Carlos Diaz Silversmiths & Goldsmiths

Great attention to detail, beautiful work and amazing customer service! Highly recommended!

One of the great things about Tucson is its plethora of small businesses, and Carlos Diaz is no exception. I needed to get 2 rings repaired and a stone ordered for one — I walked in and was greeted by family members, and knew I was in the right place. The work was done in-​house and was exceptional. I’ve worked in jewelry before, and I could tell that they were very honest, things were priced correctly and that they took immense pride in their work. If I need anything else, I’ll definitely be coming back!
Also, they have a beautiful selection of American Indian jewelry.

Short version: Beautiful work; lovely people; worked hard to make our rings on time (next day); couldn’t be happier.
Long version: After 31 years of marriage, my husband and I returned to Tucson to renew our wedding vows and have a blessing ceremony where we originally married.
We flew in on a Thursday evening and Friday morning realized we had not thought of wedding rings. On the slim chance we might find something we liked, we checked online and then stopped in to Carlos Diaz Silversmiths & Goldsmiths Jewelers, looking for something nontraditional.
We were greeted by Carlos Diaz’ grandson and daughter, to whom we explained our plans for a ceremony the next day.
We found a beautiful gold band with inlaid turquoise which happened to be a perfect fit for me. The owner, Carlos Diaz, told us that he could have the matching ring for my husband ready the following week.
His daughter then turned to him and exclaimed that we needed the rings the next day. Mr. Diaz disappeared into the back and returned with an unfinished band of the same design. We picked out the turquoise we wanted and they finished it by closing that evening!
This was more than we could have expected; and even if we had planned and searched months in advance, we believe we would not have found something more simply beautiful and meaningful than these rings. What a special experience.
They have a nice selection of Southwestern jewelry with additional nontraditional and designer pieces, many of them designed by the owner Carlos Diaz. Most importantly, everyone was so wonderful to work with: they listened to what we wanted, worked with us to make it happen, and were warm and lovely. What a delightful surprise.

I was initially really impressed with Carlos. His shop is nice, he and his family were friendly. He assured us that he could create a custom engagement ring for us based on our ideas. We came back again a couple weeks later with a design, waited 10 minutes for him to talk to us, and spent about 30 minutes discussing the specifics of it.
He asked if it was a rush job, when we needed it by, explaining that he couldn’t be pressured by a short deadline. We explained that it was an engagement ring, that we weren’t in a huge rush – of course, we wanted it some time in the near future, but we weren’t going to hound him. He said it would take him about 4 weeks, which sounded reasonable to us.
He took the order and told us he’d be in touch when it was ready, or to call back in about a month.
Six weeks later I called him. The first time, someone else answered the phone and said he would call back, which he did not. I called again, left another message, and then he did call back.
He gave me a very long explanation about how he was very busy, couldn’t be rushed, and that he didn’t work on deadlines. Then he said he couldn’t possibly START work on my order for four months. I very much had the sense that my order was not big or important enough for him, that he probably took it in good faith and then chose to work on more lucrative things for customers who could potentially offer him more business in the long term.
At that point, I said I’d be by to pick up my design, which I drew myself. He immediately started repeating that he’d be willing to create my ring, just not on a deadline, and not for four months. He denied saying that he would finish the ring by a certain time. I kept saying I was going to come for my design, and he kept saying I was free to find another artisan, and also that he would make my ring for me, provided I didn’t rush him. He told me that it was hard for him to find time to work because people always wanted to talk to him.
At this rate, I imagine I would be married before I got my engagement ring.
ETA: Right after I wrote the above review, my fiancé went over to the shop to get my original design back. Carlos was effusively apologetic but insisted he didn’t ever give delivery dates and that he was really, really, really, really busy. And also that he was going to make my ring. Later. And we were stressing him out. My fiancé said that he was stressing us out, and that if he wanted our business, he needed to make the ring in the next 30 days. After a while, apparently, he agreed. My fiancé told him we would check back in 2 weeks, and if the ring wasn’t started, that we would definitely need our design back immediately so we could find an artisan who could deliver.
At this point, I don’t have high hopes. If we find that he’s started the ring in 2 weeks and can deliver it in a month, I will change my rating of this business, but right now I feel like my fiancé is being a bit optimistic.
ETA: We got a call yesterday (3 days after my last update) that the wax casting of the ring was ready and we should come in to approve it, which we did this morning. We were also asked for a deposit at this time. (We paid in full so there would be no misunderstanding.) I’m revising my rating up a star, and will go up another one if the ring comes in in a timely fashion and lives up to our expectations!
ETA: It’s about a month after the last update, and I have my ring! It really is quite beautiful. The workmanship is exquisite, with fine attention to detail. Carlos called me once or twice, wanting to add some details, which I approved. We were out of town when the actually finished it, and he was thoughtful enough to email us a number of close-​up photographs, but they really don’t do it justice. Perfectly beautiful, so I guess it’s worth the wait. I would definitely recommend this artisan, but don’t be in any kind of a hurry for custom work.