Christensen & Rafferty Fine Jewelry

Colleen inspired me to go through my collection of decades old fine jewelry and resurrect some of my favorite pieces. I brought in to the store a good amount of my jewelry and she patiently helped me decide what my options were to renew, restyle and re-​create so that I now have what feels like new jewelry. Some of the pieces she took apart and she created new designs for. Some were in need of repair. Some of the odds and ends she helped me find companion pieces for so I can now wear lots of what had just been sitting in drawers for years. Now I sometimes actually think about the jewelry I want to wear first and then select an outfit to go with it. Plus, it’s a pleasure to stop in and spend time in the salon on the second floor.

I needed jewelry appraised for a complicated estate in a city I am unfamiliar with. Diane Christensen’s qualifications and continuing education met the criteria. I also researched and was drawn by her excellent reviews on line. The reviews were truthful and my experience with her has confirmed it. No the building is not easy to find but there was plenty of parking. Diane spent over 3 hours going over jewelry to determined what needed to be appraised. She then did a thorough job of researching and coming up with the FMV. Many times during this transaction period, Diane went above and beyond to meet my needs. Her staff was helpful and personable too. I, myself am not a ‘jewelry’ person but I found her inventory to be unique and one of a kind. I and even bought a pair of diamond earring cuffs. They are my favorite earrings and I wear them now with everything. I would make the trip to come down here just to buy another piece of jewelry. Thank you Diane and staff

My fiancé and I went to Christensen & Rafferty in search of a specific wedding band for him that we had seen on their website. It was a little hard to find. You go inside the Coldwell Banker building that has for lease sign on the front, up the elevator, down a nondescript hallway before coming to a door with their name on it & ring the bell. Once inside it was a nice little room with very personalized service. They didn’t have the ring we were looking for but they did offer to order it for their shop so that we could see it in person and try it on. We ended up using a different jeweler, but appreciated the service. Selection seemed a little bit limited but they staff was really helpful. I recommend making an appointment.

I brought some gem stones to C&R because I need some help creating a unique engagement promise to my future wife. I already had the setting and was just looking to figure out the right stones. I initially chose them because, they were AGS certified. They came up with some very interesting and creative solutions to my situation and were very patient and interested in helping me. In the end, I got something that I was really excited about, and my fiancée loved it. When I went back, for some other help, they still seem to have a genuine sense of excitement for me and my experience. It was nice as a guy trying to plan a surprise to have a good female point of view that also respected that I wanted to be unique and helped me do exactly that. I would recommend them to anyone needing jewelry and also some guidance.

After having troubles with my engagement ring I was lucky enough to find C+R Jewelry! My fiancé and I have the most intimate, VIP experience picking out a ring! They listened to everything we had to say on what we were looking for, how to use the diamond we already had and created a unique setting I will love forever! Out of all of the jewelry stores we have been in and out of, C+R by far is the best experience and best quality! I recommend C+R to everyone! This is truly how you should buy an engagement ring! Thanks for making this experience unforgettable!

I recently came across Christensen & Rafferty while trying to find someone local who is a GIA Graduate Gemologist and could perform an appraisal on my wife’s engagement ring that my insurance company would accept. When I saw online that they are on 2^nd Avenue in downtown San Mateo a few blocks from where I live, I must admit I was a bit baffled, having walked down that street hundreds of times without noticing the business. It turns out they’re on the 2^nd floor of the building that Coldwell Banker is in and don’t have any street signage. But don’t let that fool you, because this place is a first class establishment with some of the friendliest and most knowledgeable people I’ve ever come across. After speaking with Coreen for a few minutes I felt completely at ease leaving the ring with them so they could perform the appraisal and so that their jewelry repair expert could polish the ring and take care of a few small blemishes on the metal. Coreen showed me in a microscope how to tell my wife’s diamond apart from all others so that I would always know I was getting the right diamond back, which I found comforting. She emailed me to let me know when the ring was ready, which was very convenient. When I came back to pick up the ring they had cleaned and polished it so well that it looked brand new. My wife couldn’t believe her eyes! Prices were in line with other quotes I had gotten for the appraisal from Kerns (in Burlingame) and Steiners (also in San Mateo), but I don’t think anyone could have provided a better customer service experience. I would and will recommend them to anyone who will listen.

Colleen and Diane are two awesome chicks that own this fantastic fine jewelry boutique. They have expanded and the layout is cozy and homey so when you are there browsing you never want to leave. They have the most varied selection… anything you are looking for is there, if not, they will make it for you! I got my engagement ring from them, a large radiant cut center stone with two trillions on the side, set in platinum. Absolutey gorgeous! When you sit down with Colleen or Diane, they never pressure you and let you try on many styles until you find the right one. I never felt pressured in any way… actually the reverse… I didn’t wnt to leave!!! I had some chocolate and diamonds… I was in heaven… Any jewelry needs you may have, they will help you… men’s jewelry as well… go check them out!

OK this place is not your average Jeweler. That is why I am writing this review. First of all they are not in some lame mall or part of some huge chain. They are independent which means that they can get all the good stuff from all the designers they like (mostly stuff you could not even dream of!). They have such great taste! When I started looking for an engagement ring for my now wife, I went to some of the «standard» Jewelers. I had a rough idea of what I wanted, but the rings I was shown just screamed BORING! so I left every store disappointed. All that changed when I found Christensen and Rafferty Fine Jewelry. Their shop has this vibe that makes you feel right at home. After looking around I found nothing that I had seen before YAY! They have the most unique pieces I have ever seen. From the most elegant traditional items to ultra modern items like a ring that is the exact 3D replica of almost any building you can thing of. Really a 3D house ring? That is cool! Once I explained what I was looking for the girls quickly showed me what they had on hand that fit my needs. I liked what I saw because they where items that I had not seen before, but still not what I was looking for. So they showed me some pictures of pieces that they could get and also some looks and styles that where a little different from what I had described. In the end they showed me the most unique ring I have ever seen and the deal was done. I did not think i could do it (find a ring that my wife would be happy to where for the rest of her life). They where able to take the information I gave them and use it to show me other looks that I would like, not just what ever they had in the cases. The ring was a huge success and I get to claim all the credit for picking it out ever thou it was the girls at C&R that deserve all the credit for showing me only great options. When you come here I guarantee you will leave happy no matter what you are looking for because the girls can and will find exactly what you need. They just make you feel like royalty with the way the whole deal goes down no pressure, only quality merchandise and the VIP feel of their «what ever it takes» attitude. Basically they are the definition of what a top quality jeweler is. Just like the items they sell, this is the kind of jeweler you keep for life, they just get «it». I highly recommend everyone find out what jewelry shopping should be like, and go see the Girls at C&R. I promise the experience will change your life in the best way possible!

I have been a client of Diane Christensen and Colleen Rafferty for over 30 years and I recommend them highly. Make sure you park in the free underground lot (they will give you a validation sticker) because you will have so much fun with them, the other employees and the jewelry that you won’t have to worry about your parking meter. Their knowledge and experience will save you a fortune and they never pressure their clients. If they don’t have what you’re looking for, no problem, they’ll bring it in for you. ALL the advise Diane has given me throughout the years has proven to be true and I trust completely! Have fun shopping; they are super nice, their jewelry is spectacular and the finest quality.

This is as good as it gets! Woohoo! I cannot recommend Christensen & Rafferty highly enough. I have been coming to the «girls» — Diane Christensen and Colleen Rafferty for years! They are first and foremost the most knowledgeable, warm, inviting, and fun people you will ever meet. I have bought, repaired, re-​designed and had appraisals all done at C&R Fine Jewelry and you cannot go wrong. Their jewelry pieces are unique and their prices extremely reasonable for the wonderful pieces that I have chosen. When my husband shops for Birthday, Christmas, and Anniversary he knows his one and only stop is the «girls»! The salon is lovely and the staff including Joy, Marsha and Corinne are just so wonderful and accommodating. If you are looking for amazing service and beautiful unique jewelry pieces — don’t stop — run to Christensen & Rafferty! You won’t be disappointed!

When my husband (fiancé at the time) and I were introduced to Christensen & Rafferty through a friend, we knew immediately it was going to be the place where we bought our wedding rings and my engagement ring. Colleen, Diane and staff create a very inviting and relaxing environment where you feel you are a special customer and not just someone off the street. They have a wide selection of fantastic pieces and it changes often enough to make you want to come back in and peek at the new offerings. Their wonderful customer service (keeping in mind your «wish list» and reasonable price points) keeps us coming back for birthday gifts, holiday treats and anniversary gifts. I especially appreciate their thoughtfulness, going «above & beyond» and the top quality and uniqueness of their selections. I highly recommend you build a relationship with this store/​staff and you will reap wonderful rewards:)

This must be one of the most unique, stunning, diverse, and interesting jewelry stores I have ever been in. You feel ultra bond über stylish going somewhere that is appointment only, and that is in a non descript office building. But once inside, the demur casework shows off some of the most stunning, rare jewelry I have ever seen. Of course they have classic stuff, and do normal cleaning, resizing, and the like… but the quality and class with which they operate is unparralalled. If it is a standard engagement ring to a singular, stunning and exotic piece for the collection… you will enjoy your experience here.