Marlene Harris Collection

My fiancé surprised me by taking me here so we could pick out unconventional wedding rings. We both found rings we love and they really are unique. Marlene and her associate were so helpful and kind, even when we had to go back to ask for advice about putting a bead in my ring. They asked all kinds of questions about ourselves and they were a pleasure to talk to. They helped us pick out the perfect rings. The shop itself is really cool… it used to be a chicken coop. It was such a genuine experience. I highly recommend Marlene Harris.

Marlene’s shop is just lovely. And super busy on weekends, so try to come on a weekday! It’s located inside of a refurbished chicken coop, but it feels like you’re stepping inside of a large jewelry box. It’s very, very quaint. We were helped by Marlene’s assistant on a Saturday, who also happens to do all the photography for the website. It’s highly recommended that you pick out a few product IDs you like online before going into the store. The assistant pulled out a bunch of two-​toned retro modern (~1940s) rings for me, but ended up also pulling a single-​toned white gold retro modern on intuition and that was the one my fiancé and I ended up choosing.
No one ever attempted to upsell us in the Wedding-​Industrial-​Complex format. But it was true that some ring bands were just too tiny on my hands, proportionally (I’m tall, so my hands are proportionally larger). This opinion was stated to me by the saleswoman, and I appreciated the outside subjective honesty communicated in a cautious manner. Of course, I bet if you stood your ground on the tiny ring it’d be fine, but it wasn’t really an issue for us. We didn’t have much interaction with Marlene herself, but she did recommend pairing my engagement ring with a different metal wedding band, which is an interesting idea I had not thought of before.
It’s really great that the selection was so vast, I had been worried my need to avoid conflict diamonds and the waste of new gold would lead me to limited options, but not at Marlene’s shop. However, tastes in men’s wedding bands have really changed over the years. So if you’re looking for something that the modern younger groom might like, you may find better prices for simple wedding bands elsewhere. They’re worth a look for their interestingness alone.
I came back to the store to retrieve my ring after re-​sizing and insisted on wearing it out of the shop (we got engaged a month prior, picked out the rings together, and fiancé was out of town when the ring was ready for pick-​up, there was no way I was going to wait 2 more weeks to wear my ring!). I think it gave Marlene a little bit of a shock, or she was just confused about it, but she hid it fairly well.
The variety and the prices here are absolutely fantastic. Every.Possible.Price.Range. I am so, so happy I found Marlene’s store. It really is quite the little gem!

I cannot say enough lovely things about Marlene, her shop, and the experience we had when going to pick out our engagement ring. My fiancé and I are both professional musicians, so going to a run of the mill mall jewelry store was not for us. While searching for antique style rings online, I came across Marlene and her collection blew me away. She has an uncanny eye for individuality and detail, and her many years of experience shine through the pieces she has chosen to adorn her collection.
Thankfully, Marlene is located in our area but I would not have hesitated to drive a great distance to see her shop. I called first to double check that her online selection matched what she physically had in the store, and then we took a ride to meet her! Our experience was so interesting and special. The shop itself is straight out of a movie — a former chicken coop transformed into a cozy space with fabric walls and lace ceilings. Marlene is charming as can be, and took the time to get to know us both. She luckily had the ring I already had in mind, and it fit perfectly so that part was easy. She was very considerate of our budget, did not try to push us into something more expensive. She offered details I wouldn’t have otherwise considered, like how the weight and shape of the ring balanced with my hand. Marlene is an artist through and through, and her expertise does not go unnoticed. I will return for our wedding bands, and highly recommend her to anyone looking for an engagement ring or simply a special gift with a unique experience.

Over the years, I’ve purchased many pieces from Marlene. I’ve found her to be honest, candid and reliable. And the advice she’s given me on various pieces has always been correct – even if it ended with me buying a less expensive item.
Her stock ranges from what I’d call «inexpensive» to what I’d call «so ridiculously expensive it belongs in a museum.» But you can discuss your budget and she’ll show you the things you can afford.
We took a dear friend to her when he wanted to purchase an engagement ring. They established what he could afford and she made up two trays of rings in his price range that suited his description of his fiancée and her tastes. When the fiancée arrived, Marlene showed her the rings that were agreed upon. Everybody was on the same page and the chosen ring was perfect on the woman’s hand.
Marlene is honest to the point of being blunt. She does say things like, «Those earrings are too small for you and make your face look fat.» She has also told me, «You’re too old for that style.» Now she could have said, «You could do better.» Yes. She could. But then I wouldn’t have known why the piece was wrong for me.
If you want high quality jewelry at an excellent price, you can get that from Marlene. She will tell you the truth about the value of the piece and whether it becomes you. She’s not being rude when she’s honest – she’s being honest.

I already had one engagement ring, but it’s a family heirloom and is easily damaged, so I wanted an inexpensive ring for daily wear. My fiancé and I went to Marlene Harris’s store (put Blawnox in your GPS, not Pittsburgh, or you’ll end up in the wrong place) because we had purchased earrings from her online previously. We had a great experience and ended up buying my engagement ring and wedding bands, plus a signet ring for my fiancé. I’ve read some of the other reviews, and I think Marlene’s personality isn’t for everyone, but I personally enjoyed her and thought she was funny. She reminds me of many opinionated older ladies I’ve known over the years, and we had a nice time in her store. I took my mother back to look around and she also bought a ring there. You’ll get a lot more for your money here than in regular jewelry stores, and it’s nice to try on and see in person the kinds of vintage rings you might see on Etsy, if that’s your style. I’ve recommended her to a friend of mine who is on a tight engagement ring budget, because she doesn’t push you to spend more than your budget or make you feel pressured or awkward at all.

If you want a great piece of jewelry and don’t mind being called fat-​fingered, or yelled at for taking them up on what they offer, Marlene Harris is for you!
The Marlene Harris Collection has a great collection of vintage and new rings and jewelry, but Marlene is HORRIBLE to work with! She told my girlfriend that she should get a bigger ring to hide her fat knuckles (how is bone and cartilage fat??? She actually has small fingers, size 5 ¾…) and kept repeating herself.
We picked out a setting but didn’t want the diamond because it was over priced by about $ 1k and wasn’t certified, and she did not like that… Her husband (awesome man!) told us there would be no fee for setting our own diamond into their setting. The day I got the diamond put in, Marlene called me and was yelling at me over the $ 25 fee they were charged… Yes, I bought an expensive ring and she called me and said I was rude and entitled for charging them the fee that they told us we wouldn’t have to pay.

We got married at the Echo Lake Inn, in Ludlow, Vermont, Memorial Day weekend-​May 24, 2014 after being together for 7 years and long distance for the last 3 of those years. My husband, Chris, and I discussed the aspects regarding an engagement ring (what it means to us and the history behind it, what our families have done previously, and qualities we both would like to see in a prospective stone and setting). After watching Blood Diamond in years prior we were both quite turned off by the idea of purchasing any ring (we considered melting down family jewelry on both sides, but then we also felt that the ring should be a new gift from Chris to me, since the meaning would be formed in the commitment we would be extending to one another and that memories and experiences would be had upon wearing this new piece that would be specific to us as couple and our journey and love story together, both good days and bad over the years). However, we ended up going with a recycled white gold 18k engagement ring with a conflict-​free center stone from Brilliant Earth (see my review for Brilliant Earth for further information). And then the wedding planning journey was kicked off officially for our proposal in 2012!
Deciding on a wedding band was one of the few wedding planning items that I waited on and was indecisive regarding for most of the wedding planning process and details. In my spare time I would search and search with magazines, google, various wedding websites and apps, jewelry stores and chains, talking to family and friends and observing other ideas for wedding bands, and I still couldn’t quite get set on what I wanted or had a vision of until about 3 months before our wedding.
I wanted something that wasn’t part of a set so I had the option to wear the band by itself. And I knew I wanted 18k white gold (so as to match my engagement ring which was of the same metal), with etchings on the sides, but no stones (so that it would be easier to clean and for general use and also so that if I wanted to engrave the inside of it, like all my maternal ancestors’ wedding bands that I have from my side of the family, I could). I went in person to Roman Jewelers (a local chain out by my parents in central Jersey) multiple times and looked through their book, describing what I was looking for, but they didn’t really have it. And then Chris and I went to a Jared out by his family in Long Island in New York and they too, recommended we look within their expanded book for offerings and kept suggesting men’s bands to me.
My cousin recommended Art Carved, Blue Nile, and Antique Jewelry Mall since she said a few of her older friends had rings similar to what I described and that these kinds of carved wedding bands with milgrain edges were popular about 5 – 10 years before we got married. We ended up going with a gorgeous design from the Marlene Harris collection in Pittsburgh, PA-​WBRK100A.
I had to keep scouring the Internet, Pinterest, and Etsy for antique style bands. (FYI I also really liked WB1588−22W as well as SD1273).
I am very happy with my band and how it looks with or without the engagement ring from Brilliant Earth paired with it, even during different temperature or weather changes throughout the year. The only factor is that on the off chance or occasion I’ve accidentally bumped my finger while wearing the band against something or when I’ve been carrying a bag with that hand and the handles have rubbed against the ring, I neurotically check to make sure it’s okay. I also am paranoid that it would rub off some of the side stones on the edge of my engagement ring on the days I wear the two rings together, but this also has not happened. I’ve gotten a lot of complements about the stippled swirl designs on the edges from even casual acquaintances and other persons. And Marlene Harris got the ring out to us really fast and in the correct sizing and everything-​considering Chris placed the order only 3 weeks prior to our wedding (I was really panicking, since I hadn’t found anything I was satisfied with until super close to the wedding) it all came together great.

Marlene knows her stuff. Not only does she have a gorgeous selection, but she knows what goes with what. I picked out a ring I loved, and was going through bands that might go with it. She said, «This will go with what you have,» and handed me a set of bands I liked but didn’t love. I proceeded to try to match all of the other bands I thought would go, but sure enough, the ones she had picked out was the only one that fit. Now, I didn’t end up buying them, because like I said, I didn’t love them. But she was right! And the original ring I picked out is absolutely gorgeous, and very unique. I get comments on the uniqueness and compliments all the time, half of them from strangers :)

I’ve bought several items from Marlene over the years. She’s wonderful! Frankly, I don’t know how I ended up finding her website, but I’m sure glad I did. I usually just call her and tell her what I’m looking for and the general price range. Her collection and taste is exquisite, especially if you are looking for Victorian, Deco or Nouveau era pieces. She has never disappointed! Of course, the recipients of these gifts have each been delighted with everything that has come from Marlene’s.
Highly Recommended!

My experience with Marlene was nothing but positive. It all began when my fiancé found her estate jewelry website. She found the perfect ring, and insisted that I purchase that exact piece. I called the number on the website, and to my dismay, Marlene answered the call! She was delighted to assist me, and when I told her what ring we were interested in, Marlene was thrilled. She commented on the ring’s beauty, and insisted on learning more about my fiancé and I. We spoke for a good hour, and agreed it would be best for my fiancé to have her finger sized correctly. She did so, and the ring was delivered a short time later. I proposed shorlty after, and my fiancé couldn’t be happier with the quality. She gets compliments everywhere we go! Next Spring, we are planning a road trip to visit Marlene at her shop, and she promised to assist us in finding the perfect wedding rings to match. We look forward to it!

I got my engagement ring from here and loved it. The person we talked to was very friendly. It arrived in the mail very fast. One of the best shopping experiences ever. We will be getting our wedding bands from there too. They have a great selection.

I found Marlene Harris to be very unique and helpful. The selection is somewhat limited, but it amazing because it is has pieces that you will not find anywhere else. The owner was extremely accommodating and tells it like it is. The collection is constantly changing and definitely worth a look.

We had an amazing experience with Marlene! She helped my fiancé and I find both her engagement ring (she came with me to pick it out) and her wedding bands, and we are absolutely thrilled with the rings (and the experience)!
Marlene was very sympathetic to our budget (we are both grad students), and once we explained our price range she only showed us rings that we could afford. She was also understanding (and enthusiastic, really) about us straying away from a traditional engagement ring-​no big stone for my fiancé! Instead of trying to push an expensive ring with a big diamond, she said that we could get whatever we wanted, and not to worry about whatever anyone else thought. Definitely a more personal experience than going to some generic jewelry store and getting the same ring everyone else has…

Last summer, I knew that my then-​boyfriend/​now fiancé was intending to propose. He was, however, VERY nervous about finding a ring I loved, while also not having to blow the budget (we were both grad students at the time). It was important to me that HE go and buy it, even I gave him an idea ahead of time of what I wanted. But then thinking about it… I honestly realized that I HAD no idea what I wanted.
I decided, then, to take an afternoon I had off from work to scope things out, as I kind of got the idea that maybe with a vintage/​antique ring, it would just be about a ring I fell in love with, and not a ring that was ‘perfect’ in all it’s ‘C’s. Plus, I figured it would be fun. I first went to MH, because I’d heard good things about her, excepting a few negative reviews on here that are now ‘filtered.’ At this visit, though her brusqueness/​pushiness was notable, it didn’t veer over into nastiness. I told her what I figured my fiancée’s budget was, but she kept showing me rings above it, saying things like ‘if he really loved [me], he’d pay more for a ring [I] like”(!). She also showed me a ring I fell in love with, only to realize that she’d ‘accidentally’ told me that the ‘2700’ written on it was the PRICE– when it turned out to be the STYLE number — the cost was $ 4000. Another reason for showing me rings outside of his budget was, as she kept putting it, ‘[I’m] a ‘big girl,’ so [I] need a big ring.’ To be clear, I’m 5’10 & nothing close to overweight. This visit wasn’t HORRIBLE, but definitely kinda unpleasant. I ended up going straight to Antiques of Shadyside, and my experience was 100x better: they wouldn’t even show me any rings above his budget and were just generally SO pleasant and nice. Ironically, I ended up getting a beautiful (not to mention big) ring that looks a great deal like the one I loved at Marlene’s — with an appraisal value only a few hundred less than what Marlene charged for hers, but for $ 1600 less in price.
So now, months later, my fiancé and I have agreed that I choose my wedding ring, he chooses his. Easy peasy. I go to AofS, only to be heartbroken at the sign up that they are permanently closed. I hope not cause of the deal on my ring! ;(So I think I’m prepared this time for Marlene. Knowing that, no matter what SHE’s like, she’s got what I reluctantly admit is pretty much the biggest stock of estate/​antique rings around, I look at her site, and find 4 or 5 rings I like in my price range. I go with my Mom. I tell her ahead of time, I’m not letting Marlene push me around and tell me what kind/​price of ring I should get this time… let’s just look at these few rings, hopefully I’ll like one of them, and we can go.
When I get there, there’s a young couple there already that Marlene’s working with. I get the sense that their budget for each of their rings is about ¹⁄₃ over mine for one. But still, their budget was not a HUGE amount compared to what some people spend. I hear them talking to her and saying they drove up from MD. She’s fawning all over them, and I notice she said something in reference to the cost of a ring, that ‘the economy is so bad so it’s tough for you young kids.’ I think, great! Maybe she’s had a personality transplant and isn’t so rude now. It’s our turn, and she pulls out the ones I asked to try, and as I’m quietly trying them on and talking to my mom about them, again, it’s the ‘you’re a big girl, you need a big ring.’ (Seriously, I feel sorry for someone TRULY fat going in there). She just kept shrugging her shoulders at my budget like she felt sorry for me and really couldn’t do anything for me, even though I knew from her website that there were a number in my price range that were perfectly normal sized wedding bands. I also pointed out the ROCK to her on my hand — noting that that was kinda enough bling for me. I asked her, then, if there were any rings in my budget that she’d recommend I try. She laughs haughtily and goes, ‘oh, I’d have NO idea what they cost without looking.’ Um, what?! YOU’RE A JEWELER! Sure, you don’t know the EXACT price, but not even a BALLPARK?
Then, for God only knows what reason, I asked if she had any earrings with green stones for my wedding day. Instead, she took me to a pair of phallic-​looking drop-​pearl earrings, telling me that ‘the richest family in Pgh just bought these for their daughter… this is what we put ALL our brides in.’ Um, not me, thanks.
Ultimately, I found a ring there that I considered buying, even though it was $ 100 over my budget, only to realize it would remind me of her every time I looked at it. I really think that Marlene would be SOL if it weren’t for her internet business, because if she only had to get by on her personality, she’d be run out of town. New Yorkers might not expect niceness from their jewelers, but Pittsburghers do. She was the rare person in all my wedding planning that was just awful to deal with. Truly, if at all possible, avoid her!

I recently bought 2 stackable wedding bands from Marlene. I’m IN LOVE with them! I live in Los Angeles, CA so I was scared to order over the internet (Marlene is in PA), but I hated everything I was finding here… not to mention it’s SO much more expensive over here. I randomly found her online store when googling antique style jewelry. Hands down she has the best assortment of real vintage pieces, vintage inspired pieces, and modern pieces. I bought my bands from her at an amazing price (gold had just sky rocketed). She assured me that if I didn’t like them I could send them back. My only issue is that I really wanted a picture on someone’s finger, and she wasn’t able to arrange for her IT person to do it. I’m OK with that because it worked out really well… Now if I only didn’t have to wait to wear them until my wedding!

The ring we were looking for, which was posted on the web site’s inventory was not available. Apparently, doing your homework in advance and having a budget for the ring in mind is not the way things are done in this store. Instead of asking us about our preferences, as the sales associate we initially dealt with tried to do, the owner interrupted and essentially suggested that we look at every ring in stock – regardless of price (the rings aren’t organized that way, why would they be?) to make a decision.
After a couple of really half-​hearted and conditional apologies later, we worked with the sales associate who had tried to help us in the first place and did find a great ring. I think the worst part of the experience was the disingenous nature of Marlene’s tone,
I’m a person who tends to spend quite a bit on jewelry for loved ones. This was my first and last purchase. I will recommend that others do not solicit this business on the basis of this experience.
Had we known that the owner would be so customer unfriendly, we would not have looked for alternatives. We’ve read other reviews here characterizing Marlene’s style as brusque, no-​nonesense, etc. We were not «winging» it, we’d thought things through, made a 70 mile drive to visit the shop and, candidly, will never visit again.

I have been looking for a vintage style wedding band and came across Marlene Harris’s website and was just fascinated by the designs and the number of ring selections. After a long debate, I finally decided on one of the stackable ring and ordered the ring over the phone. It arrived very promptly and very nicely wrapped.
I have since then posted the photo of my ring on my online album and have received so many compliments just from the photo alone! My wedding is in a few months and already I can hardly wait to wear it!

A jewelry designer and historian, Marlene buys antique and estate jewelry and sells them for unbeatable prices in her little lace and paisley shop (formally a chicken coop). Marlene herself is no-​nonsense: she won’t sell engagement rings to men shopping without their fiances-​to-​be and she wants to know exactly how much you’re looking to spend before she shows you anything. But don’t be deterred by her sometimes-​brusque attitude; she’ll give you great personal attention and make you feel like you’re the only one there. (The Saturday I was at her shop there were six of us from all over the Pittsburgh area, numerous phone calls for internet orders, and a couple on the phone looking for directions from Erie, PA!) Take a look at Marlene’s website to check out the selection and terrific prices:
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