My partner and I are getting eloped in Vegas later this week, so we were in a time crunch for…read morewedding bands. Luckily, we found this amazing gem of a store in Oak Park. Jose greeted us immediately and helped us find the perfect ring for my fiancée. I described what I wanted for myself, and he said he would be able to customize one of the available bands to what I had in mind. One hour later, I had exactly what I was looking for. He is a fantastic jeweler! The experience was completely relaxed, and he did not try to upsell us. I was pretty nervous about cost since this is all very last-minute, but we actually came out under budget. We are extremely happy with the rings and will confidently recommend EcoKarat and Jose to our friends and family.

These reviews can be difficult, especially when they're critical. My impression is that EcoKarat is…read moreprimarily a jeweler, and I don't know anything about that part of his business. This review is only about watch repair. Further, different people have different ideas about what constitutes watch repair. Personally, I don't consider replacing a watch strap or bracelet, or replacing a battery on a quartz watch to be "repair". Many of the reviews here seem to be about that type of work, but that's not what this is. My watch was losing a minute a day, and I brought it in hoping the cause could be identified and corrected. EcoKarat does not do that kind of work. They send it to someone else to do the work off site. That's not uncommon, but usually a shop will tell you that's what's happening *before* they take on the watch. I didn't find that out until a couple of days later when I called to ask about the status of the work. Now, I could probably stop there. From a certain way of thinking, this isn't really a review of EcoKarat, but a review of the shop he sent the watch to. But it was EcoKarat that told me they would do the work. And it was EcoKarat that told me they needed to hold onto the watch for a few more days to make sure it was "running perfectly". His words, "perfectly". And it was also EcoKarat that told me the watch was ready. Unfortunately, when I picked it up and brought the watch home is was no longer 60 seconds slow, but about 50 seconds fast. The TLDR at this point is as far as functionality goes, for several reasons I wouldn't recommend taking your watch there. But if you're looking for a little more detail, or maybe you've bought a mechanical watch and you're wondering how to tell who to trust, let's go over some of the red flags I should have noticed while this was going on. 1. Ask if the work is done in house. If they send it to a 3rd party, you're probably paying extra for the process (the middleman). What's more, if anything unexpected comes up, they only know what the 3rd party told them. They won't be able to answer any questions the way the person who did the actual work could. You're also usually taking on a day each way sending the watch to the 3rd party. 2. Magnets are bad for mechanical watches, and we live in a world of magnets. Your computer, phone, microwave, even parts of your car...lots of magnets! If your watch is close to a magnet frequently or for extended periods of time, it can become magnetized and run slow or fast, or even fast one minute and slow the next. Luckily, demagnetizing a watch is simple and easy if you have a demagnetizer. The process takes about 5 minutes, so if someone tells you they need a few days, something's not right. Either the problem is not magnetization, in which case you want to start asking how much the work is going to cost, or someone in the process doesn't know what they're doing. 3. Mechanical watches have a "movement" which is basically the motor of the watch, and it winds from the movement of your arm. Mid-level watches ($1,000-$3,000) promise somewhere between +/- 5 to 15 seconds per day for their movement. Nothing you can wear on your wrist keeps perfect time. Even quartz watches lose or gain a little time. So, if someone tells you your watch is running perfectly, you might want to ask them to explain what "perfectly" means. On the other hand, if someone tells you your watch is performing within its capabilities, but it's well outside the stated accuracy range of the movement, you might want to take your business somewhere else. 4. Checking how a watch is running is typically done with something called a time grapher. You clamp the watch down on a sensor pad and it "listens" to the watch like a stethoscope listens to your heart. Almost immediately a panel tells you how fast or slow the watch is running, the "rate", the "amplitude" (degrees of rotation of the balance wheel), and something called the "Beat Error", which is often described as the difference between the "tick" and the "tock". Getting a reading is almost instant, and time graphs aren't expensive. Watch repairers have them so they aren't just letting the watch go ticking away and comparing it every few hours to another timekeeper like the one on your phone. That takes a lot of time. So, if someone is telling you they need more time to make sure the watch is functioning right, either they are very busy, or possibly they just don't have the tools you'd expect them to have. To be fair, it could be that the watch repairer is "Adjusting" your watch. That can take some time, and you can Google that to understand what a tedious process it is. But even so, they should be explaining that to you if you just thought it was getting demagnetized, and that's definitely not what happened with my watch. Thanks for taking the time to read this. Automatic watches can be fun, but they need some love. Hopefully this can help you identify people you can trust.

I've been to this jewelry store twice in search of specific pieces. The first time I went there…read morethey took the time to show me a book of designs for the piece I wanted. I had been looking at other places online to compare quality and prices but figured I would stop by not only to see a couple things in person but also to support a local small business. After looking at the book and choosing the piece I wanted we talked pricing and I noticed it was significantly more expensive than a similar piece at another jewelry in Chicago that I had seen online. I showed them the piece from that jewelry store which had all the details with the intention of getting something similar there and they just told me their price was lower because it was very "low quality gold". Now I was a bit confused considering the fact that the piece I chose from their book of deigns had the same type of gold and everything. I said I would go to the other store and check their quality to also compare pricing and I guess they got offended? I actually got the piece at the other jewelry store since it was the same quality, way lower price and they had it there ready to go. Yesterday I decided to give them another shot as I was looking for an engagement ring for my girlfriend. Same thing I did some research before heading out and had a couple of pictures with me of some rings on my girlfriend's Pinterest. As I walked in the same gentleman was there with his wife, I told them what I was looking for and they told me, "that's too expensive we know you're not able to afford that". I should've walked out there but I asked them about a couple rings and the customer service was horrible, the wife kept rolling her eyes and it was just a very uncomfortable situation. I asked if I could see the rings they had there and she told me to they were locked up in the safe. I asked them if the diamonds came with some type of certificate or warranties and the gentleman rolled his eyes and said, "warranty?! What for?!". Usually even Kay jewelry give you the option to purchase something where you can take the ring to clean or protects the diamond, that's why I asked. After such horrible customer service and feeling like I was trying to get hustled I told them I would shop around. The lady told me, "next time you come in here be ready to buy don't just come and look". As a customer I think we all have the right to shop around and compare quality and prices for anything, not just jewelry. I don't think a customer should be judged based on the way they dress, age, race etc. When they told me they knew I couldn't afford it I held back from saying anything disrespectful. I will never step foot in this establishment again, all they can offer is bad customer service, high prices for no apparent reason, and judgements. You'd figure an establishment which once owned two different jewelry stores and has had 45 plus years of experience would have better values.

The owner is extremely rude was not willing to help me. I told him what I was Looking for and ask…read morehim if I could See the cross pieces he has because I was looking to buy something today and he just refuse to help me after telling me that he does have cross pieces but didn't want to show me nothing. Then when I ask Him about chains he was not willing to show me nothing. I'll definitely not recommend this place. Not people friendly

This place has amazing Customer service and even when i get a loan they call me if i am extremely…read morelate, i mean business is business and at one point ( if no one comes back for their items) they have to pull it,but they work with a person here and actually care...

This place will not only give you a loan or buy the stuff you need to sell to pay your overdue…read morerent, but they fix jewelery and watches. We came in to get the battries replaced for our watches and within 15 minutes both batteries were replaced for $7 each and we were on our merry way. Besides the usual pawn shop fare, this one had plenty of DVD's and CD's on sale too, some for about a buck a pice. If you're leery about pawn shops, and you should be, at least give this one a try next time your priceless gold chain breaks. They'll fix it in no time and you'll still have enough cash in your pocket to buy some used movies.

I bought my fiance an amazing and unique engagement ring recently from Gino at Marry Me Jewelry,…read moreand it was perfect! The ring came out better than I expected and the whole staff was extraordinarily helpful. The service was quick and I got it back faster than I thought. The entire process was easy and I was guided the whole way from a true expert. 10/10 across the board, I give this place my highest recommendation for anyone seeking engagement rings, jewelry, watches and any other similar items!

THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE MEN WHO WANT TO FIND A GREAT WEDDING RING…read more If you're looking to buy a wedding ring and don't know much about the process, GO TO GINO JR at Marry Me Jewelry. I walked in not knowing much beyond the basics, and Gino immediately made me feel comfortable and confident. He took the time to walk me through the 4 C's in a way that was easy to understand and never overwhelming. What really stood out was how collaborative he was throughout the entire process. He did not just try to sell me a ring. He asked thoughtful questions, laid out different options, and helped me compare them in a practical way so I could make an informed decision. He was patient, straightforward, and focused on making sure I felt good about the choice I was making. Gino is also just a great guy. Super personable, honest, and responsive. Anytime I had a question, he was quick to get back to me and always willing to explain things clearly. At no point did I feel pressured or like I was paying too much. He made sure I felt confident that I was getting the right ring at the right price. The end result was a beautiful ring that my fiancée could not be happier with. I highly recommend Gino Jr. and Marry Me Jewelry. If you want someone knowledgeable, trustworthy, and invested in helping you get this important purchase right, he is your guy.

I had been working with a family owned jeweler that had been in business for 80 years. They retired…read moreand my diamond came out of my engagement ring. Bella Cosa is close to my home but is a big store with a couple locations. I felt a little intimidated but the minute Mary approached me I was all at once calm. She seemed knowledgeable and ready to help. She got the quote for repairs. The repairs are done on site. My ring was ready a day before I expected and it was $100 less than I was quoted. I highly recommend Bella Cosa. Ask for Mary!

After our favorite jeweler retired and closed his store we had to look for a new jeweler…read more Unfortunately we have found the jewelry stores in our hometown to be a bit frosty so we travel a half an hour to Bella Cosa in Willowbrook. They are so friendly, welcoming and easy to work with! I've only had repairs done and made small purchases here but they treat me as a valued customer. Samantha helped me today and she and all the staff are just lovely! Their selection is incredible both in new and estate jewelry. I'll be dropping some hints to my special guy when gifting time comes along!

Good folks fair people. catch a lick. safe fun clean friendly. neighborhood lovely…read more thanks again for excellent service

I went in the store today and joe was amazing I will recommend this pawnshop to look for good thingsread more

I took my jewelry & watches in for a simple repair & got a call the next day saying it was ready…read morefor pickup. Over the phone, I asked the woman helping me three separate times how much the repair would cost for everything. She gave me a clear price, which I confirmed again before heading to the store. When I arrived to pick it up, they suddenly tried to charge me double what I was quoted. No explanation, no apology--just a "that's the price" attitude. This kind of bait-&-switch pricing is unacceptable & completely unprofessional. I felt misled & disrespected. The repairs turned out great, I just don't appreciate the false pricing. I won't be coming back. Extremely expensive. Be very careful & make sure you get any price quotes in writing.

Apparently, this is an appointment-only jewelry store--I wish I had known that before making the…read moretrip. They don't offer in-house jewelry repair and instead send items out, which I found to be quite expensive. It doesn't seem like a place designed for new customers, so if you're not a regular, you might be better off looking elsewhere.

Too many to list. Over priced amongst other problems. You get buzzed in that's fine but you can't…read morewalk out you have to get buzzed out. Like a prison feeling. No ty I will pass not for me.

Knowledgeable and quick service. I've only used for repairs but would definitely recommend.read more