Jewelers in Boston

[jlp86]

Hi Everyone, I am not sure if this is in the right section but I didn't know where else to put it.

About a month and a half ago, my BF and I went ring shopping and found a jeweler to make a custom setting for me. This setting hasn't even been started and we no longer want to use this vendor.

Does anyone have any recommendations for vendors to visit in the Boston area?

 

[jlp86]

No one has any recommendations?

 

[Selkie]

DanielM, on Etsy, is in Salem. I don't think he has a retail store, but you can most likely contact him for an in person meeting. http://www.etsy.com/shop/danielmjewelry. Many people here have custom rings from him in both silver and gold.

 

[rainydaze]

well, i have had negative experiences at Barmakians and once upon a time i thought Long's was pretty good. however, i now believe they sold a sub-par (performance wise/cut quality wise) diamond to my mom at an inflated price (partly our fault as i was informed but not as well as i should have been, and the information was there we just missed it), and twice they pushed to sell me the setting they had in the case and 'make it work' for my diamond vs. sending my diamond to the designer to have the setting made specifically for it. i didn't care for that.

i haven't explored the immediate boston area all to much, but i think e.b. horn has a good reputation and they carry some of the nicer designers.

if you are willing to travel a little, i would recommend Springer's in portsmouth, nh (two other locations, on in Bath, ME IIRC). we worked with jeff (geoff?), the manager, and i was very happy with his knowledge and approach. they know their stuff PS-style and carry AGS, they had ASET and idealscope, and he knew what ISEE2 was (even had displays up for it and information about it). they carry michael bodanza, kwiat, tacori, and others. they offer a lot of information on cut quality, so i felt as though customers would be in pretty good hands. i wasn't diamond shopping (was focused on settings) so i am not sure how they price out, but he was also saying much of what has been discussed here regarding the price jumps and the reasons behind them.

good luck, i hope more people chime in with jewelers closer to boston!

 

[peachy4397]

My fiance purchased my engagement ring from Barmakian (in Framingham, NOT the Boston store) and had a great experience. The associate he worked with was really patient through multiple visits. When comparing the cost of the stone to stones in the Price Scope database, it looks like he paid around the same price as comparable stones on PS (round brilliant 1.26 carat, G, VS2, excellent cut & polish, no fluorescence. platinum setting with .33 carats of pave).

Personally, I have only been to the store once (to look at wedding bands) and the same associate was great, very patient while I tried on three different bands about 100 times, and she walked us through all of my fiance's options since he doesn't really know what kind he wants. We will be going back to try the bands on again, with a clear mind. She already priced out a couple band options for me, and when/if i make my decision, the designer is going to make it to my specs. I'd be happy to give you the associate's if you want. Good luck!

 

[peachy4397]

My fiance purchased my engagement ring from Barmakian (in Framingham, NOT the Boston store) and had a great experience. The associate he worked with was really patient through multiple visits. When comparing the cost of the stone to stones in the Price Scope database, it looks like he paid around the same price as comparable stones on PS (round brilliant 1.26 carat, G, VS2, excellent cut & polish, no fluorescence. platinum setting with .33 carats of pave).

Personally, I have only been to the store once (to look at wedding bands) and the same associate was great, very patient while I tried on three different bands about 100 times, and she walked us through all of my fiance's options since he doesn't really know what kind he wants. We will be going back to try the bands on again, with a clear mind. She already priced out a couple band options for me, and when/if i make my decision, the designer is going to make it to my specs. I'd be happy to give you the associate's if you want. Good luck!

Oh, one thing to note if you end up buying from them -- Barmakian will provide you with an appraisal report, but (as I would imagine most retailer's appraisals are) it was appraised for $5k higher in the report than my fiance paid. We had an independent appraisal done, which had a value more on par with what he actually paid.

 

[jlp86]

Thanks so much for the replies so far! I will look into the places you both named.

We already have our stone as it was an heirloom diamond. We will just be purchasing a setting.

Has anyone heard anything about any of the stores in the Jewelry building in Boston? There are a TON of stores and my BF and I are thinking of going there tomorrow morning to check out some that we did not the first time. Thanks!

 

[peachy4397]

Thanks so much for the replies so far! I will look into the places you both named.

We already have our stone as it was an heirloom diamond. We will just be purchasing a setting.

Has anyone heard anything about any of the stores in the Jewelry building in Boston? There are a TON of stores and my BF and I are thinking of going there tomorrow morning to check out some that we did not the first time. Thanks!

That sounds like a great way to meet different jewelers and decide which one you like best! To be honest, my mom had a terrible experience at DiPrisco (and as a result I refuse to go into that store). But I think that store is pretty popular around Boston, so you might have better luck.

 

[jlp86]

Thanks so much for the replies so far! I will look into the places you both named.

We already have our stone as it was an heirloom diamond. We will just be purchasing a setting.

Has anyone heard anything about any of the stores in the Jewelry building in Boston? There are a TON of stores and my BF and I are thinking of going there tomorrow morning to check out some that we did not the first time. Thanks!

That sounds like a great way to meet different jewelers and decide which one you like best! To be honest, my mom had a terrible experience at DiPrisco (and as a result I refuse to go into that store). But I think that store is pretty popular around Boston, so you might have better luck.

DiPrisco is were our custom was/is being made. Since they haven't gotten very far in almost two months we are trying to find another option. The last time we went to the jewelry building it was a Saturday and most stores were closed. Hopefully we find a good one this time around!

 

[lizzyann]

There is a jeweler that I do business with in the Berkshires that gets their custom settings from Ani Jewelers in Boston. I've seen their work and it is really nice. I'm considering a three stone setting they have actually. Here is the link. http://anijewelers.com/

 

[bright&shiny]

EB Horn is my favorite, but I don't think they do a lot of custom work. They do generally have a nice assortment of estate pieces, which might be worth looking at - they can work with you there on a retrofit. Downtown Crossing - across from the old Filene's (still makes me sad they are gone)....

Not in Boston, but on the Cape - Ross Coppleman does fantastic - lost wax - custom creations. I have one from his ocean series (very intricate shells, waves, and such with lovely detail, and my sister has several (lucky girl) that he designed specifically for her. They tend to be organic, so if that interests you, check out his work.

 

[pregcurious]

DeScenza is in the Jewelry Building, but I don't remember them having particular expertise in custom settings. I think they are decent for buying diamonds.

Shreve, Crump & Lowe has beautiful things, but the customer service I got from them on 2 occasions (watch and repair departments) was horrible. I know they do custom settings, but I would be wary. Maybe they have changed?

I looked at Best of Boston (http://www.bostonmagazine.com/best_of), and I couldn't find a custom jeweler, but they have many good jewelers listed. It might be good to call some of them and ask if they can recommend someone for custom work.

 

[jlp86]

Thanks everyone!

Although a place that does custom work would be a plus, I am interested in finding good jewelers in general. If I find something I like it doesn't need to be custom. Maybe just browsing through various stores is what I will have to do!

 

[NTave]

I second Springers.
They have in house craftsman that does basics, but they have one that goes between their Maine and Portsmouth NH stores for all the intricate custom work, so call for an appointment with him. Their gemologists seem to go between stores as well.
My parents used Barmakians for years as their jeweler. My first wedding set was from there, and the appraisal that it came with was over inflated, but I would have never known it if I hadnt been into pricescope years later.
Thats unfortunate about DePriscos, they are my BIL's family jeweler.

 

[jlp86]

I second Springers.
They have in house craftsman that does basics, but they have one that goes between their Maine and Portsmouth NH stores for all the intricate custom work, so call for an appointment with him. Their gemologists seem to go between stores as well.
My parents used Barmakians for years as their jeweler. My first wedding set was from there, and the appraisal that it came with was over inflated, but I would have never known it if I hadnt been into pricescope years later.
Thats unfortunate about DePriscos, they are my BIL's family jeweler.

The customer service at DePrisco's has been phenomenal, they just seemed to have trouble on my design. I think the jeweler we are working with is a perfectionist as well and has been making them redo the casting repeatedly. It is also taking a ton of time since they only cast once a week (or something like that). Maybe what I am asking for just isn't an easy design? idk

I am actually taking tomorrow to see if maybe there is even another setting I may like...I didn't search very hard for the one I was having custom made, maybe there is one I can find in stock somewhere.

 

[pregcurious]

If you are open to ready-made settings, you can post a picture/sketch of what you are thinking of in the Colored Stone forum to ask if anyone has any suggestions. I suggest the CS forum because the people there tend to buy and know a lot about various types of settings.

 

[jlp86]

pregcurious - I am going to look today and see if anything else sparks my interest since I decided very quickly the first time and that was before this website. There are some additional styles I am going to look at today. Maybe after I go I will post.


I was thinking about what I said yesterday about Depriscos and I wanted to say that I do not want to put them down (as I really don't know much). My boyfriend is the one doing all the work with them and I am only getting what he is telling me. In all honesty, what he is telling me could be just to procrastinate the actual engagement. I have not actually spoken with the jeweler or seen anything since our first meeting in August. My BF has agreed to look at other jewelers though, so I am assuming that it isn't going as planned. But then again, it could be another tactic to throw me off. I just want to provide him with additional options just in case he needs them. We just moved to the Boston area and are going to these jewelers without knowing anything.

 

[Kismet]

My wedding rings were purchased from Hefez and sons but they were stock settings so I don't know how they are with custom pieces (plus that was more than a decade ago).

I had a custom ring made at Bostonian jewelers and they did nice work and were pretty responsive.

I've had a lot of pieces made at TC Jewelers in Arlington. They do very nice work but Tom isn't a designer so you have to go in knowing pretty much exactly what you want. He'll let you know if something won't work structurally but esthetically, it's all on you. He doesn't do CADs either as far as I know.

 

[jlp86]

Okay. So we went to the Jewelry Building to try on rings again. I started at Sisters which had the Ritani ring that I really liked and was using as my inspiration for my custom. This time I got the style number (they never gave it to me last time). Turns out that the ring that I was having custom made was being styled off of a ring that was very similar but had a few characteristics that were different (and more difficult to make). We then went back to DePrisco's to talk with the guy making our ring. We found out that the heart-shaped prongs on the ring we showed him were causing a lot of issues. It just so happens that those heart-shaped prongs weren't even on the ring that I loved when I tried on. SO we are staying with DePrisco's since they have been so nice and knowledgeable and just had issues with this one thing. I put links in to the two rings so you can see how similar the rings are but also how different.

Ring we should jeweler at DePrisco's: http://www.ritani.com/diamond_engagement_rings/item/440/in_collection/1

Ring we really wanted: http://weddings.theknot.com/Wedding-Rings/28987/detailview.aspx?id=28987&type=27&TM=27

The lady at Sisters had originally given us the first picture of the ring. We just thought that a few things were different between the ring and picture, however, it was a totally different ring.

Thanks for everyone's help and for the suggestions! It is good to know other jewelers! We are giving DePrisco's another chance with this new style (that doesn't have heart prongs) and hoping for the best!

 

[Smith1940]

Just wanted to say that E.B. Horn in Boston does do custom work - I've been in there a few times and described various items that I wanted, and each time they offered to make it for me. I'm actually having a rose gold scatter ring made for me by E.B. Horn at the moment. I'll reserve judgment since I don't have the ring yet, but their price was extremely competitive with the online Pricescope vendors - I tried two of them - and it's also nice to give business to a local jeweler.

 

[jlp86]

Just wanted to say that E.B. Horn in Boston does do custom work - I've been in there a few times and described various items that I wanted, and each time they offered to make it for me. I'm actually having a rose gold scatter ring made for me by E.B. Horn at the moment. I'll reserve judgment since I don't have the ring yet, but their price was extremely competitive with the online Pricescope vendors - I tried two of them - and it's also nice to give business to a local jeweler.

Thanks for the info! We decided to stay with DePrisco's but I will keep them in mind as well!

 

[lapelirroja]

Forgive my newb-ness for this one but how benign is asking for a ring to be polished?

I have a platinum vatche swan solitaire from whiteflash and somehow i have a nick in one of my prongs. It is also starting to get some patina, which don't bother me much, but I would love to have the nick smoothed out.

Is polishing "dangerous" if not done by a skilled jeweler? If I walked into DePriscos or EB Horn and asked to look around and have my ring polished in the meantime would they do it, knowing my ring is not from their store??