Custom work by Joe Escobar or Willow Glen

[Kim N]

I know that both Joe Escobar and Willow Glen are often recommended by PSers as reputable jewelers. Yesterday, I went to both stores to get a quote for a custom e-ring. Joe Escobar gave me a quote that''s $1000 more than Willow Glen.

How should I decide which store to use? Will I get inferior quality if I use Willow Glen instead of JE? Has any PSer actually had custom work done by Willow Glen, and if so, were you satisfied with the quality and workmanship?

I''d appreciate any advice!

Kim

 

[Rebemdee]

I went to Joe Escobar to check out bands, and the price I was quoted for a non-designer platinum band with a few inset diamonds was far more than I thought it would be. I had checked out comparable bands online, and they were significantly less. I don''t know much about Willow Glen. I bet Mara could answer this; when I asked her about stores awhile ago, she had a lot of knowledge about the jewelers in this area. Maybe Joe Escobar is a more expensive due to overhead. I saw some of the most beautiful pieces at Joe Escobar, I''m bet they do wonderful work.

 

[Mara]

I love Willow Glen...they are a small boutique type store whereas JE is a larger jewelry store. I like both stores...but it is possible that JE has more overhead or maybe just more of a markup whereas WG is more like a small fam store. WG is right up the street from me, I love visiting and they are so great about customer service. They even resized my rings for free. I would trust either one to make the setting from what I have heard and experienced in their stores. But $1k is $1k so I would go with WG, I'd also ask them re: quality of metal and the like and what warranty comes with their custom pieces etc, maybe that will set your mind more at ease.

 

[Kim N]

Thanks for the input, Rebemdee and Mara. It does seem like JE would have more overhead than WG. I loved JE's selection of settings. Some of them were sooo beautiful!

Mara, I was also going to get a quote from another of your recommended stores, Garrett Jewelers, in a couple of weeks when I have time to get down there.


Kim

 

[Scintillating]

Is it possible that the price difference is in the manufacturing process?
Hand-made (Wire & Plate) vs. Cast?


Scintillating...

 

[JoangA]

I have had custom work done by WG, Terry is great to work with. I was very happy with the work and process. I will have them do other pieces, as soon as I get the money.

 

[Kim N]

Thanks, Scintillating and JoangA. Scintillating, I''m not sure if it''s because of a manufacturing process difference. I could ask them that. JoangA, I was hoping someone who''d had work done by them would respond.

Thanks for letting me know you were happy with their work.


Kim

 

[Rebemdee]

I didn''t get custom, but I did meet Terry and bought an eternity band from Willow Glen. It''s ordered...I''m just waiting for it to come in! I went to the consignment side first, and the lady was kinda rude and plonked my e-ring on the glass case, which I wasn''t thrilled with. But on the other side, the showroom, Terry and her staff were great, spent some time with me finding the band I wanted, and ordered it before I left the store. I especially liked that Terry didn''t hold anything back; when I said, "Oh, that''s pretty," she flat out said, "That wont work with your ring," and she was right. I could have gotten slightly better stones (G-H and VS2 rather than H and SI1) if I had gone with SP, but the price was about the same and I liked the service at WG. I was happy with my first experience...let''s see how it all turns out. I''m still waiting for the final bill and ring!

 

[WinkHPD]

Date: 10/16/2005 8:00:09 PM
Author: Mara
I love Willow Glen...they are a small boutique type store whereas JE is a larger jewelry store. I like both stores...but it is possible that JE has more overhead or maybe just more of a markup whereas WG is more like a small fam store. WG is right up the street from me, I love visiting and they are so great about customer service. They even resized my rings for free. I would trust either one to make the setting from what I have heard and experienced in their stores. But $1k is $1k so I would go with WG, I''d also ask them re: quality of metal and the like and what warranty comes with their custom pieces etc, maybe that will set your mind more at ease.

Mara, who are the people at Willow Glen? That name rings a bell with me but I can not pull it from the foggy recesses of my brain. Are they EightStar dealers? Maybe I met them at one of the EightStar conclaves. I remember thinking something good about them at some point in time, but sure wish I could remember it. Any clues or hints for this old man???

Wink

 

[glamgirl]

Hi! I had to chime in here. I have had experiences with both stores. Willow glen and Joe Escobar. Willow glen does sell the eight star diamonds, as I saw them there. I went in to get a stone verified that I was considering purchasing, and I also had them set a stone for me. The are a very small nice upscale shop, and I was happy with what they were able to do for me.
Personally, I found Joe Escobar a mixed bag. They are much bigger, and have absolutely stunning jewelry and rings. They are also a family business (I went to school with Stacy Escobar!). I Brought in my vintage diamond band to have it sized up. They did a phemnomenal
Job! Another time I brought this same ring in(a week ahead) to get a written appraisal. They forgot about it, and the day it was to be ready, I had to wait while someone did a quick (maybe five lines long) appraisal. The appraisal did not even have a picture. This is a 2.25 carat diamond vintage platinum band! So I would recommmend them for work,(ie custom design, sizing/resizing), but NOT going back for appraisals!
My husband has gone in, and they have adjusted his Rolex Watch for free!
So, for me mixed bag.

 

[Quincy]

Another option is to check out the jewelry mart in SF. Especially GIRAUX. (giraux.com) On their website you can request a guest pass and gain access to also check out all the vendors there.

Previously, I''ve been to Joe Escobars and compared diamonds of similar quality and I ended up putting a deposit down at GIRAUX. I told Mark Escobar the specs of the rock and just by the depth and table numbers he was already assuming it wasn''t ideal and had a bad HOLLOWAY CUT score. I later got a SARIN report on the stone from GIRAUX and input it into the HCA and it came out 1.1 (EXCELLENT). Not to mention, the price at GIRAUX was about 2k cheaper than Joe Escobars.

I highly recommend GIRAUX or just to check out the vendors at the JEWELERY MART in SF. (FYI: my saleswoman was SELENA HWANG, she works thurs - fri only..just let her know I referred you as well)

 

[WinkHPD]

Willow Glen does sell EightStars. Well that''s it then, I must have met them at one of the EightStar conventions, I knew that name sounded familiar. Glad to hear you had a good experience with them.

Wink