Jewel Box — Local services in Oakland

I can honestly say this was the worst experience I have ever had with a retail business. I purchased a Tom Binns necklace from Postmark. Tom Binns makes high end costume jewelry. The necklace consisted of different shapes of clear rhinestones and several strands of small chains. I paid $340.00 for the necklace. When I received it, there were some knots in the small strands of chains. I was able to get some of the knots out but thought a jeweler would be better equipped to handle the project. I took it into Jewel Box and the owner told me he would not charge me anymore than $200.00. Although I thought that was a bit much I reluctantly agreed. I went to pick it up two days ago and he told me it would cost $700.00. Then he immediately said he would discount the amount $100.00. I reminded him of our earlier conversation which he immediately denied. He also said he never discussed the amount of money he will charge. I was extremely upset. The receipt did not have the store name or amount on it. I found out later that he discounted by $50.00 not $100.00 like he said he was going to. I have now spent $1,000.00 on this piece of costume jewelry and it is completely unwearable and it is doubtful that it can be repaired. It looks nothing like it did when I brought it in to the Jewel Box. The small strands were obviously removed from the ring to which they were attached and now they are a tangled up mess. I know they were removed because the tiny strands of chain were linked to a larger silver ring on both sides of the necklace. One of the sides was opened and was then closed by a gold tone ring that was smaller than the silver one on the other side. This is the only piece of gold tone jewelry on the necklace. When he was ranting and raving about all the time he, his wife and his daughter spent working on it, I could only imagine that the daughter must have put the gold tone ring on the necklace. I cannot even fathom how this piece of jewelry became so messed up. NEVER, NEVER AGAIN will I take anything back...

today i walked in to the jewel box to try to get a ring sized. i’ve been here before to have my watch serviced and wasn’t anticipating being pranked and made to feel foolish by the employees there.

i asked if i could size a ring, the employee gave me a skeptical look and asked to see the ring. i told them i don’t have it, only a piece of string that matches the ring size, as i pulled it out the employee rolled his eyes to his coworker and then told me they would charge me $20. i immediately felt uncomfortable, said “oh, ok” and turned to leave. as i walked out the door he yelled at me, “oh, i’m only joking”. huh? what kind of joke is this? definitely not a funny one.

i am a scrappy looking non binary person. i was in beat up sneakers and overalls. i had just come back from a walk with my dog so maybe i didn’t fit this employees idea of what a Worthwhile Customer looks like. this is not the first time i’ve been treated pooly or with suspicion by businesses in Montclair, even though i’m a neighbor, paying rent only .3 miles away.

if you’re looking for pretentiousness, visit the Jewel Box. if you’re looking for helpful customer service, i’d visit the flat lands. i won’t be bringing any business back to this place and encourage those who don’t fit the WASPy phenotype...

For too long, I have been carrying around 2 watches that needed batteries and one of them also needed a link removed (band adjustment.) While traveling, it can be difficult to have to leave watches for later pickup, but here, I was able to get “walk-in service” with a smile. One of the watches was a slightly fussy Swiss Military watch that required a special tool.

In under 15 minutes I was able to have everything done for $50 including 2 batteries and band adjustment. He also reset the date and time and double checked the fit after adjustment. He works carefully and it’s clear that he is a fine craftsman. It feels great to have the watches working once again.

I enjoyed the conversation with the owner/repairman and shop guests. I would recommend that anyone travel to this shop if you’re looking for quick, quality...