S Silverberg & Sons Jewelers — Local services in Tucson

Unsavory. Disrespectful. Dismissive. Rude. There is something reprehensible about this business. Here is my story:

I took some estate jewelry for appraisal the first week of April 2014. I had a diamond ring that was purchased at S. Silverberg & Sons more than10 years ago and two pearl necklaces that I needed to have valued for estate distribution.

Ed Silverberg greeted me and took a look at the necklaces first. He said that Majorca pearls were the most expensive in the world and if these were from there, then they would be valuable. However, the necklaces I had brought in didn't fit the description of my paperwork. We realized that I needed to go and get the necklaces that matched the old appraisal. I had no idea which necklaces were which at this point.

I also showed him my mother's wedding ring purchased from S. Silverberg & Sons. He took a look and I asked him about an appraisal for insurance purposes or for sale. He said that he would offer me about $4000. I told him that I knew that the ring was appraised by S. Silverberg & Sons for $7000 in 2006. He replied that he wouldn't go any higher than $6000 then.

On searching at the family home for the more valuable pearls, I found them to be Mikimoto Akoya Pearls. MIkimoto pearls are high-end pearls. I remembered, though, his reference to Majorca. As it so happens, Majorca pearls are the least valuable pearls.

He was wrong AND confused. What's going on here??

A couple of weeks later, after my mother's memorial service and the distribution of the Mikimoto pearls to my nieces, I returned with my family's estate manager. I said 'hello' to Ed Silverberg and mentioned that I had found the Mikimoto pearls. He remembered me.

He looked at the diamond ring that my mother had bought from S. Silverberg & Sons. He then told me that he wouldn't offer much for it. I reminded him of his previous offer of $4000-$6000 and he said that I must have misunderstood what he meant. He didn't mean $4000.

He meant $400!

I showed him their previous appraisal (he was quite dismissive on viewing it, as though his own company's appraisal meant nothing) and then asked me if I had a receipt for what my folks had paid. I said that I had it at home, but the appraisal should be sufficient. He said he might have the receipt on file and I asked him to check. He said 'no' and that I should go and find it myself. Then he talked about how I didn't bring in the right pearls before--casting aspersions on me. I responded that he specifically told me he'd offered $4000 for the ring, and when I said that my mom had paid more than $7000 for it and that he countered with an offer of not more than $6000.

I took him at his word at that time. Boy, was I appalled at his response.

So, here was a jeweler who sold my mother a ring for approximately $7000 and is now suggesting it's not worth more than $400. That's right. $400 for a .77 carat diamond wedding ring.

There are only two possible conclusions to draw from this interaction:

1. S. Silverberg & Sons ripped off my mother years ago by overcharging her for a .77 carat diamond ring, or

2. S. Silverberg & Sons was trying to rip me off this month, April 2014.

When we left there, the family advocate shook her head and kept repeating, "What a crook. What a...

Yesterday was our 33rd anniversary. I couldn't bring myself to wear my wedding band, as looking at it now makes me physically and emotionally sick. Six months ago I brought it in to be sized down. When I picked it up I thought I was given the wrong piece back. The makers mark inside proved it was my band, but the ring had been completely altered from its original shape. What used to be a thick flat band with 90° sides, was now domed, rounded edges and thin. I was treated as if I were overreacting.. that it could be "fixed" and that 10 minutes of conversation on the subject was too long. My points were: that it will never be the same again, it no longer felt like my wedding band of 32 years, and that this never should have happened in the first place. Why weren't photos referenced to ensure the same profile? Because they don't take any.. how can a jeweler begin working on a piece and not remember the shape? The shape is what makes a piece, and the sentimentality is what makes it special. My band was a simple flat gold piece, no intricate design, being made smaller, not stretched larger. So, why then, was it so radically altered and thinner? Reasonable questions, for which no answers were provided. Reluctantly, I allowed them to "fix" it. They did not. The shape is still so far off from the original and I have none of the emotional connection to it anymore. Adding insult to injury, they did the same with my mother's wedding band that I brought in at the same time.. and kept the full price payment for both. Hindsight is 20/20.. I hope this review will be a...

First off I would like to thank everyone at Silverberg and Sons, now to tell you my experience. When I was looking for the company to custom build me my perfect engagement ring I went into almost every jewelry store in Tucson, Arizona, also I had someone looking at the diamond district in New York for exactly what I wanted. I wanted to spend my money with a company that I felt trust in and was not going to be taken, so I talked to my father about where he had been getting his gorgeous jewelry for his ladies over 20 years and he told me to go in to Silverbergs. When I walked in I was nicely greeted (not profiled since I am cover in tattoos), were I had consulted with Ed about what I would like to have, Ed informed me that my dreams were not a far fetch at all and could be done in the short time frame I had given them. Ed kept me informed along the way while they were creating a master piece (communication is key in every business). When I got that final call that my ring was ready to pick up, I went down immediately and walk in to see THE MOST beautiful engagement ring I had ever seen, which had far exceeded my visions in my head.* IT KNOCKED MY FIANCE OFF HER FEET* Overall my experience has exceeded far above and beyond exceptional while dealing with Silverberg and Sons. I highly recommend EVERYONE to purchase their jewelry from here, as I will NEVER shop any where else again....