Here is a story which although quite sad is true. When my wife and I were to wed 22 years ago she asked me what I might want for a wedding present. We were just starting out and and we both felt that for now it was best to be modest. Besides, I was marrying a wonderful woman and had most everything I needed except a practical watch. Yet, I wanted something to keep with me daily that would always remind me of her. So I said an open face pocket watch would be great.

At the time, I had been in the restaurant business over 20 years and wrist watches or the straps didn't last too long. An open face pocket watch (no cover) would be great! I could use it as a manager to time the food. And for my night time job as a musician I could "tastefully" with one hand, prevent myself from playing too far overtime. I work continuously so a good, efficient time piece is essential.

My wife went to Ben Bridge in San Diego and was talked into buying a pocket watch with a cover. The sales person said it would be much more "elegant". It was a highly impractical purchase for both jobs as it is clumsy and difficult to manage with one hand. And a broken or damaged cover (which should not be clicked closed) is hard to repair or replace. But the sales person said she could always come back and have the cover removed. A ridiculous idea but a good sales pitch. My fianceé had her doubts but, "all right" she said and paid cash with her very, very hard earned money. (Later on I was to learn how much of a sacrifice it was).

Meanwhile, the out of state wedding was quickly beginning to unravel due to bad vendors, coordinators and failure of family volunteers to follow through. So my wife presented the watch early. Not wanting to hurt her feelings I said nothing yet she suspected something and decided to return it or have it adjusted. No way they said. No returns or exchanges. It was quite another story from what was previously related. So we went somewhere else for the rings and everything else we needed.

My fianceé and I arrived on site early and pulled it all together except for the photographer. In short, it was a comedy of errors. (It was never a question of money, just poor professionalism and incompetence). The honeymoon was also postponed due to international events and work. And we returned to San Diego for another reception (in original costume) on the hottest day since 1910. Some times, no matter how hard one tries, things never go as planned. But a wedding is a very special time and things connected with it should always bring fond memories .........not sad and bitter ones. We have not returned to that jewelry store and never will!

Oh yes, and what of the watch? It couldn't be returned and remains in the original box 22 years later, tarnished and to be used "nevermore." But it was great story and is a continuous "black eye" for Ben Bridge when told jokingly both on stage and off. It is only a question of "time" before this jewelry store closes for good.

Ben Bridge has beautiful diamonds! My husband bought my engagement ring from them ten years ago. We've traded up from 3/4 to 1 1/2 carat 4 years ago and have been pleased with their trade in policy. I also own their Ben Bridge Signature diamond earrings and a right hand heart shaped diamond ring. I would never buy diamonds from any other jeweler!

We bought my engagement ring in the BB store in Oregon. It was sold to us with a crooked setting. When my fiance told them it was crooked, he was told he had a good eye and only the manager could usually see those things.

When I took it to the Bellevue Square BB, she told me it was not crooked, it was an "optical illusion." I was then told the diamond was too big for the setting and that was why it looked crooked and hence the "optical illusion." They advised it was impossible to be reset on the same ring. I was obviously not satisfied with this.

After numerous phone calls to the original BB in Oregon and being told the ring could be reset and what Bellevue Square told me was a bunch of bull, I took it to the University Village BB in Seattle (I did not want to go back to Bellevue Square) and was told I could have it reset on a new ring with the old diamond or have a whole new ring. Not happy with either choice due to the sentimental reasons of it being my engagement ring, I chose to keep the diamond and have it put on a new ring. I was told it was as good as new when I picked it up.

Fastfoward to six months later, and I am not without a ring because the diamond fell out! Six months later! When my fiance called to tell them at University Village BB, they told him "Gold has a memory, and it went back to the old way and that is why the diamond fell out!" Can you believe it? They then told him if he would have bought it in platinum, this never would have happened! Luckily I found the diamond, but I do not trust them at all to have it reset.

I WOULD NEVER EVER RECOMMEND THIS PLACE TO ANYONE.

The only reason I gave them one star is because the design and style of ring is beautiful and I love it. Otherwise, I would have given it back and got a whole new ring.

Good luck and shop there at your own risk!

Bad service!!! They don't care about anything but the sale!

The store that is near where I live is run by idiots. Maybe other locations are better. My fiance and I bought my wedding band there, we considered buying the engagement ring there too, but my soon to be mother in law said not to, and I'm so glad she did.

Months later I am working in a department store and transfer to the fine jewelry department. We get in a new diamond tester and for the fun of it I start testing the wedding band they sold me and low and behold a bunch of the diamonds test fake!!!!! (I haven't had anything done to the ring except clean it myself ... so I'm the only person to handle it)

So I go back to ben bridge to tell them about it and they take the ring, huddle in a corner then announce that it didn't test fake for them and tell me to basically go away. That didn't really make me feel better so I go to another store completely seperate from mine or theirs and the diamonds test fake for them too. Now I'm really livid, I feel as though they just lied so they wouldn't have to take it back. So I go back into the store in front of all their customers and announce that the ring they sold me tested fake somewhere else also. They VERY quickly announce that they will have their manager call me. Her excuse is that they are just so small and not very good quality so they don't test positive. But when I bought the peice they were all about how it was so beautiful and great quality and the price was so good ... now its all about how its a peice of crap and its my problem? WTF!!!

Diamonds are supposed to be forever, and this peice of crap won't even pawn if I can't get it to at least test positive with a diamond tester.

I wouldn't shop here .. these people are so two faced. Its all about the sale and not about helping you afterward.

Not very impressed. I wanted to get a ring sized down a couple of sizes and I found out they could do it. I made a special point to let the saleslady know that I wanted the jewelery maker's mark preserved because it was made by ostby & barton back in the 40's and that mark added to it's value. Low and behold when I arrived to pick it up the maker's mark was no longer there...... A good job was done sizing the ring, but I would have rather had the OB stamp on the ring than have it sized!

I had looked EVERYWHERE for a Peridot ring set in white gold or even silver since I do not wear yellow gold. I could not find a nice one I liked at all. I finally stopped by Ben Bridge in Arlington TX and looked around for the fun of it; I had never even noticed the store before. I ran across a gorgeous diamond and peridot ring in white gold. It was around my birthday so I decided to splurge and buy it. It wasn't cheap I will admit but it was completely worth it. The woman who sold me the ring was wonderful and I go in and get it cleaned any time I happen to be at the mall. Everyone there is actually very nice and helpful. I am young and look even younger than I am but they always treat me with resepct and courtesy. I finish this by saying that I went back to their store a few days ago just to look around, and have my ring cleaned, and the woman who sold me my ring 2 years ago was at lunch in the back. As the man was cleaning it she saw the ring and looked out and saw me. She came over and talked to me and asked me how I was; she even asked if I had cut my hair, which I had. It was just so great to me that she would say that and ask that. Amazing customer service right there!! Although it isn't the cheapest place I always recommend it to whoever wants a good prouct for a descent price with great service. Don't forget though....usually you get what pay.

Unbelievable!

This is the only word that comes to mind. You might think this is a compliment in regards to your quality of service or sense of pride for going above and beyond or extra mile for customer satisfaction. In most situations, this is probably true; but to my dismay, here is where perceived good intentions (or overzealous salesperson) can go horribly wrong.

To surprise my wife, I wanted to buy her a Rolex to match the one I currently own. It is our 6 year anniversary and I had planed to surprise her with a gift. On 5/4/2007 I stopped by Ben Bridge in Memorial City Mall where sales person Sharon Kirk assisted. She found the watch I was looking for and went as far as order it for me from your California store. When ordering the watch via telephone, she took my information for billing purposes (5/7/2007), as I was reluctant to give her my home phone; she said it was necessary for billing purpose and I again re-iterated that this is a surprise. So I placed a minimum payment nonetheless and again was very specific on mentioning that this was a surprise and to contact me on my cell, so that I can keep it a surprise. At that time she told me that the watch would arrive on Friday

Finally my watch arrives and Sharon calls me Friday afternoon, after calling my cell, which I was unable to answer. What does Sharon do? She calls my house and speaks with my wife. Saying this is Sharon from Ben Bridge asking for me. This is after she left a message stating that the watch has arrived and her work schedule so I can make sure that shes there to purchase the watch.

Unbelievable!!! WHY!! Now my wife knows and all the planning and preparations is for nothing. I was not mad I was IRATE! Dumbfounded by the ineptitude of a single person!!

Since 1912 our customers have come to know and trust us for impeccable service and meticulous attention to detail

Are you kidding me? Meticulous attention to detail?? I know Sharons intention was not malicious, but just shortsighted, because she wanted to close the deal. To her credit she did all she could, until the end and went too far to ensure that she made the sale. I knew the watch was going to be there Friday, because she told me already. I made a deposit, so Im not going anywhere. So Why?

As for my anniversary my intentions is to still purchase the watch from Ben Bridge (against my better judgment) or elsewhere if I can find the same one for a different retailer before my anniversary. I did only place a minimum payment and would gladly eat the cost for ruining what was to be a very special occasion. But why should my wife have to be disappointed or endure not receiving the perfect gift for what was to be the perfect surprise, to show that she is the perfect wife for me.

Love it! Although it not the cheap place to shop, they have wide variety of different jewelry styles, including extensive watch collection, Mikimoto pearls, David Yurman jewelry, and their Toscano collection which is incredible. The have a very nice color stones and pearls collection. Sales people are happy to help you. For my experience it is one of the friendliest jewelry store.