Topper Jewelers, Bay Area?

[dnadrifter]

I am pretty new here, but am considering having a ring custom made at Topper Jewelers in Burlingame, CA. I was wondering if anybody here has had any experience with them...specifically either had custom work done or seen any of their custom jewelery.

I think I found a few mentions of them this board from one member, but would like to get additional opinions if possible. I just don''t want to end up with a setting I am not going to like.

Overall they seem to know what they are talking about and seem pretty reputable...think I am going online for the stone though.

Thanks for any help you can give,

Brian

 

[hoorray]

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On 4/8/2004 10:40:51 AM dnadrifter wrote:

I am pretty new here, but am considering having a ring custom made at Topper Jewelers in Burlingame, CA. I was wondering if anybody here has had any experience with them...specifically either had custom work done or seen any of their custom jewelery.

I think I found a few mentions of them this board from one member, but would like to get additional opinions if possible. I just don't want to end up with a setting I am not going to like.

Overall they seem to know what they are talking about and seem pretty reputable...think I am going online for the stone though.

Thanks for any help you can give,

Brian----------------

Hi Brian,

I've never heard of Topper, but I (and others here on this board) have had very good experences with Joe Escobar in Campbell, if you want another place to check out.

Good luck

 

[openhelix]

Hey DNA,

I remember looking at them when I was on my search for the best custom jeweler in the bay area. Just my .02 but I wasn't impressed by their benchwork. It just didn't seem up to par quality-wise with some of the other places I have looked at. Joe Escobar in Campbell does some good work but it is TOP DOLLAR. I went with someone else in your neck of the woods, Geoffrey's Diamonds in San Carlos. They are off Holly St and 101 and the service and end product was superb! I have a post in the "Show off your ring" section here if you'd like to look at the work.

 

[dnadrifter]

Helix,

What weren't you impressed with if I could ask? I talked with their jeweler Val and he seemed to know what he was doing. I guess I am a little scared as I just put down a $500 deposit for them to get started.

Thanks,

 

[openhelix]

The polish jobs looked a little less than perfect. On everything they showed me as examples I found one or two rough spots. Just overall I wasn't terribly impressed. That and nothing I saw there really jumped out at me. If you are happy with their work that's all the matters. Different strokes...

 

[slammie]

okay...this is the 5th time I'm typing this...everytime I click on a smilie icon...the whole post...zaps away! argghh...sorry can't post smiles for you

Hi Dna:

I just picked up my custom made diamond wedding band from Toppers and I am very happy with it!! I have a Vatche Royal Crown Platinum ering and was having a hard time finding a diamond prong set wedding band that was set low enough to clear the ering (only one I really liked was the tiffany band...yummy) but didn't want to spend over three grand for it. I had purchased couple of watches from them and had enjoyed shopping there (can't beat their internet competitive watch prices!)

I have to say I am very impressed especially with the polish, contrary to openfelix's experience. The finish on the Vatche is so beautiful that I was a bit nervous..but happy to report that my band has the same beautiful luster. They did a fantastic job rounding out the shank to match the vatche.

One thing that I would like to stress is that they are very accomodating and want you to be happy with their work. They stressed this point and they did live up to it. If you do decide to go through it, make sure you point out anything you are not 100% happy with (no matter how small). If your experience is anything like mine, they will work with you to make it perfect with a smile.

I would recommend that you do give them a call once in a while to check in on their progress. They are really busy..especially on the weekend so it's best if you have some time to let them do their thing, and factor in time for any minor adjustments, if any.

I'll try to take pics soon and post them for you...Although we bought the engagement stone from superbcert, we decided to purchase the .07 melees from him..Lazare Kaplan ideals...and happy to report H&A patterns! yay! It's a beautiful compliment to the ering!
Good luck!

 

[dnadrifter]

Thanks so much Slammie. You made me feel a little better. I think I will go into today again and look at more of their work and stress that I just want to be happy with the end product. They have been very cooperative this far. Only negative is they are, like you said, very busy and it is hard for them to spend time with everyone in their store. But they definitely try their best. Thanks for taking the time post, I appreciate it.

-Brian

 

[luckyhonu]

slammie:

I've dealt with Toppers a couple of times and they seemed quite nice. Did they mind having to set your stone from Superbcert?

 

[slammie]

Dna,

you're welcome

..I'm so thankful for all the info and advice I've gained from other here, glad be of some help! Did you get a chance to go in and talk to Bill?
I forgot to mention that I went several times to look and try on the ring at several stages in the making. I found this to be really helpful..plus they encouraged this so that any issues or tweaks could be done at the early stages.
I'd love to hear what you have in mind design wise and why you decided to go the custom route. Is this a surprise for your fiancee, or a collaborative effort?

 

[slammie]

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On 4/9/2004 1:06:23 PM luckyhonu wrote:

slammie:


I've dealt with Toppers a couple of times and they seemed quite nice. Did they mind having to set your stone from Superbcert? ----------------

<BR

Hi Luckyhonu,

I actually bought my setting at Superbcert along with the center diamond, and had it set at Vatche so that I wouldn't void the warranty. They thought my stone was a stunner which was nice to hear too!

They are very nice..again very busy but nice. If possible I would avoid saturdays..and go during the week. Again, I was comfortable enough with them to buy the melees there. Bill was one of the few B&M jewelers that knew about about crown/pav. angles and enjoyed discussing these topics with me which was a nice change from most out there

 

[dnadrifter]

Slammie,

It will be a suprise. I think she knows I am looking but doesn't really know anything about it or when.

I talked to Bill at Topper, but since have also talked to Geoffery at Geoffery's and like him also. I am going to have to decide which one to go with. They both seem very competent, but I think the work at Geoffery's may have looked a bit better. He also had more modern looking pieces where I think Bill does more anitque pieces.

I am looking at doing a 3 stone ring, but not very traditional. About an 80 pt center. I wish I could explain it. What I wish more is that I could draw so that I could show either Bill or Geoffery what I wanted.

Thanks again,
Brian

 

[openhelix]

One of the things I found helpful was finding specific elements of different ring designs I liked. Part of the process was I brought in around a dozen pictures of of rings that had at least one design function I liked then sat down and brainstormed with the jeweler. Geoffrey was a lot of help in organizing my ideas and putting together a design that encompassed a lot of the "looks" and ideas I loved. That way I didn't have to draw from scratch. I can't draw either.

So I took in the pictures with small red circles around things i liked and small x's on things I didn't.

 

[slammie]

I just looked at Geofferys webite (funcky background music!!) and I see what you mean by more modern designs.
If this is more of what you have in mind, if this was my decision, I would definately lean towards Geofferys. Especially if you do not have specific pictures or drawings to help you...., and hoping you can work with the designer to develop the vision of your ring.
Openfelix, did you get your ring done there is well? I love the regents...beautiful

BTW, I've heard of Geoffreys but did not realize that this is the store I've seen right above the tiny chinese takeout I go to for lunch sometimes!

On a last note, in regards to you search for the .80 center stone, I do hope you find something in a lower color..if you are looking to maximize size. Color differences are harder to detect between even f to H in sizes smaller than 1 carats..The larger the diamond, the more apparent differences. The RB tend to mask these differences the best as well.
I started out determined to buy "colorless" wound up with a "H". Even in a 1.52 size, the whitemess of the stone is unbelievable, expecially face up. Good luck in your search if you do not decide to pull the trgger on the .79 E.

 

[openhelix]

Yes, I had my ring made by geoffrey's. One of the very cool things is that all their designs and work is fabricated, never cast. So it truely is a work of art and one of a kind. FWIW, a few pictures of my ring are here .

Geoffrey also has access to all of Cary's stones, Regents, Queen of Hearts, and, of course, Jubilee. In addition to a large selection of ideal cut branded and non branded H&A rounds. His melee is second only to WF, IMO and he has some great sources for odd-shaped sidestones (like my trapezoids)

It's always a fun place to visit and Steve and Geoffrey both are always in a good mood. Geoffrey even called me to remind me to bring the ring in for a cleaning again before I propose!!

 

[luckyhonu]

I actually live close to Geoffrey's so I should stop by one day.

I do have to say that I went in to Topper's one day to look at Vatche settings up close. I think Bill was helping me and I showed him my 3 stone ring from GOG and he dismissed my regular machine made Ingwer setting and told me that the Vatche and Lazare Kaplan were much, much better than the one I had.