1) Multiple instances of dads coming in with kids to help pick out gifts for moms. Input ranging from “that necklace is as pretty as mommy” from a 6 year old to “Mom would want a bigger one” from a 14 year old.
2) Re creating L’s mother’s wedding set from the only surviving part – the damaged head and diamond. Working with only her memories and a few remaining clues, we were able to rebuild the long lost rings for her.
3) Our favorite – an “in house” proposal! R and B had chosen a ring together, and were in to make their final lay away payment. When we asked B why she wasn’t putting the ring on, she answered “because he hasn’t actually proposed yet”. R got down on one knee and said “in front of these two lovely ladies… and this dog – You are the girl of my dreams, will you be my wife?”
Really, we love working here. Thanks to all our clients for another great year of letting us be part of your jewelry stories
Time to spruce up your jewelry for the sunshine (that will hopefully arrive soon!) Bring us your problem jewelry, and let us fix it. Missing stones, snagging prongs, a clasp that makes you nervous, ill fitting rings…. we can solve it all. We can also re design stale pieces into new favorites. Jewelry cleaning and inspection is always complimentary. Think of Maloy’s as your jewelry “spa”.
Every day more and more of our recent finds are making it downstairs from our expert restoration workshop. Come and browse, our new arrivals are all spiffed up and ready to find new homes. Remember, our bench jewelers can also work wonders on your own vintage pieces that have seen better days.
S.B. of Portland writes-
“I just wanted to send a quick to thank you for your recent service.
My husband & I researched your services online and we were both extremely impressed with your philosophy and knowledge. He and I then visited you on Saturday (12/4) we came in with a semi-mount and a diamond hoping that you could set it in time for my birthday (12/13).
Nina greeted us when we walked in. She was absolutely fabulous to deal with! She is without a doubt the most personable and knowledgeable representative that I have ever met at a jeweler! She even educated me on the care for my particular setting to make certain that I knew how to avoid costly repairs and helped me set expectations for possible upkeep and costs in the future. Her demeanor and care instantly put as at ease which is so extremely important – it is hard to find a jeweler that you can trust!
She mentioned that due to the Christmas holiday it may be about 2 weeks before you could get it back to us. My husband mentioned that it was a birthday gift that he was hoping to have to me by 12/13. She made a note and said that she would do her best.
I received a call today (12/7) that the ring was ready! I could not believe how fast you were able to help us! My husband and I just got back from picking it up. I literally cannot stop smiling! The workmanship is beyond compare! It is impeccable! I cannot tell you how pleased I am there just do not seem to be words to describe how wonderful it looks! And I have to say again how impressed we were with the staff there. Everyone has been so incredibly kind to us. We have found a new jeweler for all of our needs and we will recommend you to all of our friends!
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Have a wonderful holiday season! Our best to you and yours!”
S. and J.B.
With gold prices hitting record highs (again). We thought we’d take a moment tore run a post from last year demystifying the process for you…
Gold is a commodity, and the base value of any piece of jewelry starts with the value of the precious material – metal and stones that it is made from – with some special pieces, there are additional layers of value added- rarity, exceptional craftsmanship and antique value sometimes come into play.
We are in a time of financial upheaval and resettling. Metal prices are volatile, household incomes are volatile. As a result, many jewelry shops are offering gold buying services as a way for people to turn their unwanted jewelry into needed cash. In the process of determining a bid, there are several steps that should ALWAYS be taken.
1) The gold content of your pieces should be individually tested. 14 karat gold is 58.5% pure gold, with the balance being other metals that are alloyed with the gold in order to improve durability, alter the color (to white or rose gold, for example), and also to decrease the manufacturing cost of the item. 18k is 75% pure gold, and 10k is only 41.6% pure. This is one reason an ounce of jewelry will not get a scrap bid equivalent to the price of an ounce of gold… that second number is for an ounce of pure refined material.
2) Once your pieces have been tested and grouped by karat (gold content), they should be weighed. Some jewelers use ounces, some prefer pennyweights (one twentieth of an ounce), some use grams. These are all matters of personal preference, and are all equally accurate systems.
3) Using the above steps, the actual amount of pure gold in your items is calculated. If you are considering selling some scrap items to a dealer who does not use a scale and calculator, you should take your items and leave.
Now for the trickier parts. Gold needs to be refined before it can be reused. Refining costs money, and those fees are subtracted from your bid. Testing, weighing, and calculating takes an employee’s time, that is also factored into the bid. Now for the trickiest part. By Oregon law, scrap purchases need to be held for 30 days before refining, and refining itself takes time. Who knows what direction gold prices will move over the next several weeks? Reputable jewelers are going to build a cushion into their bid to help ameliorate the gambling element inherent in such a transaction! As mentioned above, this is a service we are providing, and as a business, we can’t afford to loose money every time we provide it.
Yes, this is a way we make a little money too, but not a lot. What is so scary, and making headlines, is that some businesses are bidding so little for your gold, that when you question the bid, they have room to automatically double it! Others are offering coupons for 20% “higher” bids… You shouldn’t need a coupon to get a fair price for your gold.
We can deny it no further… it’s fall. Time to put away the flip flops, bring out the sweaters, go through the closet and figure out how to make what you have work for a new season. Might be time to sew new buttons on that coat, too…
The same process can work magic in your jewelry box. If looking into your jewelry box does not inspire you, perhaps it is time to make some changes. Spread everything out and take a good look at it, then start making some piles…
Pile #1, the beloved but bedraggled- Bring these items into Maloy’s for cleaning and inspection. A few minutes of complimentary “spa” will work wonders. We will then check for weak links, loose stones, worn prongs, and all those things that can lead to bigger problems down the road. If those problems have already occurred, we can likely fix that too, replacing missing stones, rebuilding damaged filigree, rebuilding a worn shank.
Pile #2, the just plain wrong- This is where the broken gold chains, single earrings, awkward 80′s necklaces, crushed bangle bracelets, and even those creepy gold teeth in a pill bottle from your aunt go. Let’s turn this pile into money to sponsor some of your other projects.
Pile #3, the not quite there- Perfectly lovely little diamonds… set in a corporate lapel pin from your great uncle. The awkward ring you never wear that has a beautiful sapphire in it. The beautiful antique earring you lost the mate to. Grandma’s tiny ladies diamond watch with the face too small to read… This is the fun pile! Let us help you think creatively about these things, we can turn them into your new favorites. How about a pair of dangly diamond earrings made by harvesting the sides of grandma’s watch? Or a redesigned ring with that sapphire and the lapel pin diamonds? The single earring, carefully converted to your new favorite pendant. We can truly work wonders with the things you already own.
The Story-
Mrs. H, of Bend, was in town visiting her daughter. The day before heading back to Bend, they came into our shop with Mrs. H’s lovely platinum wedding set, which she had been unable to wear for many years because of arthritis. Since she was leaving town so soon, we arranged to ship the resized rings back to her once they were done.
Her daughter called us several days after we shipped the rings, saying that Mrs. H was in tears… we held our breath… had something gone wrong, had we not measured her finger accurately? No, the daughter explained… these were tears of absolute joy. The ring was more beautiful, she said, then it had been the day her husband gave it to her, and to once again have it on her hand meant the world to her.
The moral-
Yes, we can safely ship your jewelry to you (covered by our insurance till the moment you sign for it). Tears of joy optional.
Yes, you can avail yourself of our services even if you live out of town! C.W. moved from Portland to San Diego some years ago, but still sent us her beautiful antique eternity band when it needed some repair. Once it arrived, we got right back to her with a repair estimate, did the work, and shipped it back to her (covered by our insurance till the moment she signed for it!). This is what she wrote once she got it back…
“Got my ring today and you know what? It looks much better than when I bought it. I don’t recall if it was later in life for it or it was how I bought it, but the diamonds were always a little sunken in. And its shininess is dazzling. I have one beautiful hand. Maybe I should swing by for my 15th anni ring??? 
Thank your worker bees. It actually meant more to me than I thought it would and I’m glad to have her back. cw

I simply cannot thank you enough for being so incredibly kind to me yesterday, Saturday, the 3rd of July. I came in about an hour before the store closed with my antique wedding ring that had a loose center diamond due to very small prongs that (as I later found out thanks to Maloy’s) had not been repaired or re-tipped, despite a promise from “Jeweler X”, where we purchased the ring, that they would be before we took the ring home. I had tried to take it earlier in the day to Jeweler X, where we had purchased it, but to my dismay the store was closed early (like four hours early!) with no explanation. I was heartbroken because we are having some pictures with my fiancee’s family taken today, and I hated the thought of not being able to wear my ring or having to worry the whole time about the center stone falling out. Well, I don’t have to worry any more! The moment I walked into your store I was greeted by a warm smile and hello, and the woman who helped me was genuine and very knowledgeable. I could not believe that the owner was willing to take the time out of his busy day (right before a holiday weekend, no less!) to not only look over my ring, but tighten the center stone and come down to talk to me about my ring. I think he even polished my ring! He didn’t even charge me for all the help he gave me. I just can’t say thank you enough, and I hope that you all know that you now have a very loyal customer who will be back time and time again. Thank you, thank you, thank you! All the Best,
Emily B.
” I just wanted to tell you that the service B. and I received was extraordinary. We never felt pressured and the staff knew without asking what our price range was (probably by my facial expressions!) . The ring turned out stunning and B’s face when she saw it…as the credit card commercial…priceless!
Thanks again for your great service,”
J.K.
