We specifically chose Mark Schneider because of its reputation as a fine jewelry establishment and…read moreexperience with custom jewelry. We were looking for someone we could trust to resize my custom engagement ring shortly before our wedding. Unfortunately, our experience made us leave almost immediately and take our ring elsewhere, I'd make sure you do not trust them with your custom jewelry.
We initially called and were greeted very warmly over the phone and told to come in so they could take a look at the ring. The woman who greeted and assisted us in person was friendly, but once the other woman came in, I don't even think she introduced herself...we started discussing the actual resize, the experience became concerning.
My engagement ring has two diamonds set inside the band at the 6 o'clock position. Preserving those diamonds and their placement was one of our biggest concerns, and we explained that. There was essentially no discussion about how the resize would affect them or how they would be protected. She simply took the ring and began making notes.
Then came the sizing. I know approximately what size I wear, but the "6.5" sizer I was given was so tight that I actually started questioning whether I had been wrong about my own ring size( she did not give me the correct 6.5 sizer) . She also measured my existing engagement ring and confidently told us it was a 7.25. We knew that was not correct and have the original GIA/documentation for the ring.
At that point, we became extremely uncomfortable leaving such an important piece of jewelry there.
We were also eventually told that the jeweler who would actually perform the work would not even be in until Tuesday. Yet we were discussing leaving my engagement ring there and being given a Saturday completion date without having spoken to the person doing the work, without a clear explanation of how the custom diamonds would be handled, and with both my finger and existing ring apparently being sized incorrectly. My fiancé asked, can she try on a ring to see, she simply mumbled we don't CARRY RINGS OF HER SIZE. A fine jeweler doesn't carry any 6.5? Even an estate ring?
Once we asked? So are we just leaving it here she said, yes? I immediately took my ring back.
We were also asked outright how much my engagement ring was worth, which felt surprisingly inappropriate and uncomfortable. especially standing there with my fiancé. If there was a legitimate insurance or liability reason for asking, none was explained. The jeweler we ultimately trusted with the ring never needed to ask us that question; they evaluated the ring itself, reviewed the relevant documentation, discussed the custom work with us, and focused on the actual resize.
When we left and went elsewhere. The difference was immediate. An actual jeweler correctly measured my ring ( very different size than at mark Schneider) helped me determine the best finished size and fit, discussed the two interior diamonds and confirmed how their placement would be preserved, reviewed the ring documentation with us, and gave us a clear completion date. That is the level of care and confidence we expected when handing over an engagement ring.
Resizing a custom engagement ring requires PRECISION and TRUST. When an establishment presents itself as fine jewelry, I expect the person accepting a client's jewelry to either have the knowledge to properly assess it or simply say, "Our jeweler isn't here today; please come back when they can personally evaluate your ring."
We came in wanting to give a local business our business. Instead, we left feeling relieved that we trusted our instincts and did not leave my ring behind.
Based on our experience, I would not entrust an important or custom piece of jewelry here for repair or resizing or at all. What makes the experience even more disappointing is that the resize wasn't necessarily going to be our only business with Mark Schneider. We were also interested in discussing a custom men's wedding band. We specifically sought out a fine jeweler with custom experience because we wanted a relationship with someone we could trust with important pieces. After this interaction, there was simply no chance we felt comfortable moving forward with either.