Marx Jewelers has been around since 1888, which basically makes it one of the oldest shops in Portland. But even with all that history, we liked that nothing about their process feels outdated.  

We really love how they make use of technology to guide clients through every step—from digital renderings to 3D wax models to make sure everything fits just right, all the way to the final piece.

Slava Gurevich, the owner, will sketch the designs right in front of you. Clients loved how he explained the diamonds and offered smart suggestions to make the piece more structurally sound. 

Another thing that stood out to us? He really knows how to work within budgets. One customer shared how they were mindful of costs and needed a ring within a month, and Slava delivered without cutting corners on quality.

That said, there was one customer who mentioned a few sizing problems with their wedding band. We appreciate how the owner handled the concern by outlining the services provided, including some resizing free of charge.

Couldn’t be more satisfied with the remaking of my engagement ring!

“I had an excellent experience with Slava at Marx Jewelers remaking my engagement ring that had prongs that kept loosening. He was comfortable to talk to about what I wanted, the process and his recommendations based on his expertise. I  decided to go with 18K rose gold with a platinum head and added a gallery rail with hidden halo for extra stability for my center stone. I could not be more satisfied or pleased with the outcome. My ring literally

stuns me it is so beautiful. You should definitely come here for any of your jewelry  needs, you will not be disappointed!!”

Kasey Joffe, Google Review 

My fiance is in love with the ring.

“Slava was fantastic throughout the entire design process. This jewelry store is the only one I will go to from now on. The communication is fantastic and the rings came out beautifully. My now fiance is in love with her ring and it’s all thanks to the care and attention given by Marx Jewelers. Do yourself a favor and have your next piece made here.”

Patrick Brown (IrishPub), Google Review 

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, right? Well, after chatting with folks who’ve been to Malka Diamonds & Jewelry, custom jewelers are our new best friends.

The team includes GIA-certified gemologists and is known for really listening and guiding you through the whole process. 

We also kept hearing great things about the showroom, and when we checked it out ourselves, it definitely lived up to the hype. It’s spacious and beautifully laid out, which truly feels comfortable and adds to the positive experience. 

What impressed us the most was the store’s commitment to ethical sourcing. They offer a stunning array of conflict-free diamonds, both natural and lab-grown, including unique options like salt-pepper and sun-grown stones.

Malka is also known for using recycled gold and responsibly sourced stones that are made to last. Their style tends to lean toward geometric cuts and vintage-inspired designs, but they’re totally open to collaboration.

Engagement rings are their most popular request—so if that’s what you’re looking for, you’re in good hands.

That said, a few folks did mention feeling a bit intimidated, especially those who walked in without much jewelry knowledge. A couple noted that the staff wasn’t as welcoming as they’d hoped, which we hope they will improve on to give a more comfortable customer experience.

They showed me beautiful pieces that were versatile and timeless.

“The most gorgeous shop with the most knowledgeable and friendly staff nestled in the heart of the Pearl district. I was looking to expand my jewelry collection and the Malka team worked with my budget and showed me beautiful pieces that were versatile and timeless. I can’t imagine working with any other jewelers – do yourself a favor and get yourself some sparkle at Malka. It’s a top notch experience!”

Tia Milne, Google Review 

Malka turned our vision into reality.

I highly recommend Malka Diamonds for custom engagement rings! They turned our vision into reality with incredible craftsmanship and attention to detail. Dave and the team were fantastic—listening to ideas, guiding through the process, and delivering a stunning, unique ring we’ll cherish forever. Customer service was top-notch, making us feel valued and informed every step of the way. Thank you for creating something so special!

Martin Murphy, Google Review 

ABC Jewelry Co stood out for its expertise in repurposing vintage pieces and remodeling or resizing them to reflect clients’ own tastes. This is pretty special, considering how meaningful it is when you get to wear a family heirloom. 

The store has been a Portland staple for over 30 years, specializing in custom jewelry while also offering a wide range of services—from engagement rings to repairs and resizing.

One customer shared how seamless it was to remodel her grandmother’s engagement ring to match her style. Another had a replica of his grandfather’s ring made and was thrilled with the result.

We love that all of this comes at a very reasonable price. The style options range from halo settings to accent diamonds, leaving plenty of room for creativity.

A lot of people also mentioned how quick and smooth the service was. It’s clear they really focus on making the experience stress-free, which is a big plus when you’re working on something as important as custom jewelry. 

That said, we think it’d be amazing if their customer service were more consistent. A few people noted unfriendly service, with one customer choosing to buy elsewhere after feeling dismissed.

Their quality and care has always exceeded my expectations.

“ABC Jewelry has taken care of me for 18 years. Their quality and care has always exceeded my expectations. They made my original engagement ring and just helped me and my husband with a new upgraded ring. They took the time and went above and beyond to make it perfect for us! I couldn’t be happier!”

Gina L, Google Review 

ABC designed my daughter’s wedding ring just like she designed it.

“They are so nice to work with.  They do very good work. Price is fare. I have been coming for over 21 years. With appointment you can have work done and wait for it. They also design my daughter wedding ring just like she designed it. I brought my new large diamond from them.”

Deb Wiliams, Google Review 

Being surrounded by luxurious jewelry can feel a little intimidating, but that’s the opposite of most people’s experience at Medallion Jewelers. They’ve been in the diamond industry for over 25 years—popular for their engagement rings.

Medallion goes way beyond that by offering custom design services for all kinds of jewelry. So if you’ve been dreaming of a friendship bracelet or something completely one-of-a-kind, they’re ready to help bring that vision to life.

One client who came in to get a gold necklace fixed praised the flawless work. He appreciated being offered different options at various price points with zero pressure—and the repair was done quickly.

Depending on your budget and preferences, you can choose between natural or lab-grown diamonds. They also use Computer-Aided Design (CAD) to create a 3D model of your piece, so you can preview and tweak the design before it’s made.

However, not every experience has been perfect. One customer shared that they brought in a sentimental bracelet for repair and declined polishing due to cost, but it was polished anyway—and they were asked to pay for it. 

A different jeweler later advised that it might not have been worth repairing in the first place. The customer felt that transparency and care were lacking in their case.

Excellent place with reasonable price!

“Excellent place with reasonable price to have a customized jewelry done. We showed him the design that we wanted and he delivered. He gave us his honest opinion and recommended options when we had a ring made. Overall, we highly recommend this place.”

K Jeske, Google Review

The quality, expertise, and service here is impeccable.

“I walked in to ask about resizing my engagement ring on Thursday afternoon. Alex went above and beyond and had my ring ready by Friday afternoon. The quality, expertise, and service here is impeccable. Im so happy!”

Emily Pieper, Google Review 

Founded in 1990 by Pierre Kassab, Kassab Jewelers has grown to three locations, including one in downtown Portland. Their collections feature well-known designers like Tacori and Simon G and offer custom design using CAD technology.

One real-life love story we heard: a couple had designed their own ring but struggled to find a jeweler willing to work on it—until they walked into Kassab. The owner welcomed their project with enthusiasm, shared helpful advice, and treated them with genuine care.

Kassab Jewelers even rushed the process so the ring could be finished in time for a special re-proposal exactly one year later. It’s stories like these that make us imagine Kassab as a behind-the-scenes hero in people’s love stories.

On the practical side, Kassab offers solid insurance support. They do free appraisals for purchases over $2,000, low-cost replacement appraisals, and help with insurance claims through companies like Jewelers Mutual.

And even with all the good stories, a few bumps have come up. One customer who brought in a sentimental heirloom for resizing said the service was frustrating and slow. The communication wasn’t also the best, with one staff even joking about losing the ring.

Very kind and patient when creating my wedding band.

“Sandra was absolutely amazing to work with! She was so kind, patient, and helpful throughout the entire process of creating my wedding band. I had a vision in mind, and she helped make it come to life perfectly. The final result is more beautiful than I imagined, and I’m so in love with how it turned out!”

Olivia Jarett, Google Review 

I never felt pressured to make a decision.

“Sandra was so great to work with while picking out an engagement ring! She answered all of my questions and was patient with me throughout the whole process. She even made contact with the ring manufacturer to help with a custom ring design. I never felt pressured to make a decision before I was ready to. My experience was perfect from start to finish. Thank you so much!”

Jeff Millican, Google Review