stores for the next day... which we spent in beds, sneezing, coughing and crying. Seattle felt like a sauna after your beautiful city!

Next time we shall be wiser, and bring some North Pole clothes with us, just in case... And schedule a longer trip, because your city is beautiful, and there are many, many places to see! And I hope to return back soon, because I loved it! I shall post when I am coming back again, and I shall take you on your generous offers...

 

[yanaazul]

Oh no! I'm sorry you got sick. It's the wind off the ocean from three sides, it can drop the temperature 15 degrees even when there's no fog.

I do hope you get to come back sooner rather than later!

 

[Richard M.]

It was friggin cold! (Sorry for semi-expletive). I never realized how cold it could be! hope to return back soon, because I loved it! I shall post when I am coming back again, and I shall take you on your generous offers...

Someone should have warned you. We used to live very near San Francisco and when visitors announced they wanted to go to Fisherman's Wharf for the day we'd always advise them to take warm clothing. In summer it was usually in the 80s where we lived and they'd politely scoff then head off in shorts and sandals. But it only took one experience for them to learn the lesson, as with you.

The quip "The coldest winter I ever spent was summer in San Francisco" is often attributed to Mark Twain. According to Snopes he didn't say it, but whoever did had clearly spent a summer there.

Richard M. (Rick Martin)

 

[jstarfireb]

Sorry nobody warned you about the weather! The rest of the Bay Area is nice and warm, but the city is cold and windy most of the time. It's a balmy 75 where I am right now (less than an hour's drive south of the city).

 

[movie zombie]

california weather is NOT san francisco weather....as, unfortunately, you found out.
all the west coast from seattle on down to about Morro Bay is going to be summer weather influenced by the ocean. the worst times to visit are June - August. end of september starts to see some great weather as well as into october. i've been in SF in january and wished i had shorts on! weather if not raining can stay nice up until May. i think seattle is protected from direct winds coming in off the ocean.....which SF is not. hope that helps for the next trip!

the good news: you had great weather for being in museums! sorry you got sick, though. the trick to california is always to plan to layer to adjust for where you are at at any given time of the day. it might be warm in Noe Valley and colder than one is able to bear in shorts in Japantown!

 

[Arkteia]

You are all so right! That day, our party split. My husband stayed with his friends in Tiburon, in the mountains, while my son and I decided to enjoy a quiet day in the city. When we came back, he could not understand what had happened to us, it was in the 90-es where he and his friends spent the day! Yes, MZ, you are right, Seattle is rainy but not cold at all. It is protected from the ocean winds, because it does not directly face the ocean, it is between Puget sound, which is an arm of the Pacific ocean, and Lake Washington. Well, "Know Thy Climate"... But we hope to be back, the city is lovely!