Brookside Jewelry

I put an item on layaway and decided to not get it after all-​they would not refund me my $.GRRRRR

I did quite a bit of business with Carl Cuda and was very happy about it for a long time. This was my go-​to spot for estate jewelry, repairs and custom work. But a very bad experience brought that to an end.
A year or so ago I bought an antique pocket watch, the tag on which clearly stated 14k. Not gold plated, not gold-​filled — solid 14k gold. Later, when I discovered that it was NOT 14k gold, I took it back to the shop where Carl asked me, «Who told you that it was 14k?» YOU did, dude. His appraiser was there and examined it for about half an hour and could not find any indication that it was solid gold.
Carl not only would not refund my purchase price OR offer me store credit, but told me it was «too late» to return it — in a VERY unpleasant manner, in front of a store full of people.
In my opinion, this is not a trust-​worth seller. Stay away.

My experience was horrendous! I had two fluorite rings and took them in to be resized. I also informed them that they were both fluorite rings. For those who don’t know, fluorite is an extremely soft gem stone, a bench jeweler is supposed to know that. Both of my stones that were clear as glass, were returned to me looking extremely cloudy and occluded. My stones had been cracked internally, scraped up on the outside, and even after they were «cleaned and steamed,» remained cloudy. The cost of my rings were never paid for, I was only refunded the cost of the repair for one of them. The bench jeweler then tried to tell me that my stones came that way. When I showed pictures/​evidence of them otherwise, then she stated they were quartz and not fluorite even though when they took my service order, they wrote the type of gemstone it was on the small envelope they placed and bagged my rings in. Plus, I have the certificate of authenticity which proves they were fluorite, their exact color, and location where they were mined. Shoppers Beware!

My 88 YO Mother took many very old coins and paper bills in for CUDA to look at and decided based on CUDAS’ on the spot appraisal to sell many old bills to HIM, and did so. Most of my siblings had no idea my elderly Mother was going to be doing this. Many of these paper bills were significant to our family heritage based on their dates and the banks in Nebraska they were from and are of much more value to our family than the amount CUDA paid for them.
I emailed this information to CUDA before the next business day, that some of our family would want even one of these paper bills for memory sake and framing on our family homes and that we would be happy to pay what ever he wants. CUDA just aid «NO, we made a deal and I bought them». He also said He would not sell even one of these bills back to me. It’s hard to believe that the price my elderly Mother was given for these was
any where near fair after hearing these words come from CARL CUDA.

Today I purchased jewelry from Halls. It was a gift and I wanted it engraved. Halls recommended this place, so I called them immediately, since I was already in the Plaza area.
ME «I was calling about having a gift engraved.»
HIM Well, it is 3:30 and we close at 5:00!
ME «Well, I just need to write a date and initials.»
HIM «Uhhhh, I don’t know… I would have to see it»…(sigh and long pause)…
ME «Well, I am close and I wanted to make sure you could do it before I came over»
HIM «Uhhhh» (pause)
ME «OK, you know what, I will try to find someone else.»
HIM OK”! (quickly hangs up phone)
ME (hangs up in disbelief)
ME (out loud/​talking to myself) «Well, I guess some people are making so much money that the can blow off business.» (drives home).
I would have been happy to pick up my engraving the next day, but this was never even offered as an option. I felt like my request was really putting them out.

This store has a great selection of watches and jewelry (obviously). They also do engraving on almost anything, from lockets to wine bottles (see the picture I uploaded). This is a great sentimental gift idea for a wedding present, a birthday, or another ‘special occasion’.
The store is small, but they have a good amount to choose from. The owner is nice and makes sure to help you if you are looking for anything special, but otherwise lets you browse in case you find something you like. The front of the store is very welcoming, they always have an interesting window display that makes me want to go in and look around.

Things Remembered only wishes it could be Brookside Jewelry.
I went in here after finding out I’m having a girl, and figuring out a name for her (finally!). I wanted to pass down a necklace my mother had given me, and have her initials engraved in the back… I know, sentimental…
It was great, they were so helpful and were very professional. They have quite a selection for engraving fonts, sizes, and sell a large array of watches/​clocks. Service was fast, and I will be back when I need something else special to dedicate to someone.