Frequently Asked Questions

Burbank Jewelry Outlet offers jewelry repair, custom jewelry design, professional cleaning, stone setting, engraving, watch battery replacement, and cash for gold. All services are performed in-house at our Burbank studio at 122 E Alameda Ave.

Walk-ins are welcome for most services including repair drop-off, jewelry cleaning, watch battery replacement, and cash for gold appraisals. For custom jewelry design and stone setting consultations, a booked appointment ensures you have dedicated time with our jeweler, but we welcome drop-in inquiries during store hours: Monday through Friday 10am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 3pm.

Most standard repairs are completed within 3 to 7 business days. We assess each piece when you drop it off and give you an accurate timeline before any work begins. Rush turnaround is available on request.

Repair pricing is assessed per piece. We evaluate the repair in front of you, give you a cost estimate before any work begins, and only proceed with your approval. There are no surprise charges at pickup.

Yes. We clean gold and fine jewelry at our studio using ultrasonic cleaning, steam cleaning, and hand polishing techniques suited to the piece. We also perform a courtesy inspection during the cleaning visit: checking for loose prongs, worn clasps, and developing cracks. Walk-in cleaning is welcome during store hours. Same-day service for most standard cleans.

Yes. Many customers bring stones they already own, including heirlooms, and have us design and build a new setting around them. Bring the stone to the consultation and we will assess it before committing to a design.

Most custom pieces are ready in 2 to 4 weeks from design approval. Rush timelines are available on request. We will confirm your timeline at the consultation before any work begins.

We do. Engagement rings and wedding bands are some of the most common custom pieces we make. The process is the same: consultation, sketch, 3D-printed model, approval, casting, finishing. We also carry engagement rings in stock for customers who want to see something physical before committing. Bridal pieces account for a significant portion of our custom work every year.

Yes. The 3D-printed model is part of our standard custom design process at no extra charge. You hold the model, check the size and proportions, and approve it before any gold is cast. It is the step that protects you from receiving a finished piece that does not match what you had in mind.

Custom work is available in 14K gold, 18K gold, or platinum, in yellow, white, or rose gold tones. Stone options include diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, and customer-supplied stones. We source and alloy the metal to our specifications in-house. No imports, no mystery alloys.

Every order ships from our Burbank studio, packed and inspected by our team before it leaves the building. We use insured, trackable carriers for all orders. You receive a tracking number by email when your order ships. Signature confirmation may be required on higher-value orders.

Custom and personalized pieces are non-returnable once production has begun, because they are made specifically for you. If a piece arrives damaged or not as described, contact us and we will make it right at no cost to you: we will arrange return shipping and either replace the piece or issue a full refund, your choice.

Contact us before sending anything back. Call (818) 845-9286 during store hours (Mon–Fri 10am–5pm, Sat 10am–3pm) or reach out via our contact page. If you are local to Burbank, you are welcome to bring the piece in directly and we can resolve most issues on the spot. Do not ship a return without contacting us first.

14 karat gold is 58.3% pure gold alloyed with other metals for durability. It is the industry standard for fine jewelry in the US because it balances gold content, wear resistance, and value. We work in solid 14K gold, 18K gold, and platinum. We do not use gold-filled or gold-plated pieces: every piece is solid metal through and through.

Yes. Mild dish soap and warm water is all you need for most solid gold pieces. Soak for two to three minutes, gently scrub with a soft toothbrush around settings and chain links, rinse thoroughly, and pat dry with a soft lint-free cloth. Avoid abrasive cloths, which scratch the surface.

For pieces with soft stones (opals, pearls, emeralds): wipe with a damp cloth only, no soaking. If you are unsure of the stone type, bring it in and we will tell you.

Store pieces separately, not loose in a shared tray. Gold scratches gold. Individual pouches or a compartmented jewelry box keeps surfaces clean. Remove jewelry before swimming, bathing, or applying lotion or perfume. Remove rings before heavy manual work or exercise: the metal can deform under impact, and prong settings are vulnerable to hard contact.

Bring a piece into the studio if you notice: a stone that moves or feels loose; a clasp that has become difficult to open or close; surface dullness that at-home cleaning has not resolved; or any chain link or solder joint that looks different from the others.

For general maintenance, a professional clean once a year keeps most pieces in excellent condition. Do not keep wearing a piece with a loose stone: prong failure is the most common cause of stone loss, and it is inexpensive to fix before the stone is gone. Walk-ins welcome Monday through Saturday at 122 E Alameda Ave.