Visiting the LA Jewelry district

[Mjay]

My husband wants to take me on a short shopping getaway for my birthday. We are thinking about visiting the LA jewelry district. I have never been. Is it a nice place to walk around and shop? Can I visit places like single stone and Mark Broumand without an appointment? I want to be able to just casually browse and purchase if something catches my eye vs make appointments because I’m not looking for anything in particular. Also any recommendations for nearby restaurants and nice hotels.

 

[lulu_ma]

I was there two summers ago and the jeweler's building seems more of an appointment oriented other than the flashy stores on the ground level. Tbh, it's not strolling type area (similar scenario to Diamond building in Boston). The Single Stone I visited was in a gorgeous suburb, but not that big.

If you have flexible timing, I would try to go when there's a Civil Society event. A lot of local dealers will be there including Jewels by Grace. It's a nice event-usually in a Santa Monica hotel.

 

[nala]

I live an hour away and DH refuses to take me due to the potential for high crime. Make an appt and be careful.

 

[Mjay]

Thanks for the feedback so far. I’m probably going to nix this idea and go somewhere else

 

[Mjay]

Pivoting- ideas for a weekend trip for high end restaurants and nice shopping areas. We’ve done Laguna so many times. I used to Live in Long Beach on Belmont shore so that’s lost its novelty to. I’m not really in the mood for Vegas.

 

[lulu_ma]

Pivoting- ideas for a weekend trip for high end restaurants and nice shopping areas. We’ve done Laguna so many times. I used to Live in Long Beach on Belmont shore so that’s lost its novelty to. I’m not really in the mood for Vegas.

Montecito or Santa Barbara? I haven’t been to either, but I’m interested in exploring both.

 

[Lookinagain]

Monterey?

 

[lavenderdragonfly23]

I hear there’s lovely shopping in Sugarloaf Key, FL.

I kid, there’s no shopping there, it’s just my favorite vacation spot. I prefer to shop for pool floaties and then use them in the pool while I nap

I’m not helpful I know, lol

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

I live an hour away and DH refuses to take me due to the potential for high crime. Make an appt and be careful.

Could you elaborate on this Nala? As in it’s too risky to walk out with a purchase? Is it just a fear thing or people do get robbed frequently?

I’m in Australia and have bought stuff and just walked out and around town for the rest of the day whilst wearing new stuff.

 

[dk168]

I went there as part of my trip to LA in 2016, and enjoyed the experience.

I picked up my tiny diamond huggies there after searching for a suitable pair for many years, and also had my Sea of Cortez pearl set by one of the larger booths after finding a nice setting there.

I would say it was definitely worth a visit.

I can't remember experiencing any unpleasant issues, just keep saying "I am just looking" and walked away if I felt a hard-sell was on its way.

DK

 

[maryjane04]

Could you elaborate on this Nala? As in it’s too risky to walk out with a purchase? Is it just a fear thing or people do get robbed frequently?

I’m in Australia and have bought stuff and just walked out and around town for the rest of the day whilst wearing new stuff.

I was almost going to fly DH over last year to pick up my ring and wanted to book him a hotel nearby in walking distance of the jewellery district but was advised against it. I heard that there's lots of homeless people nearby and it's probably not a good idea to go strolling around. I was even told to stay somewhere else and uber to the jeweller and back. I hope someone else can chime in to see if this is accurate.

I haven't really bought many things here in Aus, except for some gold jewellery but it's usually in Chinatown or some Asian suburbs so maybe I felt safer there? There's actually not many places to shop for jewellery here though

 

[kenny]

LA jewelry district is in my neck of the woods and I've been a few times.
I wouldn't recommend the neighborhood for strolling, and our wonderful PS vendors is the only place I'd buy anything.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

I was almost going to fly DH over last year to pick up my ring and wanted to book him a hotel nearby in walking distance of the jewellery district but was advised against it. I heard that there's lots of homeless people nearby and it's probably not a good idea to go strolling around. I was even told to stay somewhere else and uber to the jeweller and back. I hope someone else can chime in to see if this is accurate.

I haven't really bought many things here in Aus, except for some gold jewellery but it's usually in Chinatown or some Asian suburbs so maybe I felt safer there? There's actually not many places to shop for jewellery here though

The number of times I stand around and take random pics of my gems here in Aus!

Cabramatta used to be a drug capital and full of gangsters in the early 90s. Now you’re more likely to get jostled by a middle aged person to get to the best lychees. I bought my diamond bangle there, strolled right out and posed my arm with all the fruit while snapping pics

 

[maryjane04]

The number of times I stand around and take random pics of my gems here in Aus!

Cabramatta used to be a drug capital and full of gangsters in the early 90s. Now you’re more likely to get jostled by a middle aged person to get to the best lychees. I bought my diamond bangle there, strolled right out and posed my arm with all the fruit while snapping pics

To be honest I'm pretty sure it's safer to be around Cabra. There's different types of crimes (the less obvious ones/the ones you can't see). I'm sure that if you're Viet and stole from someone in broad daylight, your whole family would hear about it and would not be able to go out in Cabra again. I was actually in a jewellery store recently in Brisbane in one of the Asian suburbs and it was closing time. There was a man who was not Asian that pushed through the barricades to get into the shop. We were all scared for our lives.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

To be honest I'm pretty sure it's safer to be around Cabra. There's different types of crimes (the less obvious ones/the ones you can't see). I'm sure that if you're Viet and stole from someone in broad daylight, your whole family would hear about it and would not be able to go out in Cabra again. I was actually in a jewellery store recently in Brisbane in one of the Asian suburbs and it was closing time. There was a man who was not Asian that pushed through the barricades to get into the shop. We were all scared for our lives.

Omg what happened???? Did he rob them?????

 

[maryjane04]

Omg what happened???? Did he rob them?????

No hahaha but it felt like he could have. Luckily he left within minutes of barging in. Seriously if the sign says closed you wouldn't try and enter right? But that was in Brisbane. I think jewellers in Sydney and Melbourne usually have a double door that you can only be buzzed in to prevent this kind of entrance.

 

[Mjay]

Montecito or Santa Barbara? I haven’t been to either, but I’m interested in exploring both.

Montecito or Santa Barbara? I haven’t been to either, but I’m interested in exploring both.

great suggestion! I haven’t been to that area in over 10 years

 

[Mjay]

Monterey?

I love Monterey but that’s one that we like to do with kids. This is going to be my first kid free getaway!

 

[Mjay]

I hear there’s lovely shopping in Sugarloaf Key, FL.

I kid, there’s no shopping there, it’s just my favorite vacation spot. I prefer to shop for pool floaties and then use them in the pool while I nap

I’m not helpful I know, lol

Sounds amazing! To far for this short trip. I’m on the West Coast

 

[Mjay]

I was almost going to fly DH over last year to pick up my ring and wanted to book him a hotel nearby in walking distance of the jewellery district but was advised against it. I heard that there's lots of homeless people nearby and it's probably not a good idea to go strolling around. I was even told to stay somewhere else and uber to the jeweller and back. I hope someone else can chime in to see if this is accurate.

I haven't really bought many things here in Aus, except for some gold jewellery but it's usually in Chinatown or some Asian suburbs so maybe I felt safer there? There's actually not many places to shop for jewellery here though

That’s what im gathering. My husband was in the area last year for a business trip and said it is ridden with homeless. He thinks we should stay in Beverly Hills and uber there and back. I’m not realy a brand shopping type person but love good food and nice hotels.

 

[ShinyPink]

Nope, no way I'd stroll LA. I do visit to flower market, but that's it and I leave. Montecito is so tiny; Santa Barbara crowded. I would just stay in Beverly Hills or Santa Monica, although BH is next to West Hollywood, so there's a ridiculous amount of great food in that area! There's a lot of shopping and you can stroll at your leisure. If youwant to visit DK or anyone in particular, just Uber as hubby said.

 

[Kimmy]

That’s what im gathering. My husband was in the area last year for a business trip and said it is ridden with homeless. He thinks we should stay in Beverly Hills and uber there and back. I’m not realy a brand shopping type person but love good food and nice hotels.

This is what I was going to suggest. I lived in the LA area for years. Stay in Beverly Hills to enjoy the nice restaurants and shopping in the area. Uber to the jewelry district. I used to shop in the jewelry district all of the time. You can absolutely go without an appointment. It’s not a particularly beautiful area, but there is a good police presence. Just be aware of your surroundings. Don’t wear high heels or a bunch of branded items and have a purse that closes and can be kept close to your body. If you’re going to be in town for a few days I would probably go the first day because you might find something that you want made. I would often find a nice stone or a setting that was almost right. A lot of things can be customized while you wait, but it’s better if you can come back a few days later to pickup.

 

[canuk-gal]

That’s what im gathering. My husband was in the area last year for a business trip and said it is ridden with homeless. He thinks we should stay in Beverly Hills and uber there and back. I’m not realy a brand shopping type person but love good food and nice hotels.

Yes, Beverly Hills. We hope to return there for our anniversary this year. Stay at the Peninsula this time (Wilshire last time). Fun place to walk around. And great restaurant scene . Visit Jack Weir and Sons.