Frequently Asked Questions

Henne Jewelers has been family-owned and operated in Pittsburgh since 1887 and is now in its fourth generation. Our legacy is built on craftsmanship, trust, and long-standing relationships with our customers.

Yes. Henne Jewelers is proudly family owned, with a hands-on leadership team that is involved in every aspect of the business — from custom design and jewelry services to the overall customer experience.

We are located in the Shadyside neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and welcome both local and out-of-town guests. Private appointments are available for those who prefer a more personalized experience.

Walk-ins are welcome. However, we recommend appointments for bridal consultations, custom jewelry design, and personalized shopping experiences.

Our combination of family ownership, deep expertise, custom craftsmanship, and long-term customer relationships sets us apart as a trusted Pittsburgh jeweler. And we’ve been honored to earn a spectrum of awards along the way that speak to our reputation for excellence, service, and consumer satisfaction.

You’ll work with experienced professionals, including designers, gem specialists, and trusted advisors. Each member of our team is dedicated to making your experience personal and seamless.

Yes! Our team regularly helps clients select watches for milestones, anniversaries, and significant celebrations. Our goal is always to help you find the best gift for you and the recipient, keeping your budget in mind. We will never pressure you to make a decision. Our mission is to strengthen and enhance relationships with every piece.

Yes. Custom jewelry design is a core part of what we do our Pittsburgh store. We create hundreds of one-of-a-kind pieces each year, tailored to reflect our clients’ stories, milestones, and personal style

Absolutely. We frequently transform heirloom diamonds, gemstones, and jewelry into fresh, modern designs while preserving their sentimental value.

The custom process begins with a consultation, followed by design concepts, CAD renderings or sketches, stone selection, and expert craftsmanship. Clients are involved throughout every step so there are no surprises.

Most custom projects take between 6–10 weeks, depending on complexity. Timelines can be discussed during your consultation at our Pittsburgh store.

Here at Henne, we sell natural diamonds and are committed to selling them using ethical, industry-trusted practices. We follow the Kimberley Process and are members of the Natural Diamonds Council. Not everyone comes into our store wanting a natural diamond. So, we’re happy to have conversations about lab-grown diamonds to help Pittsburgh customers make the best long-term decision for their goals and budget. We also work with many customers who choose alternative center stones for engagement rings.

Yes. We work with trusted suppliers and follow responsible sourcing standards to ensure integrity and quality. In many cases, we have partnered with the same suppliers for decades, giving us deep confidence in their diamonds.

Yes. Our diamonds are accompanied by respected grading reports detailing cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. Certifications are most often from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the American Gem Society (AGS), both of whom are industry leaders in diamond grading.

Yes. Our experienced team guides clients through diamond selection, balancing beauty, quality, and value — whether you’re shopping for an engagement ring or a meaningful gift in Pittsburgh.

Yes. Engagement rings are a major focus at Henne Jewelers in Pittsburgh, including custom designs, classic styles, and heirloom-inspired pieces.

Yes. Many of our engagement rings are custom designed from the ground up, so the ring reflects each nuance of the couple’s unique love story.

Our onsite jewelers mount many engagement rings at our Pittsburgh store, though this depends on the brand. Some brands require the diamond and mounting to be sent to them to preserve warranties. Our sales associates are here to guide you through the process.

Yes. We offer a wide selection of women’s and men’s wedding bands and can custom design bands to perfectly complement an engagement ring. We also host our widely celebrated Wedding Band Weekend event each spring.

We provide professional resizing and ongoing care to ensure your ring continues to fit beautifully over time. And we offer a maternity band program for women who wish to wear a gold band during and after pregnancy.

Yes. We offer rhodium plating as part of our engagement ring services. Customers who purchase their engagement ring from Henne Jewelers enjoy their first rhodium plating free of charge.

Yes. We provide expert jewelry repair, restoration, and maintenance at our Pittsburgh location. Pricing varies based on metal type, design complexity, and labor required. Estimates are provided for approval before repairs begin.

Yes. We offer professional jewelry appraisals for insurance, estate planning, and personal records. Costs vary based on the number of items and complexity.

Yes. Walk in during business hours and our team will carefully remove the ring while protecting both you and the jewelry. Then we’ll advise on resizing and repair, so it can be worn again.

Yes. We are happy to clean and inspect jewelry, regardless of where it was originally purchased.

Yes. We can repair permanent jewelry even if you didn’t buy the original permanent bracelet from us.  

Unfortunately, not usually. Our bench jeweler team is working around-the-clock with a queue of jewelry repairs. All repairs are completed in the order received to ensure proper care and craftsmanship. Our current repair timeframe is approximately three weeks.

Yes. We offer laser engraving for items not purchased at our store. Engraving availability and cost vary based on the item’s shape and the complexity of the design. (Items that are an odd shape or that aren’t flat might not be conducive to being engraved.) Please call 412-682-0226 to inquire about engraving services.

We will not often melt down jewelry to use in a new piece. Although it can be a fun and sentimental idea, melting down gold and/or silver can damage the integrity of the metal and hinder a piece's durability.

Yes. We are an authorized retailer for the luxury watch brands we carry. Henne Jewelers is an Official Rolex Jeweler in Pittsburgh, including participation in the Rolex Certified Pre-Owned program.

Yes. We offer professional watch repair services, with many repairs completed in-house. Some brands require manufacturer servicing to maintain warranties.

Yes. We buy luxury watches at our Pittsburgh location and offer cash offers or trade-in options. Brands include TUDOR, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, Cartier, Grand Seiko, Tag Heuer, Breitling, IWC, Panerai, Nomos, and more.

Yes. Our team regularly helps clients select watches for milestones, anniversaries, and significant celebrations.

Most watch battery replacements cost $25-35. We do not replace Invicta watch batteries. Invicta watches are one of the only brands we do not repair or replace batteries due to their requirements.

Currently we are offering watch battery replacements for next day pick-up during our business hours.

Yes, we can repair pocket watches.

While formal authentication is not a service we offer, our watch team is typically happy to take a look at a timepiece and share our perspective.

Here at Henne Jewelers, our team includes longtime buyers and sellers, Rolex-certified watchmakers, and passionate vintage specialists. Collectively, we’ve handled and evaluated thousands of watches over the years, from modern sport models to important vintage references.

If you’d like to bring the watch by the store, we can often provide a verbal assessment. This would not be a binding determination or an offer to buy, but rather an informed opinion after examining the watch in person.

Often, we’re able to offer helpful insight into originality, condition, approximate age, and any details that may warrant further attention. A second opinion is always a good idea!

Yes. We offer professional watch repair services, with many repairs completed in-house. Some brands require manufacturer servicing to maintain warranties.

Yes. We buy luxury watches at our Pittsburgh location and offer cash offers or trade-in options. Brands include TUDOR, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, Cartier, Grand Seiko, Tag Heuer, Breitling, IWC, Panerai, Nomos, and more.

Yes. Our team regularly helps clients select watches for milestones, anniversaries, and significant celebrations.

Most watch battery replacements cost $25-35. We do not replace Invicta watch batteries. Invicta watches are one of the only brands we do not repair or replace batteries due to their requirements.

Currently we are offering watch battery replacements for next day pick-up during our business hours.

Yes, we can repair pocket watches.

We make it easy to sell here at Henne. Please complete our form and our estate department manager will evaluate your ring and present options for cash, trade-in, or consignment our Pittsburgh showroom.

No, we do not buy jewelry (cash or trade-in) with lab-grown diamonds. Natural diamonds retain their value, while lab-grown diamonds do not, unfortunately. We have instruments onsite to determine if a piece has natural or lab-grown diamonds, should you want to confirm!

You are welcome to walk in and drop off the jewelry or gold you wish to sell. Our estate department will need time to assess the item(s) and get back to you with an offer for cash/trade-in, typically 4-5 weeks. Please make an appointment to sell your jewelry/gold to ensure our estate buyer has availability and can give you and your jewelry the attention you deserve.

We welcome consignment jewelry. If your piece is accepted, you’ll receive 70% of the established retail price, which is set with your approval and not changed without your consent. Our consignment period is a minimum of 90 days, and you may leave your piece with us longer if you’d like to continue offering it for sale.

Yes. Gold bars make an excellent gift or investment, especially with rising gold prices. Please call 412-682-0226 to purchase.

Yes. We offer secure, insured shipping options for qualified purchases, including online orders.

Yes. We offer various financing options, including Wells Fargo, PNC Flex Pay, and in-house options. Rolex watches are excluded.

You are welcome to return any unworn item within 30 days of the sale date with the receipt for either a refund or exchange. Timepieces must have protective stickers in place. If the item has been worn or is damaged in any way not due to us, we won’t be able to accept the return. Special orders, engraved items, or other customized items are not eligible for return. Sale items are considered final sale and are not eligible for return. If you are unhappy with a purchase or the quality of any item, please talk to your sales associate about what we can do to accommodate you. We strive to make all of our customers happy with exceptional service.