Metalliferous

I’m taking a jewelry class, and Metalliferous and Myron Toback were both recommended by my instructor as places to get supplies. I had been to Metalliferous once before, about 6 years ago, and hadn’t returned since because the staff were rude and acted like it was such an inconvenience to answer my questions or assist me.
So, back in the present, I decided to buy my class supplies at Myron Toback. They were out of charcoal blocks for soldering, so for convenience sake, I went around the block to Metalliferous to get this last item. All of the staff were busy when I first walked in, so I waited a couple minutes until a woman came up behind the counter and asked if I needed help. She pointed out the charcoal, behind me in a bin near the floor. When I stood back up and faced the counter, a younger guy with dark hair behind the counter said «Oh heyyy, where did THIS woman come from?» in a leering voice. Then, in the next beat, without a response from me: «I’m fine, thanks for asking…» smiling, in the same voice. The woman helping me rolled her eyes, and I ignored the guy who stayed nearby, watching me, and left as soon as I’d paid.
So, will I be returning? Nope. I appreciate running errands and doing my shopping without getting hit on or leered at. It happens enough on the street every day, I’d rather do my business in a place where I don’t have to deal with micro sexual aggressions.

Thank you for your prompt order. I know you are in New York and I am in Syracuse, but still. I ordered yesterday afternoon and received it at around noon the next day. I call that good service. Thank you.

It’s a self serve environment here but I like being left alone to explore and believe me — you can spend hours here looking for the coolest bits and pieces. The staff was really friendly and helpful too. It’s truly a special place and worth a visit!

I found sterling wire here today at almost a 3^rd of the cost of everyone on 6^th ave, very close to wholesale which is so important when you need to profit from your jewelry. Very nice and funny staff as well.

Great place for jewelry making supplies. I always find what I need here. Staff is knowledgable and helpful. If I have a list they take it and find everything on it for me. Looking forward to my next visit now that it’s time to restock my supplies and tools! :)

this spot is such a goldmine that I almost don’t want to give up the secret.
needless to say, this place is so great. a pinch overpriced for certain items but totally worth it.
Staff is SUPER helpful and so sweet too. wish the place wasn’t so so cramped but hey, it’s New York. [PS please move/​open a location in Brooklyn!]

David has been let go! Apparently I’m not the only one who had a really awful run in with him. He was hurting sales. I really like the new staff! They are knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. And I hate to say it, but they are a lot cheaper than Zak’s. Definitely the place to go for jewelry supplies in NYC.

Amazing place. Definitely a lot to choose from, so you can create whatever you like. Go in with an idea and some sort of knowledge about jewelry and you’re set. They are no-​nonsense but still super friendly and helpful. Absolutely going back and back and back again.

My jewelry teacher (and several Unilocal reviewers) warned me that the staff here would be rude.
I went in today with a list of things that I would never have been able to find on my own (unless I had hours to spend there), and the gentleman I spoke with found everything for me very quickly AND he was extremely kind and courteous.
It was one of the best retail experiences I’ve ever had, honestly. Plus they’ve got tons of inventory packed into this little place. Perhaps my opinion is tainted since I had been bracing myself for an unpleasant episode… but I left smiling. Actually physically smiling! I’ll definitely be back.

So much better!
I have been getting supplies here for years because they do carry just about everything but it wasn’t a pleasant experience until recently. The one guy who would talk down to every customer is GONE and the new staff are all very approachable and helpful. This is one customer who appreciated the change!

if their manners on the telephone are any indication, save yourself some trouble

After years of avoiding this place because of one employee I went back today and all I can say there is a whole new wind blowing here. Such a nice vibe everyone wanted to help me. There is a lot of great stuff in a small place. So happy to be able to shop here again.

What a change at Metalliferous! I hadn’t been there in a long time because of the bad rep and rude treatment of the customers. It was almost immediately noticeable when I walked in that the attitude had changed there. I found them helpful and knowledgeable. They made shopping there a joy instead of drudgery!

This is an amazing little place. It can get pretty cramped and overwhelming so it’s best to go on a weekday mid day if you can. It’s really the only game in town for higher end jewelry supplies. Sure you can order stuff online but so much depends on how things feel in your hand that having a brick and mortar store can’t be beat. The staff have always been very helpful. They might not always know exactly where everything is but there’s so many tiny things to keep track of you really can’t blame them.

Just had a great visit there. They have a wide variety of mdse. From jump rings, to hammers, all gauges of metal and sheets of patterned metal.
The people there were so friendly and so helpful Can’t wait to go back!!!

This is a great little place. It’s in a small office building on the 3^rd floor. Prices are reasonable and it’s great that you don’t have to schlep all the way to the garment district or Koreatown to pick up your jewelry supplies. They don’t have a huge inventory but you can always call them in advance to see if they have what you need in stock. What they do have is a very large supply of metal pendants and adornments (for charms, earrings, etc.). If you need off the wall or unique materials this might not be your place, but for basics they’re just fine. Nice people too.

I shopped online and found a pdf of Metalliferous supplies. I called in the order, and was not pleased to realize that they charged me much more than the published pdf of their inventory. When I called the owner, he only offered to take back the return, and said that the pdf says that «prices are
subject to change». Even though the woman who took my order did not confirm prices over the phone, he still would not give me any type of credit as a good will gesture due to false advertising! Not cool.

I can now in good faith and conscience give this store the 5 stars it deserves. Thank you for clearing out the bad energy. It is appreciated and noticed.
If you don’t know anything about jewelry making or design and your instructor has told you to come here, thank them. You don’t really need to go anywhere else. They have everything you need and at reasonable prices.
The staff is sooo friendly now and so helpful. Even though it’s in a smaller space you will find that you have more than enough things to buy that you weren’t initially interested in. No, there are no more rows of vintage findings, but there is still stuff to choose from and if you ask, someone can help you get what you’re looking for.
Need a bench? they got it
Need a torch? sure, they got it
Need sterling wire? yup, they got it
I’ve come here more since the clean sweep of the «staff» than I have in a few years and it feels good.

Metalliferous is good in my book. I was hesitant after reading some of the reviews before my visit. Nevertheless, I was greeted upon entering and all my interactions with the staff were pleasant (enough)
My recommendation is to visit in their non peak hours (though I’m not sure when that would be) because the store is not large. I left my bag behind the counter because there just was no extra space while perusing.
After I paid, I asked the young lady where the closest bead store was and she gave me a sheet with different bead stores in the area. I found that to be very helpful and really sweet.
I will def go back when I have jewelry making needs.

They have downsized considerably.
Not too sure whats next for them…
They do carry a few things that I can’t find anywhere else.
Staff is very rude and snarky — specially the chick with all the bracelets.