CD Clark Diamonds & Design Studio — Attraction in San Antonio

I decided it was time for an engagement ring and was referred to CD Clark's Design Studio by my family. I was introduced to the owner Chad and his son Josh who were both incredibly friendly and welcoming. They first asked me about myself and my now fiance which was exceptionally personable, this really made me feel that they were as invested in this momentus step in my life as I was. My anxieties and worries were cleared up in no time as they made me feel so comfortable before we made any moves towards the jewelry cases.

Going into this venture I had virtually zero knowledge about diamonds and finer jewelry. Working with Josh was fantastic as he started with educating me about diamonds and how to find the best value from a stone. This put me even further at ease as this was one of the biggest insecurities I had going in was selecting a diamond. I truely feel by the end of Josh's crash course I had selected the perfect diamond. Now when it came to the ring itself I knew less would be more, and I was going for simplicity. While I perhaps did not take full advantage of the CD Clark Design Studio's capabilities, I cannot overstate the fact that they can make just about anything you can imagine for a truly 1/1 piece. The final product was simple in my case, but thats not to say I did not go back and forth with Josh as we threw ideas off of each other and en route to that final product. Everytime I asked "Can we do something like this?" or "Can this be done?" the answer was yes. Their ability to bring an idea to life is truly staggering. I did not want to purchase a cookie cutter design from a name brand retailer; the person you choose to marry is one in quite literally infinity and I'm beyond grateful that CD Clark was able to convey that in the ring I presented.

Once the design was settled on and the stone was selected Josh told me the next steps would be a 3D render of the ring and then a 3D print of it. I believe these steps to be absolutely crucial in the creation of custom jewelry. It just so happened that I asked for minor edits after the first render and with the next one I was completely ready to proceed. Josh mentioned that these steps are in place just in case you want to ask for any changes or additions or perhaps once you see it for the first time you decide you want to scrap the idea and start over, which can happen. After this came the 3D print, you get to see your design in the flesh and even test how the stone will look with it, another crucial step. I gave my final OK and the ring was ready in a the longest two weeks of my life, which in retrospect I feel is incredibly quick for a custom piece.

In this whole process, there were a few things I felt were important to me. I wanted a one of a kind piece of jewelry, I wanted to avoid chain retailers, and I wanted it to somehow be connected to the place I call home. I can't possibly imagine having done this without the help of CD Clark Design Studio. They're a family run business and their passion for what they do is someting you feel and experince working with them and something abundantly tangible in the final product they deliver. Their ability to deliver on everything I knew I wanted and everything I didn't know I wanted was absolutely top-tier.

If San Antonio, South Texas or even the greater parts of Texas is where you call home I cannot implore you enough to consult CD Clark for fine jewelry needs. Thank you to Chad, Josh and the entire CD Clark team for your masterful handling of some of the most delicate few weeks of my life. I am...

Although they do beautiful work at a reasonable price, I’d take my business elsewhere.

Had great experiences with the women employees there. My husband custom designed my engagement ring there. Beautiful ring, and beautiful work! Slight issue when my husband specifically ordered a size 10 ring (yes big, but my true ring size) and the owner’s son, who seems to be in charge there, told him to order a size 9. My husband reiterated size 10, and the employee still ordered a size 9. When they ordered the wedding band, they ordered a size 8. Why 2 different sizes in the same set? They ended up resizing to a 10 with no issues. Just added unnecessary steps post wedding and left me without my ring for a few days.

However, with the wedding band, we’ve had nothing but problems. In 2 years, I’ve had 2 diamonds fall out. I addressed my concerns with the owners son, he had attitude, rolled his eyes, and disregarded all my concerns without helping me find a solution. Will be finding a different jeweler that will take the time to actively listen to the problems I’m having and help me find a good solution.

Minus the owner’s son ordering the rings in different sizes, despite my actual ring size, he seems to treat women differently and more poorly than men. I try to go with my husband as much as I can, so I can be treated with the same respect he does.

Another issue we had is that we bought my rings when they were apart of Preferred Jewelers International. My husband and I were both told that they are no longer apart of that warranty and will no longer honor it. Unfortunately they are the only jewelers in San Antonio that are a part of PJI. So, I no longer had anywhere within a reasonable distance to take my rings for every 6-month check ups. When I most recently went in, the owner’s son told me that although they are not a part of PJI that they still honor the warranty. Irritated that we were told different things on different visits and that I thought I didn’t have anywhere to take the rings for ‘check ups’. Seems to be a lack of communication within management to clients.

Lastly, whenever I have dropped my ring off for maintenance to be done on it, they have given me a brief timeline of when it might be done, but I never received a call that the ring was done (even though they told me they would). I’d always have to call to see if it was ready. Would have appreciated the call that my ring was ready on the 3-4 times I’ve had to leave it there.

In short, CD Clark needs to work on their customer service skills. I expected better with how much money we...

I usually take my rings to Johnson Jewelers in El Paso to get inspected under the Preferred Warranty. A few years ago, I brought my wedding rings to CD Clark in San Antonio to get checked because I could not take them to Johnson Jewelers. My husband and I had been greeted by Mr. Chad Clark and felt welcomed. Unlike this time where I was made to feel like I did not belong there. I was buzzed into C.D. Clark Diamonds & Design Studio, only to be ignored for several minutes. Not a hello, how can I help you and not even an I will be right with you. They could have at least acknowledged me by saying hello, someone will be right with you but they didn’t. Let me be clear that I didn’t mind waiting but I did mind being ignored. After waiting minutes at the counter, Joshua came by to see what I needed. I explained that I was there was to have my ring prongs checked. Joshua took my ring to the back to get inspected. Then he returned and explained the prongs needed to be re-tipped and smoothed out. He also explained that I would have to leave my ring for about 7 days so they could fix it or I could choose not to have the work done. It's your choice to leave your ring or not. If you decide not to leave it... it will be one less job that I have to do. Wow, I could not believe what I had just heard. I should have taken my ring elsewhere but I didn't. I decided to leave my ring. Then I called on Tuesday, 1/17/23, was told they had not worked on my ring but that it would be ready the next morning. I went to pick up my ring the next day. I was told my ring had still not been worked on and that I would have to return Thursday morning. Joshua said sorry, I dropped the ball. I just felt that it was not a sincere apology. On Thursday, 1/19/23, I went once again to pick up my ring. Joshua told the salesperson give her 25% off for her trouble as she gave me my ring. The salesperson, in turn tells him it was a free service. To which he replies even better. I will never go to C.D. Clark Diamonds & Design Studio again. I will keep sharing my story so that others know how they treat some of...