Today's Cargo — Local services in Alexandria

Love this place! The ladies are so genuine and helpful. It is the one jewelry establishment where I don't feel like they are there to force sales on me. I can look around and buy nothing without a sales pitch or an "attack". Sometimes, I come in on a mission and they will spend two hours with me to find EXACTLY what I want, allowing me to try items I choose and hunting down those I haven't seen. Often, they find the right piece for me over my choices. I go to them first, before purchasing online, now, because I always leave their store brilliantly happy with a new sparkly and for far less than I would have spent online for lesser quality. They have vintage pieces that are incredible from fashion to platinum, and new pieces for all ages in standard styles and many exquisite designs that I would never see in a chain store. They have appraised family inheritances, giving me history of the piece, what it would currently sell for, while offering to clean it and an opportunity to find a buyer. I adore this store and those working there. I HIGHLY recommend a visit for all price ranges, whether you are just window shopping, looking for bead, fashion, vintage, new, silver, gold, gems... this is your store. If they don't have it, which is not usually likely, they will order it for you or refer you to a store they know carries the item for which you are specifically looking. Thank...

UNHAPPY AND DISAPPOINTED! I do not recommend this store. I repeat I do not recommend this store. Carla M. Clarke did an appraisal for me and it came back $3000 less than what it sold for in the reputable jewelry store (Littman Jewelers). I was blown away and immediately contacted her and expressed my concern that she valued it at $3000 less than what I would need to replace it should it be lost, which is the whole reason for the insurance. Her response was dismissive and totally unacceptable. I’m very unhappy with the service that Carla M. Clarke provided and requested a refund because what she provided was useless to me. I took my future business elsewhere as I recommend the rest of you do as well. This place is no good and the customer service is terrible. TAKE YOUR BUSINESS ELSEWHERE!

My email to Carla:

“I am extremely disappointed in this estimate and I am not going to be using it with my insurance. This document is completely useless to me. The pre- sale retail cost of this ring was $6700 and that’s not the appraised value that’s the retail value. $3800? Again, I will not be using this estimate as this estimate was a complete waste of my time and money.

I would like a full refund for it and you can keep this estimate. I’m extremely...

Ive never given a review of anywhere until this place, but was looking and realized they deserve it. I am not a "repeat customer" at many places, I dont have "a spot", i sort of hate when the employees know my name. This is the exception. Ive bought nearly 100% of my wife's jewelry from here for years, because the staff is wonderful and the prices are reasonable. If youre looking for jewelry under ~$500 there is no reason to even check other places, come here and get a great deal. If youve got a bigger budget, still stop by because they do have some great more expensive pieces as well. I buy my wife jewelry regularly, either for special occasions or just because, and I wouldnt be able to do that at the price points at other places.

They have great sales twice a year where almost everything is half off (but its most of the stuff that hasnt moved for the past 6 months), and they clear out a lot of their shelves, so its also worth stopping by a few weeks after the sale too, because thats when they get a bunch of new stock...