1. Bashinski Fine Gems & Jewelry, Inc.
Sector: Fine Jewelry and Custom Design
Service Areas: Bashinski Fine Gems & Jewelry provides fine jewelry, diamonds, engagement rings, custom jewelry design, bespoke creations, gold and silver buying, and jewelry services.
Year Founded: Over 45 years ago
Employee Count: Knowledgeable staff including Stephen Bashinski
About: Bashinski Fine Gems and Jewelry began over 45 years ago buying and selling gold and silver on Spring Street in Macon, evolving into a full-service fine jewelry establishment. The company specializes in custom jewelry design, with Stephen Bashinski creating bespoke pieces including custom wedding rings and engagement rings. The shop offers rare and unique pieces alongside new designs that can inspire custom creations. Bashinski has received recognition for quality jewelry, knowledgeable and friendly staff, and exceptional custom craftsmanship, including transforming heirloom pieces into new designs.
Address: Macon, GA
Contact: https://www.bashinski.com
Operating Hours: Contact for current hours
2. J. Cortes Jewelers
Sector: Family-Owned Jeweler
Service Areas: J. Cortes Jewelers provides custom engagement rings, wedding bands, heirloom restorations, fine jewelry, watches, and jewelry services.
Year Founded: Family-owned, serving Macon for generations
Employee Count: Family ownership and skilled jewelers
About: J. Cortes Jewelers is a family-owned jeweler serving Macon for generations, rooted in craftsmanship, integrity, and community. The shop specializes in custom engagement rings and heirloom restorations, blending classic artistry with modern design to create pieces that tell individual stories. The team takes a warm and personal approach, understanding each customer’s story and guiding them through the jewelry selection process. J. Cortes serves customers celebrating milestones including engagements, anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, and family traditions.
Address: 4535 Forsyth Road, Macon, GA
Contact: https://www.jcortesjewelry.com
Operating Hours: Contact for current hours
3. Forever Diamonds
Sector: Diamond and Bridal Jewelry
Service Areas: Forever Diamonds provides engagement rings, wedding bands, diamonds (natural and lab-grown), watches, earrings, necklaces, pendants, gemstones, custom jewelry, jewelry repair, jewelry appraisals, and jewelry resizing.
Year Founded: Established jewelry store with two Middle Georgia locations
Employee Count: Jewelry professionals at both locations
About: Forever Diamonds operates as a jewelry store with two Middle Georgia locations in Macon (Shoppes at River Crossing) and Warner Robins (Galleria Mall). The store specializes in bridal jewelry including in-stock wedding bands and engagement rings. Forever Diamonds offers diamonds in various cuts (cushion, emerald, marquise, oval, pear, princess, round) and metals (platinum, rose gold, white gold, yellow gold). The store carries both natural and lab-grown diamonds. Services include custom jewelry design, jewelry repair, appraisals, and resizing. Financing options include Progressive Leasing, Acima Credit, and Snap Finance.
Address: Shoppes at River Crossing, Macon, GA (and Galleria Mall, Warner Robins)
Contact: https://forever-diamondsusa.com
Operating Hours: Contact for location hours
4. REEDS Jewelers
Sector: National Jewelry Chain
Service Areas: REEDS Jewelers provides engagement rings, wedding bands, fine jewelry, luxury watches, diamonds, Swiss watch repair, jewelry repair, gold buying, jewelry and watch care plans, and GIA-certified diamond expertise.
Year Founded: More than 75 years as a family jeweler (national brand)
Employee Count: GIA-certified diamond experts and trained staff
About: REEDS Jewelers at The Shoppes at River Crossing has served as a trusted family jeweler for more than 75 years. The store offers a curated selection of engagement rings, luxury watches, and fine jewelry. Services include jewelry repair (bracelet repairs, ring repairs, stone replacement), Swiss watch repair, battery replacement, and gold buying for unworn jewelry. The Macon location has a jeweler on site for repairs. GIA-certified diamond experts provide guidance for diamond purchases. REEDS offers jewelry and watch care plans for ongoing maintenance. The REEDS Jewelers Credit Card provides 3% back in rewards on purchases.
Address: 5080 Riverside Drive, Suite 112, Macon, GA 31210 (The Shoppes at River Crossing)
Contact: (478) 476-9621 | https://www.reeds.com
Operating Hours: Monday through Thursday 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Friday and Saturday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Sunday 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
5. Kay Jewelers
Sector: National Jewelry Chain
Service Areas: Kay Jewelers provides engagement rings, wedding bands, fashion jewelry, diamonds, gemstones, watches, jewelry repair, and jewelry services.
Year Founded: National jewelry chain
Employee Count: Trained jewelry consultants
About: Kay Jewelers operates in Macon as part of the national Kay Jewelers chain, offering a wide variety of jewelry for all occasions. The store specializes in engagement rings and wedding bands with various diamond and gemstone options. Kay provides jewelry services and financing options. As a national chain, Kay offers online shopping with in-store pickup and a broad selection at various price points.
Address: Macon, GA (Store 2656)
Contact: https://www.kay.com
Operating Hours: Contact for current hours
About Macon, GA
Macon’s jewelry industry includes both local independent jewelers with generations of experience and national chain stores at shopping centers.
Local vs. Chain: Independent jewelers like Bashinski and J. Cortes offer personalized service, custom design expertise, and deep community roots. National chains like REEDS and Kay provide brand selection, financing options, and standardized services. Both types serve different customer preferences and needs.
Custom Jewelry: Several Macon jewelers specialize in custom engagement ring design and creating bespoke pieces from customer ideas or heirloom transformations. Custom work typically involves consultations to understand preferences, computer-aided design, and skilled craftsmanship.
Services: Beyond sales, Macon jewelers offer repair services (ring sizing, stone replacement, chain repair), watch repair and battery replacement, appraisals for insurance purposes, and gold/silver buying for unworn jewelry.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose an engagement ring?
Consider your partner’s style preferences (classic, modern, vintage) and lifestyle (active lifestyle may prefer lower settings). Set a budget before shopping. Learn about the 4 Cs of diamonds (cut, color, clarity, carat weight). Visit multiple jewelers to compare selection and expertise. Ask about certification (GIA or IGI) for diamond authenticity. Consider whether lab-grown or natural diamonds fit your values and budget. Many jewelers offer consultations to guide the selection process.
How much should I spend on an engagement ring?
The traditional “two months’ salary” guideline is outdated. Spend what is comfortable for your financial situation. Engagement rings in Macon range from under $1,000 to tens of thousands depending on diamond quality and setting. Lab-grown diamonds offer significant savings compared to natural diamonds of similar appearance. Financing options are available at many jewelers. The ring’s meaning matters more than its price.
What jewelry services do local jewelers provide?
Most Macon jewelers offer ring sizing (making rings larger or smaller), prong tightening and stone replacement, chain and clasp repair, cleaning and polishing, watch battery replacement and band adjustment, appraisals for insurance, and custom design services. Some offer specialized services like Swiss watch repair. Independent jewelers often have on-site jewelers while chains may send items out for repair.
How do I care for my jewelry?
Remove jewelry before swimming, cleaning, or physical activity. Store pieces separately to prevent scratching. Clean regularly with appropriate methods for each metal and stone type. Have prongs checked annually to prevent stone loss. Professional cleaning and inspection every six months to a year helps maintain jewelry condition. Avoid exposing jewelry to harsh chemicals and extreme temperatures.
What is the difference between natural and lab-grown diamonds?
Natural diamonds form over billions of years underground while lab-grown diamonds are created in weeks using technology that replicates natural conditions. Both are chemically and physically identical diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds typically cost 30% to 50% less than comparable natural diamonds. Natural diamonds may hold resale value better while lab-grown prices continue to decrease. The choice depends on personal values, budget, and preferences. Both options are available at Macon jewelers.