For almost two decades, Phillips has been perfecting the craft of jewelry design. He studied at a jewelry school in Illinois where he handcrafted many of the tools he still uses today. To date, he and fellow Diamond Bar designer Jess Troeckler have created more than 4,000 custom pieces. “Our passion is custom jewelry,” he notes. “You can walk down the street and see three women wearing the same bracelet. One received it to commemorate a new baby, one to mark their anniversary and the last as a Christmas gift. They deserve unique pieces to reflect how special these life events are—not just something anyone can buy.”
When designing jewelry at The Diamond Bar, Phillips says the process starts with choosing a stone. “I’m always inspired by the diamond or gemstone first,” he explains. “I start with five to 10 different drawings, and then mix and match ideas to create a truly unique piece.” For custom pieces, people can bring in their own stones or choose from the store’s hand-selected array of natural diamonds and other gemstones. Phillips especially enjoys taking heirloom pieces and giving them new life. “People often have sentimental pieces that have been passed down from generation to generation, but maybe they’re broken or just dated in style,” he says. “We can take an inherited piece and elevate it—it’s an amazing journey from start to finish.”
To keep up with The Diamond Bar, Phillips suggests following the jeweler on social media, @thediamondbarstl on Facebook and Instagram. The store’s pages provide unique insight into the custom pieces he and Troeckler are creating. “The biggest compliment we receive is that our jewelry is unlike what you can find in other stores,” he says. “Our goal is to create something that you fall in love with rather than just another piece that you could find in any
display case.”
For holiday shoppers, The Diamond Bar has a selection of more than 600 unique pieces in store. Phillips notes that anniversary bands and statement rings with colored gemstones for the right hand have been especially popular this year. As they browse, guests can enjoy the store’s complimentary fully stocked bar—another part of its unique approach to reimagining the jewelry purchasing process. “From our level of expertise to the quality of our pieces, we aim to exceed clients’ expectations,” he notes. “Choosing The Diamond Bar is choosing something different, something untraditional. You’re sure to get something that fits your unique, one-of-a-kind style.”
Located in Town and Country at 13360 Clayton Road, The Diamond Bar offers a one-of-a kind shopping experience, including custom jewelry design. Pictured on the cover: Designer Jess Troeckler and owner Chris Phillips. For more information, call 314.548.5100 or visit thediamondbarstl.com.
Cover design by Julie Streiler
Cover photo courtesy of The Diamond Bar