The five star rating you see here is very much deserved. Both Anthony and Chloe did a great job from start to finish: 1. Appointments: Not only are they easy to make with Chloe, but Anthony is also both patient and flexible. When I was running late for an end-of-the-day appointment due to DC traffic, Anthony never made me feel rushed to finish. In fact, we were together past closing time! 2. Education: Anthony's experience and willingness to teach me about diamonds was a real bonus. He explained not just what to look for, but also why certain diamonds are priced as they are. In the end, Anthony really made me feel like I was making an informed decision and getting the best value for my money by pointing out both the pros and cons of each diamond we looked at. In addition, he explained the different metals used for the bands and answered all of my questions related to those too. 3. Salesmanship: You're never pressured to buy anything. In fact, I didn't make a purchase until my second visit; the first visit was purely educational. When I sat down with Anthony, the first question wasn't regarding my price range, but rather, describing what sort of ring I was looking for. 4. Purchasing: Anthony and Chloe were always accurate and upfront with the price and timelines for getting the rings. Chloe was always happy to provide an update when I called to check on the status and she was quick to inform me when the rings arrived. They also include an appraisal (complete with a photo) when you come to pick up your purchase. Not only does the appraisal tell you everything you'd want to know about what you bought, but it also makes insuring it that much easier. Also of note - If you're not 100% sure what ring you would like or you don't know the right ring size for your bride-to-be, Protea offers a temporary engagement band. Anthony will place the diamond you select in a simple setting for the proposal. You and your fiancé can then go to Protea together and select the permanent band (the cost of the temporary band will be credited back to you). I chose this option and I was really happy with the result. With Anthony's help, I narrowed down the rings to 4 or 5 options I thought she would like and let her make the final decision. The collaborative experience was great and I have to admit that I was really excited when she picked my personal favorite. My fiancé and I are thrilled with Protea Diamonds. Her engagement ring has been complimented many times and we're often asked where we got it. Obviously, I've been more than happy to tell them about Protea (we'll be going back for some diamond stud earrings before I know it!). Even now, after having it for several months, my fiancé and I still love looking at the engagement ring just as much as we did when we got it. It's perfect for us and Anthony and Chloe helped make that possible. For an investment that will last a lifetime, that's a great feeling to have. read more

Protea was everything I was looking for in a jeweler and more. I needed an anniversary band for my wife on our 10 year anniversary and after finding their website and a few items that interested me, I spoke with Anthony and he was extremely helpful in determining a few good options in my price range. He also offered to work around my schedule, since I was coming from DC after work and he was willing to stay a late after normal business hours (a few times). Then he went above and beyond to offer to let me take the ring to present on our anniversary and then bring it back to have it re-sized afterwards since I wasn't positive about my wife's ring size. Most jewelers would not have done this. She loved it! And after we came back and had them resize it, we had the ring back within about a week. We couldn't have been happier with the final product and the overall service! After this purchase, I had an old family heirloom ring that was missing a stone and needed some repair and resizing. I had taken it to a few other jewelers, none of which could ever help me. Anthony worked with his staff to find a new citrine (my wife's birth month) stone to replace the missing one and then had it completely fixed up and wearable again for the first time in a couple decades! Once again, I couldn't have been happier with the outcome, pricing, and level of service in every interaction with had with Protea. Highly recommended and surely we will be shopping there again next time! read more

My fiance proposed to me with a customized engagement ring that he bought from Protea Diamond. The customizing process took weeks to get done but it was worth the long wait. My fiance who was very involved throughout the design process, worked closely with Anthony (the owner) to design the ring. Anthony was very patient and took his time to educate us about diamonds and platinum rings. The ring was first drawn by a computer software program, and after so many exchanges of ideas, a wax model was built. When we saw the wax model, we liked it very much but there's still that uncertainty of how the ring will turn out. Finally, on the day when we came to see the finished product, we were both very happy with the style and quality of the ring, especially the craftmanship. My fiance who is very picky was also very happy with the finished product. The ring style is a "halo" style with diamonds on the halo and also diamonds on the shanks. My fiance whispered in my ears that he shopped all over the Washington area diamond dealers and he had not seen an engagement ring that's better looking than the one he personally designed... even Tiffany, and Anthony's price was very reasonable for the quality that you get. I have been getting lots of compliments from friends, coworkers, and even strangers. read more

I was in the market for an engagement ring earlier this year and, upon the recommendation of a friend, decided to give Protea a try. I'm really glad I did because Anthony, the owner, couldn't have made the process easier. He has a large selection of rings, from the classic solitaire to more modern designer styles, and is more than happy to walk you through them. He works by appointment only, which makes for a much nicer experience than some of the jewelry stores where you're competing for attention with other shoppers. As soon as I arrived he made me feel completely at ease and throughout the process, I never felt like I was being sold something but instead felt like I was working with a friend just trying to help. Even if you don't know anything about diamonds, Anthony is more than happy to walk you through the basics of grading a diamond and is very upfront about the stones and what gives them the classification that they have (All of his diamonds come with a GIA certification). He is extremely knowledgeable and very professional and happy to work with you at your own pace. I can't recommend him enough. read more

I knew what my fiancé wanted in a wedding ring but what I didn't know was where to find it! We had a very specific ring in mind and I was afraid it would be difficult to explain, however I shouldn't have been worried since Anthony at Protea understood exactly what I was looking for and had a wide selection for me to choose from! I had looked at several other places but found Protea on google when looking for a small, local jewelry store that would give their customers the service and attention to detail you rarely find at the wholesale places....and believe me when I say Protea does this in spades!!!! Rather than rush the sale he took the time to explain the differences in stones/settings and make sure I was an educated consumer. When my fiancé saw the ring I had picked out I could tell that it was perfect! We also really enjoyed the bottle of south african wine he presented to us as an engagement present! Needles to say we were so impressed that we went back to buy our wedding bands there as well, color us loyal Protea customers for life!!!! read more

I began my search for a three stone engagement ring setting to accompany diamonds that had been passed down through my family for generations. After looking at setting after setting after setting with relatively little success, I stumbled upon Protea Diamonds and saw they had a wide variety of designer and custom settings, far more than the vast majority of jewelers I spoke with. I set an appointment with Anthony and he pulled out 3 cases of 3 stone engagement rings, and we went through each ring in detail. He asked me about my future fiance, her tastes, and he was able to give a tailored recommendation based upon her style (she is a traditional and tasteful girl). We landed on what would be the "ring of my fiance's dreams". Overall, I would highly recommend Protea Diamonds for any diamond / ring selection. Anthony has a deep expertise with diamonds and settings, and really went out of his way to walk me through the options. I will be a customer in the future for other potential jewelry purchases. read more

I had a very good experience with Anthony at Protea Diamonds. He is very knowledgeable about diamonds and the diamond purchasing process. Fifteen years ago I bought my wife's engagement ring and our wedding bands from Anthony at Protea. My wife treasures her engagement ring and we are both very happy with the rings. Recently, I returned to Protea Diamonds with my wife to create a 15-year anniversary three stone diamond ring and Anthony was again very accommodating and made the experience one to remember. It was more fun this time having my wife help design her own ring too. She loves the new exquisite ring. It will be cherished for a lifetime and is a new heirloom to pass down to our family one day. CS read more

Protea is a great little shop that I was referred to by a coworker. Great selection of diamonds and settings to make your own ring. Anthony (the owner) and Chloe (his assistant) are so easy to work with and always extremely helpful. I purchased my fiance's engagement ring here and we were so happy with it that we went back to get the matching wedding band. Anthony knows what he's talking about and is very helpful in educating the gents out there who don't have a clue what they are looking for in a diamond. Price wise, Anthony is significantly less expensive than other jewelers for the exact same ring (literally, same designer, same ring, same metal, same diamonds, a few hundred less than Mervis). Definitely refer all my friends to this hidden little shop now. Call ahead to make an appointment. read more

Anthony at Protea Diamonds made the ring shopping experience very easy for me. I was referred to Anthony and Protea by a friend who purchased an engagement ring and told me that I would be in great hands. He sure was right. Anthony was kind enough to extend his hours so that I could make the trip to Arlington from the Baltimore area. The setting was very relaxed and Anthony took the time to explain the ABC's of diamonds. I felt like Anthonly and I had been friends for years. I didn't feel any pressure whatsoever to make a decision on the spot. The diamond was absolutely beautiful and the setting Anthony recommended elevated the diamon to another level. My fiance loves it and she has received so many compliments. I will be purchasing my wedding bands from Anthony and Protea. read more

We will never go anywhere else for jewelery, be it diamonds or other stones or work! We were looking to buy a replacement pair of diamond earrings and to have my engagement ring reset. The experiences with both purchases was wonderful. It is a very welcoming and comfortable environment with no pressure. Actually Anthony recommended a slightly smaller diamond earring then my first 'go-to' as he felt it looked the best. And I couldn't be happier with my 'new' engagement ring - he listened to what we were looking for, gave us his expert opinion, and showed us many options. If you haven't been in to see his selection of settings, bands, earrings and other jewelery be sure to not buy anything from somewhere else until you do. A very happy customer for life. read more

I had an excellent experience at Protea. After shopping around at many jewelry stores for my fiancee's ring, I found that dealing with Anthony at Protea was the most personal and lowest-pressure experience of any I had visited in Arlington and DC. He helped me choose from dozens of settings, and went out of his way to have a group of diamonds that matched my specifications shipped to the store for me to choose from. Along with these perks, his price was significantly lower than other quotes I had received. The ring order was finished quickly and the final product was...perfect. Protea compares favorably to other stores in knowledge, choice, service, and price. Highly recommended. read more

Referred to Anthony by a family friend, he was extremely helpful and easy to work with. More importantly, the ring is gorgeous and my fiance loves it. The custom band Anthony desinged compliments the stone tremendously. She receives compliments everywhere she goes. Dealing with Anthony is not an average retail experience - there is no pressure or over the top sales pitch. He was patient and willing to talk with me as long as I wanted about diamonds. Not knowing much about diamonds/jewelry, working with someone this laid back made the process incredibly smooth. The diamonds really sell themselves. Beautiful stones and bands, very reasonable prices, and a trustworthy retailer. read more

Prior to meeting with Anthony I did quite a lot of research on the 3 C's and I thought I was knowledgeable enough to come in and make a decision in one sitting. Not the case. Anthony unravelled the incredible journey that is searching for the perfect engagement ring that fit my fiancé's personality. Not to mention he was very considerate of my price range and never made my selection seem unimpressive. My future wife loves the ring and I am forever grateful to Anthony and his patience. I cannot wait to see how the weddings band selection will add to this overall excellent experience. He is honest, patient, personable and an expert in his field. read more

My girlfriend (a very picky shopper) raved about Anthony and referred Protea on their quality and fair prices. After shopping around, I came back to Protea because she was right. I found my perfect setting at a very reasonable price! Anthony was extremely patient, attentive, personable, not salesman pushy and very knowledgeable about diamonds. He took the time to answer all my questions to ensure I purchase the correct size and setting. I just picked up my ring yesterday and can't stop staring at it! You won't be disappointed with Protea. Save your time and go there directly. You can't beat their prices and quality anywhere else. read more

Anthony was wonderful to work with when my husband and I were looking for engagement rings and eventually a wedding ring set. He was knowledgeable and patient, taking his time to explain everything to us and not pushing us to a hasty decision. i still get tons of compliments on the set we eventually purchased as well as the center diamond that we purchased from Anthony. I went back so many times when trying to get the sizing of my set exactly right, and Anthony's patience never wavered once and his commitment to getting my ring just right for me was just as unwavering as the commitment my husband and I were making to each other ;) read more

Anthony at Protea is a true professional! I am so happy with my newly designed ruby ring! I visited Protea after reading the online reviews and they do not disappoint. I knew I wanted to swap out the setting for a ruby I have owned for many years, but had only a vague idea of what I wanted. Anthony was so helpful and patient. He gave me great suggestions, along with his personal opinion (which I truly valued), and helped me design a ring that is one of a kind. He also helped me design a ring setting for a friend, which turned out beautifully. He is the only jeweler I will ever go to! read more

I cannot even begin to express my gratitude and appreciation for Anthony at Protea Diamonds. In the middle of planning a wedding, Anthony made the process of ring shopping a very pleasant experience. He was not only amazing at returning e-mails and answering all of my questions, but he was so flexible and professional. He did not behave like a "sales man" and instead gave me all the time and patience. No stress, no hassle. Protea Diamonds has a wide variety of gorgeous rings. The hard part was picking ONE. Thank you to Anthony and Protea for making this process so pleasant. read more

Me and my boyfriend went to Protea recently on a recommendation from a family member. Personally, I was uncertain what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised. I was prepared for a car salesman but Anthony was completely opposite. He educated us on diamonds and the overall purchasing process without any pressures. When we decided to move forward with a purchase, the lead-time Anthony gave us was very reasonable but we were surprised when the ring was ready earlier than expected. From start to finish, it was a great experience! I definitely recommend!! read more

I would definitely recommend Protea to anyone looking to buy an engagement ring! This place is a hidden gem in the DC Metro area. Anthony has a beautiful selection of stones to choose from that he sells at affordable prices. He is truly patient and very easy to work with. He made a stressful process easy! I never felt rushed through my decision and he put up with my endless amount of questions. My financee, who designs jewelry herself, could not be happier with the ring I selected. We will certainly buy our wedding bands from Protea. It's awesome!!!! read more