Helzberg Diamonds — Local services in Knoxville

I went here looking for alternative engagement rings having already done some research. I knew I didn’t want to do a traditional diamond and that I was a big fan of opal and other colorful gems. I was taking a look at some of these when Sam approached and asked what I was looking for. I told him an engagement ring, and he said “Um, those are actually over here.” Okay, great! He asked what exactly I was looking for and I explained the cut and style I liked and that I was looking for a colorful gem. I asked if he had any opal rings. He gave me a funny look and said “Um, yeah, but opal rings aren’t engagement rings. They’re just regular rings.” Like what I had just told him flew straight over his head. I took a look at the opal rings with him nonetheless. Then I told him that I understood opal rings were very fragile and not ideal for daily wear, and asked if they had any gems that may have a similar color or shine that I might be interested in. Sam gave me another funny look and then spent at least 60 seconds mansplaining to me that opal is extremely fragile and is not normally used for engagement rings and no, there aren’t any other gems that would be similar. Again, like he didn’t listen to a single word I said. I said goodbye and left after this. Funnily enough, the salesperson across the way at KAY was able to show me a lab-grown diamond with a similar iridescent shine that they had in stock. She also showed me several other alternative engagement rings that I may be interested in and was very kind and helpful. They have a wonderful, wide selection there that I would definitely recommend.

Overall, I had a horrible experience at Helzberg. I felt belittled, judged, and was talked down to. I’d like to give Sam the benefit of the doubt and assume he’s just an awkward guy or new to the job, or maybe has never heard of alternative engagement rings, but the way he treated me just wasn’t appropriate for any basic customer service job. I think the staff may need some better training. If you’re reading this, I encourage you to go over to KAY instead - or any of the dozens of other jewelry stores in the mall. You’ll have a much better customer...

I came by the earlier in the week to look at engagement rings because I'd heard good things about Helzberg from friends and family. I am a sales manager for a large retail company and I always lookout for good reviews and excellent customer service. I wish I could say what I experienced matched up with what I had heard and read about this company.

I was greeted by a lady who introduced herself as Dominicque and another associate with longer hair who didn't speak much. Dominicque was very pleasant at first but as soon as I said I wasn't buying anything today she quickly became very dismissive and said if I wanted to look at anything to come get her and let me know. That was the first strike. Still it gave me time to walk around unbothered. I walked around the store and Dominicque went back to talking to the other lady about other employees. In an almost braggart way I could overhear her talking about drama and problems in the store.

The other employee looked unhappy and uncomfortable with the conversation. I over heard comments about commissions, the manager stealing sales and how she was hoping to get one of the other managers fired.

As a sales manager myself, and this type of conversation is not one meant to happen in a customer facing environment or with in earshot of a customer or even better yet, it should not have been taking place in the store at all. Had one of my sales team been doing this, they'd be on indeed tomorrow looking for a new job.

As best I could tell there was only one other employee who was rearranging things in the glass cases. She did seem to notice I had been abandoned and asked me if I needed help but by that point I was already turned off by the dramatic and inappropriate conversation that was happening at the other side of the store.

I ended up going to Kays across the way who I highly recommend. They worked with me to give me ideas knowing that I would not be purchasing from them that day. I'm upset and embarrassed that I had that experience and I hope that this feedback actually reaches someone who can look into better educating their employees on what is and isn't okay to talk about in front...

Even though we decided to go with a family engagement ring, the staff at Helzberg Diamonds (especially Nathan and Julie) were the most professional and low pressure salespersons at the mall. After going to other jewelers in the mall we went back to helzberg because of their expert knowledge. Thankfully my girlfriend and I basically received an introductory course on diamonds from Nathan, who was the most personal salesman I have ever encountered, which let us go to other jewlers and see that they were ill prepared to truly help us get the ring we were looking for. When we returned to Helzberg after browsing other places, Nathan’s shift had ended, and we were very nervous to be approached by another salesperson. However, Julie (please forgive me if I misspelled your name!) welcomed us and was just as personable as Nathan was. She helped us go through our options for financing and supported us through the difficult decision of having to step away from our ideal ring. My girlfriend and I are both students at UT and cannot afford a $2000 engagement ring, even though we would have loved to have gotten it and spent a lot of time trying to figure out how we could afford it, but Julie did not press the issue, she gave us a reminder that a ring doesn’t make our love anymore or any less important to each other and to not be discouraged! It is easy to get carried away with wanting to give your soon to be fiancé her dream ring, and it’s even easier for a salesperson to pressure you into making a poor decision when you’re so desperate for something, but we received nothing but kind words, knowledge, and reassurance from Nathan and Julie at Helzberg Diamonds in West Town Mall. When it’s time for us to upgrade or get a new ring we will go to...