The commercial and cultural centre of Northern California, San Francisco has no shortage of luxury retail opportunities, including a number of enticing jewelry stores.
(Photo: No.3 Fine Jewelry)
Known for its steep rolling hills and eclectic mix of architecture, the city attracts huge numbers of visitors every year. Many of them will be seeking a memento from their stay, and for that purpose what better than a lavish piece of jewelry, perhaps by a local designer that you wouldn’t be able to find back at home? We’ve picked out 5 of the best jewelry stores that San Francisco has to offer.
No.3 Fine Jewelry
Founded in 2013 by Jenny Chung Seeger, No.3 Fine Jewelry has built a loyal following with its penchant for modern design and timeless craftsmanship. The store represents over 35 artisans from around the world as well as offering custom in-house lines and heirloom resetting services. Those in search of the perfect engagement rings will find everything from rare antique diamonds and modern cuts and colours to gorgeous sapphires, grey diamonds, and more. Fans of any of the designers stocked can count on the store team’s long-standing relationship with each designer to order direct or to commission a piece of their own. Those with completely custom designs in mind can bring their ideas to life with the help of a dedicated team and talented bench. In addition to engagement rings, No.3 carries over 200 stacking bands as well as a rotating collection of necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.
2354 Polk Street
Mabel Chong
(Photo: Mabel Chong)
An innovative San Francisco-based designer, Mabel Chong’s work is inspired by art, travel, and the beauty of the natural world. Opened in 2007, her San Francisco store is the ‘go-to’ choice for women seeking earthy, sophisticated, colourful and imaginative designs, characterised by a self-styled ‘uncivilized elegance’ – a reflection of her background raised in rural China – that blends the organic with the intricate. Featuring everything from daily jewelry to statement pieces, each item in the store is either hand-picked or hand-made by talented and trained artisans, on-premises, with every gem, strand of gold or silver, or piece of unshaped metal passing through Mabel’s hands and receiving her personal approval.
3242 Sacramento Street
Tiffany & Co.
One of the world’s most iconic jewelry brands, Tiffany & Co’s San Francisco branch of the famed New York institution is housed within an eleven-story building on Union Square. Spread over the bottom two floors, the store features a huge range of exquisite men’s and women’s jewelry collections including engagement rings, necklaces, bracelets, pendants, watches, china and silver, all crafted from the finest and most sustainable materials. In keeping with the brand’s reputation, customers are offered champagne while they shop.
350 Post Street
Metier
(Photo: Metier)
Situated on leafy Hayes Street in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley, where modernist buildings sit side by side with Victorian edifices, Metier’s chic street-level salon catches the eye with its artfully painted pastoral walls dotted with midnight blue flourishes. The women’s boutique stocks a variety of rare and highly sought-after jewelry – from vintage pieces dating as far back as the late 1700’s to modern gems by contemporary masters – as well as a wide range of accessories in a polished, minimalist atmosphere.
575 Hayes Street
Fiat Lux
With two brick and mortar stores in San Francisco – an original in the Mission District and a newer opening on Fillmore Street – Fiat Lux have developed a widespread reputation for carrying the the best handmade jewelry from small-batch artists, vintage estate and handmade piercing jewelry to be found anywhere in the city. Their snug and inviting shops are packed full of modern trinkets made by independent designers, plus vintage finds and accessories including a wide range of sunglasses.
Two stores across San Francisco