This review is a long time coming! We were on the search for the perfect cushion cut diamond, Mike came through with so many quality/certified diamonds! We looked around for quite some time & Mike definitely provided the best high quality selection at reasonable prices. This was several years back now but I still absolutely love my diamond. I highly recommend talking to Mike & making an appointment. He knows his diamonds & is also fun to work with. Thank you Mike! read more

Gale Diamonds Chicago - Gorgeous cushion cut! - Jewelry Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Mike Gale is the best in the business. He's professional, honest, and reliable. I send everyone I know to him. You won't find better quality jewelry anywhere, either. Thanks for all you've done over the 30 years I've known you, Mike. read more

Mike was a pleasure to work with. Very responsive and provided a great product. I very much appreciated his guidance / expertise in the process and his trustworthiness. read more

Mike was amazing to work with from the start. He was very knowledgeable and helped me understand what to look for when buying diamonds. Gale is a diamond whole seller, and prices were better than anywhere else in Chicago / Jewelers Row... and trust me... I shopped around a lot. I gave Mike my budget and the type of stone I was looking for and when I came in for an appointment, he didn't try to up sell me, but more important than anything, he tried to educate me on what to look for when selecting the perfect stone within budget. Mike also does completely custom settings. After choosing the engagement stone and discussing the type of setting, his team drafted a mock-up CAD drawing and 3D rendering for me to approve before pouring the gold setting. The process was flawless, just like the ring. My fiancé is over the moon about her ring. I will be a life long Gale Diamond customer. Thank you for everything Mike! read more

Gale Diamonds Chicago - Brilliant oval from Gale Diamonds. December 2020. - Jewelry Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

MIKE IS THE MAN!!!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!! I am soooooooo happy with how my engagement ring turned out!!! I am very picky and gave my then boyfriend (now fiancé) a list of how I want my dream ring to be designed. Mike literally designed my ring PERFECTLY--it's better than I could ever imagined! If you're considering Gale Diamonds, definitely choose them! Here's a few other things that stood out to me about Mike & his business compared to others in the area & online. 1. QUALITY: The quality of Mikes rings are superior compared to the jewelers in the area! You can tell he only uses high quality diamonds And his ring settings look classy & seamless. When he present loose diamond options to me, all of them were great quality! It was hard to choose! 2. FAIR PRICE: He gives you the best price for the quality and doesn't overcharge you! He's fair and works well within budget. 3. HONESTY: Mike is very honest and doesn't try to "sell" you. He keeps it real with you about what you're getting. THANK YOU MIKE!!! read more

Gale Diamonds Chicago - My engagement ring Mike made - Jewelry Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Mike Gale was utterly and refreshingly honest, transparent, and patient throughout the process. He is a true throwback who listened, cared, and worked tirelessly to craft a piece that went well beyond our (admittedly high) expectations. We did a ton of research and received many referrals but stopped our search after our initial meeting with him. Mike's sole focus the quality of the stone and the overall craftsmanship. He listened intently, considered our goals and limitations, and created a design that perfectly articulated our description. No puffery, no up selling, no name-dropping, and he made sure we knew how to properly examine the stones: face down, using his tools, on a white background. Mike told us that he is only interested in making "perfect jewelry" after we asked to see lower quality, larger stones. He was right... The next day he showed me 3 larger stones of the original quality or better that he could have easily marked up and sold far beyond my budget. He truly cared about us and about making something of lasting quality and value. If you are not lucky enough to be recommended personally to Mike, consider this your referral. The engagement ring buying process is stressful and more people deserve to be treated like Mike treated us. read more

Gale Diamonds Chicago - Jewelry Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I found Mike after doing some online research regarding Chicago jewelers when I was looking to purchase an engagement ring. I chose Mike because of the great reviews he has online. Mike did not disappoint. My fiancée and I had an idea of what we wanted (diamond cut and setting) and Mike found the diamond and made the ring. He walked us through the process the whole way. Mike also worked with me on payment so that I could get credit card points for the purchase. Mike also has an "old school" way about him where things are done with a handshake which ain't around anymore which I appreciated. If you are in the market for a diamond, custom jewelry, engagement ring or wedding bands, Mike is your guy. read more

Mike is an absolutely fabulous person to work with and after meeting him- I didn't want to or need to look elsewhere. The collection of his GIA certified stones is vast and his knowledge and willingness about selection and stone setting is great. read more

I had a black opal, three weeks before her birthday and no idea of what I wanted in a ring. Mike was amazing with his advice on how to bring the most out of my stone. Fair price, great advice and he got it done on time. Thanks Mike!!! read more

I first learned about Gale Diamonds while searching the web and stumbling upon a local forum. People all over the forum were talking about how great of an experience they had with Mike Gale. Not just about how friendly he was or how much time and care he put in, but about how awesome his prices were as well. With the large amount of time I had spent online researching prices, I felt that I had a strong understanding of what a "good price" would be, so I had to find out for myself in person... Already knowing the shape she wanted and the type of setting, I set aside a Saturday to spend all day downtown going from store to store, appointment to appointment. Gale Diamonds happened to be my first appointment of the day, and the impression Mike had made on me was better than any of my other appointments that day (literally 7-8 others nearby). Mike spent over an hour with me, 1 on 1, to not only understand what I was looking for, but to educate me on what to look for in a quality stone. He would present me with a collection of similar stones, and teach me about the subtle differences in quality between them. Once I felt comfortable to think about the setting, he surprised me with more. Right in his showroom, he had a variety of options of designs to show me, but what really stuck out was his passion for custom-made engagement rings. Upon understanding the difference that he provides and getting a solid read of the price I was going to get, I set out for the rest of my day of "research". Every single place I went, I did not receive the same warm feeling, patience, or ease of conversation as I had with Mike. On Jewelers Row, it was sell, sell, sell...but not with Mike. But even moving the experience aside for a moment, the visible quality of the stones and settings offered at competing stores was sub-par compared to what Mike presented me with...and for a higher price! It was down-right frustrating to see stones that were obviously not as nice as the ones he presented me with being sold for several thousand more by competitors. Almost insulting really. By the end of my day, my mind was already made up. I called Mike hoping that he was still in for the day and just my luck he was. I headed back over and he walked me through everything from the beginning with the stone I had selected and the custom setting I chose. I actually ended up making an ATM run in order to give him a deposit because I was sold. Gale Diamonds gave me the most honest, exceptional, and warm customer service and buying experience I have ever had. Mike couldn't have been easier to work with and there wasn't a single aspect I wasn't satisfied with, including price. And, when I tell the story of this experience to family and friends, the most important thing I tell them is that Mike truly tried everything he could to convince me to spend less and save my money - have you every had a sales experience like that? My fiance loves her ring, but the true telling sign of it's quality and sparkle is the non-stop compliments she gets everywhere so goes. You can't put a price on that. Go with Mike Gale, you won't regret it for a second. read more

I chose Mike Gale after reading his reviews and doing a lot of research prior at different Jewelers, and let me tell you, you CANNOT go wrong with Mike Gale. I tend to be nervous with stuff like this, especially custom made jewelry, but I put my faith in him and trusted the other reviews, and he did not disappoint! My ring is absolutely STUNNING, prettiest ring I have ever seen. Exactly what I wanted and imagined, I got a bigger diamond of better quality at a WAY better price than you could get ANYWHERE else, and trust me I looked around for months. His rings are all custom made, and he takes great pride in what he does, he wants every customer to be happy, and cares so much about the end product. He was also very easy to work with, never made me feel pressured or anything, and gave me so much advice throughout the process. Cannot recommend him enough. You get top tier workmanship but without crazy high costs, in fact much cheaper than his competitors. Look no further, go to Mike Gale, he will take care of you! read more

Gale Diamonds is a must go for any ring you are looking to purchase, especially for engagement rings/wedding bands. I went to Mike after reading very positive reviews. The prices are great! They are sold at wholesale prices so are much cheaper for the same or better quality that you would get at a regular jeweler. There is no way I would have been able to get the engagement ring I wanted if my fiance were to have paid retail price. Now, yes, I am a female and am very picky so my fiance agreed that I could be involved every step of the way and design my ring so I did! Mike first started out by asking the budget and then showed me several kinds of diamonds. I ended up going with a cushion cut with a single halo and double shank diamond band. I posted a picture so be sure to check it out. The ring is absolutely gorgeous!! Mike is not pushy at all and doesn't try to upsell. He works within your budget and trys to get you what you want within your budget. I believe all of his rings are VS1/VS2 or above. (I don't know much about diamond quality) and all are GIA certified. My ring was appraised for much much more than my fiance paid; so a great deal! Mike/Gale Diamonds cannot be beat. When my fiance and I get married next year we are getting both of our wedding bands here. (Maybe one day he will buy me diamond earrings??!!) I will recommend Mike Gale to anyone and everyone! read more

Gale Diamonds Chicago - Ring by Gale Diamonds. This photo is taken where the proposal happened. - Jewelry Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My experience with Gale Diamonds was really amazing, from the very beginning to the very end. Patience and knowledge that I received was great. I really recommend this place if looking for an amazing ring and worry free experience! I will definitely come back! read more

I just received the most beautiful piece of jewelry I've ever owned. My boyfriend proposed with a stunning ring from Gale. The color and clarity are absolutely brilliant. The solitaire mounting is in platinum and the stone is set so that it appears to float in the setting. Aside from how beautiful the ring was the service was also wonderful. My ring was a little too big so I needed to have it sized. Mike Gale the owner took care of us on a weeknight after work - when it was most convenient for us. He's a very warm and friendly man. You can tell he loves this part of his job (seeing happy couples in love). Despite the fact that he doesn't have a jewelers bench on site, he guaranteed that I'd have my ring back the very next day. True to his word it was now a perfect fit and I only went one day without it. All his diamonds are GIA certified and from what my fiance' told me the selection of loose stones was plentiful. Mike took the time to really educate him before they began to search for the perfect stone. I'd highly recommend Gale and look forward to going back to him as the years go on. Don't worry honey... I won't expect that anytime soon. LOL read more

I got my engagement ring 5 years ago from Gale Diamonds and I still get 5 star customer service. The owner Mike will always take care of you! My husband was referred to Mike by a friend and was very satisfied with the selecting and designing process and the engagement ring is stunning. Post-ring purchasing, anytime I've had cleaning or maintenance needed for my rings, I always get quick, efficient service and my rings look brand new. We always encourage any friends looking for engagement rings to meet with Mike. I look forward to when my husband will purchase another piece of jewelry from Mike (maybe some earrings?? ;)). read more

I was shopping for a ring for my girlfriend and heard about Gale Diamonds through a friend. Gale Diamonds is a small diamond broker located in the Chicago Diamond District, specializing in custom engagement rings at wholesale prices. Mike Gale, the owner of the establishment is a warm and friendly man devoted to offering his customers quality GIA certified diamonds combined with hand-craft rings and other jewelry at affordable prices. Mike took the time to educate me on the intricacies of diamonds and what to look for. We spent a bit of time going back and forth on some designs that my girlfriend might like. Mike's guarantee was if she wasn't happy, you could come back and get a new one at full value. Needless to say, I took him up on his offer and sure enough, my now fiancee was floored. We're very happy with our experience at Gale Diamonds and will most certainly go back. read more

In short: Hard to imagine doing better than Mike Gale. I am an exceptionally picky shopper and had a great experience. I bought an engagement ring for my fiancee from Gale Diamonds last Spring, and couldn't have been happier with how it turned out and the purchasing experience. It felt like I was buying a ring from my uncle. Spending that kind of money isn't easy, but after meeting with multiple jewelers multiple times each, I felt confident that working with Mike was by far the right choice. I found Mike himself to be patient, authentic, and trustworthy. He is confident that he can offer you the best product for your money, and it shows. He doesn't use high-pressure salesmanship at any stage of the process, something that I valued highly. He spent a lot of time offering information about diamonds, settings, insurance (something he didn't directly benefit from), etc. Beyond the experience, he has a huge array of high-quality options at prices that other jeweler's couldn't match. Any kind of stone, any kind of setting, he can do it. Initially I thought this might be too good to be true, but once you meet with him, it's a bit easier to understand how he keeps his prices lower. He runs a very minimal, no frills shop. He keeps his overhead costs low by working out of a condo (rather than a storefront) and employing exactly one administrative assistant. He does all of the sales himself, so there's not an extra layer of commission to inflate the price. My advice to those shopping for engagement rings: 1) Do your research about rings/diamonds online before meeting with anyone in person. 2) Find the 3-4 jewelers (no more) with the best combination of ratings/reputation/price (Yelp is actually decent for this). If If you know what you want, call ahead and let them know so they can prepare accordingly. 3) Meet with them in person, and compare products, prices, and service. If you don't feel comfortable somewhere, drop it. In my case, even the next best jeweler (a highly regarded one with decent prices) was a distant second to Mike Gale. 4) Get everything in writing. On his shop: You will not get the typical jewelry shop vibe from Gale Diamonds. Just go with it. He works out of a condo converted to an office in Jeweler's Row. There is no smooth jazz playing in the background. He will not offer you wine (he will offer you a bottle of water). No frills, just good service and good prices. I will be buying my wedding bands and any future jewelry from Mike, and I will send all of my friends to him as well. read more

It is not horrible but I would sincerely recommend going elsewhere. My fiancé and I turned to Mike because we wanted a custom ring. It took a few appointments for my fiancé to order a ring. The custom made base was not cheap and despite my husbands requests they made it a size bigger and with a random beading on the sides that my husband specifically asked not to do. After receiving the ring we were very disappointed and went back to Mike. We asked to remake the ring, I described EXACTLY what I wanted. Mike's assistant took me to the shop where they make the rings. I described it to the jeweler and he said it could be easily made. A week later I got a call from Mike to go back to his office and describe the ring again. We went through all the details and he promised he would make the ring I asked for. Over a month later my husband went alone to pick up the ring and Mike charged him all over again. I would be completely fine with it but they made almost the exact same ring again. None of our conversations were taken into consideration and we got charged twice!!!! So bottom line, my advice it if you do decide to go with Gale Diamonds, PLEASE document all your requests! Make sure you have proof or you will be charged multiple times and end up disappointed. We were really hurt by this experience because an engagement ring is so important for a bride and after spending triple the price it actually costs we just can't afford to remake it. It felt like a scam to be honest. So just be aware. read more

My experience with Mike was as good as it gets. I discovered Gale Diamonds in a magazine article, and after shopping around at a few other stores for a diamond/engagement ring, I made an appointment to see Mike. I knew nothing about diamonds going in to it, other than basic research that I had conducted on my own through reading about diamonds online. Mike did a fantastic job of explaining all of the details of what makes a great diamond--not only with regard to the "4 C's", but other things such as the dimensions and cut of the diamond. Prior to meeting, Mike asked what my budget was, and upon arrival he had picked out 4 stones that he thought could work for me given my budget. The stones he selected varied in carat weight, color, clarity, etc. After our first meeting, I left without purchasing a diamond, but before I exited the building I decided he was the person I wanted to use to purchase the diamond and ring. I came back a week later, and Mike had set aside all the original stones that we had looked at. He also showed me a few new stones and at that point I made the decision to purchase the stone. We then talked through all the details of the ring and what I wanted. We discussed everything from shank width, to the diamond size in the halo around the center stone, to the details of the crest holding the center stone. Mike created a fully customized engagement ring for me at a very generous price. I picked up the ring 3 weeks later and couldn't believe how great it turned out. The ring he created for me vastly exceeded my expectations--it was perfect. After getting the ring, I couldn't even wait to propose to my girlfriend. So two days later, I popped the question. She was ecstatic and couldn't be happier with the ring that Mike was able to create. Simply put, my experience with Mike and Gale Diamonds was amazing. I would highly suggest anyone who is looking to purchase a diamond and/or an engagement ring setting to go through him. read more

I can't believe how long it's taken a year to write this review. I was referred to Gale Diamonds through a good friend, and decided to stop by when it came to buy an engagement ring. I'd stopped by a few place previously, however I definitely received the most helpful service from Mike. He took the time to educate me and learn about what I what I wanted. Gale Diamonds is in the Jewelers Row area of Chicago, in an apartment. I assume that this is to cut own on overhead, which for jewelry shoppers translates into savings. I felt I got an exceptional product at a great price, with help, not pressure from Mike and his staff I would absolutely recommend Mike & Gale Jewelers to those about to take "the plunge". read more

I had a really great experience working with Mike. I brought in a picture taken off my girlfriends pinterest (super low quality image and not a common design) and he took that pic and turned it into a custom design mimicking what I was looking for. The diamond selection process was also fantastic, what I like about Mike's approach is hes not trying to sell you he really wants you to make the best choice. He offered several diamonds to compare and even offered lower grade diamonds to look at so he could point out what flaws looks like to the naked eye vs under the microscope so I could visualize what to look for in the diamonds. Very happy about the diamond I chose and Mike kept everything within my budget. The ring also appraised for several thousand more than I paid, Mike handled all appraisals and GIA certification. My fiance loved the ring when I proposed and while it was a tad big we came back for a resize at no charge to us. I recommend Mike Gale to anyone looking especially if you are feeling lost in the ring search like myself. Thanks Mike! read more

Gale Diamonds Chicago - Jewelry Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I went to Mike after reading some extremely positive Yelp reviews. Before I get into details, let me just say that my experience with Mike was exceptional, outstanding, and overall highly positive. I would recommend Mike to anyone looking to get a quality diamond ring at an honest and fair price. Mike Gail is a soft spoken man with a calm demeanor and gentle personality. On the phone, he was patient with me as I fumbled to find a time to meet with him. In person, Mike is gracious and very pleasant. He operates his business out of a renovated condo that has a very inviting and cozy feel to it. Mike greeted me at the door and as soon as he invited me inside he offered me bottled water. He is a seriously kind businessman who knows how to make his customers feel comfortable. As for atmosphere, the waiting area featured large leather couches and a center coffee table with 3-4 picture books featuring name brand jewelry and design ideas to help us craft the perfect engagement ring. Very nice feel and very welcoming environment. The whole place is covered in thick carpet and has very high ceilings. Mike is very straightforward and personable. He helped me find a beautiful diamond in my price range. We looked at several different cuts and he was extensively knowledgeable about everything. Mike is an honest and caring person, he made me feel like I was buying a diamond from a close relative. After we found the perfect diamond we started looking at ring/band options. All I wanted was a minimalist design showcasing one solitary diamond. Once I gave him this information, he focused exclusively on finding a ring to fit the style I wanted. Mike is not the kind of salesman who tries to up-sell more expensive items or change your mind so that he can sell you something less than perfect. His customer service is impeccable. When Mike and I had finalized my diamond ring needs, he let me take my time to process this purchase and never once did I feel pressured or rushed to make a decision. I felt very respected by Mike, and I know that I received a quality diamond at a very fair price. I am extremely satisfied with my experience. For all future needs, I will only shop here. There is no one other than Mike Gail that I will trust with my jewelry needs. read more

Mike gives you what you want/ need for a great price with extraordinary service. His experience and knowledge gives his customers access to the right diamonds for them. I love my simple band ,1ct round diamond engagement ring . It sparkles across the room. Three years running on wonderful continued care, too! I recommend Gale Diamonds to everyone. We are Lucky to have found him read more

Great diamond dealer on jewelers row with better prices than the fancy stores at street level. I recommend.

This review is long overdue. It's hard to give Mike Gale and his team 5 stars because they did above and beyond 5 stars; I would have to give them 10 stars for the smile my fiancee gets every time she looks at her ring. Mike was easy to work with and very trustworthy. Being on Jewelers Row can give consumers a "bait and switch" feel but rest assured, Gale Diamonds is by far the best jeweler I've worked with. My entire $10K++ purchase was done through email and the phone, that's how well respected Mike came when i first reached out. Mike created a custom design based on what my fiancee wanted. 1.8MM instead of 2.0 MM band, specific prawns, etc, etc. Mike delivered everything and delivered it on time. Honestly, words cannot describe how easy the process was. Being my first (and last) engagement ring purchase I consulted with multiple jewelers, no one came close to what Mike delivered (financially and aesthetics). I even brought the invoice Mike gave me back to one of the jewelers just to show them I wasn't blowing smoke. If you're looking for a customized, one-off ring, look no further. read more

It has taken me forever to get on here and write a review for Mike, but I had to eventually do it. I first met with Mike back in early January '14 to discuss engagement rings. Just a few minutes into the meeting, I knew Mike was my guy. Since my fiance was not involved in the process (I wanted to surprise her) I was a bit nervous. Mike and I met multiple times in order to discuss our options. The particular type of diamond I wanted is tough to find, and Mike went above and beyond to locate not only the perfect diamond, but the perfect diamond that fit into my budget. That is one thing he is adamant about - working within your budget. Mike brought this diamond in for me, and didn't ask for a penny, although he had to front the money to bring it in. I decided to go with the diamond, and he and I worked on a design together. We went through a couple of drafts and finally settled on the perfect ring. One short week later, my ring was completed. Went in, took a good look at it, and paid in cash. Mike was willing to offer a cash discount, which was very nice. Overall, just an awesome experience. My fiance loves her ring! We will absolutely be going back to get our wedding bands. Buying an engagement ring in Chicago can be intimidating, but Mike is the guy to work with. read more

Actually to tell the truth we had the worst experience ever. The stones we were looking at were not the grade he was selling us. Nothing but lies after lies. What was supposed to be a happy experience we were miserable going to him!! He was very rude to my boyfriend and made Nasty comments to him. Very un professional. So I would never in a million years would ever tell anyone to go there Ever!!!and I gave 1 star cause I couldn't give 0 !!!!!!!! read more

Buying an engagement ring is an important time in a man's life, and it can be extremely stressful as well. Mike took me in and made the process as easy and stress-free as anyone possibly could. I needed to get my girlfriend into a couple of custom jewelers to get some ideas. I made a few appointments throughout the day. Gale Diamonds was our second stop, and though I didn't show it at the first consultation, I knew there was no reason to continue on with any other jeweler - Mike was the guy that I wanted to build our perfect engagement ring. Mike took as much time as he could to explain what he does and how he does it. He presented many samples in different styles and price ranges. He also went over all the certifications, and explained what affects the quality of the stone. My girlfriend wanted a design similar to a ring she loved at Tiffany's, but I was not going to pay double just for the name. I showed Mike some examples, and he went straight to work on the design process. At the end of the consult, he literally told me, "I know what you want, don't worry, and I'll have your ring for you in two weeks."It seemed to me that Mike was a bit overconfident, but I suppose that is what over 25 years in the business gets you. I am usually very good at knowing when someone is trying to pull one over on me, but there was nothing that led me to believe this was the case. Mike had me very comfortably convinced. I had to be in Nashville to start on a record the next day. After two weeks I returned and stopped in to see Mike. He had pulled some strings to get the price down where I wanted it while getting me a slightly larger center diamond. I had to say that I was impressed. The ring was unbelievable, and even better than I had expected. When my (now fiance) saw the ring, she was completely blown away. I would recommend anyone pay a visit to Gale Diamonds. Mike is full of class, knowledge and talent, and he will make your experience worth while. His prices are right on point, his product is second to none, and his eye for perfection is evident in every piece he creates. read more

I can't say enough good things about Gale Diamonds! Absolutely THE BEST place to shop for a diamond in Chicago; this is what the experience should be! I made appointments at three Chicago "jewelers row" shops to purchase an engagement ring diamond. Of the three, only Gale Diamonds impressed me with their service and their attention to my wants and needs. I was looking for something a bit uncommon so I knew that finding the perfect stone, or even options, would be a challenge. I had sent a list of what I was looking for in advance; on the day I came to the city Steve (Mike's protege, it would seem) had 6 stones waiting for me to view, all of which were gorgeous and met my every desire. By comparison one of my other appointments ignored what I asked for completely, and the other only had two stones available for me to look at, one of which was out of my price range. I suppose that there must be someone, somewhere, who actually enjoys being perched on a stool under unnatural lighting in a typical jewelry showroom. For the rest of us, however, there is Gale Diamonds. Located in what is essentially a spacious apartment and operating by appointment only you won't find rows and rows of mass market jewelry, but you will find personal attention and a clean, calm, comfortable setting in which to make a momentous purchase. Mike and Steve are both knowledgeable and extremely helpful - there is absolutely no pressure at Gale Diamonds. They had several light sources, backgrounds, 10x AND 20x loupes available - everything about the experience was a cut above anything else I encountered on jewelers row. When it came right down to it I saw two stones in Chicago that day that could have been "the one" - one from Gale and one from another jeweler nearby. Even if the "other" stone had been bigger/nicer/cheaper I'd still have purchased from Gale because NO ONE even came close to the service I got from Steve. I didn't buy a setting at Gale as I already had other arrangements, however I have no doubt that their services in that regard would also be top notch. Mike even offered to give me trade in value for some gold I had. If I'm ever in the market for custom jewelry I will absolutely, positively, return to Gale Diamonds. read more

Mike is the best, plain and simple. A kind gentleman that helped me pick out the perfect, and I mean perfect, engagement ring for my fiancé. Mike brings a wealth of knowledge into his work and is more than willing to work within established budgets and other constraints to make the magic happen. Couldn't recommend him more! read more

Let me just start out by saying that Mike told my fiance countless times that my engagement ring would be Perfect. Well, he was right. It is PERFECT! I wouldn't change a thing about it. My fiance and I both agree that if we could give Mike Gale more than 5 starts we would. I was involved at the very beginning of the design process, sharing my ideas, likes, and dislikes. Mike made sure that my fiance stayed within the initial budget he set, even when my fiance wanted to spend more. I think that says a lot about Mike. The process for me was actually fun; I really liked being part of the design process. For those of you curious about the process, it looks something like this: 1. Meet with Mike and discuss what you are looking for, possibly even buy the center stone from him (that's what we did). 2. A CAD drawing is produced by his designer based on what you discussed or sketched. Again, we brought a picture that he went off of. 3. After you approve the CAD drawing, a wax mold is made. You meet with Mike and his designer and try on the wax mold. This part for me was difficult, only because it is hard to visualize what it is going to look like when it is wax. You can make tweaks if you so desire. We did and a second wax mold was made. After you approve the the wax mold, a casting will be made. 4.After we approved the second wax molding, a casting is made, but my fiance actually just told me that he never saw the casting, which proves how much he trusted Mike. After the wax molding, I was no longer involved in the process. When my fiance picked up the ring, it was put in a beautiful box and the rest is history. I would encourage people to use Mike if you want a PERFECT piece of jewelry. You will receive excellent service and the finished product will be of the highest quality. I can't say enough good things about Mike Gale and we will be going back to Mike for our wedding bands and future pieces! read more

My fiancé proposed about six weeks ago with an absolutely gorgeous ring that he created with Mike Gale. From what he described to me, his experience was educational and pain free. Mike listened to exactly what he wanted from his budget to his vision and built the most beautiful engagement ring with a brilliant princess cut center stone. I could not be more pleased with my ring. I get tons of compliments from friends who know nothing about fine jewels to professional jewelers that always point out the stone's quality and sparkle. It really is the most sparkly diamond I've ever seen. But, what I love the most is that it was designed and created just for me and nobody else in the world has it. I highly recommend Mike Gale based on the product I received and the experience my fiancé had working with him. After all, it can be a stressful time on a guy when picking out and designing something so important while trying to keep it a secret! We will definitely be returning to Mike Gale for our wedding bands. Thanks Mike!! read more

When it came time to get an engagement ring, I, like many other people, went on yelp to check out the top rated places. All in all, I went to 7 of the top ten rated places on yelp. I made formal appointments, explained what I was looking for, etc etc, and in the end in came down to two places that I felt were absolutely honest and trustworthy. Gale Diamonds and Mike won out. The first thing that came across about Mike was is utter honesty. I work in marketing and I'm familiar with all of the sales techniques- from the start, Mike explained his philosophy on diamonds and bands. He was patient and understanding, and went out of his way to get 5 diamonds, when he didn't have any in stock that met my needs. I should mention that he procured the 5 diamonds without a full commitment from me to work with him. I chose one of the five, a band design, and two weeks later ended up with a gorgeous engagement ring that my fiancee absolutely loved. After spending 3 months going through this process, I'm convinced that I got a great deal- Mike's final price initially came in under the quote he gave! The only slight downside (being honest) was that I was doing more of the follow-up with Mike instead of the other way around. But that's minor, minor nit picking. Go with Mike and you won't be disappointed! read more

I went to Mike in the first place because of all of the stellar reviews. Not sure about everyone else using Yelp or other peer review sites, but I tend to be somewhat skeptical of anyone with a 5 star rating. Either my expectations are too high when I try a restaurant or retailer, or most times few deliver a 5 star product or service. Having said all that, Mike deserves my first, and possible last, 5 star rating on Yelp. He was patient, helpful, fair and delivered exactly what he said he would. "This engagement ring will be spectacular...", and it was. read more

I can't recommend Mike enough. I visited multiple jewelers on jewelers row, and out of all the jewelers, he was the BEST all around. He is extremely knowledgeable (many years in the business), personable, and cares about his customers and ensuring you're satisfaction. His prices were very competitive and far less than comparable jewelers who have to maintain a large store presence. Mike is a one man shop, with an office in a condominium building. Keeping his overhead low allows him to pass savings onto his customers. The only thing to know is that you have to be prepared to buzz up to get into his building from the street, and it can be loud with the trains running overhead (difficult to hear and buzz up). Mike was very patient with me, working with me on multiple factors important to me. All around an A+++ experience! read more

The best! My fiancé and I met with Mike early on in our ring search. He has a small office in the Chicago diamond district. He is a really nice, honest jeweler, with extensive knowledge and lots of patience. I did some comparison shopping and his price was the best by far. He took his time with my setting (I changed my mind several times!) and hevwas always available to discuss options and ideas. In the end, I am so in love with my ring. It is 100% perfect and better than I could have imagined. I really dislike dealing with salespeople and hate the feeling of getting ripped off. I couldn't be happier that we found Mike - he is honest, helpful, and not the least bit pushy. We wil definitely be repeat customers. read more

Great Service! I recently purchased my (now) fiance's ring with Mike. I had been to 20-30 different jewelry stores throughout Chicago, and I was really looking for someone who I felt comfortable with. Most importantly, I was looking for a straight-shooter (for lack of better words) who was not going to overly sell himself and give me the typical high-ball prices. I knew from the first time I met Mike, that I was going to enjoy working with him. I could tell he was an honest business man and wanted to provide the best service possible to all of his clients. Things I liked most about Gale Diamonds? 1.) Mike. Mike is an all-around good guy and never tried to sell me something I could not afford. He also knows his quality. If you're interested in a non-certified or EGL Diamond, keep looking. Mike only deals with the highest quality, GIA certified stones. 2.) Little negotiation: On our first consultation, Mike gave me multiple options and gave me his lowest possible offer. He also included the custom ring and sales tax in all proposals. There was also no mention of the infamous rapport report, which most of you in the market know is extremely inflated and is where everyone starts for negotiation. 3.) Custom work: Mike custom makes all of his rings. Once we struck a deal, he had a wax mold created within a couple of days. From here we were able to make revisions as needed. 4.) Third party appraisal: Since purchasing a diamond can be quite the daunting experience, Mike suggested I get my diamond appraised by a third party gemologist to cool my nerves. Everything checked out perfectly, which made my decision that much easier. All in all, I would recommend Mike to anyone in the market for a ring or a diamond. He is extremely professional, honest, and thorough. Regardless on whether you decide to go with Mike in the end, it's at least worth exploring. Trust me. read more

Mike is a very knowledgeable, patient, and trustworthy man and was a pleasure to work with. The process was incredibly smooth from start to finish. I called Mike and told him what I was looking for. He called me back and we set an appointment for me to come in and look at 5 different stones that fell within my parameters. They were all stunning. There is no pressure to work with him after the appointment, but you'll probably want to because his diamonds are the best, his prices are fair, his attention to detail is impressive,he takes pride in what he creates, and you'll never feel pressured. After I chose the stone, I sent Mike some pictures of what I wanted the setting to look like. He had CAD drawings done and it was exactly what my fiance wanted. He had the setting cast and set the stone very quickly. The end result blew me away, and my fiance was speechless. Save yourself the time and go to Mike from the start. read more

This review is long overdue, but I would be remiss if I didn't express how much of a breath of fresh air it was to work with Mike Gale when buying my fiancee's engagement ring. I went to nearly every store in the circus that is Jeweler's Row. Mike Gale by far had the most integrity, knowledge, and class than any other jeweler I dealt with. And since he doesn't have a huge staff to pay as overhead, you get a pretty darn good deal too. The quality of his diamonds were unmatched. He spent the time to educate me on diamond quality and value and was very patient with my questions. After two visits, I picked out a gorgeous stone which Mike had set in one of his custom mounts. Now, nearly 8 months later, she still gazes at it in amazement. Mike Gale is an honest businessman who treats his business and his customers with class and respect. I couldn't be happier with my experience and the results. I will recommend any of my friends who are in the diamond ring market to go see Mike. read more

I just want to thank everyone at Gale diamond for being so educational and fair and customer service oriented. We didn't buy or sell or anything but he treated us with respect and made time with us to discuss our options. Thank you so much!!! read more