10 Places to Shop for Engagement Rings in San Diego

First comes love, then comes…the engagement ring. With its gorgeous weather and ocean views, Southern California is a dreamy place to fall in love—and when you do, you'll need to know where to look for engagement rings in San Diego. Whether you're searching for a unique antique ring sourced from a historic estate sale or hoping to design your own creation from the stone selection on up, there is a reputable jeweler (and when it comes to big spends on jewelry, reputation does matter!) to serve you in this fair city. Luckily, we've done the work for you with a curated list of 10 San Diego engagement ring stores that run the gamut when it comes to price, style and experience.

David & Sons Fine Jewelers

A mainstay on the San Diego jewelry scene for more than three decades, David & Sons naturally kicks off any list of the best engagement ring stores. The jeweler offers its own collection of engagement rings designed in-house and handcrafted by a master jeweler—so even if you select a ready-made ring, you're getting something unique (though custom is an option, as well). The designs range from classic—envision an oval solitaire diamond on a pavé yellow gold band—to on-trend (looking at you, marquise-shaped stones!) and just about everything in between. And, the pricing is competitive: The store guarantees to beat any verified price you find on the internet or at a retail chain or warehouse.

Notable Review: "My engagement rings and our wedding bands were all bought here for a reason—unique beautiful designs and convenient maintenance. I'm complimented all the time about my rings. Great customer service from our first purchase to every time I drop by to get my rings sparkly clean." –Alyssa P., The Knot Marketplace

Esqueleto

Founded in Los Angeles, this eclectic shop's San Diego outpost has become a beacon for unique finds on everything from home decor to art. But it's the store's jewelry atelier that brings in brides and grooms. The shop carries cult-favorite jewelry brands like Johnny Ninos—we love his molten metal settings—and Megan Thorne (her pieces have a chic vintage edge), and recently introduced a one-of-a-kind engagement ring collection from shop founder Lauren Wolf. Most of the pieces are in stock and ready to ship if you are shopping online, but the experience wouldn't be complete without a stop at the ultra-chic storefront in Crown Point.

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Notable Review: "Every aspect of our Esqueleto experience was magical beyond all expectations. Marjorie took special care to ensure we had a personalized selection process for an engagement ring. We will be back again and again for occasions of all kinds. Top-notch shop!" –Cole H., Google Reviews

Charles Koll

Founded in South Africa in the early 1960s and relocated to San Diego in 1991, Charles Koll is a family-run business three generations deep. Its custom design services are what set it apart, and the team of jewelers makes creating an engagement ring a fun, collaborative experience for couples. The process begins with an idea—come armed with any inspiration that speaks to you—and includes a detailed cost estimate before any creation begins so there are no surprises on the budget end. You'll see 3D renderings, a printed wax mold and, eventually, your dream engagement ring.

Notable Review: "My engagement ring is one of a kind thanks to Charles Koll! Along with the help of nearly all on staff in this family-operated business, my husband and I also have the perfect wedding bands. Any time I need a cleaning or a quick refinishing, they are happy to help! Thanks for all that you did to get Chris and I the perfect rings (and in helping him design my engagement ring), oh and thanks for the celebratory drinks! :) We are customers for life!" –Kaela G., The Knot Marketplace

Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers

Antique engagement rings are on trend, and Leo Hamel is our top pick for where to find them. Culled from estate sales and beyond, the pieces are vintage or antique—and offered at a steep discount to their original cost (think: a 1.4-carat pear-cut diamond engagement ring valued at $8,000 for less than $2,000). The shop offers money-back guarantees and generous warranties, and there's an ethical bonus: Opting for pre-owned jewelry is a gorgeous way to go green.

Notable Review: "After deciding to get married on my parents' estate, my fiancé and I decided to go to Leo Hamel for our rings. The service was incredible and our every concern (price, carat, etc.) was listened to. I ended up with the ring of my dreams. I recommend Leo Hamel Jewelers to all my friends!" –Mariah F., The Knot Marketplace

Diamond Daughters

The female owners of this San Diego shop (two sisters and their mom) used to work in diamonds wholesale, but wanted the opportunity to celebrate the love that an engagement ring represents right alongside their clients. Thus, Diamond Daughters was born, and the boutique offers a style for every type of bride-to-be, from sustainable lab-grown and moissanite engagement rings, to natural diamonds, colored gemstones and mixed metals. The owners offer virtual consultations via FaceTime, but half the fun is going into the showroom for a sit-down and try-on or styling consultation to share in the celebration.

Notable Review: "We had the best experience with the Diamond Daughters! From our initial consultation to my fiancé's experience with purchasing the ring, we were treated with such respect and care. The ring is stunning, crafted with love!" –Katie M., The Knot Marketplace

Bert Levi Family Jewelers

The biggest selling point at Bert Levi is its selection: With more than 3,000 bridal and engagement rings under its roof, the shop offers a larger selection than nearly any jeweler in San Diego. The third-generation family business offers antique and heirloom rings, designer pieces from storied labels like Tiffany and Cartier, and all styles of solitaire, three-stone, matching sets and more. And, whether it's on a loose stone or completed piece, Bert Levi can offer a lower price than you might find elsewhere because it's a direct diamond importer (re: there's no middlemen).

Notable Review: "I had the pleasure of buying an engagement ring for my fiancé from Bert Levi. I felt that I was welcomed as a personal friend and not just any other customer. I was able to personalize and customize the exact ring I wanted with no hassles, and I knew I was in good hands the entire time. 110% recommended to everyone out there interested in finding that unique engagement ring, or a special gift for that special someone." –Leonardo G., The Knot Marketplace

Jewelry by Design

The owners of this Gaslamp District jeweler, Mark and Cheryl Beauchamp, have two core specialties: repurposing old jewelry and creating new with conflict-free, responsibly sourced stones. It's our pick for those looking to repurpose an ancestor's antique ring or reuse stones passed down from a parent or grandparent. (One fun detail is the open-concept storefront, so you can see the jeweler set your stone right in front of you, rather than tucked back in a workshop.)

Notable Review: "Mark is a jeweler extraordinaire! If you want a delightful bespoke ring creation consultation and design, there's no one better in San Diego. Very low pressure and deeply knowledgeable educational experience, he designs the ring right in front of you." – Jason W., Google Reviews

Robbins Brothers Engagement Ring Store

Don't be scared off by its chain-store status, Robbins Brothers is laser-focused on one thing: engagement rings. And the concierge-level service is customized specifically to each location, so when looking for the best place to buy engagement rings in San Diego, you'll get San Diego-level service. Among the thousands of styles on offer are pieces from lauded labels like Verragio, Tacori and Gabriel & Co; but those in the market for a custom piece can also shop loose stones (both natural and lab-grown). The company's history dates back more than 100 years, so they've literally spent a century perfecting how to shop for engagement rings—all to celebrate your love for the next 100.

Notable Review: "My husband first purchased my gorgeous engagement ring here. After visiting several other jewelers who were rather snotty, rude, and charged ridiculous amounts, we returned to Robbins Brothers. We found exactly what we wanted within 20 minutes for a fraction of what other jewelers would charge for the same thing. Everyone was helpful, professional, down to earth, and friendly." –Bradleigh C., The Knot Marketplace

Harold Stevens

Located in the heart of downtown San Diego, Harold Stevens has a bit of everything: vintage and modern; lab-grown or natural diamonds and even moissanite; budget-friendly and over-the-top. (And, on that note, those with a mega-budget should check out the shop's couture collection, featuring pieces like a 5.6-carat pear-shaped diamond ring for $81,000.) And, after more than 40 years in business, they've mastered just about every sector—but what they pride themselves on most is getting to know their clients and providing an enjoyable, authentic experience. (Pro tip: Building a relationship with your engagement ring jeweler will pay off in the long run, as you shop for milestone pieces down the road.)

Notable Review: "Harold Stevens is simply top-notch. Ryan took his time with us and provided an incredible amount of information about each ring that caught our eye. Harold Stevens truly believes that their clients should make an informed jewelry purchase and they will answer any question you throw at them. Even nicer, we never felt like we were in a rush and never felt any pressure whatsoever to purchase anything at all. At the end of the day Ryan helped us make great decisions that were well within our budget. The rings are fantastic and we are happy to wear them forever." –Courtney D., The Knot Marketplace

Vanessa Nicole Custom Diamond Rings

So you've scoured every engagement ring store in San Diego and still haven't found the perfect piece. That's where a custom designer comes in, and Vanessa Nicole is one of our top choices. She works directly with clients to figure out what they're looking for, pull inspiration, select the stones, sizing and setting, and ultimately create a one-of-a-kind engagement ring. As an added piece of nostalgia, the jeweler also offers a "making of the ring" video for clients, so they can rewatch the entire custom process (pop Champagne and revisit it on your anniversary!) Note that custom does come at a cost: Vanessa's pieces start at $10,000.

Notable Review: "Vanessa just makes the whole process magical in a way that's tailored to you, through love...and it's genuine. She's brilliant at what she does and she gave me & my bride-to-be something we'll cherish forever." –Zack H., Yelp