Baraka Gems — Local services in Seattle

The short and sweet version: Jame and the team at Baraka create an experience unparalleled in the Seattle area. If you want bespoke, custom made jewelry or a premade piece from their floor collection, this is the place to go. Our story: I visited three jewelry shops in the Seattle area when searching for a vendor to create a custom engagement ring for my fiancé. The first, didn’t meet communication standards for what I’d expect as a client. The second, had astronomical fees for setting stones and creating custom designs. With two strikes, I decided to inquire at my local shop, just down the road. This was Baraka. After setting up an appointment, I met with the owner Jamie about creating a custom engagement ring. Immediately I knew I was in good hands. He impressed me with his knowledge of the jewlery industry and wasn’t shy to share what he knows. As a novice in the field i was happy to have someone so easy to work with. The creation of the ring had me deeper enthralled with this place. Flexing his industry connections, he was able to order 7 different ring samples to his store for me to look at in person. I took these rings in hand and selected traits from each one that I liked. The style of basket for the stone, a rounded edge on the bank with taper towards the star of the show, a marquee diamond of the highest quality. I had chosen a different stone and Jamie stumbled upon this increased quality diamond for a very minimal additional cost. Of course, he brought it to my attention and we found the perfect diamond to fit the ring. Once the diamond was chosen and the proportions of the ring were set, it was off to his team to create CAD renders. Shortly after I left that day, I had an email in my inbox with 3D, rotatable images of the ring design. It was incredible to see the creation for the first time, especially because it showed me the flaws. From the render I was able to see that the two accent stones beside the marquee were much to big. I had Jamie size them down and send me a new rendering. Once I saw the revision, I knew we had it nailed. From there he handled everything, collecting the accent diamonds, getting the custom band made and setting the stones. The first time I saw it, it took my breath away. The first time she saw it, she said yes. Without any doubt, I recommend Baraka at the highest level. From custom jewelry, to hand selected pieces in store you cannot go wrong with this Phinney Ridge business. If you’re still interested in hearing more, let me tell you quickly about my wedding band. Again, I was able to order multiple custom styles, all in my size. Square edge, rounded, slim fit, gold, titanium and anything else I was interested in. Once we had the band selected, there was one final step. I wanted something special. I’m an audio engineer by trade and I asked for a custom engraving of my fiancé saying “I love you”. He wasn’t sure it would work, but asked for a clear image and he’d send it to his best people to make it happen. Once again, Jamie’s career connections in the industry coming through in a big way. We got the ring back and the outline was just like the image. It matched every curve of the waveform to a tee. But Jamie wasn’t satisfied, he showed me, under a high powered microscope, that the laser used for the engraving stopped every so often and left lines in the indentation. Not visible to the naked eye, but clearly seen when taking a closer look. He had yet another craftsman that could take the ring and ensure its perfection. A few weeks later, we got the ring. It was like the lines had never existed and here sat a perfect recreation of my finance voice, laden in gold to sit on my hand forever. For me it wasnt only the hospitality, the attention to detail, the willingness to collaborate, but the true dedication to the craft that will make Baraka my only option for jewelry.

Baraka creates an experience unlike any...

I wanted to love this shop. We had good experiences in the beginning with a former staff member who was patient and helpful. They helped me pick out and customize a beautiful ring, and while it had a minor issue (the aqua side stones I asked to have matched really were quite different colors), my fiancee loved it and we decided not to bother changing that. Unfortunately, a prong broke just three months in and a side stone fell out, and the response I received from the owner Jamie was extremely disappointing.

I would expect a local, high end, brick and mortar shop to stand by their work and fix the ring, or at least inspect it, be apologetic, and offer to split the cost with me. I was instead told that the prong breaking was due to damage to the ring, that it couldn't be a manufacturing error, and that it was my responsibility. The ring wasn't examined first -- it felt like he thought I was lying about damaging the ring, but my fiancee works a desk job and is extremely gentle on her ring. I was shocked to have a break so soon on what I expect to be a lifetime piece of jewelry, and I would have appreciated a compassionate response to my questions about covering the repair.

We instead had it inspected with a jeweler at Green Lake Jewelry, who initially thought I must have bought it at a cheap online retailer when I told her this wasn't covered by the shop I bought it from. She inspected the ring with a microscope, and told me that both the prong that broke and the opposing one were not attached to the center stone for extra support, and recommended that I have the opposing prong supported as well as repairing the broken one, so it wouldn't be so fragile. She told me if that had happened to a ring sold by their shop, it would have been covered without question. She was shocked the shop wasn't covering it, and honestly, so am I. It's less about the literal cost of the repair (a couple hundred dollars) and more about the response I received, which felt extremely dismissive.

I expected to have a long relationship with Baraka and would have continued to come back indefinitely for yearly inspections and repairs as needed. Instead, I'm left with a sour taste in my mouth, especially sad because it's certainly not what I want to think about when I look at the symbol of love my partner is wearing forever. If you buy from this shop, just know that they won't stand by their work once it's...

I had never looked into selling jewelry before, and was embarrassed because I didn't know what had value and what might be costume. I contacted a couple of places in the area to inquire about sorting and possibly selling, and Jamie got back to me same-day detailing the entire process. I asked a few more questions, and got quick, knowledgeable replies as well (throughout the evening!). When I was ready to schedule the appointment, Jamie got me in the exact day I was hoping for! The building was easy to find, and I got street parking right in front of it. I was greeted immediately by his assistant who was super friendly, and while Jamie was wrapping up with his last customers his assistant began to start the process instead of having me wait! They had COVID-19 precautions: Everyone was wearing masks, the two desks were at least six feet apart with shields separating customers and staff, and they had protocol for keeping the pens sanitized and separated from those that had been touched. Jamie was also really friendly and clearly knows what he's doing. He sorted my items right away, and my nerves about bringing in costume jewelry were totally calmed because while I did have a bunch of items with no value, Jamie never made me feel like I was wasting his time or let me feel ashamed of what I'd brought in. He even complimented some off the pieces which was awesome. While sorting, he showed me exactly how he was measuring and determining them and included me in the entire process. Then, after identifying pieces of value, Jamie made me an offer! I had two sentimental pieces in there that I wasn't sure about selling, and Jamie immediately told me he'd always rather I wait until I'm ready if I'm unsure. Then, he offered a price for the remaining pieces instead! I left knowing about all of my jewelry, I kept the two I wasn't ready to let go, and still got to walk out with a check. I couldn't imagine a better outcome! Also: Apologies that I have forgotten the assistant's name (and that I keep calling her the assistant when she may have a completely different title)! But I just wanted to add that the customers who were there when I arrived included a kid. The assistant and Jamie were especially sweet to the kid, and gave him a special token to make him feel special. Truly a...