Joint Venture Estate Jewelers Engagement Rings, Diamonds, Fine Jewelry Raleigh

My husband purchased a ""genuine emerald"" and diamond ring for me about a year ago at this store. I recently had all of my jewelry reappraised elsewhere and discovered that the ""genuine emeralds"" were green glass. I contacted the store via email, they stated that it's common practice in a ""ring of that age"" to list the stones as genuine emeralds when they're glass b/c. I was then asked to contact Lee, the owner, who did nothing but berate me, accuse me of defrauding them by replacing real emeralds with glass and bend over backwards to make me happy by making three adjustments to said ring. Those adjustments were sizing it and then twice having to fix it again because the shank looked like someone had cut it with scissors. I told him that we wanted a refund or to exchange it for something else. He refused, saying he would consign it for us. When I called my insurance company, they stated that Joint Venture had committed fraud by knowingly selling us a glass ring and claiming it was an emerald one. more

I have a gorgeous but unique engagement ring. After looking around for ever I knew I would need to get a custom wedding band to match iy and sit flush with my E-ring. JV's website had a lot of great information and pictures of their work. They also had great reviews everywhere I looked online. So I went in and spoke with Donna (one of the owners). She was great and we discussed ideas for my ring. She said she had one jewelry she knew she could trust with this complicated job. She worked closely with him and me. Calling me now and then to update me and discuss additional ideas. She was able to turn it around quick and I was able to get my ring in time for my one year anniversary. It turned out beautifully, matches my E-ring wonderfully and I cant stop looking at it. They did an amazing job with a challenging piece, listened to all my desires and made it happen. I also love the stuff she has in her store. Will definitely go back again and point the hubby in that direction for future anniversaries. Thanks Donna. more

After looking at the expansive website, my fiance and myself took a trek to Cary to see the store in person. We were extremely happy that the selection met with our expectations. We found the perfect antique engagement ring and when I say perfect-I mean it! It was vintage 18k white gold with a lovely diamond, but even more important since I work in entomology, it had four small filigree butterflies surrounding the setting! Love it, loved the store. We even found an 18th C. gold ""fly"" ring that we bought with the money we didn't have to spend at other jewelers. The owner's even gave us a bottle of champagne to celebrate when we picked up the ring after sizing. We will definitely return for holiday and future anniversary gifts. Thanks Donna! Pros: large, unique collection Cons: limited hours, located off the beaten track in Cary (?!?) more

I have done quite a bit of business at Joint Venture. I have sold jewelry, had appraisals done and most recently I had a piece of jewelry designed and made with my stones. My mother passed away and I had a piece of her jewelry that was not my style. I did not want to sell it, but I also did not want to have it sit in the jewelry box or safe. I wanted to make it into something that I could enjoy and I could still know was my mother's originally. I knew that if I went to see Donna and Lee they would help me. We looked through books and could not find the right piece so Donna designed a one of a kind ring for me that I absolutely love. Every time I go there they have new items to look at. They provide a unique, personal experience. Pros: One on one service Cons: Wish they were closer - worth the drive more

Oh MY! I LOVE my new wedding band(s)! Unbeknownst to me, my boyfriend went to Donna to find a unique engagement ring (which he did...i absolutely love it!). When the time came to find a matching band, I struggled. Checked out all the jewelers in town. Ended my search when I met with Donna. JVJ worked with me to create a custom band (I opted for a band on each side) that, although it's new, very much works with my vintage setting. Donna listened to what I wanted, while also offering suggestions as to what I can do to keep the ""sparkle"" while ensuring it still has that vintage-y feel. The final product is way beyond my expectations. I love this set and am very grateful that I had their help to create my one-of-a-kind piece! Pros: unique pieces, pieces for all budgets more

I had searched other places for engagement rings but no other store matched the unique jewelry and great atmosphere of Joint Venture. I could not have asked for a better experience. They made me feel so welcome and comfortable and made sure that my special moment was all about me. I recommend Joint Venture to anyone and everyone looking for a special gift for their special someone. Thank you for such a perfect experience. Matt Smith Pros: Great Service, Great Jewelry, Family Atmosphere Cons: Nothing more

I have been searching for a wedding band for many months now, with absolutely no luck. I found the perfect band the very firt time I walked into this store. The service is excellent and the prices are unbelievable. Next time I'm looking for any piece of fine jewelry this will be my first stop! more

My fiance` and i went searching raleigh and cary looking for something unique but affordable and found that here. We saw a ring at a different jewerly store that we loved and we were able to special order a ring that was similar from Joint Venture for 40% less (the ring only took a week to come into the store.) They have a great selection of beautiful rings without the crazy markups. No more searching the area for something better it's all right here! Thank You to all the helpful staff! Pros: good vaule, helpful employees more

I have had several great experiences working with the folks here. Most recently, they did an excellent job of creating a new piece of jewelry for me from an existing piece. I have had a pearl necklace for years but never wear it as it wasn't my style. I took it in for ideas and they were able to convert it into a two strand bracelet with gold spacers in it. I absolutely love it and it is now something I will wear all the time. Best of all it allowed me to keep a gift from my mother for my wedding that was just sitting in my jewelry box. \r \r The quality of work is always great and they are very reasonable in terms of pricing. To celebrate my new bracelet I treated myself to one of the many unique pieces of estate jewelry they have. Their website is a great way to browse for the latest finds and what is on sale.\r \r Highly recommend this place if you have repair work or want something custom made or are looking for something different than what you find in the malls. And they keep wish lists if you want to drop hints to someone special about a gift idea. Pros: repair and custom work, unique pieces more

I wanted to buy an engagement ring. It had to be unique and have character. I went to several stores each with the same items. When I went into Joint Venture I met Donna and after asking me a few questions she produced several great options. I ended up getting a ring from the early 1900s for a price that was half of what I considered paying at Bailey's. This is the best part, she asked how I was planning on presenting it. After a brief discussion she not only gave me a great idea but also a few props and a bottle of champaigne. Absolutely over the top! If you are looking, do yourself a favor... Pros: Great selection of new, custom and vintage jewelry more

Joint Venture was recommended to me when I began searching for an engagement ring. Donna, Lee, and the whole staff went to great lengths to make this ring perfect. An engagement ring is such an important item that special attention needs to paid to the details as it is not just a piece of jewelry, it is a symbol of ones commitment and love. Joint Venture knew this and made every effort possible to make this ring my own and truly one of a kind. \r \r I simply walked into the store and showed them nothing but a picture of what I wanted and within a couple months they had designed and created the ring. They always filled me in on what was going on throughout the process so that I was never in the dark about what I was getting. When you walk into Joint Venture you will not be rushed by into making a purchase, they truly make the buying experience as comforting and personal as it should be.\r \r I will continue to go to Joint Venture for future purchases as I know I will always be treated at the highest level and the product will be just as special as the service.\r \r -Scott Lee\r Raleigh\r more

My fiancé and I fell in love with a particular diamond ring from a well respected jewelry store in the mall. We loved everything about this amazing ring except the price tag. I gave Lee a picture of this masterpiece in hopes he would find something similar in style. In the meantime we continued to look around for other options. You could imagine our excitement and surprise when Lee called a month later to let us know he got the ring that morning!!! I ran immediately to Joint Venture and sure enough, it was the exact same ring. I can?t thank Lee and Donna enough for making our engagement so special knowing we found the ring of her dreams at half the price. It was totally meant for her to get that ring. This is customer service at the highest level possible! \r Thank you so much Lee and Donna. \r \r Best Regards,\r \r Brian & Maureen\r more

I have had the pleasure of visiting Joint Venture for almost ten years! From jewelry repair, to many purchases, each experience has been remarkable. Donna and Lee, the owners, are knowledgeable, helpful, and honest. Their selection is always changing and fun to browse to see if anything ""catches your eye"". If you are looking for a jewelry store to call ""home"", this is the choice for you. I promise you will be thrilled and look forward to your visit as a treat! Pros: Location, Value, Customer Service more

I had the most fabulous experience at Joint Venture Jewelry. Donna Hankin helped me to change the setting of my wedding band ( as a result of divorce) to three stacking rings that are really gorgeous. Now - this could have been a very sad time - but Donna held my hand through the entire process and together, we transformed a ring that would have otherwise been sold in her store to 3 rings that I wear everyday now! My best friend at work keeps telling me that the rings ""are so hot!"". \r \r I adore Donna and her husband. They are true professionals. their store is immaculate, and their cases are filled with the most incredible selection of gently used and genuine vintage pieces. I am thrilled with the whole experience and I highly recommend Joint Venture Jewelry to everyone.\r more

My husband and I have been shopping at Joint Ventures since Valentines Day 1999. Over the years he has bought me several nice pieces and we have bought several Christmas and Mother's Day gifts for our Moms. Donna always has time to show us interesting pieces of jewelry, and has a good selection of merchandise from about $150 on up into the several thousands. She also lets you examine each item up close, and try things on so you can be comfortable with a purchase. Of course, wearing it is the first step to buying it, so beware Donna's ability to find something you have to take home!\r \r They also are willing to order items for you if they don't have the exact item you need (chains, wedding bands, etc). The store also keeps track of repeat customers, remembering things like anniversaries with postcards including a coupon for a substantial discount.\r \r All in all, Joint Ventures is a shop we keep going back to, so that is the best recommendation we can give.\r more

Don't agree at all with the negative comments some people have written about pushy salespeople. I just purchased my wife's 25th anniversary gift and 50th birthday gift and the saleswoman was attentive, but not at all pushy. If anything, I felt like I had a personal shopper helping me. The selection is really good - i found dozens of things in my price range that I liked. I didn't have tons of money to spend and was a little intimidated going in - some estate jewelry stores only carry very high end stuff - but this shop has the best selection of lovely, one of a kind pieces in the $300 to $1000 range that I've found anywhere in the Triangle. (Plus some truly jaw-dropping pieces priced much higher.) I highly recommend this place as a resource for guys like me, who want to get their wife something a little different from what all her friends have, but don't have a fortune to spend. I will definitely shop there again. I I suspect that the people who were turned off by ""pushy"" salespeople didn't like the fact that the staff reminds you that because these are mostly one of a kind pieces, if you see something you like one day, but don't buy it, it might not be there the next because someone else could buy it. I didn't find this to be pushy - it's just the truth - no different than what an honest salesman at an antique store or art gallery will tell you. Remember: This isn't Zales. They can't restock an item once it's sold. Pros: great selection of one of a kind pieces you won't find at the mall Cons: they can't restock the exact item if sopmeone else buys it first - so if you snooze, you lose more

I love this shop! They help you choose unique pieces to love and enjoy rather than try to sell to you. The owners and staff subtly guide you in learning about gems, vintage jewelry and what works for you. I like many styles of jewelry but they have helped me define what styles suit me best and give me the most\r pleasure over time. I am now purchasing higher end jewelry but saving money because I am not making\r quick eye candy decisions on lesser pieces that cost more than the more satisfying jewelry at Joint Venture\r and I am not buying pieces similar to what I have already in my collection. Pros: Friendly owners and staff, great parking, bargain prices on unique jewelry. Cons: I can't think of any negatives. more

Joint Venture has filled up their cases with such pretty and unique peices! Their staff is always so welcoming and helpful. Defenitly the place to buy jewelry for a great price! more

While the selection and variety of the jewelry in the cases was great, we were turned off by this store once we met the personnel. They were pushy and condescending and it was a little like the stereotypicalused car salesman. I doubt we'll end up back in this store any time soon. more

I recently purchased an engagement ring from Joint Ventures and ended up saving a ton of money in comparison to what I would have paid anywhere else. The customer service was outstanding, and I would recommend Joint Ventures to any young man looking to get engaged in the near future. more