Belrose Estate Jewelers — Local services in Santa Barbara

Diamond earrings were advertised as I-J, SI2. Subsequent GIA grading was much lower at Very Light Gray-Faint Gray,  I2.

Prior to purchase, I spoke with owner, who said the diamonds were taken (by them) from an antique brooch and repurposed into handmade earrings. Their GIA GG (graduate gemologist) graded the diamonds as I-J, SI2. I was told they were graded as loose stones, after being taken from the brooch, and before being made into earrings. After purchase, I sent the diamonds to GIA for official grading. GIA didn't even classify them as Natural D-Z Diamonds. Instead they were classified as "Natural Colored Diamonds" Very Light Gray and Faint Gray, both I2.  The purported advertised colors were completely on the wrong scale, and the advertised clarity was significantly lower by 2 grades. I informed Belrose about the discrepancy, as an FYI, because the color grading and clarity were so off-the-mark. Belrose replied that the discrepancy was because the diamonds were graded in the mountings. Which makes no sense because (1) they already told me they "rescued" the diamonds from the brooch, then graded the loose stones before "repurposing" them into earrings, and (2) if the jeweler has loose diamonds in hand, why would they wait until they were mounted in earrings, and then grade the diamonds in the mountings?

I am very wary of any diamonds they sell without an official GIA report. While they advertised the diamonds were graded by their "GIA Graduate Gemologist (GG)", in my case, the color and clarity were substantially lower then the official grades given by GIA. Which in turn resulted in massively overpriced diamonds, based on the true GIA grading reports.

UPDATE: I posted this review because I have already reached out to Belrose directly. I emailed them copies of the GIA reports. And this was their exact response via email:

"Thank you for sending this along. These were graded in the mountings, yet I'm still surprised that GIA judged them as natural colored diamonds and as I2. In any case, they are lively and lovely old "romance stones" and will be a beautiful pair of earrings. Sometimes they are classified as gray due to inclusions, boron or hydrogen presence, only detectable in the GIA...

Firstly, I have no ill will towards the owner and his business, but this is just an HONEST review. I sold some rings to him last year and he felt the need to tell my friends about them mentioning his business to me, in the past and there is nothing wrong with that. But to go into detail that I sold him rings was embarrassing because my friends asked if I was facing financial hardship, which I was....Secondly, I got myself into a better financial position and I contacted the owner about purchasing my rings back. I came into the store and an Englishman who worked there was rather short and rude with me when I asked for J. That short exchange put me off a little. Thirdly, I was able to buy two rings of mine back, but the owner J was acting like I was seriously inconveniencing him. He got defensive when he gave me a price and i questioned it. I was just processing in my head when I asked...but his response was "Look, sweetie I am a for profit business." I did buy the rings for his asking price because the rings had a sentimental value to me. I asked him kindly NOT to call me "sweetie", and he responded sarcastically with oh well shall I call you by _?" Is THAT okay?" I did not appreciate his lack of respect. I do not like men who call women, like myself, "sweetie" in a demeaning manner. It is rather unfortunate that the people acted this way because customers can always leave...

The folks at Bella Rosa Galleries are nothing short of amazing!

My fiancé proposed with a handmade Art Deco style engagement ring and let me tell you… the design and the craftsmanship had me speechless (and I’m a talker). The ring was delicate, classy, timeless, and the diamond looks like it’s floating on a thin thin band. And thanks to the low setting, it snags on nothing!

When I started to shop for a wedding band that wasn’t just a crown or a “hump” over the main diamond, I knew I had to go back to the expert and did they deliver!!

I researched online and found two designs I liked, drew it on a post it note, and BAM!! Joe and Greg created pure custom magic!! The bands are BEAUTIFUL, epically timeless, one of a kind, and compliment the engagement sparkler so so so SO well that I can wear one or all of them together!

There was no crown or "hump" when viewed from the top to distract from the main diamond. There was no spacing between the bands so everything stacks nicely and closely together. Like I said, magic.

Joe and Greg are simply the best. They were so patient in working with me and I am as high maintenance and PITA as they come. They really understood and captured my vision to turn the custom pieces around quickly. I can't wait to find another reason to go back and create more...