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October 2023 by susan slepetz
Kim was so wonderful and accomodating. My anniversary seafoam tourmaline earings and matching pendant are beautiful!!
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October 2023 by Krista Hooper
On the surface, Bennets Jems and Jewelry looks perfect, but underneath it all, the owner herself couldn't care less about you. The reviews up to four years ago tell a similar story to our experience. We purchased an engagement ring New Years Eve 2022. I changed my mind, and wanted to return it. They have a no returns policy, which I fully respect. So Kim (the owner) said don't worry, you're in the best hands with me. What a horrible lie that was. She offered to make us a "custom" ring in exchange for the ring we purchased. Turns out she doesnt offer fully custom, only partial custom. You're limited to a book of options for the ring base, but Kim will find you a stone at your request. We asked for a teal sapphire stone with moissanite for the accent stones on the band. She promised it would be finished in 2-3 weeks based on what we wanted. We were over the moon excited. Sadly we were filled with false hope, and this was only the beginning. THREE MONTHS LATER, she was unable to find the sapphire, came up with so many excuses I can't count as to why one hadn't been found, so we ended up finding a stone ourselves (We purchased the stone from a man she said she "works with all the time", but she never found this stone herself?). We gave her the stone the same day we bought it on March 18th. TWO MONTHS LATER, on May 19th the ring was finished. We go to pick it up. Not only did she go over our set budget, after driving 5 minutes down the road, I see THE STONE IS CHIPPED. We turned around, showed Kim, she said again, don't worry you're in great hands. She'll get it fixed. She never apologized, never took responsibility for her contracted jewelers breaking my stone. She texted me almost 1 MONTH LATER, June 7th, "Hi Krista, we expect to have the gem cutter done with your stone within 2 weeks. Then it will be reset and ready to wear. I'll notify you as soon as it's back in my hand." TWO MONTHS LATER I asked for a refund since I hadn't heard from her; she refused stating "I just went to a gem show and spent all my money for my business". I asked again over a month later for a refund and shockinly, after I reached out, the ring was magically finished. I JUST received the ring today, October 7th. It has been TEN MONTHS when this whole thing was promised to be 2-3 weeks. Kim has constantly put the blame on us from day 1. Telling us we need to be more patient when we only ask for updates after it's well beyond the timeline SHE provided us, saying we don't understand how busy the jewelry business is, constantly blaming "its Mothers day things are busy", "It's summertime things are busy", saying it will be perfect and we'll forget all about this. This has been a NIGHTMARE. Do not buy custom jewelery, do not get jewelry repaired with them. Read the other 1 star reviews. We're not alone. Kim wears a very pretty mask, but she is a horrible woman and does not know how to treat others with kindness. She needs to learn she is not the only one dealing with the stress of life. Absolutely abhorrent business owner.
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October 2023 by Morgan Black
Kim is a horrendous woman to work with. Would NOT recommend, hold on on to your rings and do NOT let her fix anything, she'll hold onto it with ZERO updates..
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October 2023 by Erica L.
I've heard mixed reviews among the locals but beautiful items and great service. The prices are not great - I have seen far better, even in the major epicenters of universal overprice that are Boston and Manhattan (I haven't jewelry or crystal shopped in the other boroughs; but if you're local to either city, I can name more reasonably priced outfits in the outer Metrowest of Massachusetts and also Montclair, New Jersey). So, I could give four stars cause of excessive pricing BUT I am choosing five because the gorgeous earrings I got were not OUTRAGEOUS in cost either, and it's a local place, in a "summer" area (tourists) with not a lot of onsite retailers anywhere nearby to compete. Among other reasons, such as, I have had several compliments continually on them for over a year, and I wear them quite frequently, too. Therefore I can definitely attest to quality and aesthetic. I am a sucker for what I like to the point that I have spent, all told, at least $500 to repeatedly replace gemstone jewelry I love from a different retailer - and if you're judging me, I kind of think I am crazy for it too ha! The point being . . . the prices here are absolutely above market (in literally ANY market if we're comparing them to Boston and NYC) but so is the craftsmanship and design appeal. Service has always been great. I go back several times a year, so if you're considering it, it's absolutely at least worth checking out.
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October 2023 by Krista H.
On the surface, Bennets Jems and Jewelry looks perfect, but underneath it all, the owner herself couldn't care less about you. The reviews up to four years ago tell a similar story to our experience. We purchased an engagement ring New Years Eve 2022. I changed my mind, and wanted to return it. They have a no returns policy, which I fully respect. So Kim (the owner) said don't worry, you're in the best hands with me. What a horrible lie that was. She offered to make us a "custom" ring in exchange for the ring we purchased. Turns out she doesnt offer fully custom, only partial custom. You're limited to a book of options for the ring base, but Kim will find you a stone at your request. We asked for a teal sapphire stone with moissanite for the accent stones on the band. She promised it would be finished in 2-3 weeks based on what we wanted. We were over the moon excited. Sadly we were filled with false hope, and this was only the beginning. THREE MONTHS LATER, she was unable to find the sapphire, came up with so many excuses I can't count as to why one hadn't been found, so we ended up finding a stone ourselves (We purchased the stone from a man she said she "works with all the time", but she never found this stone herself?). We gave her the stone the same day we bought it on March 18th. TWO MONTHS LATER, on May 19th the ring was finished. We go to pick it up. Not only did she go over our set budget, after driving 5 minutes down the road, I see THE STONE IS CHIPPED. We turned around, showed Kim, she said again, don't worry you're in great hands. She'll get it fixed. She never apologized, never took responsibility for her contracted jewelers breaking my stone. She texted me almost 1 MONTH LATER, June 7th, "Hi Krista, we expect to have the gem cutter done with your stone within 2 weeks. Then it will be reset and ready to wear. I'll notify you as soon as it's back in my hand." TWO MONTHS LATER I asked for a refund since I hadn't heard from her; she refused stating "I just went to a gem show and spent all my money for my business". I asked again over a month later for a refund and shockinly, after I reached out, the ring was magically finished. I JUST received the ring today, October 7th. It has been TEN MONTHS when this whole thing was promised to be 2-3 weeks. Kim has constantly put the blame on us from day 1. Telling us we need to be more patient when we only ask for updates after it's well beyond the timeline SHE provided us, saying we don't understand how busy the jewelry business is, constantly blaming "its Mothers day things are busy", "It's summertime things are busy", saying it will be perfect and we'll forget all about this. This has been a NIGHTMARE. Do not buy custom jewelery, do not get jewelry repaired with them. Read the other 1 star reviews. We're not alone. Kim wears a very pretty mask, but she is a horrible woman and does not know how to treat others with kindness. She needs to learn she is not the only one dealing with the stress of life. Absolutely abhorrent business owner.
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September 2023 by 1 Southern Aurora ..
We were in the state of Maine along the coast from Portland to Bar Harbor and inland to Augusta and visited several "so called" gem shops. Some of them were far from worth walking into but Benett's outshown them all! It has friendly service and was well organized. The shop has a very good selection of tumbled rocks, natural specimens, cabochons, and beautiful jewelry. If you want Maine's watermelon tourmaline this is the place to go. I was in the business and highly recommend it, don't miss it!
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September 2023 by Do J.
I brought in an earring that needed a new post. Kim, the owner, told me it would be three weeks and it would cost about $80. (Foolish me didn't get it in writing). They send all jewelry repairs out to who knows where to get the job done. It took over six weeks and at least 4 unanswered phone calls. I finally got my earring back, however it cost $120 to replace a simple post. So, beware, get an estimate in writing. Kim was full of excuses why it took so long when I finally got a hold of her. I will NEVER go back. The jewlery in the store is pretty, but the customer service sucks!
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June 2023 by Renee
The old lady that works here was completely rude to me which left me in complete shock. I was trying on rings. Another lady was helping me. The older lady was sitting on a chair. After I made my selection, the older lady offered to put away the rings I did not chose. The older lady said loudly, "The nerve of some people". As if I tried too many on and she couldn't be bothered with actually doing a little work. Then the woman who had been waiting on me tried to sush her and the older lady said, "What? I didn't say it loud enough?" I was completely shocked. I was going to look around for other gifts, but I placed the ring on the counter that I was going to purchase and walked right out. I will never go there again.
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February 2023 by Jessica D.
Buyer beware! My husband and I purchased each other's anniversary gifts here. He bought me a Maine moonstone bracelet for about $300 and I bought him a labradorite ring for $250. Upon giving him the ring, I discovered it was too small. We brought it back to have it resized, and I asked how much it would be be enlarged (it was sterling silver). The young lady working there gave a general ballpark of $75, but said it could be more. When it came back from the person to whom they send jewelry for repairs, my husband went to get it to find out it was around $200! I could have purchased a whole new ring for that. We felt like we'd been really screwed over, especially after having spent a substantial amount there between the two of us. I pointed this out to Kim, the owner, and she did not seem to care about our displeasure, even in spite of our saying we would not shop there in the future. Nonetheless, we eventually ended up going back, as it is slim pickings around here in terms of shopping, and especially when it comes to jewelry. Well, you know how the saying goes: "Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me." We looked around as my husband wanted to get me something for our anniversary once again. Amid talking with Kim, I was looking at aquamarine pieces and she admired my aquamarine ring. I showed her how the setting needed fixing and she suggested that her guy could fix it. Leery from our last experience, I asked her how much it would cost. She said she didn't know, but could call us with a quote once the guy looks at it. Somehow we were foolish enough to leave my ring. One week passed, then two, then three....we called and left a couple of messages with other people and they said the guy hadn't gotten to look at it yet and would give a quote when he did. Here is where I reveal that I'm a much-despised PFA (person from away), and say that anywhere in New Jersey, I could have walked in and out with the ring fixed the same day. What on earth could take someone so long to even look at a ring and give an estimate is utterly incomprehensible to me. How does one do business this way?I finally called after about a month and asked about my ring and if we knew what it would cost to fix. The woman on the phone asked Kim in the background and she became angry, saying, "No. No," in the background. Are you for real?? She then got on the phone in a very nasty tone and told me that it wasn't back and she still didn't have a price, and that she'd told me the guy is very busy, etc." I told her I would be in to pick it up and she very curtly hung up. My husband went to get it and she was very unpleasant to him. This is what we get for spending a significant amount of money in this business--no appreciation for customers. Not to mention that most gemstone shops I've been to in other places are run by spiritual types who are in tune with the positive qualities attached to the various stones. When I asked about things like this there, I got a blank stare.Word to the wise, especially if you're a tourist or PFA who has come to live: STAY AWAY. The owner seems to enjoy taking people's money, but that's where the superficial kindness ends.
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October 2022 by Tammy Harrigan
Wonderful crystal shop about 20 minutes from Camden, Maine. Extensive variety of stones and jewelry. A must visit!
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August 2022 by Rose L
So glad I found this little shop! They have quite the selection and the ladies are very informative! I hope I remember that it’s here the next time I come up to visit! So glad I found stuff to add to my collection! ?
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January 2022 by Norma Lowell
Me and my daughter get down here at lest twice a year.. Love all the different crystals and gems.. we have a hard time choosing every time because we'd love to take one of everything home.. If you haven't been here your missing out.. The atmosphere is very relaxing, the lady's are very helpful, and all there items are of high quality.. And the prices are very reasonable.. Won't go anywhere else..?❤??
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January 2022 by McKayla A
went in with my boyfriend on December 14th. Webought an opal ring, wanted it resized. So we gave thering to Kim to take to her jewelers to get it done. Wedidn't realize what a hassle it was going to be. This iswhat happened since December 14th. For 4 weeks Wewere going round and round being told that 1, thejeweler was out. 2, Kim couldn't get the ring to thejeweler or even contact the jeweler. 3, that the ringwas at the jewelers. But to find out after month ofwaiting, she told us that she lost the ring. She saidshe "miss placed the box and can't find it" after Iasked her if she even took it to the jewelers in the firstplace. It's just excuse after excuse after excuse. Now,after her telling us that she found the ring andKNOWING that if she found it we wanted it back inour possession so we didn't have to keep goingthrough the round about of excuses and lies. Shefound the box that the ring was in and guess whereit's now at? THE JEWELERS. AFTER we told her wewanted it back the second she found it. And to makethis even better, she told us we wont have it back untilJanuary 28th. A month and a half after first bough thering and put it in her trust.
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November 2021 by Vivian
This is definitely my new favorite crystal shop! When you walk into this place it has a great vibe and wonderful crystals and jewelry. The ladies working there we’re very friendly and helpful I would definitely recommend shopping here.
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November 2021 by J Munson
Great shop. Kim is super knowledgeable, friendly and sweet. One of the best locally owned and operated shops in Waldo county.
