I need to have my flattened engagement ring reshaped but my husband insists that I take it somewhere where they will do it while I wait and preferably while I watch. It was originally purchased in New York and we won't be able to get back there for another year or so. My husband is worried someone will switch the stone. It's so flat that it's unwearable. I had a heck of a time removing it once it got flattened and now that I'm pregnant, there is absolutely no way it will go back on. Thanks!
Norridge Jewlers at Cumberland and Lawrence - they are 100% honest - I trust them without a doubt. They are family owened - 30 years - Dave is the owner and will be very fair in price - I always feel like I'm not paying him enough when he does stuff for us. We bought my wedding ring there.
Hi D.,
If you are in the Chicago area, I know this very good jewelery store where they do anything you can think of, of course including repairs. I have bought jewelry from them for different occasions as gifts for baptisms, weddings, engagements etc.. They have such a classy taste! Recently I took my husband's wedding band to have it expanded a bit. They did a great job. Also, I have ordered jewelry ensembles through them that they did not have in the store, but they placed the order for me from the catalog. Now I won't go to any other jeweler. If you end up going there, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO MENTION MY NAME.
Zane Jewelers
8362 Grand Ave
River Grove, IL 60171
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____@____.com
www.zanejewelers.com
If you go to a reputable jeweler believe me they don't go around switching stones on people, or they wouldn't stay in business. I worked in the jewelry industry for years and it's amazing the number of people who have this paranoia. Get a recommendation from someone in your area for sure but most bench jewelers aren't going to let you sit there and watch them. Kinda insulting really. If your stone is extremely valuable it should be insured by the way...
We have used Norridge Jewelers since 1974 and both of our sons have now purchased their engagement rings from them. They are wonderful and do great work on repairs. They are located at 8338 W Lawrence Avenue, Norridge, IL 60706, ###-###-####
W.A. Jewelers in Oak Lawn located @ 87th and Ridgeland. Located in the same strip mall as Joe and Frank's. Tucked away in the corner. A liitle hard to locate but, wonderful to do business with.
If you live in Chicago, I go to a place on 55th and the Dan Ryan in the outdoor mall. The jewelers name is Mike. He does all of my work and I wait for the pieces. He is not expensive either. The jewelry store is north of the checkers hamburger place and on the opposite side of the mall from where Walgreens is.
D. - as a metalsmith/jeweler, I know it's very easy to have your engagement ring repaired if it's just flattened on the band - it would take maybe 5 minutes...I'd recommend going down to Jeweler's Row on Wabash in the Loop if you want to try to have it done in front of you; however, depending on the setting, it would be really difficult to switch the stone in a "while you wait" situation. They'd have to find the EXACT size, etc., remove the stone, and pop in the new one in super-sonic speed, so I think your husband is a bit overly concerned about something that is very unlikely to happen. So, my point is that I think it's safe as long as you go to a reputable place - any mall chain will probably do too. Don't worry about the stone being switched; it won't happen. Good luck!
Jared jewelry stores have inhouse repairs where you can see them working on your pieces. Many locations around Chicagoland too....
