I have taken my used jewelry to other buyers before. My less-than-stellar experiences with the others left me a bit skeptical and very cautious in who I trust with my jewelry. One of "Jim's" competitors tried to tell me my white gold, diamond, and sapphire necklace was essentially worthless junk, and That I should take their $30 dollars, as that would be my best offer. It seemed some of their other Customers had come across their jewelry in less than honest manner, and they were reliant upon the customers willingness to accept next to nothing for their jewelry. I did not do business with them that day and I never will, but the experience left a bad taste in my mouth regarding jewelry resale.
Diamond Jim rectified this, since the moment I walked in I was put at ease by their friendliness and professionalism. Jim's shop is on the small side, but it is CLEAN and space is well-utilized (i.e. Display cases weren't crammed full of unnecessary crap, this can be so overwhelming.) Staff members were openly talking to each other and customers, no hushed whispers to each other, or snobbish formality, which had always made me uncomfortable in other shops. Everyone warmly greeted my boyfriend and I, asked how I could be helped, and directed me to take a seat when I was ready.
Marsha got us started while we waited for someone to appraise my piece. She is an absolute joy, knowledgeable on her product, the kind of person you feel like you've known a lifetime. She was just so patient with me, pulling out everything I asked without the least bit of frustration. (There were a lot!) She made some suggestions but never pressured me, answering every question I had.
They have a huge selection at Diamond Jim's, there is something there for everyone. High-end pieces, turquoise and Native American jewelry, and excellent quality lower-end pieces. I fell in love with a vintage red ring, it was immediately polished on-site for me. They had such a great trade-in policy in place, I had to take advantage of it.
The necklace I had mentioned before was appraised by the shop owner, Ron. He tested the gems and gave me a very fair price. In addition to the trade-in deal they offer, I couldn't have asked for anything more. He wrote a check right then and offered to cash it for me as well. They aren't looking to make the 300-400% retail mark-up I've found near-everywhere else I have gone. These are honest and up front people, their profit relying on their incredible customer service to create return customers. Ron's and the shop's "story" as a family owned and operated business certainly resonates with me, as the daughter of small-business owners, I love to see the "little guy" make it against the corporate giants.
Diamond Jim's is not a some sleazy pawn shop for unsavory characters, and it's not a hoitty-toitty overpriced, stiffly formal national chain either. They are finally a jewelry shop where I feel I will be treated fairly and with good old-fashioned care and consideration as any business should operate. I've already sent someone over to them. The shop's atmosphere makes me feel like I'm visiting old friends, literally, such a hidden-gem. Stop in, you wont go anywhere else after working with Diamond Jim's.