Best Jeweler/Jewelry Store

1. Happy Jewelers

1565 S. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton; 714-992-0454; happyjewelers.com

Happy Jewelers is a second generation, family-owned jewelry store in Fullerton. After emigrating with his family from Istanbul, Isa Arik founded the shop in 1973. Now his sons Gabe and Danny Arik continue on with their father’s legacy.

“We continue our family tradition of providing the same superb quality, customer service, value, and level of care,” said Gabe and Danny Arik, co-owners. “Jewelry makes people happy, and we want to make people happy,” Gabe Arik says.

The Arik brothers oversee Happy Jeweler’s 2,000-square foot Orange County location and a Jewelry District factory in downtown Los Angeles.

For more than 40 years, Happy Jewelers has been known for its custom work. Patrons of the shop select their stones and a team of in-house jewelers create custom settings.

The Arik brothers hand-pick each diamond and source gemstones and precious metals from quality suppliers. “We demand the best, and offer unsurpassed quality at wholesale pricing, directly from our factory to our customers,” Gabe says. Happy Jewelers carries a variety of luxury timepieces ranging from a Rolex Oyster perpetual stainless steel 36 mm pink stick dial watch to a sizable Richard Mille men’s RM011 “Filipe Massa” Rose Gold 50mm x 40mm skeleton dial timepiece.

“We treat our team members and our customers as if they are walking into our home,” Gabe Arik says.

JEFF GRITCHEN, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Brothers Gabe and Danny Arik continue the family tradition of providing quality jewelry and service from their Fullerton location.

– Jenn Tanaka

2. Jeweler’s Touch

2535 E. Imperial Highway, Brea; 714-579-1616 jewelerstouch.com

“Family-owned Jeweler’s Touch is the Southland’s premier full-service jewelry store,” says Guy Julian, who handles marketing. Jewelers Touch in Brea prides itself on “serving the community for three decades,” he says.

Since opening in 1992, the store is known for “offering a unique selection of fine jewelry in contemporary and classic styles, with a giant collection of hand-selected diamonds and gemstones in stock,” he says.

Jewelers Touch is sought out for its custom pieces, adds Julian. “JT’s onsite studio boasts seven full-time goldsmiths who are ready to restore your precious heirlooms or just replace a broken clasp.”

Jewelers Touch carries Shinola Detroit timepieces, collections by Kendra Scott and cutting tools by William Henry Studios.

“We have a state-of-theart 3D printer, and we are in the process of getting an even bigger and better one,” says Julian. Custom projects range from Star Warsinfluenced rings, video game lore rings, to traditional anniversary bands.

The Jewelry Exchange CEO and President Bill Doddridge began his career by working in pawn shops. Doddridge learned the business and after taking over Buena Park Loan & Jewelry in 1977, he eventually embarked on his venture.

The Jewelry Exchange in Tustin has expanded to 16 locations across the country. Known for manufacturing its own jewelry and importing diamonds, The Jewelry Exchange designers create custom engagement rings, wedding bands and fine jewelry.

As a direct diamond buyer, The Jewelry Exchange gains access to precious and rare gems. In 2014, the shop acquired a large stone called the Katya Diamond, a 50.11 carat cushion-cut gem that is suspected to have come from Siberia. It was displayed at The Jewelry Exchange’s flagship store in Tustin.

While gems such as the Katya Diamond are rare, Doddridge and his team of jewelers and buyers are always on the lookout for the next big thing.

3. The Jewelry Exchange

15732 Tustin Village Way, Tustin; 714-542-9000 jewelryexchange.com