They have two shops in the city centre. There's one in Ann Street and one in Castle Lane. I've…read morealways used the Castle Lane shop. The great thing about places like this is that they're a local, independent jewellers, which means they're much more realistic about prices and get a lot of trade from word-of-mouth and repeat customers. And because it's a long established family jewellers they very much built a reputation entrenched in older values and ideals - their attitude when they started off (at a time when Belfast was a more cash-strapped place) was obviously that if they provided a personal customer service, gave a good price and a decent discount for, say, wedding rings, then your friends and family would come to see them when they were looking for similar items. It worked, too. There are people who won't go to any other jewellers, at least until they've checked out Joseph Rea first. They have a wide selection of all kinds of jewellery, carry out repairs on watches and jewellery, and also buy scrap gold that's no good to you anymore.

There's just something exquisite that draws you to Joseph Rea's shop window even if you have no…read moreintention of buying anything. Maybe the fact that it's a family run store that has been around Belfast for years, or the 'Established since 18--' sign, but it just exudes quality in a way that chain stores such as Lunn's and H.Samuel's could never emulate. If I'm ever deliberately out looking for an expensive piece of jewellery (rarely, I tell you) then Joseph Rea's is my first stop. You just can't go anywhere else; they're unbeatable.

Jewellery wholesalers - I got my engagement ring for a very competitive price and was served by a…read morelovely lady called Ethna who helped me and really personalised the service - she knew I was bewildered by lots of different styles at the one time and so she only presented a few for me to look at. Previous places we had looked had been pushy and totally over whelmed me with loads of different rings. Ethna was very kind, informative and understanding. Recently we went back to pick a wedding ring and there was a very funny moment when I was down on my hands and knees looking at the bottom shelf. The owner walked past the counter and started apologising. We later found out that he thought from my poise that I was proposing! I got my wedding ring here as well and it was at least £300 pounds cheaper than elsewhere! Highly, highly, highly recommend Ellison Brothers.

A fine selection of diamond jewellery, engagement rings etc all displayed in a very elegant and…read morewell presented showroom. With my better halfs birthday coming up I was shopping for some jewellery, wasn't quite sure exactly what I was after but the staff were very helpful, genuine and not too pushy. Got a great price on a beautiful necklace and have to say after looking at similar in some of the other local jewellers, Ellisons were the most keenly priced. Highly recommended.

I think I was only allowed into McNeillys because I was wearing a suit and looked completely non…read morethreatening. It is not that this shop is prejudice it is just that the jewellery in McNeillys is so expensive. This is a traditional Jewellers in every sense of the word, the door has a buzzer and you can do most of your browsing from the street. I would estimate that they have sold thousands of engagement rings over the years. This is the type of shop that an old romantic would go to get his nearest an engagement ring. I am purely basing this on how traditional the shop is, as I suppose it would have a little bit more meaning than getting a ring from a high street jeweller. McNeillys is all in all an excellent jewellers with friendly staff, I would say that the deal in big mainly deal in the big one off purchases but I as yet, fingers crossed one day, have not purchased from McNeillys.

Always makes me a bit nervous when I have to be 'buzzed' into a shop though when I spotted some of…read morethe price tags in here I could see why they were so security conscious. Being in full on 'browsing' mode the very pleasant assistant left us to it and indicted she'd be on hand if we wanted to see anything up close (ie. unlock the huge display cabinets). The shop was well set up, well light and all the jewellery looked pretty impressive in here. The only downside was that some of the prices were obscured so I was never really sure if I was looking at some mere trinket or the crown jewels. I suppose that's my ignorance in the jewellery field coming into play. For anyone serious about top end jewellery I would definitely recommend this shop with its classy stock and approach. They also do valuations and repairs so do consider it especially if you have a broken heirloom languishing in a drawer. Pros: Top quality jewellery. Cons: Definitely at the pricey end of the market.

i love fresh garbage a lot but the queue to get in is long and you have to wait 20-30 mins it's…read morebefore even getting into the shop itself, whenever you get in you can't even move because there is so little space, if you spend a lot of time in the shop you feel guilty of holding up the line outside. it's also really hard to let people past you because of the small space, you have to stand in a spot for a long time in order to let people pay and your just wasting time there. not to mention the overpriced clothing!! most are cringey as-well, most of the skirts there are around £60 and yes, are nice but wayy too pricey. good shop for alternative people but also not because there isn't a large variety. you cant even try clothes on aswell which is stupid staff are nice and will help :) i think that fresh garbage could do with an upgrade in a shop as in space because it's super hard to move around, and you cannot even look at clothes because you feel like you holding up a line or room for people to get past. bigger shop is definitely needed!! overall it's a good shop but very small. i'd say come during week days when you have the chance because it isn't as crowded.

Word of Advice; Do not under any circumstances try and go into Fresh Garbage at around 4.30pm on a…read moreFriday afternoon during term time. The reason I say this is it will be packed full of geeky emo's looking for their next quirky crazy purchase. I could not even walk into the shop to do a decent review, so I left and am now spreading what I have learnt toy the good people of Yelp.

Argento is a great go-to place for presents. It stocks mostly costume jewellery, but good quality…read morecostume jewellery! They've recently moved into bigger premises next door to their old shop and it's much better. The old shop was barely big enough for two people to walk around in, so more space is a good thing! The girls that work in there are also really lovely. Maybe they're just trained really well, but they're always really helpful and very good with clueless boys who just know that a necklace would be right way to go for a present!

One of the better 'reasonably' priced jewellery shops in Belfast. There's a good selection of…read moredifferent styles in here ranging from classy and understated to blingin and crude. The prices obviously vary as well but the emphasis seems to be on affordable quality. The shop now has two different sections...there's a 'clearance shop' in what was the old main store and the new main bit is a sweet looking white shop right beside it. Obviously the smaller shop has all the sale/bargain stuff and the main one now has latest ranges and the better selection. The shop is clean and well laid out and the staff are very pleasant which coupled with the mix of jewellery makes (and takes the stress out of!) shopping here pretty pleasant. Pros: Great staff and big selection. Cons: Not much of a 'blokes shop'.

I think it's a fair assumption that jewellery isn't something I have a strong passion for or any…read moreknowledge about, but that said occasionally I do have to venture into this world when presents have to be purchased for my girlfriend or family. The range on offer comprises of an array of amber jewellery as the name would suggest. The pieces do seem to be of a very high quality, detailed and solidly made. They are also quite tasteful, nothing too excessive or gaudy. I was in the market for a pair of earrings for my sister's 18th birthday. Now to be honest I wasn't born we a particular penchant for jewellery made from what is essentially tree sap but I did get some solid advice from the woman running the stall. It's hard to know what an 18-year-old would wear these days (that does make me sound like some Dickensian gent) so I left with a simple pair of tear drop amber earrings, nothing too flashy. Pretty well priced and presented in a decorative display box.

Established over 50 years ago, Lunn's are Northern Ireland's leading jewellers, selling some of the…read moreworld's most luxurious jewellery and watch brands. The boutique at Victoria Square complements their flagship store at Queen's Arcade, Belfast. Lunn's, Victoria Square are proud to be launching Bulgari jewellery and watches for the first time in the province. Bulgari will be joined by Lunn's own Portfolio of Fine Diamonds, Rolex, Cartier, Fope and Gucci and MontBlanc jewellery. This place has had advertising on Northern Irish TV for years and has a great reputation for quality, service and price. This store is no different to any of their other ones. The stuff is quality but a little bit boring. If you like to have jewellery that everyone else has then this is the place for you. Its just not for me, I prfer stuff to be a little bit more bespoke.

Ah Lunn's.... the store or most aptly the chain which always appears to be popping up across the…read morecity in one different alcove after the next. Lunn's is one of the larger chains in the north specialising in a range of gold jewellery, watches and all things diamond. It's not the sort of place myself or most others will spend much time but I suppose it warrants an occasional look for a particular occasion. While I was on my graduation watch hunt I gave this place a go and I was surprised by the selection of watches on offer. The staff were very friendly and although I perhaps I didn't fit their target market or demographic on that particular day (wearing a Meshuggah hoodie and camo shorts) they helped me pick out and try on several models including a rather spiffy Hugo Boss watch.

This place would get the full five stars from me if it were a bit more affordable for the average…read moreJoe. Don't get me wrong the end product is worth the one off design and the exceptional craftsmanship that goes into each and every piece. If you are seeking a really special piece such as an engagement ring or a wedding ring but you want something designed by yourself and totally original then this is the place for you. Top quality products at top the range prices but you are guaranteed to be happy with the service you get. my friend had her wedding ring designed here and she raves about them still three years after her wedding. The one to one service and the attention to detail are second to none. Her ring is absolutely beautiful. If you want bespoke and have a few thousand to play with drop in to Steensons for real quality.

Steensons do absolutely beautiful jewellery. Sadly, I haven't yet made my fortune, so most of it is…read moreout of my price range. No harm in looking though, right? Their stock is unique in terms of contemporary jewellery. It's of the best quality and the service you get is really top drawer. Since it's out of reach for most of us, Steensons is best for "investment pieces". They offer a design service, which, as Geraldine D mentioned, is great for wedding and engagement rings. I shudder to think what they charge, but for something as important as that, I'd hazard a guess that it's worth it!

Several years ago I fell for a beautiful diamond ring displayed in the window of Margaret Forbes…read more Any time I was near the shop I'd check to see if they still had one on display until recently when I was fortunate enough to be able to buy it. When I tried the ring on it was a little loose so I asked if they had a smaller size and was advised that my fingers were probably a little thinner due to the cold weather. The sales person, Patricia suggested I buy the ring and if it was still slipping after a month or so to bring it back to be resized. When I brought the ring back I was told there would be a charge of £90. I had expected it to be done free of charge since they had suggested I wear the ring for a while and in light of the fact the ring cost almost £4,000. They would not renege so I ended up paying to have the ring resized. As a result of the poor customer care and after sales service I will not purchase from this jewellery store again.

Incompetent at best. Have totally devalued my property and take no responsibility. If the owner…read morecannot distinguish between different chain types I wouldn't want to be buying graded gem stones from her. - I asked for a gold chain be be split, explaining that it had originally been a bracelet and necklace which had been joined some years before. I pointed out that the bracelet had only 5 closed links between each longer link whilst the original necklace had 7 (Figaro style), I was quoted £30, I later received a phone call to say that a basic round clasp would be joined to the necklace whilst the original lobster clasp would be attached to the bracelet. I asked if this could be reversed with the original lobster clasp fastening the necklace. This was agreed and I was quoted £60. On receipt of altered goods I noticed that the bracelet was actually part of the original necklace leaving the resultant 18inch necklace with two different types of chain!. I returned to the shop and was told by the owner that although she had known it was originally separate items she hadn't realised that the chains were different, I questioned this as I would have thought her profession as a jeweller would have qualified her to notice this type of thing, apparently not! The outcome is that the shop have refused to put right their error without charging me for additional work. I truly wish I had gone to any other jeweler in the city or better still sent it off to an online jeweler. If high street shops want to survive,they need to give a superior service and this was certainly not the case with Margaret Forbes far from it.