I was excited to see if this shop had an onyx lamp, as I've been searching out the right one for my extensive collection of rock and gem specimens. I had a budget of about 1000$ so I just knew I'd find one. I did! It had no price tag on it anywhere. My husband very carefully started to lift the side to see if it was underneath. The owner I'm assuming, a wretched woman with silver hair, proceeded to treat us like toddlers. She rudely chastised him loudly. We don't pick that up! She yelled. He immediately let it go. Then, she could have recovered and made a sale. Look, I get it, it's expensive, but you don't have to act like a banshee. But no. She stuck with being rude. I'm sorry he said, she said, loudly.... THATS WHY WE ASK. That was it. I was done. She tried to recover saying, well it's $650, soooo.... Like we couldn't have afforded it anyway. This is the second time I've had a bad experience here, with that same woman. I gave it the benefit of a doubt, but she's just a rude jerk. The prices here are ridiculous. I could buy the onyx lamp online for about 250-450, but finding the specimen and supporting small business is the reason I don't. I won't be coming back here. read more

I brought in an earring that needed a new post. Kim, the owner, told me it would be three weeks and it would cost about $80. (Foolish me didn't get it in writing). They send all jewelry repairs out to who knows where to get the job done. It took over six weeks and at least 4 unanswered phone calls. I finally got my earring back, however it cost $120 to replace a simple post. So, beware, get an estimate in writing. Kim was full of excuses why it took so long when I finally got a hold of her. I will NEVER go back. The jewlery in the store is pretty, but the customer service sucks! read more

Buyer beware! My husband and I purchased each other's anniversary gifts here. He bought me a Maine moonstone bracelet for about $300 and I bought him a labradorite ring for $250. Upon giving him the ring, I discovered it was too small. We brought it back to have it resized, and I asked how much it would be be enlarged (it was sterling silver). The young lady working there gave a general ballpark of $75, but said it could be more. When it came back from the person to whom they send jewelry for repairs, my husband went to get it to find out it was around $200! I could have purchased a whole new ring for that. We felt like we'd been really screwed over, especially after having spent a substantial amount there between the two of us. I pointed this out to Kim, the owner, and she did not seem to care about our displeasure, even in spite of our saying we would not shop there in the future. Nonetheless, we eventually ended up going back, as it is slim pickings around here in terms of shopping, and especially when it comes to jewelry. Well, you know how the saying goes: "Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me." We looked around as my husband wanted to get me something for our anniversary once again. Amid talking with Kim, I was looking at aquamarine pieces and she admired my aquamarine ring. I showed her how the setting needed fixing and she suggested that her guy could fix it. Leery from our last experience, I asked her how much it would cost. She said she didn't know, but could call us with a quote once the guy looks at it. Somehow we were foolish enough to leave my ring. One week passed, then two, then three....we called and left a couple of messages with other people and they said the guy hadn't gotten to look at it yet and would give a quote when he did. Here is where I reveal that I'm a much-despised PFA (person from away), and say that anywhere in New Jersey, I could have walked in and out with the ring fixed the same day. What on earth could take someone so long to even look at a ring and give an estimate is utterly incomprehensible to me. How does one do business this way? I finally called after about a month and asked about my ring and if we knew what it would cost to fix. The woman on the phone asked Kim in the background and she became angry, saying, "No. No," in the background. Are you for real?? She then got on the phone in a very nasty tone and told me that it wasn't back and she still didn't have a price, and that she'd told me the guy is very busy, etc." I told her I would be in to pick it up and she very curtly hung up. My husband went to get it and she was very unpleasant to him. This is what we get for spending a significant amount of money in this business--no appreciation for customers. Not to mention that most gemstone shops I've been to in other places are run by spiritual types who are in tune with the positive qualities attached to the various stones. When I asked about things like this there, I got a blank stare. Word to the wise, especially if you're a tourist or PFA who has come to live: STAY AWAY. The owner seems to enjoy taking people's money, but that's where the superficial kindness ends. read more

I purchased two Maine tourmaline rings from Kim and after a few months of having them the stones became loose and one fell out. I brought them in and she assured me that she'd have them repaired and that her jeweler is new and still learning. 8 months go by and no response after trying to get ahold of her at the store. I was finally able to get my rings back after 8 months of her holding onto them and she lied about sending them out to her jeweler in NH. I love to shop local, however after this awful experience I will never be buying from here again. read more

I've heard mixed reviews among the locals but beautiful items and great service. The prices are not great - I have seen far better, even in the major epicenters of universal overprice that are Boston and Manhattan (I haven't jewelry or crystal shopped in the other boroughs; but if you're local to either city, I can name more reasonably priced outfits in the outer Metrowest of Massachusetts and also Montclair, New Jersey). So, I could give four stars cause of excessive pricing BUT I am choosing five because the gorgeous earrings I got were not OUTRAGEOUS in cost either, and it's a local place, in a "summer" area (tourists) with not a lot of onsite retailers anywhere nearby to compete. Among other reasons, such as, I have had several compliments continually on them for over a year, and I wear them quite frequently, too. Therefore I can definitely attest to quality and aesthetic. I am a sucker for what I like to the point that I have spent, all told, at least $500 to repeatedly replace gemstone jewelry I love from a different retailer - and if you're judging me, I kind of think I am crazy for it too ha! The point being . . . the prices here are absolutely above market (in literally ANY market if we're comparing them to Boston and NYC) but so is the craftsmanship and design appeal. Service has always been great. I go back several times a year, so if you're considering it, it's absolutely at least worth checking out. read more

We were in the state of Maine along the coast from Portland to Bar Harbor and inland to Augusta and visited several "so called" gem shops. Some of them were far from worth walking into but Benett's outshown them all! It has friendly service and was well organized. The shop has a very good selection of tumbled rocks, natural specimens, cabochons, and beautiful jewelry. If you want Maine's watermelon tourmaline this is the place to go. I was in the business and highly recommend it, don't miss it! read more

Love this beautiful store. Great selection and everyone who works there is so helpful. We were there a couple of years ago and the two purchases I made are items I wear every day! Looking forward to visiting again when we're in the area. read more

Bennett's Gems & Jewelry - My favorite heart! - Jewelry Near Me - Belfast, Maine

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On the surface, Bennets Jems and Jewelry looks perfect, but underneath it all, the owner herself couldn't care less about you. The reviews up to four years ago tell a similar story to our experience. We purchased an engagement ring New Years Eve 2022. I changed my mind, and wanted to return it. They have a no returns policy, which I fully respect. So Kim (the owner) said don't worry, you're in the best hands with me. What a horrible lie that was. She offered to make us a "custom" ring in exchange for the ring we purchased. Turns out she doesnt offer fully custom, only partial custom. You're limited to a book of options for the ring base, but Kim will find you a stone at your request. We asked for a teal sapphire stone with moissanite for the accent stones on the band. She promised it would be finished in 2-3 weeks based on what we wanted. We were over the moon excited. Sadly we were filled with false hope, and this was only the beginning. THREE MONTHS LATER, she was unable to find the sapphire, came up with so many excuses I can't count as to why one hadn't been found, so we ended up finding a stone ourselves (We purchased the stone from a man she said she "works with all the time", but she never found this stone herself?). We gave her the stone the same day we bought it on March 18th. TWO MONTHS LATER, on May 19th the ring was finished. We go to pick it up. Not only did she go over our set budget, after driving 5 minutes down the road, I see THE STONE IS CHIPPED. We turned around, showed Kim, she said again, don't worry you're in great hands. She'll get it fixed. She never apologized, never took responsibility for her contracted jewelers breaking my stone. She texted me almost 1 MONTH LATER, June 7th, "Hi Krista, we expect to have the gem cutter done with your stone within 2 weeks. Then it will be reset and ready to wear. I'll notify you as soon as it's back in my hand." TWO MONTHS LATER I asked for a refund since I hadn't heard from her; she refused stating "I just went to a gem show and spent all my money for my business". I asked again over a month later for a refund and shockinly, after I reached out, the ring was magically finished. I JUST received the ring today, October 7th. It has been TEN MONTHS when this whole thing was promised to be 2-3 weeks. Kim has constantly put the blame on us from day 1. Telling us we need to be more patient when we only ask for updates after it's well beyond the timeline SHE provided us, saying we don't understand how busy the jewelry business is, constantly blaming "its Mothers day things are busy", "It's summertime things are busy", saying it will be perfect and we'll forget all about this. This has been a NIGHTMARE. Do not buy custom jewelery, do not get jewelry repaired with them. Read the other 1 star reviews. We're not alone. Kim wears a very pretty mask, but she is a horrible woman and does not know how to treat others with kindness. She needs to learn she is not the only one dealing with the stress of life. Absolutely abhorrent business owner. read more

I love Bennett's. It's one of my favorite spots in Maine to buy jewelry and gifts. It's nice knowing that some of their pieces are crafted by store employees! On my recent trip the clerk complimented me on my tourmaline ring, which had been purchased from there a few years ago. One of my favorite aspects of Bennett's is that they sometimes offer a three for the price of two deal on their earrings. I find their prices to be reasonable (earrings that aren't in the case range from around $20-75 and they have some nice beaded stone necklaces under $100) Other interesting merchandise includes fossils and book ends made from geodes. Bennett's is a great place to find gifts for all genders and ages. read more

This little shop is tacked onto Perry's Nut House. We stopped in after visiting Perry's and my husband bought me a ring. The salesladies seemed to know a lot about crystals and the different stones. We didn't get all that much help from them because they were busy with a couple of high-maintenance customers. I tried on about a hundred different rings! I really wanted something with my birthstone (peridot), but the only one I found that I liked seemed to be cracked. They had jewelry at every price range. I would definitely pop in next time we're in the area! read more

For many years we have vacationed in Belfast Maine. The highlight of our trip is always the beautiful breath taking views of the ocean.The 2nd highlight is visiting Bennetts Gems and Jewelry! Kim is wonderful and The staff is so helpful and knowledgeable. There are so many treasures at Bennetts! Over the years our vacation have always been recorded by the beautiful pieces I have collected from there..Maine turmaline pieces done by Kim and no two are the same.I have even contacted her at Christmas for presents and she has always been helpful and sent them to me.I can't say enough wonderful things about this shop! My true Maine treasure! I added a photo of my beautiful pendant my husband bought me this year it is a one of a kind piece by Kim ! In the shape of a heart how perfect is that ????? read more

Bennett's Gems & Jewelry - Ocean treasures - Jewelry Near Me - Belfast, Maine

I needed service on an old wall clock that was ~not so valuable~ but very valuable to me and my family. It was time to pass it from one generation to the next and the clock needed cleaned, minor repairs and adjustments to prepare it for transport to the next generation. Daniel Beaton of Matters of Time, took the time to do the work and do it well and never once suggested the clock was not worthy of being well taken care of. He even said "it is a privilege to be part of this family's story and this clock is priceless." After initial inspection he quoted the price and a time frame for the work and he kept his word. How many people do we meet in this day and age that care not only for the quality of their work, but the worth and value of the customer? I highly recommend Daniel and his work at Matters of Time. read more

Bennett's is awesome. This store has local charm, is reasonably priced, and is stocked with beautiful inventory. The great part about this store is that it's worth coming here if you're just browsing OR if you are looking to buy some jewelry or cool gemstones. I look forward to returning to Maine so I can come back here! read more

This is a review for the gold buying part of their business. I going to begin by saying that I was wrong not to do my due diligence before selling my gold. I made a mistake and sold some gold for 1/2 of what I could have gotten for it if I had sold it directly to a refiner. I called the next day to try to buy it back, was willing to pay 50% more to buy it back. I was told that the owner would not be in for another two days and that the gold would still be there during that time. I waited and called back first thing the morning I knew the owner would be in. I was told that she was with a customer and would call me back as soon as she was through. I never heard back. I called again the next day before and got the answering machine and left a message saying that, even if it was against their policy to sell gold back to customers, it was very discourteous that I never even heard back from them. My disappointment is not so much the extra 2 weeks of pay that I would have had in my bank account but the fact that the owner never returned my call. In short, do not sell your gold to them, they will not give you a fair price. In this case "seller beware". read more

I got a beautiful gem necklace here for my Mother-in-law in Africa! She was so excited when it was given to her and she put it right on and wears it every day and tells everyone in the village that her great daughter-in-law gave this to her from Maine USA. Thanks for allowing me to be able to purchase and send to her. Your merchandise is great and reasonable. Patricia Fatty read more

I recently had the pleasure of dealing with Bennetts. Unfortunately I was not able to go to their location in Maine, due to the fact that I live in Massachusetts. But when I called I spoke to Kim, she was more than helpful in helping me find what I was looking for, very pleasant to deal with. And helped me find a piece of Tourmaline that I was looking for. It arrived in a beautifully wrapped package. The piece is lovely. I hope in the future to have more dealings with Kim. it would be wonderful in the future if I had the opportunity to visit in person. thank you so much for all your help. Paula read more

I wanted to sell some gold and silver. Owner said she was too busy preparing for an event so she would take the items in and get back to me soonest. After several follow ups, she got my stuff back to me. Each call I made was met with excuse after excuse. THEN she had the nerve to write a note with yet more excuses, telling me she was doing me a favor by not charging me postage to return my stuff. WHAT?!?!? I see the commercials constantly on TV. Here's the deal: word of mouth based on good service and professionalism are far more effective and far less expensive. I will NEVER go back! read more