I'm taking the time to give a genuine review in hopes that others will benefit from my experience with Genovese Jewelers. My fiance and I found out that we were going to be given a very special family heirloom diamond from his grandfather whom had just passed. My fiance had also lost both his parents within a years time right before his grandfather's passing. It had been a very emotional time, but we were very excited about taking this next step together and wanted to find a setting that would do the diamond justice. I look at jewelry in a special way because my Grandfather was a Master Engraver/Jeweler who always taught me to appreciate the art and meaning in every piece of jewelry. So, no ordinary "stock" piece of jewelry would do for this situation. We started our search with all of the "mall" jewelers...between high sales pressure, not returning phone calls, and limited options, we gave up. We then moved onto a "huge" well known jeweler...your friend in the diamond industry jeweler...but our experience was very uncomfortable to say the least. We were passed on to different sales people and not one offered to help us find what we truly wanted. We left there feeling unfulfilled. Then on to a few smaller jewelers who were a bit high in price and still no offer on making us what we really wanted. So I did more research and found Genovese...which I had thought might be over our budget kind of store, but wanted to try as a last resort. I must say that when we walked in, we felt very small in a very upscale jewelry store. This was definitely nothing like any of the others, BUT, I was greeted right away by Rich. After asking to look around, he took me right away to look at some of their options. I found something that I liked, not loved, but he mentioned that they could possibly customize it for me. After sadly learning that what I wanted couldn't be done because of the overall structure of the ring, he handed us over to Tom...who sat down with us and took the time to look at pics we brought and ideas on what I really wanted. They explained the process of customization to us, and gave us a price estimate. We were very pleasantly surprised with the outcome...very reasonable and fair price! We had a budget and they respected that by giving us everything we wanted and not pressuring us to do more, or turning their noses up at our price point. Tom treated us like a friend who was genuinely happy for us. By the end of our appointment, we felt an enormous amount of joy knowing that we found the right jeweler. We felt comfortable enough to leave our diamond with them as well. After about a week or so, I got some email images of the ring that I asked to be designed...I literally cried. Their jewelers took my vision and turned it into the most beautiful piece of art. It was everything we had wanted. This ring represents our families coming together as one, and the love we have for each other...starting this new chapter in our lives. We have a very special bond and relationship that is now captured in this beautiful ring that my fiance presented for me this past weekend. I really can't thank Genovese, Rich, and Tom enough for the help, professionalism, and desire to make us happy. We couldn't be more thrilled! I really wish for all couples to have this experience. Thank you Thank you Thank you Genovese!! We will never forget our experience and we will be back for the...
   Read moreJewelry tells stories. Whether the pieces are family heirlooms or recently purchased baubles, there is always a story attached to how pieces are given or received. Michael Genovese Jewelers should be a part of YOUR story. Typically, when one thinks of diamonds, the four Cs come to mind. Four specific words come to mind when I think of Genovese's. Customer Service! I've had several pieces altered (to change with the times). The folks who work there are incredibly patient when I struggled with a particular concept. They worked WITH me and it was easy to do because the staff at Genovese's don't rush the process. Budget! They don't try to "up sell" you. If you share your budget with them, they will move mountains to make miracles happen to insure once-in-a-lifetime moments are truly special AND possible. What is MOST important is that the limit on your credit card doesn't "limit" the service you'll receive. Whether you are purchasing a seven carat diamond or sterling silver initial pendant, you are treated with a level of professionalism married to an "old family friend" approach. Their staff KNOWS their guests. On more than one occasion, I've overheard Genovese's team members ask customers, "So, how are the grandkids?" or "Didn't your daughter just graduate?" If you are new to Genovese's, trust and believe you are now a member of the biggest family in the area. Quality! This company has been a St. Louis staple since Mr. Genovese took the leap from a well-established jewelry store in the area to opening his own business back in the day. Though the torch (or the gold ring) has been passed to the next generation, the quality of work and the quality of their custom pieces has been maintained and, dare I say, elevated. Joe and his team are second to none and they stand by their work! That brings me to my last word: Stacy! She is the sales manager with a level of ease matched only by her expertise in the biz. She is a master at "reading the room" in that she LISTENS to you then offers several options that will help focus your vision. Stacy isn't necessarily interested in making a buck but rather, making an impact. I recently came across several rings that have been long forgotten, collecting dust in the jewelry box. I asked her if she could asset the value. I had no intention of buying anything and she said, "Sure!! Come on up." After she painstakingly inspected the rings and stones in the rings, she casually suggested making a few of the stones (in the ring) into a necklace and a pair of earrings. There was ZERO pressure to do so; she just gave me food for thought and I was hungry so I accepted the suggestion. . I took the rings in on Tuesday; the exquisite pieces were ready and wrapped (in fancy gold paper) by Friday. It wasn't a rushed order; it was an order done beautifully. Seldom do I compose reviews for companies. Michael Genovese Jewelers is the exception because THEY are exceptional. If you are in need of a gift, a repair, or an idea as to what to do with great, great grandma's brooch, grab a cannoli and head to Genovese's. Ask for Stacy and she, and the entire team, will help write the story for your next...
   Read moreI've been wanting to write this review to let others know of what I believe to be the finest, most customer-driven, and most non-intimidating jewelry store in the state. Because I've worked in the jewelry industry for more than 25 years, I've seen, heard of, and have been exposed to a variety of stories in this business (the good, the bad, and the ugly). Ever since moving to St. Louis some years ago, I hadn't taken the time to find a good jeweler. And being a graduate gemologist and having done some goldsmith work myself, I have a particularly high standard of design, execution, and of course diamonds and gemstones.
So when a friend asked me to assist him in finding an engagement ring, I knew it was time for me to find "my store". After doing a few hours of at-home research, I made a list of stores to visit with my friend. While we immediately liked Tom at Genovese, we wanted to make sure we went through our list of stores. At the end of the day, it was absolutely clear to us both that Michael Genovese Jewelers was THE store. We went back to work with Tom who was genuine, friendly, knowledgeable, and also a fellow gemologist.
Tom took the time to listen to exactly what my friend was wanting in terms of diamond quality and ring design. Even though my friend had a tight schedule to work around, Tom made sure everything was taken care of... from showing us a fine selection of diamonds to creating the most lovely ring with the highest manufacturing standards. This store has the latest, most up-to-date technology for creating their custom pieces, and gemological equipment to appreciate their high quality stones and detailed production. And their prices are competitive and very fair. The ring my friend purchased from them is absolutely beautiful and exactly what he and his fiance were hoping for.
Looking for a jeweler can be a most daunting task. But finding your jeweler --one you can trust for the most special events and times of your life--is a reward for which you will continue to reap benefits for years and years to come. I cannot recommend this...
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