I hate leaving bad reviews, but this is necessary. Poor communication. Way overpriced- other jewelers and experts have gone so far as to say I avoided a scam when I showed them what he wanted to sell me and told them the prices. Nolan didn't actually want to include any of my design ideas or requests and wasted my time. He really ruined my whole experience in creating a ring and blew the secret of my intention to propose by outright talking about the ring project when I brought my partner in to look at other jewelry for another occasion. It took a lot to recover the magic and excitement once I moved on to another jeweler. Nice enough guy, but I wouldn't go back. read more

I have been going to Deep River Jewelry Design for over 20 years. The new owners/operators (Nolan, Ginger & Saph) are an absolute pleasure to work with. They made us a white gold sapphire & diamond ring with matching earrings. Their craftsmanship is only exceeded by the customer service. read more

Deep River Jewelry Design - Custom sapphire & diamond ring - Jewelry Near Me - Deep River, Connecticut

Very nice owner and helpful in services for getting help with repairs. Very trustworthy person

Deep River Design continues to exceed my expectations! Talented jeweler and outstanding service! Stop by to browse or buy some really cool gifts or spoil yourself. It's worth the trip! read more

Shopping for the perfect engagement ring can be an intimating experience but Lisa and Russ made things easy, comfortable, and memorable. After a very bad experience at a chain jewelry store (high pressure selling - felt almost like a cult), my fiance's mother recommended I try something small and local, she recommended Deep River Design and I ( and my fiancé) could not have been happier. They have an amazing and beautiful selection of jewelry to choose from and after one trip we found the perfect ring to order within my budget. We ended up with a Gabriel & Co. 14k white gold split shank setting consisting of 31 small diamonds ( 1/2 karat) with a pear shaped aquamarine as the center stone. Needless to say, she said YES while we were camping in Cape Cod, and thought the ring was absolutely gorgeous . I can't wait to introduce her to Lisa and Russ because they were so instrumental in the proposal. I would highly recommend Deep River Design and I know for a fact we will be coming back for our wedding bands and any other jewelry down the road! read more

I have known Russell and LIsa since 1994 when I bought my first piece of Jewelry there. I have NOT shopped any place else since. Deep River Design Jewelry is quality and exquisite. I own at least 11 pieces of fine jewelry including rings, pendants and earrings. Both Lisa and Russell have spent much time listening, designing and creating beautiful pieces for my collection. I have also referred several friends who have not been disappointed. I can't say enough about the two of them. I trust them and their opinions, exclusively. read more

I've been meaning to make it over to Russell Cunningham's shop forever (Deep River wins Best Jeweler on the-e-list Readers' Poll every year!), but it wasn't until I had a custom piece in mind that I stopped by. Russell has been crafting jewelry in his studio in Deep River for 35 years and in-the-know brides-to-be head here for his elegant and timeless engagement and wedding rings. Not only will you find his own creations in the showroom but various other hand-picked jewelry designers, too. I had a wonderful time ogling the gorgeous goods in the shop (the guy can make anything!) and blabbing with Lisa, Russel's wife who runs and buys for the shop. Russell cost out the piece I had in mind and I was delighted by the price: lower than I expected and he'll have it in time for my daughter's graduation. Shhh...it's a secret! read more

A friend of mine suggested that I go to Deep River Design when I wanted to change a broach that my grandmother gave me into something (sorry Gram) that I actually wanted to wear. I am usually apprehensive about going to places that I haven't heard of before, but she was so convincing, especially when I saw the ring that she had made there! The place looked like a colonial or Victorian house which me caught me off guard since I was expecting something like I see in the mall. But when I walked inside, I was pleasantly surprised me! Their gallery is amazing!! The walls have beautiful paintings by local artists and their jewelry cases are filled with beautiful rings, necklaces, and earrings. Oh, and I was greeted by the cutest little dog at the door and a very nice woman who made me feel right at home. She was totally non-intrusive which is great because I have been in other jewelry stores and they have always made me feel like a criminal who needed to be watched and was followed around or would not leave me alone to browse their selection and kept pestering me with questions. But at deep river design, she asked if I needed any help and patiently waited while I looked over their beautiful selection and portfolio. When I was finished looking, I told them that I was looking to change my grandmother's broach into either a necklace or break it up into earrings and a ring. The on-site jeweler took what I told him and turned my ideas into beautiful sketches, each one containing different variations of what I had told him that I wanted. Each one was amazing and I was blown away by the fact that he was able to take my ideas and turn them into something that I would wear! He is currently working on the transformation, and I cannot wait to see the final product! They keep me updated with the progress and make sure that I have been involved with every step. Cannot wait!! Sooooo excited! Will update when I get this back and let you know what I think! read more

The last thing I would ever want to do is leave a negative review about a local business, however, I feel it is my duty to share my extraordinarily odd and unpleasant experience so the same doesn't happen to someone else. I called this business ahead of time to set up an appointment and ensure they were able to meet my needs, then brought my simple platinum wedding set in to Deep River Design for a basic sizing. When the 'master jeweler" (I only know this because he made absolutely sure to tell me his title several times) believed I only needed the ring sized up 1/8th of a size, I had doubts. I called the same day and asked to come back in and be re-measured before they did any work, had a conversation with the female owner, and she agreed to wait before beginning the sizing process. However, much to my surprise, before I was able to make it back in to the shop, I received a voicemail from her saying that my set was done! I was stunned, and honestly, in tears! How could it be that they are SO busy that my message got...lost in translation somehow? I'm still not sure. After an unpleasant conversation with the male owner, with not even a hint of apology for their bizarre mistake, I made an appointment to go back in and pick up my rings. They did not fit, the shop did not do what I asked at all. The male owner continued to lecture me on his "expert skills"--however I'd like to share that this was some of the worst customer service I have ever received anywhere. He even had to the nerve to say he wouldn't charge me! Needless to say, if you have sentimental jewelry or heirlooms, be sure NOT to bring them here. read more

Very, very disappointing experience with the owners of this jewelry store. I took two rings in on October 28 for some design ideas as well as an estimate. First impression of the owners, store, were extremely positive. We were waited on quickly, agreed on a quick and simple design. I was told they would call with an estimate. Fair enough and expected. Two weeks went by with no call. Finally in week three I called-they had no idea who I was! Thankfully I had a receipt. They said they'd call right back. That never happened and I rushed down there to see what was going on. The owners wife pulled out my rings and explained that we would need to go with a commercial band. I agreed that was fine bi was told they'd call in a couple of days. Nothing. My husband went there today to retrieve the rings. The owners wife knew who he was and actually thought that the ring was done!!! My husband explained that we'd never heard from them. Their response was, 'was your wife in a hurry?' No kidding! No apology and no basic CUSTOMER SERVICE! I wouldn't go back there if you paid ME!! read more

Professional friendly service- I have purchased beautiful jewelry and had some of my favorite pieces updated - the work was top notch! I would recommend checking out Deep River Design! read more

Much like my engagement, I've procrastinated writing this review because I wanted it to be perfect. The issue is, how can you put words in a review when you are speechless?! Russ and Lisa were able to take several rough ideas that I brought in to them and proceeded to successfully design and create the most beautiful and perfect engagement ring that I could have ever imagined purchasing. More importantly, my now fiancé was just as astounded as I was, if not more! I will never again go anywhere for jewelry unless I'm going to see Russ and Lisa. Hands down, it's not even an option! I urge anyone who's on the market for a piece of jewelry to stop in to Deep River Design, you will not be disappointed!! Thank you Russ and Lisa for being able to make an engagement as perfect as anyone could ever imagine! 10 out of 5 stars all day long!! read more

Russell and Lisa graciously helped us maneuver an engagement ring disaster with a different designer, offering a free inspection and instructions detailing how to void the transaction. After being instrumental in resolving the issue that had nothing to do with them, they made a great quality custom engagement ring at a better price and much better quality than the original. I can not stress the level of professionalism they showed enough and continue to show as we will be going to Deep River Jewelry Design from here on in (wedding rings are currently being made). Russell and Lisa are exactly what the larger chains are not; caring, professional and unique. They are the perfect example of the value of buying and supporting local artists and craftsman; they care about you and work hard to make sure that you walk away a satisfied, happy customer. I wish we went here first! read more

I recently had an engagement ring made Russ at deep river design. He spent a large amount of time planning out the design with me. He educated me about what things are important when creating an engagement ring. He was a pleasure to go to and the ring came out better than expected. I will absolutely be back for the wedding band. read more

For many years, I was unhappy with the setting for my engagement and wedding rings. After viewing Deep River Design's website, including pictures of Russell's beautiful custom ring designs, I stopped-by the shop. I was immediately impressed by Lisa and Russell's friendly, advisory, professional and consultative approach to designing new rings for me. In addition to offering custom design services, their shop has a complete inventory of truly unique, artistic, quality jewelry....including some very special estate pieces. My new rings, made by Russell, are beautiful. (In addition, Russell sized several rings for me.) There is much at the shop to see and admire, and the atmosphere and service simply could not be better. read more