After purchasing what was supposed to be an antique engagement ring online, I noticed what was delivered didn't seem to match the description. After freaking out for a bit, I found Aurum through reviews online and called the store for an appraisal to confirm my assumptions. Paul was super nice and accommodating on the phone and we set up a time for me to come in so he could take a look. Paul was able to appraise the ring, and gave me a signed write up specifically calling out how what I received was not what was described, allowing me to get a full refund from the online store. I really enjoyed the look of the Aurum show room and my experience with Paul, so I wound up calling back to set up an appointment to have my fiancée come to the store with me to pick out a ring after I proposed (Paul had actually offered to loan me a ring free of charge for the proposal, but I wound up using the one I got online before returning it). Paul set up a private showing (a little over an hour) with just us a week after the proposal (she said yes btw). I had talked to Paul earlier in the week to let him know that my fiancée was looking for something vintage or antique and my price range. When the day came, we showed up with a bottle of Prosecco and had a glass (or two) while Paul guided us around the show room based on her preferences, letting us know the background/history behind each ring he had (and keeping the prices between him and myself). My fiancée wound up picking a ring that neither she or I would have thought she'd want before she tried it on, which was a kind of cool bonus. Overall, Paul was able to turn me getting more or less scammed online into an absolutely awesome experience that both me and my fiancée will remember for the rest of our lives. Couldn't recommend Aurum more. read more

I visited Aurum last fall to find a stone for an unusual ring setting, out of which I had accidentally smashed a gem. This particular setting is indelicate, Byzantine. Even as I admired the stones Paul Michaels suggested and presented for me to play with, I could not imagine how any stone I selected could be mounted without leaving unwanted evidence of the work. At this point, I made an already difficult job impossible by finally choosing a very old but not perfectly round ruby -- that was too big. It was also too strangely beautiful for me to allow it to be cut. I could envision the stone in my setting, and it was like something belonging on the hand of princess from an ancient era. But there was just no way. No way in hell. An admittedly first-world sort of heartbreaking commenced, which I believe Paul Michaels enjoyed more than a little bit, while also seeing my misery as a challenge he couldn't resist. He took my setting, scooped up all the stones, kissed my cheeks and sent me away. The next time we met, it was as princess and the archeologist who rescued the ring from my imagination and returned it to me. The uncut ruby and unblemished setting were perfectly married and intact. Paul made my ring so gorgeous and correct, it probably belongs in a museum. I took a not insignificant amount of time with Paul, having hilarious talks and doing this business of the stone and the ring. I found his prices absolutely reasonable at first, but when one takes into account all the experience he brings and education he shares, not to mention the surpassed expectation of the results, I think a case could be made that he's doing it for the sheer naughty fun of it. read more

After scouring jewelry stores around Buffalo looking for an engagement ring, I'd begun to give up the idea of finding something my girlfriend would like that's also unique and notable. I stopped into Aurum on Elmwood on a whim, and immediately found this place different, charming and sophisticated. I spoke to Paul Michaels, the owner. I gave him a broad idea of what I was looking for, and he promptly showed me a ring that not only fit my criteria, but also was unlike what I've seen at any other jewelry store. Paul proceeded to work with me to get the ring I wanted with the limited budget I had, all in a time span that worked for when I was planning on proposing. The customer service at Aurum stands apart from everywhere else I've been. Paul has an old-fashioned sense of customer service, being personable, flexible and insightful with every customer he speaks to. You feel cared for and respected during the process (I've found jewelry salesman at certain chain stores to be less helpful and somewhat inflexible). It may seem frivolous to some, but I find great value in the experience of getting a ring for my wife, along with the ring itself. I'm so glad I found someplace outstanding, interesting and unique to play a part in this chapter of mine and my wife's story. Paul was invaluable in finding the perfect ring and crafting the perfect experience for us, and I've since gone back to him for wedding bands and Valentine's Day gifts, always getting thoughtful insight and accommodating service. Aurum is definitely an ongoing Buffalo treasure. read more

Planning a wedding during the pandemic has been, at times, a disheartening experience. And rightfully so. With so much happening in the world, it's tough to lose yourself in the dreamlike and magical journey that your wedding should be. Thankfully there is Paul Michaels and Aurum Jewelers who have inserted some much-needed escapism into our love journey. My fiancé and I have had a wonderful time working with Paul on our rings. I inherited my engagement ring and wedding band which Paul expertly and tenderly cleaned, transforming them from family heirlooms to constellating show pieces. My fiancé was looking for a midcentury wedding band and Paul conjured some magic by pulling the perfect piece from one of his vaults. But possibly the most rewarding experience has been going to Aurum Jewelers on Elmwood in Buffalo. My fiancé and I lead busy lives and are very grateful for those moments when we can just shut off the world for a little bit and immerse ourselves in the wedding experience, and that's exactly what it's like stepping into Aurum. You feel as if you're floating in the perfect dreamscape, which was exactly what we needed. Surrounded by elegant jewelry and soothing classical music, it's as if you're in a movie and you're the star. Paul caters to your every need and with his encyclopedic knowledge, you're in very good hands. My fiancé and I highly recommend Aurum Jewelers. Paul re-electrified our wedding journey and we are so very thankful. read more

I happened upon Aurum Jewelers while searching for a reputable and experienced jeweler to resize an engagement ring that I had purchased online. Paul was able to get me scheduled in during the hectic few weeks before Christmas, and suggested installing a ring band so that I could present it to my girlfriend on Christmas Eve. The ring band was sized to match a ring she wore on her right hand, so later we brought the ring back to see if he would resize it to fit her left hand. The ring had 38 small diamonds inlaid on the band and Paul was very forthcoming about the likelihood of the ring falling apart resizing it down 2+ sizes. Nonetheless, he graciously agreed to do it for us when other jewelers wanted nothing to do with it, assuring us that when it did fall apart he would simply put it back together again. Paul is pleasant to work with and throughout he ensured that we would both be satisfied with the finished product. He was also very accommodating with my predicament, and provided the professional advice of a skilled jeweler on how to proceed and what to expect through the process. The price for the service was more than reasonable, and the end result exceeded our expectations. Not only did the ring look stunning, he went so far as to also replate it with platinum making it look like a perfect, brand-new ring. The shop does get very busy at times, but it is well worth the patience and we certainly will stop by again in the future. read more

When I got engaged almost two years ago I didn't know where to take my ring to have it sized. It is a family heirloom and I didn't feel comfortable taking it to a chain jeweler. I decided to take it to Paul Michaels at Aurum and this experience turned into one of the nicest retail experiences. He took such good care of my ring, is so knowledgeable and so kind. His attention to detail is unparalleled as is his gift of people skill. Most jewelry stores I've been in have made me feel a little out of place, usually I'm going there after work or in between errands and not dressed to the 9s- Paul has always made me feel so welcome and never judged! Last year when I went to pick up my newly sized engagement ring I fell in love with a ruby ring for my soon to be mother in law. I filed it away in my mind for when an occasion came. This mother's day I wanted to make it special as she's had a very rough year. I didn't expect it to be there anymore and couldn't quite remember which one it was. The day before mother's day on a whim I made a last minute appointment. Not only did Paul accommodate me with an appointment, he worked with me on my budget and remembered which ring I'd looked at, more than a year ago. I don't often write reviews but there is truly something special about this store and this gentleman. If you are looking for a special something for your special someone you'd be remiss to go anywhere else. Thank you so much Paul! read more

If you are looking for a highly personalized shopping experience offering the finest jewelry selection and expert customer service in Buffalo, look no further than Aurum Jewelers. From the moment I was first buzzed in through the heavy brass door I was greeted with a welcoming smile by Paul Michaels, the store's sole proprietor. I was instantly amazed by the large selection of vintage, estate, and custom designed jewelry available at Aurum. Diamonds, pearls, precious gemstones, and antique silver are all beautifully displayed in cases throughout the store. Aurum is a truly special shopping environment and feels like a high end New York boutique. When choosing my wife's engagement ring, Paul provided expert consultation and was a very trustworthy businessman. He also designed a gorgeous custom wedding band to fit perfectly with my wife's vintage Art Deco style ring. Paul is a class act and provides an incredible level of service not commonly found in today's retailers. His attention to detail is evident from the sophisticated decor of the store to his perfected gift wrapping technique. I have since referred many friends to Aurum, and all have echoed my positive experience. Whether it be for a last minute gift for that special someone or designing the perfect engagement ring for your bride to be, Aurum has it all. I now consider myself to be an Aurum customer for life, and would encourage you to become one too. read more

This past summer I decided to propose to my girlfriend. Her family had an heirloom diamond -- originally part of a brooch, then made into a pair of earrings -- from her great grandmother that we intended to use for the ring. The diamond earrings were old enough that we had no idea who the original jeweler was. So, knowing Paul's stellar reputation, I decided to ask him if he would do the honors of transforming this heirloom piece into an engagement ring befitting my wonderful bride-to-be (fingers crossed). Paul was outstanding in his service in every possible way. First, he lent me his superlative knowledge of fine jewelry, walking me gently through the basics of cut and clarity and making suggestions about the best setting for this particular stone. Second, he fast-tracked a process that usually takes several weeks just to ensure that I could propose on the date I had in mind. He truly treats his customers as friends -- every interaction is personal and thoughtful. Later, Paul and his stellar team appraised the value of the ring for my fiancé for insurance purposes, again lending expertise and an interpersonal approach. My girlfriend said yes and we look forward to heading back to Aurum soon to purchase our wedding bands. Paul has made us customers for life and we wouldn't think of going anywhere else. read more

Went to get my wedding ring resized. When we got there we where greeted by a great guy Paul. as we find out he is the owner of this beautiful building. Now i was a little worried that maybe he wouldn't want to be bothered with my little ring seeing the very VERY nice jewelry he had in there. But he was excited about sizing it and he even stated that when he was done with the ring that I would not recognize it.. at first I was thinking how would I not recognize it from a resize job?? So he told me a couple days he would have it done. A couple days later he called me stating it was ready to be picked up so my wife and I went to get it. Now back to the not recognizing it part...when he brought the ring out me and my wife where shocked! I didn't recognize it lol!! It actually took a few seconds to realize it was in deed my wedding ring. Paul went above and beyond a simple resize. He added platinum to the ring for an added wow factor and is it ever! Then he even took my wife's rings and cleaned those so we could kinda match....but mine looked better haha! I will definitely recommend Paul at Aurum Jewelers what a awesome experience AND we where able to support a small business seeing that we are a small business also that was super important! read more

If you're looking for an engagement ring, do yourself a favor and go to Aurum. I'm so glad I went here instead of some mall chain. The service was truly exceptional! Paul went so far out of his way to accommodate my busy schedule. I initially went searching for a vintage ring, but one of his custom designs caught my eye. When he offered to create a custom ring in that same design just for me I knew I picked the right place. I let him know my price range and he worked with me to pick out a truly high-quality stone from his inventory. I had a short window of time to work with, and Paul made me a stunning and unique ring just before my girlfriend and I left on a vacation we had planned. I got to propose in the unforgettable, romantic setting just I hoped to - and she absolutely loves the ring!! (And so does everyone else!) Paul was so knowledgeable about everything and really made me feel like family. There's no way my proposal plans would've gone so smoothly if I went somewhere else. I'm forever thankful I went to Aurum for my engagement ring! read more

We recently had the pleasure, during a four-day trip to Buffalo, of shopping at Aurum and dealing with that gem of a jeweler, Paul Michaels. Our daughter had had her ears pierced a few months earlier, and we were able to look at earrings made of varying stones (we chose amethyst) from a substantial, fairly-priced inventory, which also included all sorts of items beyond our immediate interest - which we would love to revisit in the future. Mr. Michaels is a talented and experienced jewelry designer, and my immediate inspiration for this review is that our daughter wore one of his creations the other night while out on the town with us in NYC. It's a simple but perfect set of jackets that may be added to any stud earrings to transform them into something more interesting and elegant, an obvious choice along with the earrings we purchased. I must say her transformed earrings were amazing - a wonderful find! read more

Paul created my engagement ring and wedding band! After getting quotes from a dozen jewelers in various cities (from Buffalo to NJ), we chose Aurum Jewelers. Paul offered us an incredibly reasonable price, and we were very impressed with his prior work and his 45+ years of experience. When we were designing the ring, Paul was very patient and knowledgable. He was always available to take my calls and kept me informed throughout the process. Paul actually returned my call over a holiday weekend just to keep me updated about the status of my ring, which demonstrated his strong commitment to his customers. Paul worked tirelessly to ensure that my ring was "perfect" and that I was completely satisfied. The final product is absolutely stunning and is everything I hoped it would be (and more). Paul does amazing work, and I can't imagine getting my engagement ring from anyone else! I'm so glad that we chose Aurum. read more

I normally shop around for large purchases to make sure I'm getting what I want for a good deal, but this was a one-stop-shop situation. I was looking for a surprise engagement ring for my amazing girlfriend (now fiancée) and found Aurum Jewelers online. Paul immediately made me feel at home despite my dismal knowledge of diamonds and engagement rings. He spent hours teaching me all there is to know about the subject so that I would have a very good understanding of what I was buying. He really took care to listen to what I was looking for as well. I could not be happier with the final product he created for me; absolutely stunning. My fiancée obviously feels the same! Even though I started my search for a ring knowing close to nothing, Paul made it such a friendly, easy, and exciting experience. I would definitely recommend Aurum to anyone who really wants a great experience buying a ring. read more

Paul created my engagement ring and wedding band! After getting quotes from a dozen jewelers in various cities, we chose Aurum Jewelers. Paul offered us an incredibly reasonable price, and we were very impressed with his prior work and his 45+ years of experience. When we were designing the ring, Paul was very patient and knowledgable. He was always available to take my calls and kept me informed throughout the process. Paul actually returned my call over a holiday weekend just to keep me updated about the status of my ring, which demonstrated his strong commitment to his customers. Paul worked tirelessly to ensure that my ring was "perfect" and that I was completely satisfied. The final product is absolutely stunning and is everything I hoped it would be (and more). Paul does amazing work, and I can't imagine getting my engagement ring from anyone else! I'm so glad that we chose Aurum. read more

I brought in an 18K gold ring which I purchased in Jerusalem 30 years ago, which was custom made for me. It contained an embedded antique Roman coin which fell out of its setting after having been "fixed" by a conventional jeweler several years ago. The ring and detached coin then sat in a jewelry box for a couple of years. I had heard of Aurum and Paul Michaels over the years, his shop always having stunning reviews, so I decided to let him have a look at the ring, and agreed to have him repair it. The finished product looks and feels wonderful, the coin of antiquity and the gold pedestal having been carefully cleaned and burnished to reveal the subtle detail of the two thousand-year-old coin surface. The mounting was polished to a brilliant golden hue. Paul was a pleasure to work with - very kind, down-to-earth, and reasonable in pricing for the work. I highly recommend him. read more

Absolutely love my new ring! Absolutely love the customer service!! I went to serval other places and felt very unwelcome. This place was the exact opposite experience. I was more than welcome even on a budget. I went to buy myself a nice birthday present and was able to find a lovely beautiful ring just to my liking. Paul very helpful. They do alterations right in store so you don't have to wait weeks for resizing or adjustments. The owner Paul knew my birthday was on Tuesday (Nov 3rd) and had my ring perfected on Friday (Oct 30th). I went there late Tuesday night the 27th and couldn't believe how fast my ring was ready. I'm so happy I can wear my new ring on my birthday and so unbelievably happy the customer service was outstanding. I would absolutely recommend everyone come here here for their jewelry purchases or adjustments you will not dissatisfied. Thank you Aurum Jewelers! read more

From start to finish, Paul Michaels, the owner of this wonderful jewelry store, had gone through many great lengths to ensure I had the best experience possible in finding the engagement ring that fit my expectations as well as my budget. Though only having been to one other jeweler, I can say confidently that you will not find better service nor the level of meticulous care that Paul puts into his work. During our first meeting, I had communicated to him what my budget was, and what kind of ring exactly I was looking for. Paul did not beat around the bush--long story short, I had gotten exactly what I was looking for in a matter of a handful of separate short meetings. He made the process of ring-hunting completely stress-free and an exciting experience at the same time. I highly recommend this place! I will definitely be coming back for my bands! read more

Aurum is one of my happy places. I am not someone who buys a great deal of fine jewelry, but if an occasion arises, Aurum is where I go. The shop is elegant and quietly apart from the hurley-burley of Elmwood. Once through the door, it's like stepping into the past, as there are many, unique vintage pieces in the collection. And these pieces are all thoughtfully and artfully displayed. Paul, your guide to this beautiful world, is warm and very knowledgeable. He listens and suggests, but never pressures. He's funny and wise and he tells good stories. He understands that jewelry buying is an experience and makes it so. Three years ago, he restored an antique ring for my husband and I, and just recently he helped me select and acquire a gorgeous aquamarine ring that I have been dreaming of for some time. Aurum is a gem of a shop. read more

Aurum Jewelers saved my wedding day! I ordered my vintage wedding band from The UK, and it was stuck at customs for so long that it almost didn't arrive in time. But Paul Michael assured me that he could still get it polished and resized in time. Not only did he get it done in only a few days, but he made my well worn ring look brand new. He was also very honest about the condition of the very old diamonds (two of them had a tiny chip in them) and didn't try to upsell me to replace the two flawed stones. In fact he encouraged me not to replace them! We also had work done on my husband's vintage ring, which had several pretty bad gashes in it. When Paul Michael was done, it looked absolutely perfectly brand new. Aurum exceeded my expectations in every way and I would highly recommend them. read more