Lava 9

I went to San Francisco a few weeks ago and stumbled across this store. I absolutely love the unique jewelry, apparel and handbags. They carry Liebeskind, which is my favorite leather brand (and what drew me into the store) but I ended up buying a necklace instead. Once I got home, I decided I wanted another necklace I’d seen and they were kind enough to ship it to me. Some people might consider it pricey, but it’s a little boutique, not a fast fashion retailer, so I wouldn’t expect it to be inexpensive. Plus it’s all high quality and/​or handmade stuff. You get what you pay for.

Lava 9 is a pretty interesting shop in Hayes Valley. This store exposed a lot of brands that I have never heard of, like Prairie Underground and Ellington handbags (based in Portland, Oregon). Most items (jackets, vests, purses etc.) seem to be around $ 125-​$ 150 or so, so I would not classify this place as cheap. The items they do carry seem high quality though. My friend got a nice vest for $ 125.

Beware. They don’t do returns though, only store-​credit. Fine. I bought a nice winter jacket here last winter but had to return because it didn’t keep out the wind at all. Based on what they had in the store at the time I felt like I could check back in a few months when they got new stuff in. Few months later I come back in and find out that they decided to discontinue all menswear because «there are so many places that sell menswear in Hayes Valley.» Yeah great, but my store credit is here, not at those other stores! Now I am stuck with a $ 350+ store credit which I suppose they expect me to spend on handbags and jewelry??? Total nonsense!
To redeem themselves they offered to order me some other things that I could then buy from them and I agreed to this plan rather than give up the credit. It turned out that while none of the items were all that great I decided to go ahead with one of them which was better than the others instead of throwing away my store credit. When Andrea rang up the item, a shirt sold online on the company website for $ 90 (good thing I had done my research), she asked for $ 180. I balked of course and said it was impossible that that was the right price. She defended herself and explained to me that it was their standard practice to charge twice as much as the wholesale price, which was $ 90.
So I walked out. If I hadn’t known that the shirt ought to have only been $ 90 I might’ve paid $ 180 and gotten totally ripped off.
What a scam!
These people only care about making money they don’t give a crap about customer satisfaction and they clearly have no problem trying to rip you off if they can get away with it.

Amazing, amazing handmade jewelry. Pricey, but probably worth it.

Always a great place to find unusual gifts in the $ 30-​$ 60 range. I love that the lady working in the shop (Ella?) is also a jewelry designer. Her pieces were very unique and different… and affordably priced. Lava 9 is always one of my «go to» place for gifts.

Love their jewelry — I always find interesting gifts for myself and others here. I also love the selection of bags.

We stumbled upon this store on our way to Timbuk2 and we are so glad we did. They had a very friendly staff and the adorable selection of hats. We had a great time trying them on and left with two great finds. They also had some beautiful, although pricey, bags and clothing. We will definitely be shopping here again.

Still my favorite jewelry shop in San Francisco! I always get compliments on the unique pieces I’ve purchased here over the years.

My favorite jewelery store–
I came across Lava9 by chance 10 years ago or so and have made it a staple when I visit San Francisco. Very well made jewelery at reasonable prices. Great selection of local and international artists that work with steel and titanium which is great because their selection goes beyond the usual sterling silver items. Very helpful staff that will gladly custom order rings (for example) in your size if they don’t have them.
Also a very nice selection of handbags and men’s & women’s clothes.

A great boutique in the middle of boutique row in Hayes Valley.

I just love the jewelry selection here. Someone could pick up about 80% of whatever jewelry is here and know that I would like it. I also like their one little sale rack they always have at the front of the store… fun pieces. They have some cool men’s shirts that are just different enough (striped with an upturned floral on the cuffs). I’m not fond of much of the women’s clothing, but I always look through it all because I have bought a shirt here and there that was really fun so it’s worth going through it all. Lots of interesting belts for men and women. You should definitely check this place out while you’re strolling Hayes Valley.

Mmmmmmm… it was a feast for my eyes and heart walking into this store. Jewelry hung on the walls and in clear glass cases, wallets, belts, scarves, bags, and jackets, and the tantalizing smell of good quality leather in the air. Accessory heaven!
Unlike most boutique stores, I felt very comfortable browsing through the merchandise without being eyed or cornered by the shopkeeper (s). I liked that some of the price tags were clearly displayed — both low and high end — and it gave me hope that I could return here and splurge on a couple of things without exploding my credit card.
I spotted tons of unique jewelry — I liked a lot of the more organic pieces that resembled actual stems, buds, and leaves… reminded me a little of the selection I see displayed at museum shops and boutiques that honor local designers.
Really cool place — I’ll be back!

fabulous fun store with lovely people working there and wonderful merchandise. Everything i have ever gotten here is a favorite… in fact i wore earrings and my favorite handbag which come from there today.
At first it seems pricey but when you consider the quality really not so bad. The staff is as helpful as you want or lets you alone to browse their amazing stuff… never any pressure and will alter belts for free if you find one you like that is too big. t

This place is fabulous! The owner is extremely sweet and her buying is amazing! If you are looking for incredible unique clothing or jewelry, do yourself a favor and check this place out.
I purchased two coats, jewelry and other accessories there and they are some of my favorite’s in my collection. The prices are fair and the quality is great.
The location is really cute on Hayes street. Lots to see and great walking area.

I bought 3 bracelets here. The two I gave as gifts were instantly loved and immediately put on. The third I bought for myself, and it is a staple I were often.
The store is charming, the jewelry display is great! I like being able to see everything easily and things not look cluttered. The bag display works too.
Great people working here, good visual layout and a fantastic selection, make for a great shopping or browsing experience.

Accessories GA-​LOOORE!!! I was having brunch with a friend at La Boulange a few doors down and we wandered in here. I’ve browsed through this store before, but somehow I don’t remember there being as many oh-​so-​lovely items!
I love the jewelry in here (my awesome friend made the experience extra special by buying me a pair of earrings for me… and herself, of course), and the wallets and bags are endless. Great place if you’re not into the same old repetitive big department store styles and looking for your own little style. it’s not over-​the-​top expensive either. A must-​return place.

***This review is for their jewelry collections only — I was too busy oogling to check out their other goods***
MY MY MY. If you like beautiful, unique jewelry and don’t have much to spend, do NOT go in here. This place is insane. Some of the most unique pieces (from local to international jewelry artists) I have ever seen. Each collection more unique than the rest. It’s worth a hop-​in especially if you have an anniversary coming up and you want to give a hint-​hint to your significant other.
The owners are very friendly and helpful.
I love this place for jewelry; a total gem. Pun intended! Wa-​wa!

I’ve never had a good relation ship with wallet.
I always buy a cheap kind at Mervin’s, Sear’s or Target.
So, it all worn out with in short time because it’s a Cheap and I put too much coins in it.
I don’t put coins direct into my pocket, front of my pants.
Every time when I get some change, it all goes into my wallet.
So I always carry a FAT wallet with FULL of change.
«Every night my dad came home from work, he got hand full of change out of his pocket, put them on to a small table in the hallway.» My GF told me a story of her dad.
Well, a friend of mine said, «My God, you are like my grand mother!» when he saw me put lots of coins into my wallet.
That’s how I drive too.
” I run into an old lady like you who were payin’ with coupons and small change at a Safeway but FXXX, It was sucha busy time, long line, drove every one crazy!“
So, I am more like an old lady.
I was at a Taco truck paying for 4 Chicken Taco, I noticed the zipper of my wallet was broken.
I said to my self, «Yatta!», means «Finally» in Japanese.
The wallet, My GF gave me for my birthday present few years ago, it looks like a net with hard string so you can see what’s in it. it was really good for a couple years, but has been bugging my left crotch because it had a hard edge and made a big hole in the left front pocket of all of my pants, I don’t remember how many times my car key went through to ground. I don’t to put my wallet in my back pocket. I never do. My back pocket is for paperback. I always keep my paperback in my back pocket. So I lose paperback more often.
So, this time, I needed to get a good wallet but problem was that I didn’t know where to go.
So I asked my GF and she took me here, LAVA 9 on Hayes St.
I used to avoid a nice cute little place like here because I feel like I’ll be a target to get rip off.
I don’t know.
I think I was a bit too nervous to come here because I used too much shopping at a place like Target.
You’ll pay more at a small nice place like here than Target but I’m sure it’ll last long.
There was a shelf full of wallets, about 100?
We pretty much went through all.
But I found one.
It was the last one.
My GF said, «Is it for men’s?»
The store clerk guy said, «Uh, unisex?»
He was just nice to me, didn’t want to hurt my feeling.
I didn’t care what people say.
I just loved it so I gotto have it.
It’s a Hobo brand.
It’s a black leather 3 folding with magnet to keep it tight and a zipper pocket for coins in front.
I think the reason why it looks a bit «Girly» because the zipper is L shape.
I am very sure that this wallet will be stay with me for a while.

They have really cool jewelry here. I recently bought a gorgeous ring. It took me 3 visits of drooling and trying it on before I decided to buy it. My one issue is that the staff didn’t know what it was made of!
First visit: «Oh, it’s pink sapphire and opal.»
Second visit (different person): «It’s labradorite and.. . I’m not sure what.»
Third visit (different person): «I think it’s pink tanzanite, actually.»
So I was a little irked that they didn’t know the materials in the ring. I’m glad that 2 times out of 3 the staff said they weren’t sure — I’m a bit bothered that the first person was so certain (and so wrong) about it. I’ll grant benefit of the doubt, and assume it was an honest mistake.
I decided to buy it anyway b/​c it was beautiful, unusual, and not terribly expensive. I did some research when I got home and learned it’s made with labradorite and rhodolite (a kind of garnet).
So, my suggestion to Lava9 is: Please know what your jewelry is made of! And if you don’t know, then say so. Otherwise we drift into the realm of misrepresentation and that is not cool.
And my suggestion to shoppers: Buy jewelry b/​c you love the design and the fit, but don’t be shy about asking for more info about the materials and/​or designer. The staff may not know, and it’s good to know what you’re actually buying.
I will continue to shop here, but I’ll be a bit more careful and inquisitive, knowing that they don’t always know what their jewelry is made of.

I like my earrings big.
Bold.
My belts to have pockets.
Practical.
My bags to be deep, well-​made, colorful, and original.
Stylish.
Lava 9 will help you become bolder, more practical, and definitely more stylish.