Alexis Bittar

I went to the Columbus ave location. Bought earrings, 4 bracelets. Every item tarnished, stones fell out. When I went back, it took 4 months to get the item fixed. Every time I wear a Bittar item, a stone falls out. They are nice to look at but not practical. This is the end of the line for Bittar and I. I will never purchase another Alexus Bittar item.
Not made well at all. Do not waste your money.

I purchased a pair of Alexis Bitter Lucite Sliver Earrings (in gold) at a boutique in Vancouver. The second time I wore them, the hook came out of the earring and the earring fell to its death. So, I asked for another pair for my birthday in order to match the wedding outfit for which I had initially purchased the earrings. My dad bought them at Nordstrom. Upon the first wear, the hook once again, fell out and broke. $ 200 later, I emailed Alexis Bitter Customer Service asking for them to replace or repair the earring. They responded that I could not prove that it was a manufacturing error and mitigated the blame to the retailers. I find it pretty unlikely that, as they proposed, an error on both retailers’ end would cause my earrings to break in the same fashion twice. Granted the high-​end nature of the brand, I found it very unsettling that they refused to take care of me as a customer because I could not prove it was their fault. Considering I am now $ 200 out, they have certainly insured that I will never buy from them again.

This is a review of the jewelry and the company — not specifically this location. My visit was to the Columbus Avenue store on the UWS. I purchased over $ 1,000 worth of jewelry online plus more at one of their sample sales not to mention some other pieces at small stores. What a mistake! The magnets on the magnetic bracelets are not strong enough and the bracelets go flying off of your wrist. I bought a necklace I loved and the pendant fell off of it the second time I wore it. When I brought it back to the store, I was told that they couldn’t find me in their computer and that the jewelry wasn’t made to last more than a year so they wouldn’t repair it. Not COULD not, WOULD not. I said I was perfectly willing to pay for the repair — it was my fault I hadn’t come in sooner. They refused, citing that it is costume and is «not designed to last.» Really? AT $ 200 for a costume necklace I feel I should be able to wear it more than twice. The bracelets I had purchased at their online sale and they were final sale. I never even had the opportunity to inspect them and certainly would not have purchased them if I had been able to try them on first. The problem with the magnet was evident from the moment I put them on. This was an expensive lesson for me but I will NEVER purchase an Alexis Bittar item again.

I received a beautiful bracelet as a gift in June. I got to wear the piece once and two stones fell off the bracelet. I called customer support and they could have cared less about the situation. I then called the store and they told me to bring it to a jeweler with no offer to cover repair costs. I then took it to the store to show them and the store manager called me again to reiterate that I should take it to a jeweler regardless of the fact that I got to wear it once. I am very disappointed in the brand and think it’s inappropriate to charge what this piece costs for it to fall apart after one wear.
Clearly they don’t stand by their products and people should think twice before purchasing this jewelry.

This review is for their online store, which is definitely sub par in terms of customer service. The customer experience for an online purchase is simply below par for any merchant, much less one that sells their jewelry at a high designer price premium.
I ordered a pair of earrings online, which was beautiful, except when the earrings arrived, I received two identical pairs, which in this case, was a problem b/​c the design of the earrings meant that they are suppose to be mirror images. Indeed, in the photo on their website as well as seeing them in person at a store, it is suppose to be a mirror image pair. However, when I emailed their customer service to let them know they had accidentally given me two identical earrings (kind of like having 2 right or 2 left shoes, instead of a pair of left and right shoes), they responded by saying that the rest of the earrings they have are all identical pairs… implying that there’s nothing wrong with what they’ve sent me and I should be happy with the mismatched pair I got.
Two things are wrong with this response. 1.) You are saying the customer is wrong when in fact, the customer is clearly right (photos on their OWN website is proof). In essence, you’re insulting the intelligence of your customer when you deny fact and do not respect their legitimate issue. Do you really think your customers are stupid, or what? 2.) By refusing to acknowledge that a mistake has been made in either shipment or production, and insisting that the mistake is on the customer rather than their own operations is simply dishonest. It makes me lose trust that this business is actually functioning in good faith. This is something you would expect from a shady jeweler in a bad part of town, not a supposedly high end brand name designer that is sold at the best department stores.
I had to write back in a very insistent tone in order to receive an approval to return the item for a refund (no such offers to correct their mistake was made to me without asking). And when they finally agreed to accept the return, they didn’t even send a return label to me like other stores do (especially when the mistake was THEIRS to begin with).
It just goes to show how little care they have for their customers. When they make a mistake, they place that burden on the customer to bear versus actually wanting to fix things and make it right for their customer.
This is unacceptable given the premium price that is paid for their jewelry pieces. Who wants to spend several hundred dollars on a piece of costume jewelry and not have any assurance that you’re a.) getting what you paid for b.) if something goes wrong, you won’t be left out in the cold? They also make fine jewelry apparently… but I would never want to take the risk of buying those pieces given this experience!
So, instead of having a loyal repeat customer, I will not be purchasing any more items from Alexis Bittar, and definitely not through their online store.
Perhaps Alexis Bittar should stick to selling to department stores versus selling directly to customers… they are definitely doing themselves a dis-​service by selling directly and leaving such a terrible impression.
If you still want their pieces, your best best is to buy them at a store like Nordstrom, Bloomies or Neimans, where there is actual customer service support on par with actual standards for customer service that will treat customers with respect and can actually be accountable.

Did not visit this store but I bought several pieces. 2 of those pieces fell apart the day I bought it. Made in Brooklyn? The pieces are glued on and then hooked on a bail.
I bought a pair of earrings with metal frames around a star shaped rock crystal for $ 150. One piece fell off the bail. I kept the other earring in the original pouch. I looked at it one year later and the metal became really rusty and the glue started turning crusty where the metal is separating from the stone and you can see the glue turning yellowish orange.
The other piece is the bee lucite hinge bracelet at $ 200 something? The wings snapped off on the day I bought it.
Customer Service was non-​existent…

Made an online purchase in early December and having been a very loyal customer for numerous years, was shocked at the dismal quality and lack of customer service. One of my necklaces arrived broken. I reported it immediately online and did not receive a response until a week later stating that due to the volume of complaints, there was a delay getting to me. When they finally sent through instructions and courier information, it was another week later. I never received a notification or any acknowledgment of receipt or date of return of the repaired necklace.
After following up twice, and finally being fed up in February that I still haven’t heard about an ETA of the repaired necklace, I wrote to say either let me know when I will receive the necklace or give me a refund. With no apologies or explanation, I received a standard email stating that my request for a refund has been granted.
Sorry Alexis Bittar, but I spend well over $ 6000 a year with you (albeit through third party stores in Canada and at your boutiques in the US), but our relationship is over. The shoddy workmanship and customer service has turned me off.

Despite my big love to Bitter items, but I will never order from their website again. I placed 3 orders in the past 6 months, 2 of them were messed up. They sent me wrong items and I had to go specially to UPS to return them both times. The first time wrong order, I emailed them several times until they finally responded to me.
The refund took weeks to process. They did not even bother to offer me something to make up for their mistake and to keep me satisfied.
The second wrong order, I emailed them, called twice and left voice mail with no responses (within a week). Finally a lady answered me today. She sounded very rude. She rudely apologized and I was mad of her tone. After brief arguing cause she barely let me talk, she offered me a $ 50 gift card, said that she’ll email me with the return shipping label but I have to go again to UPS store to return it, and hanged up in my face !!!
I can’t believe such a rude customer service (at the top of their mistakes) from such a high end brand. Very disappointing

I attempted to have this company refund my money for a defective piece of merchandise I recently purchased. They refused to address my complaint and I recently was informed that they also refused to acknowledge a legitimate complaint reviewed and then forwarded to them by The BetterBusiness Bureau of NYC.
BUYER BEWARE

I just read a review here where a customer was unhappy with a return policy which differs on-​line v. in-​store. The store manager acted unreasonably toward this customer. I, also, am unhappy with a business decision made by this growing company. Companies are often judged by how they treat dissatisfied customers, at least in my book. I had purchased a particularly expensive Bittar necklace/​earring set from their on-​line store, rather than a retailer which has a much more tolerant return policy. Shortly after purchasing the set, I found another Bittar set which better suited my needs. Unfortunately, I was not within their return policy dates which begin ON THE DATE THE ITEM IS SHIPPED. Yes, the jewelry is beautiful. Arrogance on the part of those in charge just may come back to bite them in the *#!. Perhaps don’t buy Bittar jewelry from the Bittar Company.

I have been a fan of Alexis Bittar for a long while, and have purchased a number of pieces from the various NYC stores with ease and pleasantries. Unfortunately, I will never go back because of poor ‘policy’.
3 days ago, I purchased an item that was not as well-​received as I had hoped. Today, I went in to the SoHo store to return the item and possibly exchange it for something different… or simply return it and go elsewhere for this particular purchase. To my chagrin, I was unable to find the ‘right’ piece I was looking for. I decided I would look at a few other jewelers before committing to something right then and there. As I was standing at the makeshift register, a lady nonchalantly said, you may only receive a store credit for in-​store purchases (After we talked about possibly going somewhere else for 10 minutes). I then asked to speak with a manager, who told me I in fact could only make an exchange due to company policy. Backing up a bit: prior to going all the way to the store, I checked on the Alexis Bittar website to ensure that I could exchange for a full refund within 21 days (I should be a prime candidate for refund I thought). I told this manager what I had read, and she directed me to a sign in the store indicating that if you buy something in-​store you can only exchange for something there. Again, this is contrary to the website. I was repeatedly told that this is just policy. My philosophy, and that of every long-​term successful company, is to always be fair with your customer and make them happy. The company, Alexis Bittar, has lost one previously-​loyal customer, because of poor business mindedness.
My advice: if you like Alexis Bittar: BUY ONLINE. Otherwise, your stuck!

Helpful, friendly sales associates + pretty jewelry + cocktails + macarons = an excellent shopping experience!
I was looking for a gift and though this shop is itty bitty, there is a lot to choose. Sales people were really helpful without being pushy, which was very appreciated.
Definitely a fan!

the miss havisham collection is perfection. i own several pieces and desire more. well-​made affordable jewelery for all types of people. the man can design; he knows what women want.

I’ve been dropping by this studio for years and really enjoy the shopping experience and, of course, the beautiful jewels. The salespeople are welcoming and happy to help you with anything. The store offers non-​traditional, but on-​trend designs and gems. They offer a variety of pieces for all tastes. Always a homerun for me!

OMG. I’m so obsessed with Alexis Bittar it’s a little crazy. One of my friends got me into this Brooklyn native’s designs about 3 years ago and I’ve been hooked since. (It’s pretty much the only jewelry I wear most of the time.) His lucite bangles are beautiful and although they seem to be a little «over the top» to some people, they are actually classic and can be worn with anything. They also have great sales about twice a year (talking like 50% off), and the staff is always super nice and helpful.

Diamonds aren’t my best friends. I’ve never been a diamond kinda girl; more like a precious stone kinda lady for the color. Alexis Bittar is by far the most beautiful precious stone jewelry I’ve seen in a long time.
I stood in the little boutiquey shop and just gazed for the longest, the collections were so amazingly beautiful. I initially left without anything since I had just begun my shopping for the day, but returned a day later. Both visits, the saleswoman was helpful and friendly while helping me pick out what I wanted.
I finally settled on an over-​the-​top-​nikki-​kinda-​ring that my special «man-​friend» treated me to! Bittar is doing things with jewelry that are a cut above the rest… so unique… Talk about eye candy!

A very, very, very, nice gentleman went to this store and bought me a necklace and a pair of earrings.
They are the most cherished items in my jewelry collection. My earrings are little hand carved bullet-​proof grade white lucite drops. They have their backs painted with gold with gold-​leaf pasted on to the front. So unique and beautiful, like a meth rock made out of Jesus. I always get compliments when I wear them!
The necklace is a peach lucite pendant, hand carved again for maxium surface area and reflection— again painted gold on the back. People have confused it for amber. Some have held it in their hands in awe and suspicion.
Breathtaking individualized pieces of art. Alexis Bittar is a genius.

This is the place to buy unique earrings, necklaces and rings for the women in your life.
No fancy diamonds, rubies or emerald encrusted pieces. Instead, the pieces here are made with lots of semi-​precious stones — topaz, garnet, onyx, tourmaline’s, etc… all cut beautifully to reflect light and shine. I was more interested in the pieces on the right side… they almost remind me of Laura Gibson jewelry, but even more delicate. The jewels are cut so they look like rock candy, but they are all consistently the same shape and colors…
The left side of the shop houses big and bold jewelry that I definitely cannot pull off… Think chunky bangles, big statement pendants, etc.
The best part of the store is the antique pieces in the back. Some date back to the Victorian age. How cool is that??? It’s like a jewelry museum where you can buy the items! My friend tried on a men’s onyx and 24k gold ring with the inside engraving, «in memory of…» morbid, but very cool.
Check it out!