Overview of an American Fine Jewelry Institution
As one of America‘s most established fine jewelers, Mayors has catered to discerning tastes across the country for over a century. Founded in 1910 in Miami, Florida by two entrepreneurial immigrants, the company has grown from a small downtown shop to a national luxury retailer with locations across South Florida and a bustling e-commerce site.
Key milestones that stand out in Mayors‘ 112-year journey include:
- 1958 – Expanded from original downtown Miami location to open a store in the burgeoning Coral Gables neighborhood
- 1983 – Launched their signature "Mayors Diamond Collection" of exclusive in-house designs
- 2009 – Opened a 30,000 square foot, 3-story flagship store on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables
- 2017 – Acquired by Watches of Switzerland, fueling further expansion plans
Today, Mayors operates a total of 7 stores across South Florida in Coral Gables, Aventura, Palm Beach Gardens, Boca Raton, Naples, and Tampa as well as a robust e-commerce site. Their retail spaces emulate the grandeur of their luxury offerings with chandelier-adorned ceilings, marble floors, and glass exhibition cases proudly displaying some of the world‘s finest watches and jewelry. Knowledgable sales staff greet you in smart suits and offer champagne while you shop.
In addition to expertise and white-glove service, customers return to Mayors time and again due to their unmatched selection. As an authorized dealer for over 100 premium brands including Rolex, Omega, Breitling, and Cartier, they present discerning clients specializing in watches with a treasure trove of options. Their jewelry showrooms dazzle with glittering precious gems and metals bearing names like Marco Bicego, Roberto Coin, and Forevermark. Of course, their eponymous Mayors Collection also delights with timeless diamond creations.
An Inside Look: Key Strengths vs Weaknesses
Considering the substantial financial and emotional investment fine jewelry purchases represent, I always advise conducting thorough research before deciding where to shop. As part of my extensive evaluation of Mayors, I identified the following key strengths and weaknesses compared to competitors in the luxury jewelry space:
Strengths
- Breadth of selection including over 100 top-tier brands
- Competitive pricing with regular sales and deals
- Over a century of heritage and established reputation
- Stringent grading standards and quality control
- Lifetime diamond trade-in policies
- Highly trained sales professionals
Potential Weaknesses
- Limited customization and bespoke design services compared to small jewelers
- Can feel overly promotional at times unless you connect with a specific sales rep
- Not as intimate or personalized at certain locations due to large scale operations
Keeping these factors in mind, Mayors presents an excellent option for shoppers seeking luxury pieces from recognized brands without paying full retail prices. Customers prioritizing a more intimate, personalized experience may favor a local independent jeweler for custom creations.
An Inside Look: Mayors‘ Top 12 Best Sellers
While Mayors‘ selection spans thousands of watches and jewelry pieces, a few key styles consistently rise to best-seller status. Based on sales data and representatives I spoke with, here are 12 of Mayors‘ most popular luxury items along with pricing:
Jewelry Bestsellers
- Marco Bicego 18K Yellow Gold Cairo Five Row Pave Diamond Bracelet – $6,730
- Roberto Coin 18K Rose Gold Diamond Cross Pendant Necklace – $4,700
- Forevermark Black Label Round & Baguette Diamond Band Ring – $3,990
- Mayors Collection Yellow & White Gold 1 cttw Diamond Bracelet – $1,700
- Gucci 18K Bee Pave Diamond Pendant Necklace – $2,250
- John Hardy Dot Diamond Pave Gold Bracelet – $1,995
Watch Bestsellers
- Rolex Datejust 41 White Gold Fluted Black Dial Watch – $13,700
- Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Black Wave Dial Watch – $5,790
- Tag Heuer Carrera 39MM Blue Dial Automatic Watch – $2,850
- Bell & Ross BR V2-94 Racing Bird Limited Edition Watch – $5,700
- Oris Aquis Date Relief Limited Edition Watch – $3,300
- Breitling Superocean Automatic 42 Watch – $4,220
This merely scratches the surface of Mayors‘ vast collection – contact a sales representative for additional best-selling and new arrival options.
How Does Mayors Compare to Competitors?
Given the rising popularity of luxury jewelry and watches, Mayors competes with a range of retailers vying for clients. I evaluated some of their biggest competitors on factors significant for customers:
Mayors vs Reeds Jewelers
- Price: Reeds tends to run 10-20% higher on similar items
- Selection: Comparable top-tier brand selection and depth of inventory
- Customization: Reeds offers more tailored services with their Signature Collection
- Experience: Both provide excellent white-glove customer service
Mayors vs Richemont Retailers like Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels
- Price: 20-30% lower than these luxury brand boutique retailers
- Selection: Much broader range of designers and brands
- Customization: More limited compared to bespoke offerings from these luxury maisons
- Experience: Brand boutiques provide uber-exclusive shopping but lack diversity
Mayors vs Local Jewelers
- Price: Mayors ultimately more affordable for similar designer pieces
- Selection: Boutiques carry a few brands compared to Mayors‘ vast portfolio
- Customization: Smaller operations better equipped for tailored commissions
- Experience: Independent stores offer a more intimate one-on-one service model
Weigh your priorities, preferred brands, budget, and customization needs when choosing between these luxury shopping destinations. Mayors strikes an excellent balance across many factors retail jewelry buyers value most outside the absolute highest end.
Spotlight On Standout Service
In a world of ecommerce, jewelry buyers still yearn for a luxe retail experience with advice from seasoned experts. Mayors thoroughly vets sales associates through a rigorous training program before allowing associates to directly engage customers on the floor. Ongoing training and specialization in categories like watches ensures clients enjoy best-in-class service.
Don‘t just take my word for it – here‘s what recent clients had to say about working with the Mayors team while shopping for milestone pieces:
"My fiancé bought my engagement ring from Mayors and the service was exceptional. Our sales agent Christina made the entire process truly magical – I‘d recommend her and Mayors to anyone looking for the perfect diamond ring!” – Mary T.
"I‘ve been shopping with Mayors for over a decade and they make buying watches an absolute pleasure every time. My sales associate Alejandro consistently finds me the most special limited editions and always makes me feel like a valued client." – Jeremy P.
The knowledgeable sales experts, restaurant-inspired hospitality, and interactive shopping experiences maintain Mayors‘ prestigious reputation even in an age favoring ecommerce convenience.
Satisfied Clients Give Mayors Rave Reviews
In evaluating any major purchase decision, I always look to testimonials from fellow shoppers to gauge real-world experiences. In collecting and analyzing authentic feedback on Mayors across various platforms, a few key themes stand out among satisfied reviewers:
- Attentive, personalized service – even at busy stores clients feel well-taken care of
- Beautiful showrooms with enchanting displays and luxe features like champagne bars
- Surprise sales, gift wrap, loyalty rewards, and financing options delight shoppers
- Selection including top tier brands and unique limited edition finds impress watch and jewelry aficionados
- Many clients report building long-term relationships with individual sales reps
While a few customers felt overwhelmed at certain larger locations or pressured to hit higher budget thresholds, the vast majority of verified Mayors Jewelers reviews I analyzed highlighted outstanding experiences. They have clearly won repeat shoppers‘ trust and loyalty for years often spanning generations, cementing their reputation as a preeminent American jeweler.
The Verdict: An Iconic Jeweler Combining Heritage + Value
For over a century discerning clients have relied on Mayors for milestone celebrations and precious heirlooms destined to be passed between generations. By curating only the finest watch and jewelry brands then leveraging their scale to offer favorable prices, Mayors retains loyal followers even amidst increasing digital disruption.
Modern conveniences like online shopping now complement their grandest brick-and-mortar boutiques for a true omnichannel experience. Yet certain elements endure since their early downtown Miami shop first opened its doors in 1910 – passion for precious heirlooms, unwavering quality standards, and a magical atmosphere surrounding each purchase.
While new luxury jewelry brands constantly aim to attract customers primarily through digital channels, they lack the heritage and human touch Mayors boasts. For consumers seeking something beyond a transactional ecommerce exchange to commemorate life‘s greatest moments, nothing replaces a custom experience from category experts.
Yes, you can likely save a bit more shopping estate sales or scouring resale sites to score discounted gems or vintage timepieces. However buried treasures often require cleanup or upgrades negating any deals. Meanwhile hidden flaws frequently slip through the cracks leaving unwitting buyers stuck with inferior stones or watches needing costly repairs.
Why roll the dice trying to outsmart a turbulent resale market or risk disappointment from cheaper online players? As a third generation patron I gladly pay a premium for the security, service and immediate gratification only an enduring brand like Mayors Jewelers reliably delivers decade after decade. When celebrating life‘s shining moments, peace of mind provides the ultimate value.
