Twice As Nice

Stumbled in to this shop on a rainy day in Galway and walked out with a lighter wallet but a bag heavy with beautiful things. Dierdre, the owner, was lovely and gracious and truly helpful, not one bit pushy or rushy or anything other than sublime to work with. I went in ‘just to look’ and didn’t feel the least bit pressured, and when I started asking to see this, that, and the other, my requests were received warmly. I ended up with a couple of strands of mixed seed pearls (which I’d been looking for for years) with matching earrings, two gorgeous antique charms (Dierdre was visibly delighted that they were going to a home that would truly appreciate them) and one new one, and the bank-​breaker, an absolutely charming opal, sapphire and gold ring that she said reminded her of the Tudor Rose (which it did) and which fit on my finger as though made for it.
The young lady who worked in the shop whose name escapes me (starts with a C/​K) actually went looking for me after I’d left my umbrella there in a retail-​fueled haze. All around charming, high-​quality shop with great service and stock. Highly recommend.

I was looking for a trinket as a souvenir and was glad we found this place. They had a gorgeous antique styled jewelry selection. My customer service experience was superb; the lady was very patient, helpful and always had a suggestion when I didn’t like a piece. Another customer even bombarded my shopping with the lady, and she was still courteous to both of us when the other customer was demanding to see the rings that were being put up as the store was closing (geez). Even when I made my final selection, the lady was like «are you sure? try on one last time». I didn’t check out the upstairs though as the store was closing.
Great place to buy something special for someone.

Downstairs there’s a jewellery section with antiques and such, which I never really paid much attention to but upstairs there’s a lovely and cute floor dedicated to vintage-​style clothing. Galway clothes shopping is mostly made up of the normal high street shops so Twice as Nice is a welcome change from the regular candidates.

No. I didn’t buy a Claddaugh ring. I know. I already have one that was given to me. And while it came from a jewelry store in Iowa, I think one Claddaugh is enough. On this particular visit to Ireland, it was close to Valentine’s Day, things were not going well with the «boyfriend», and I was determined that retail therapy would help. Just a couple doors down from the Claddaugh ring store/​museum is Twice As Nice. I walked in and instantly loved it. If you love boutiques with antique items, you’ll love this place. Loads of stuff, but it was the sparkly stuff that caught my eye.
The lady behind the counter was very friendly and asked me if I was looking for something. For a very long time I have been looking for a peach coloured topaz. When I worked at a jewelry store, we had a couple, but I never liked the settings, so I never purchased one. Since then, I’ve still wanted one… so I asked. She looked high and low and showed me the things she did have that were similiar, but it didn’t peak my interest. So then I noticed some of their amethyst rings. Another gem I don’t have in my collection and they had plenty of those.
The lady was so helpful and patient! I’m sure she was probably thinking, «She has tried on every ring and she probably isn’t going to buy anything!» but I never once got that feeling from her. We narrowed it down to two silver rings, one with a round, but dark amethyst and one with a thick band with a light amethyst, emerald cut, but turned on its side. I loved both for different reasons… the first for the dramatic colour of the amethyst and the other for the setting… Without pressuring me, the lady was helpful in giving me a little more information on both and even said that they could have them sized for me very quickly since I was leaving the next day (although it still wouldn’t be quick enough since we were leaving at 8 a.m.) if needed. After much going back and forth, I finally went with the lighter amethyst in the setting that I fell in love with. It was € 60… the amethyst is quite (American quite) large, but it is set in sterling silver. I still wear it and still love it… get a number of comments on it! Happy Singles Awareness Day to me!

Am usually a lover of this quaint antique jewellery store but my experience today has completly turned me off!
Have bought several pieces from this store over the last few years, generally they are one of a kind pieces and very beautiful if not a little on the expensive side! although one needs a treat every so often!
So it is my mothers birthday today and i decided to buy her a watch from here that she had seen, it was expensive (€ 400) but it was a treat, when i was buying the watch there were 2 sales persons (a mother and daughter) and they were both very helpful!
Gave my mother her present this morning and it turns ou it is a little bit big and we needed a few links removed so went back to the shop today to have this done. i have had many a watch that has needed to have links removed and generally this is done within 5 mins, its a simple procedure!
Young sales person was working today when we first called in and we explained to her what we wanted to have done, she said to leave the watch with her as it will take a few days to have the links removed, we questioned this and she said sure we are only a small place we cant be doin this on the day! and in her most condensending voice said «sure are nt you happy with it anyways, whats another week to wait for it» we explained as as it was a birthday gift and today was my mothers birthday she obviously wanted to have her present on her birthday! very rude woman! anyways left watch with her although we were extremly annoyed!
we went away had some breakfast and discussed what had happened and decided to return to shop and get the watch back and bring it to another jewellers to have links removed, by this stage older sales person was in the shop, we spoke to her and she was so surprised as they have an on site man who does all these jobs ie. re sizing, removing of links.
Young Girl returnes and older woman askes her why she sent us away and said come back in a week? turns out young girl was too busy to speak to repair man! (note: we were only people in the shop this morning!)
Definately would not recommend this shop, its all about the sale and no after care!