The Golden Bear — Local services in Vail

I'm not one to complain. Too much negative in the world already. However, my husband usually buys me something from the Golden Bear for Christmas every year. A couple years ago he bought me these lovely little 18k gold/turquoise/seed pearl earrings. They hung from the ear by a hook with a rubber backing. The wire on the hook is VERY thin. I am not accustomed to putting 'rubber' on the backs of my earrings, as I prefer lever hooks and think the rubber things are very cheesy (I may as well go to Claire's). I love the earrings, however. I just wish they weren't so tacky with the rubber backing and wish they were a classier lever clasp. Then, last year he bought me a matching necklace to go with the earrings, to make a set. Mind you, my hubby isn't extremely well-versed on jewelry or the quality thereof. He is infinitely thoughtful and just loves to gift me lovely things. The necklace is lovely also, but so incredibly delicate and fragile and not very well made. I noticed part of the necklace on the floor after dressing one morning. I was astonished and was fervently looking for the other part of the necklace. To my relief I found it. I phoned the Golden Bear to inquire about having it repaired and they asked when it was purchased, as, if it was after 30 days, they wouldn't be able to take responsibility for it. I live DOWN valley and it's a pain to get up and into the Village during the winter. This was a couple months following Christmas. They were gracious enough to repair the necklace at no charge, of which I was entirely appreciative. I mentioned the poor quality of the necklace and they said it was made by Gotthelff's, which is another known name in the valley. I didn't say it, but I didn't and don't care where the piece was made, it's CHEAPLY made. The ends should be soldered together, as the gold wire they are using is SO THIN. So, inside of a week of getting the necklace back from the repair, it broke again. This was back in January/February or so. I haven't worn the necklace since and it's laying in my jewelry box. I have lived in this valley for over 34 years. The Golden Bear has an extremely HIGH reputation, as does Gotthelff's. I am friends with people who have made jewelry for Lee and with people who did make jewelry for her and have, for well over 35 years (I realize she's sold). Needless to say, I am extremely disappointed. I am not used to wearing such 'delicate' (cheaply made) jewelry. I am accustomed to wearing jewelry, from all over the world, of immense quality. Is there a remedy here? I don't NEED to have this necklace, as much to my husband's dismay, but I would LOVE to have/wear this piece. I don't want to take a chance of losing it due to it breaking and falling off. There is nothing 'quality' to this piece. Again, my apologies for complaining, however I feel as though my husband's money has been poorly...

Very disappointed in our beloved Golden Bear. My family member brought her 25 year old golden bear earrings for repair to the place we thought could be trusted most, only to be extremely disappointed. Her pave bear dangle earrings had a broken hoop that could have been easily repaired. The original hoop had beautiful details with pave diamonds on the hoops themselves, nothing like the current simple hoop editions. Golden Bear swapped out both pave earring hoops with current very simple hoops, not resembling the original hoops whatsoever. This swap of hoops was never discussed with my family member as we would have most definitely taken the earrings elsewhere to be repaired. When this was brought to the store manager’s attention, she denied that the hoops were changed and that they were the original hoops. Making no effort to correct this mistake. As our family have been buyers from Golden Bear for over 25 years, we’re very disappointed in the dishonesty that we received. Take your jewelry repairs elsewhere!

Update: after receiving a reply to my original review, we called the number provided. Only to speak with the same manager (Valentina) who still denied that the earrings were altered in anyway. Very dishonest business and so disheartening to receive this poor customer service from a staple store of Vail. Only if we had taken photos of our original heirloom earrings we would have proof of this deceit. But never did a situation like this cross our minds when taking our sentimental jewelry to the original maker that we thought we could trust. After buying jewelry from golden Bear over the last 30 years, our family will no longer bring repairs or make further purchases from this...

The Golden Bear Vail is an absolute treasure, and it’s no wonder this iconic jewelry shop earns a glowing 5 stars! Nestled in the heart of Vail Village, this boutique has been a beloved staple since 1975, and stepping inside feels like uncovering a piece of Vail’s soul. Their signature bear designs—handcrafted right here in their Vail studio—are pure perfection. I picked up a stunning 14k yellow gold Mama Bear necklace, and the craftsmanship is breathtaking. The way the gold catches the light and the bear’s charming silhouette make it a standout piece I’ll cherish forever.

The selection is incredible, from delicate diamond-studded pendants to bold sterling silver cuffs—there’s something for every style and budget. Beyond the bears, they showcase gorgeous pieces from top designers, each displayed with such care that browsing feels like a mini art gallery visit. The staff? Absolute gems. They’re warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely excited to help you find the perfect keepsake, whether it’s a gift or a treat for yourself. I was blown away by their free cleaning and polishing service for past purchases—talk about customer care!

The Golden Bear isn’t just a store; it’s a Vail tradition that captures the spirit of the mountains. Every visit leaves me smiling, and my new necklace is already sparking compliments. This place is a must-stop for anyone wanting a piece of Vail magic—5 stars...