Best Jeweler/Jewelry Store

1. Happy Jewelers

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

Gabe Arik grew up at Happy Jewelers. “I used to go to work with my dad,” he says. By the time he was in his early teens, Arik was actually working in the business that his father launched after moving from Istanbul to the United States. Today, he’s a second-generation owner of the Fullerton shop best known for its selection of engagement rings and luxury watches.

With seven jewelers on staff at its 2,000-squarefoot Orange County location, plus a factory in Los Angeles’ Jewelry District where another nine jewelers work, Happy Jewelers is known for its custom work. You pick the stone, or stones, and work with the store to come up with a design. Right now, engagement ring customers are frequently looking for round diamond solitaires, “simple settings” and halo designs.

In addition to engagement rings, shoppers head to Happy Jewelers for other custom pieces as well. “We can customize anything you can think of,” Arik says. Turnaround time for custom pieces typically ranges from four to six weeks.

Watches are another big seller at Happy Jewelers, with Rolex, Cartier and other luxe timepieces bringing customers into the shop.

With more than 150,000 followers on Instagram, Happy Jewelers has a reach that extends beyond Southern California. Arik estimates that the company is shipping out 100 to 150 orders a day to customers everywhere from Florida to Singapore.

JEFF GRITCHEN, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Happy Jewelers in Fullerton was named one of the top jewelry stores in the Orange County Register’s Best of Orange County readers’ choice poll.

— Liz Ohanesian

2. Jeweler’s Touch

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

For close to 30 years, Jeweler’s Touch has been building a reputation as bridal jewelry specialists. In fact, a Ruben Rojas painting with the word “love” painted in a rainbow array of colors, has become an in-store destination for couples to reveal an engagement ring.

Recently, there’s been an increased interest in custom pieces at Jeweler’s Touch and, with an inhouse 3D printer, clients can be part of the design process. “They get to see the whole process from start to finish right here in the store,” says sales manager Corey Wilkinson.

Beyond bridal jewelry, Jeweler’s Touch shoppers are looking for pieces they can layer, like stackable rings, and are keen on Detroit-made Shinola watches.

With a new and remodeled space inside Brea Union Plaza, Jeweler’s Touch now boasts upgraded features, like a room in the front of the shop where customers can enjoy complimentary jewelry cleaning services.

3. Mimi’s Jewelry

18591 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley; 714-964-7851, mimisjewelryinc.com

A stash of diamonds helped David Truong’s family flee Vietnam during the Fall of Saigon and settle in the United States when the Orange County jeweler was just a small child. Today, Truong and his mother co-own Mimi’s Jewelry, the 26-year-old Fountain Valley shop known for its custom work.

Engagement rings are the shop’s specialty. “Each one is so special and so unique and I just want my clients to leave knowing that we’re going to design something with them that no one else will ever have,” says Truong, who has incorporated elements that represented the city of London and Marvel comics into his work for clients.

Truong says to come with “an open mind” in addition to all of your inspiration images. “The design process is very organic for me,” he says. Truong and his team provide multiple rough drafts before reaching a final design. This small shop does get busy, so it’s recommended that potential customers schedule an appointment.

THE BEST OF ORANGE COUNTY SEPTEMBER 2021 65