From the brilliance of freshly fallen snow to the twinkle of thousands of colorful lights, the holidays are a time when the world truly shines—and it’s a wonderful opportunity to give some sparkle to the special people in your life. Whether it’s the perfect gift or a custom engagement or wedding ring, The Diamond Bar in Town and Country has jewelry for every occasion. Owned by designer Christopher Phillips, the store offers a shopping experience unlike any other.
The Diamond Bar lives up to its name as it includes a fully stocked bar that is complimentary for guests. It is part of Phillips’ unique approach to customer service. One of his major goals is to create a less stressful jewelry buying experience. It’s an effort that has paid off. This year, The Diamond Bar was named one of America’s Coolest Stores by Instore Magazine. “We’re bridging the gap between comfort and a bespoke experience, and our attention to detail has paid off with national recognition,” Phillips says. “Our goal is to redefine what custom jewelry can be for our clients.”
For more than two decades, Phillips has been perfecting the craft of jewelry design, so he can create pieces that are unlike those found in most display cases. He enjoys bringing people’s visions to life, so they walk away happy with something completely original and unique to them. “What sets The Diamond Bar apart is how our designer Jess Troeckler and myself approach everything,” he notes. “Buying jewelry or designing a custom-piece can be a daunting prospect, but we work with clients during every step of the process to ensure their vision comes to life. We make it a fun and enjoyable experience.”
When designing jewelry at The Diamond Bar, Phillips says the process starts with choosing a stone. “I’m always inspired by the gemstone first,” he explains. “I start with five to 10 different drawings, and then mix and match ideas to create a unique piece.” For custom pieces, people can bring in their own stones or choose from the store’s selection of natural diamonds and other gemstones. After creating drawings, clients are then shown a 3D model of the piece to ensure they love how it looks from every angle. “It really helps people feel more comfortable and confident in the design,” Phillips says. “We want to create something truly personal that exceeds expectations.”
For holiday shoppers who don’t have time to design their own items, The Diamond Bar has a selection of more than 600 unique pieces in store. Phillips works to ensure that the showroom is stocked with items shoppers won’t find anywhere else. “Jewelry is very sentimental and personal—it is often passed down from generation to generation in families,” he notes. “We don’t deal with mass produced pieces. You wouldn’t want to buy something and then see five other people wearing it when you walk down the street. We want our customers to not only love what they buy, but also feel like it is something they can keep forever.”
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: Owner Christopher Phillips and designer Jess Troeckler. For more information, call 314.548.5100 or visit thediamondbarstl.com.
Cover design by Julie Streiler
Cover photo by Bill Barrett
Pictured at the top: The Diamond Bar offers a one-of-a-kind shopping experience.
Photo: Bill Barrett
