My husband and I have been coming to Rondel's Jewelry in the Los Angeles Jewelry District for 22 years. They have designed several wonderful pieces of jewelry for us, starting with my engagement ring in 1988. I have purchased so many customized pieces from them, it would be lengthy to list. But the best service I could return to them was when it came time for our sons to get married. We brought them to Rondels where Angie helped both of them to pick out wonderfully designed rings. More recently, my brother decided he would pop the question to his girlfriend on this upcoming Valentine's Day. I would never consider taking him anywhere else so off we went to Rondel's. He picked his engagement ring but then Raymonda, with so much patience and experience, brought out several diamonds of varying prices but all great quality and allowed him to decide for himself. His girlfriend has a 3.5 ring finger size so the ring had to automatically be customized for such a small finger. Raymonda told us she would have it ready in two weeks but it only took one. We pick it up later today and I can hardly wait to see the completed work of art.
After sending numerous people here, bringing my two sons and now my brother, I realized I needed to tell anyone who is seriously looking for wonderful jewelry, that Rondel's is the place to shop. When I logged on to this site and saw a poor review, I couldn't believe what I had read. Again, we have been coming here for 22 years and bringing family and friends. I have never seen or received anything less than the most friendly and professional service. Their customer service is beyond reproach and I have never had jewelry be set wrong in 22 years. In fact, I once purchased a tennis bracelet from a major jewelry store in Claremont, CA before learning about Rondel's and had to have Rondel's reset the entire bracelet because of the problems it had from the original store. The true clencher was when Rondel's told me what they would have charged for a similar bracelet. I almost choked. We paid $3,000 and could have purchased the same bracelet from Rondel's for $1,000. I truly learned a huge lesson there.
If you feel the jewelry is overpriced then shop comparisons. Mall stores cannot compare. Their pieces of jewelry might seem more affordable at first glance but once you start comparing size and quality, there is no comparison. Also when I took my brother, I wanted him to see some of the other jewelers in the district and we looked at a ring similar to the one he selected from Rondel's. There was no comparison. The quality was definitely at Rondel's as well as the best price.
As far as the negative review, I can only think that there might have been some outside dynamics going on. I've worked as a photographer in the wedding business long enough to know that sometimes you just can't please someone, no matter how hard you try. But truly, I have never experienced any of the negative issues listed otherwise I would not have taken the time to drive up to LA several times a year for 22 years and then introduce my sons and brother to this business.
Raymonda tells me and my husband that we are like her childeren. Truly, my husband walks in every time and refers to Raymonda as Mama. She greets us with a kiss and a hug coming and going.
Whether you are shopping for a high-end diamond wedding ring or simply want some whimsical and fun earrings, Rondel's is definitely worth the drive to Los Angeles. If they don't have it, they can design and make it using only the finest diamonds, gemstones and precious metals and then offer it for a great price. As for us, we have become multi-generational customers and look forward to visiting Rondels frequently in the future.
Pros: Excellent quality jewelry and great customer service!
Cons: None - we wouldn't keep coming back otherwise
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