Bray Jewelers — Local services in Manchester

I am a metal detectorist and dug a circa 1880s Victorian wedding band, the age and style of which were confirmed by a jeweler who specializes in Victorian and Georgian pieces. I cannot stress how much I wish I’d taken my ring to that jeweler instead, even though she’s a 3 hour drive away.

When I dropped this off at Bray’s, I explained my sentimental attachment to this ring (it is my first dug piece of gold), and asked if they understood that it was an antique. The owner glanced at it and said, “of course, looks old to me.”

I’ll begin by stating that this ring acid tested a strong 14k at home, and I brought it in for a simple solder and polish. 3+ weeks later, I get a call from a young woman saying, ”the item is ready,” nothing more.

I get there, and the solder job looks like a child had done it. I was not satisfied, and it wasn’t polished like I had asked. The young woman said I was welcome to leave it again, but I declined because I don’t live close by. I offered my patronage because my family has given them business for over 50 years. I asked to speak to the owner, who came out and said, “your ring isn’t gold, it probably can’t even be polished. My jeweler has been doing this a long time and he said it was a nightmare to solder.” I guess he didn’t expect me to advise that I acid tested it at home. I also explained that, given the ring was in the ground for at least 130 years, it would’ve seen freezing conditions many times, and it was also next to a fire. He completely blew me off. It’s interesting to me that I didn’t so much as get a phone call to let me know the repair was going so poorly, or that they didn’t think it was gold.

The kicker and ironic insult? The owner said, “by the way, that doesn’t even look old.” That’s funny, given he said the opposite when I dropped it off, and that I had a true professional advise the age. Did I mention this was found 10” in the ground at a site that has produced 1700s to late-1800s relics and coins, with zero modern pieces? Oh, and another “reason it couldn’t be gold” is because it’s unmarked. MANY antique rings are unmarked. You’d think a jeweler would know that.

PS, I shined it up with a silver polishing cloth in about 20 minutes once I was home. I guess that was just too much to ask of them to give it a shine, huh?

NEVER, EVER trust Bray’s with your antique jewelry! They don’t have a clue what they’re looking at and if it’s a small job, I can assure you, you’ll be far from a priority.

Rude, not knowledgable, and unprofessional...

The people who work the store are really nice, however, if you're taking a mechanical watch here for repair I suggest you look elsewhere. I was told that my watch was fixed twice, but it was still running incredibly fast. I took it somewhere else and they said the repairs are going to be extensive and the hairspring was replaced incorrectly (the amplitude had been incorrectly adjusted while doing it) and the inside of the watch was dirty. I wouldn't have been upset if they told me that the repairs would be extensive to begin with, but I wasted money here and their "repairs" increased the actual cost to fix the watch by a few...

From the moment my now husband purchased by engagement ring we haven't looked at another jeweler since. Wayne and Bill are what a family business should me. Honest, caring, "get to know your customers on a personal level" kind of guys. 14 years later I have some of the most beautiful and unique pieces of jewelry. We have referred friends and they too wouldn't go anywhere else. The small store is the best kept secret around with hidden treasures just waiting to be seen by the right shopper.

Looking forward to my next visit this week to see Wayne and get a little something for the...