K C Jewelry Designs

02/14/09

Best of LA's Jewelry District: ELI'S JEWELRY

by kbiebesh

Eli's Jewelry

607 S. Hill St., Suite #200

Los Angeles, CA 90014

(213) 623-1611

For years, people had told me that the Jewelry District of LA is the place to go for the value-conscious consumer looking for a good deal. But with literally thousands of jewelry shops crammed into those few streets, where exactly does one go? I asked a number of friends and colleagues familiar with the Jewelry District this very question. They all mentioned one name: Eli's Jewelry.

Situated off the beaten track on the second floor of the California Jewelry Mart, Eli's is a clean, elegant shop with counters and counters of beautifully hand crafted jewelry. But what makes Eli's special (especially compared to any jewelry store you'll find at the mall) is the service. Eli's is a family run store that's been in business for thrirty years. Now in the hands of sons Eli Jr. and Raffi, you'll find their advice trustworthy and helpful. I entered their store knowing nothing about diamonds; and they soon fixed this, but without making me feel stupid. More than anything, I appreciated the total absence of sales pressure at Eli's. When I began to settle on a particular diamond, they told me to "sleep on it." "Don't rush this decision," they cautioned. When I narrowed my search down to two stones, they made no attempt to press me into selecting the more costly one. I couldn't believe it. In the end, they offered me a beautiful stone that was everything I needed it to be (and nothing I didn't need), and they gave it to me for an excellent, excellent price.

In conclusion, my ring turned out great, my girlfriend (er, fiance) absolutely loves it, and I will happily go back to Eli's for my future jewelry needs. If you're considering taking advantage of the wholesale prices of the Jewelry District, make sure you visit Eli's.

• Pros: Customer service, prices, etc.
• Cons: Parking isn't cheap; but weekend rates are a little better

01/14/09

Elias Jewelry - sloppy and deceitful

by Megan0323

My fiance and I were very excited to go to the jewelry district to get a matching wedding band for my engagement ring. They told me they would make me an exact replica of my engagement ring and quoted me a price of $700. They also said they would re-size my engagement ring. When we went back the first time to pick up the rings, the engagement ring had been sized 1/2 size in the WRONG direction (it was supposed to go from a 5.5 to a 5.25, and they sized it to a 6). The 'exact replica' wedding band looked nothing like my engagement ring's band, it lacked milgrain and an entire row of pave diamonds, it was poorly crafted, and it was a sized at a 5.75. After re-discussing what I wanted for the wedding band, they said they would remake the ring, which i thought was very nice, and size the engagement band to 5.25. When I went to pick up the rings for the second time, the engagement band was sized wrong - to a 5.75, and the wedding band was (again) not an exact match to the engagement ring. There was still no milgrain on the band, and when I pointed this out the owner rushed downstairs and slapped on some milgrain to the band. When he came back upstairs the ring looked sloppy, unfinished, and the milgrain didn't even go the whole way around the ring. And, the band was about twice the size of my engagement band. I told him that I was unhappy with the ring, and did not want to purchase it, at which point he started screaming at me, calling me very rude names, and suggested that I pay for 1/2 of the cost of the ring, even though I was not taking it home with me. After 5 or 10 minutes of arguing, I did not have to pay for the ring he made for me. I now have to take my engagement ring to a jeweler who will re-size the ring to fit my finger, and pay for the damage that was caused by all of the unnecessary sizing that Elias did to my engagement ring. I could not be more disappointed with my experience there.

• Pros: the son was very nice and easy to work with
• Cons: everything else

11/28/08

Josephs Fine Jewelry

by estarz60

The first time I went to the jewelry district I was bombarded with extremely pushy jewelers. Fortunately, Joseph and his wife Frida from Josephs Fine Jewelry are very welcoming. They were open to what I was looking for, and opened my eyes to even better options. I was able to find a beautiful diamond engagement ring with his help. I also liked how at Josephs Fine Jewelry they don't continually change their price. They start off with a low price and stick to it unlike the other jewelers that slash prices as your walking away. It's a very friendly, family-like atmosphere and they both kept me so comfortable throughout the entire buying process, even pointing out other options in certain circumstances. If they don't have what you are looking for, Joseph personally will create/find the item for you. I have been coming back to Joseph ever since my first visit and he's always happy to see me. Even if its just to say hello. Great service, great merchandise, and GREAT prices! Highly recommend you contact Joseph (213)622-6240.

• Pros: Extremely welcoming, helpful, high quality diamonds/jewelry
• Cons: For first time visitors be aware of other jewelers that are aggressive.

08/31/08

Eli's Jewelry is the best!!

by Brishette

I wandered into Eli's with my fiance a few weeks ago looking for a setting for my engagement stone. Eli & Raffi were extremely helpful and thoughtful of my preferences in style. We left after finding one setting I liked a lot and continued to browse the district for a few hours. Eli's was one of our first stops and ended up being the last! We got much more ring for our money than I imagined we could!

The setting I loved above all the others was created by Raffi. He agreed to modify it to fit my tastes and to have it cast in platinum for my stone. The level of professionalism I experienced at Eli's was exceptional. I dropped off my stone to be set last Friday and was able to pick up the completed ring 2 hours later!

I have never seen a more gorgeous engagement ring!

Thanks to Raffi for his creative genius and to the rest of the family for their support and dedication to excellence! I'll be buying our bands in a few months from Eli's, too.

• Pros: plenty of selection and unique designs
• Cons: none that I can think of

07/21/08

Joseph Fine Jewelry!

by jtb2001

We have been shopping LA jewelry for several years, and I would agree with the ten yr shopper (below) on the picks. One addition is Joseph Fine Jewelry: 650 S. Hill #G3. It is family run, very fair, and high quality. Of course, Joseph takes trade ins, and he will always find you a lower price in the mart, as he knows the other jewelers quite well. He does custom desings and repairs, so if you are looking for something spectacular take in a drawing- he can mold and design for you. (213) 622 6240.

I would steer clear of Shanaz, that store has been known to do shady business here and there. I have heard some good reviews, but some really bad ones as well, form other jewelers downtown. Wouldn't take the chance!

Good luck!

• Pros: Joseph Jewelry is a great place to find one of a kind stones, and have jewelry customized!
• Cons: Parking is definitely a clutch, but take the metro and ride a bike!