Compton Jewelers

This is a really excellent place for jewelry repair! They’ve done great work restringing and replacing clasps on a number of my grandmother’s pieces over the years. However, the most impressive experience was my last one: I brought them a watch band that three other jewelers had said could not be fixed, but Compton was able to repair it. Highly recommended for any repair work.

«Family-​owned-​and-​operated for more than three (3) generations at the same location, …» says it all ! Mr. Compton is the only local watchmaker that I would allow to touch any of my rather modest collection of vintage/​antique railroad pocket watches … He’s the best !! … Enough Said !!! Highest Recommendation !!!
**See Detailed Review by Bruce D., dated 4÷3÷15, with whom I am NOT acquainted, is typical my experiences with Mr. Compton.**

My husband and I have had 10+ watch batteries replaced here, as well as a couple of leather bands. All are done quickly and professionally. I recently had two rings resized and they did a great job at a fair price. This review is really for another ring I had altered by them. I have an old family ring made of etched gold that had a resizing hack job done about 30 years ago. I took it to Compton and they not only were able to salvage the ring and resize it to fit me, but they also fixed the seam so that it looks brand new. I am so happy to have this family jewelry back in great condition.

This review is for mechanical pocket watch service. I had an antique pocket watch that was not running and required service. After an extensive internet search and several phone calls I found Compton. Their reputation in the mechanical watch community is strong.
Other watchmakers I contacted quoted a six month wait. Compton got the job done, door to door, in about three weeks. Communication was outstanding. They kept me informed and were clear about the process, a pleasure to deal with. Everything was done exactly as they said it would be and on time. The fee was completely reasonable given the detail and time required for this type of maintenance (complete disassembly and cleaning). I was able to present the watch as a gift knowing it was correctly serviced and backed by a one year guarantee.
Watchmakers with the experience, reputation and skill to work on mechanical watches are challenging to find. Pairing the required qualifications with great service is rarer still. If I need this type of assistance in the future I will not hesitate to contact my new first choice for mechanical pocket watch repair.

So I give Susan 4 stars.
I have not used their repair or engraving services.
My ex from two years ago works at the World Bank and bought me two pieces of jewelry from there. He had given me the receipts in case I wanted to exchange them.
In any case, I went there a few times last year to look at items, one of which was a nice emerald estate piece. I was an idiot and should have gotten it but there was no occasion for me to treat myself.
In any case, I went in yesterday and she remembered me from like over a year ago! Super-​friendly and patient… and she lets you know about items that are discounted.
In any case, I found two great pieces for gifts. And if I’m happy to drop by to see her if I’m ever in the ‘hood.

They did not even answer their phone! Easy to decide about this business.

My fiancée had a ring made here years ago and was pleased with it so when her brand new engagement ring needed a ring guard, she brought it here. Compton’s absolutely mangled the setting with scratches and one large divot on the side of the ring. When my fiancée complained, they were nonchalant about it. Suffice it to say I will never consider going to Compton’s.

I have several pieces of jewelry made at Comptons and I cant express how great they all came out. The end results were beautiful and i get compliments every day from strangers. I would never go anywhere else to get my jewelry or have pieces made.

I just went to Compton to get an extra hole punched into a leather watch band. I was very impressed with them — they knew their watches, were friendly, and punched the hole without any charge. The man I spoke with had been working there for over 60 years, and on the way out, showed me a pocket watch from my same watch maker — you can tell he appreciates his life’s work!
I’ll definitely be returning to Compton for future purchases.

I bought things here for years but not they don’t even answer the phones during business hours. I bought an expensive watch, but the owner is never there to service it and when he is they want a month. Used to be a great place

The folks at Compton care about timepieces and longevity.
I took them my watch with a failed band clip on a Thursday (you have to go Thursday if you need watch repair) expecting to be sold a new bracelet/​band. No, the watchmaker, Mr. Compton himself, assessed the break, made the repair and had my watch for me within a few days, at a very reasonable price.
I’m a bit suspect of Unilocal and the «algorithm» that goes into filtering the reviews. As of this writing half a dozen positive reviews were hidden. Could it be that this old school business doesn’t pay to play on Unilocal?
Hard to say, but most of the filtered results appear legit.

This family owned business does incredible fine repairs on good gold and silver jewelry. Now a lovely sales person from Continental Jewlers, now closed, is at Compton’s and uses the repair person from that store. I just had an ruby ring and John Hardy necklace repaired there. The workmanship was superb and the cost was very reasonable. The store has a good selection of high quality good estate jewelry as well. The staff is so pleasant.

I am pretty tough on jewelry and broke the latch on one pearl necklace and had somehow tarnished a Tiffanys necklace to the point where I had no idea how to fix it. The chain was all dark and I tried dipping silver polish but it just smelled bad and made me think I was ruining the expensive necklace one dunk at a time. I love both of these necklaces and finally decided to make the effort to find a nearby jewelry store.
I actually asked my boss if he knew of a jewelry repair shop nearby and he said he knew there were a few but the closest one (to the White House) is Compton Jewelry on G Street. I realized I walk by it EVERY day on my way to work but never really took in that it was a jewelry store that could come to my rescue.
I walked in and there was a young guy (teenager) who I presented the jewelry to. He said he had to ask the woman (who I assume owns the place/​looks like she runs it at least) what the solution was for the pearls. He took my other necklace to the back and came out about 5 minutes later with it shiny and brand new looking! What a wonder! He said he tried the dipping but it didn’t help so he shined it by hand with a cloth. I promptly bought one of those clothes there! The best part was that they didn’t charge me for shining the necklace! I went in there thinking the necklace was a goner and mourning its loss and left with it looking brand new!
The woman said it would cost at least $ 20 to fix my pearls because she had to restring them and it wouldn’t be done until Monday. Whatever, it’s not like I wear them every day (although I would if I could) so I could wait until then. The problem was that when I went in the following Friday (after the promised Monday) they said that it would be until the next Monday. So I told them that meant I was waiting two weeks for the pearls to be restrung but I didn’t push the issue. It ended up costing what she had told me it would and I didn’t ask for a discount because of the delay, although I’m sure I could have.