When looking for a truly high quality piece of custom designed jewelry in Rochester, whether it be a necklace, a ring, a pair of earrings, or some other piece, the first choice you need to make is where to shop. With that in mind, let’s consider a few possibilities.

First, you could visit a mall or chain jewelry store like Jared’s in Henrietta. Most major metropolitan areas have stores like this and Rochester is no exception. Certainly Jared’s has a nice selection and helpful salespeople, but when it comes to truly unique, one-of-a-kind designs, these types of store definitely come up short.

Rochester also has a store on Monroe Avenue called The Source, and if you’re looking for low priced jewelry this store can be a good choice. They advertise prices much lower than “mall jewelry stores” and their tag-line is don’t get “malled”… pretty clever, but it always makes me wonder. If they’re spending so much on advertising, doesn’t that have to increase the price of their jewelry?

Other than that, they seem to have a decent selection, but nothing really unique or custom designed.

Next, we come to the independents, and these are what makes the Rochester Jewelry market really stand out. There are several outstanding independents, including West and Company in Webster, Mann’s Jewelers, and Cornell’s Jewelers. Of these three, Cornell’s and Mann’s are quite large, but they still offer custom jewelry and personal service. West and Company, located at in Webster, is a mid-sized independent jeweler in the European tradition, offering a collection of custom designs by owner David West Nytch, known as his Signature Collection.

People are often willing to drive several hundred miles to shop at Rochester Jewelry stores such as Cornell’s, Mann’s, and West and Company, and they have truly put Rochester on the map when it comes to unique, artistic, custom jewelry designs known for uncompromising quality. All in all, Rochester NY Jewelry has a great deal to offer the discerning shopper, and it is well worth considering a day trip, or even an overnight, to visit these fine jewelry retailers.