What Makes Padis Jewelry Unique?

Steve doesn’t buy diamonds from a catalog or a wholesaler’s website. Over the past 50+ years, he has built direct relationships with diamond site holders — the mining companies, labs and primary cutters who are among the first hands a rough diamond passes through after it leaves the earth. This is the definition of buying diamonds directly from the source. These relationships give Padis access to diamonds before they ever reach the open market and put diamonds into your hand that don’t experience the markups seen through other avenues, and gives you access to better quality, selection, and what Steve says “...diamonds that just sparkle more”.

Most jewelers, including large chains and online retailers, never deal directly with site holders. They buy from wholesalers and auctions, often purchasing diamonds that Steve has already passed over.

Steve gets the first pick. The diamonds he doesn’t select typically flow downstream. When you choose a diamond at Padis, you are choosing from the top of that supply chain, not from what was left behind.

That’s a meaningful difference, and it’s one that has been over 50 years in the making.

We have GIA-certified Graduate Gemologists on staff. The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) is the world’s foremost authority on diamonds and gemstones. A Graduate Gemologist has completed the most rigorous gemological training available. They can evaluate a diamond’s cut, color, clarity, and carat weight with a level of expertise that goes far beyond reading a certificate. Most jewelry stores don’t have a single GIA Graduate Gemologist. We have two. Padis also has bench jewelers on staff: skilled craftspeople who work in-house on custom designs, repairs, and resizing. When you need something made or modified, it doesn’t leave our hands.

Being part of the AGS reflects Padis Jewelry’s commitment to exceptional ethics, education, and client care. AGS members follow strict standards for honesty, transparency, and professional expertise, giving clients added confidence when making important purchases. Membership means Padis invests in ongoing gemological training and stays current on diamond grading and craftsmanship. In an industry built on trust, it's a respected symbol of credibility and professionalism.

It’s not a membership you buy... It’s a standard you earn — and keep earning.

Not every jeweler is authorized to carry TACORI, and few reach the partnership level Padis has earned over decades. Clients come in loving a TACORI style, but need help refining the details so the ring truly fits their personality, lifestyle, and vision. We work closely with clients to customize their pieces drawing on years of TACORI experience, regular visits to their Los Angeles studio, and relationships with their founders which span more than 40 years. That deep partnership gives our clients access to the full collection, special ordering perks, expedited timelines, and trusted guidance from a team that understands TACORI inside and out.

That means the person helping you has one goal: creating the right piece for you, not meeting a quota. It’s a policy we’ve held since the beginning, and it shapes every conversation on our floor.

As a Cal Berkeley grad, Steve Padis started stringing beads on Telegraph Ave. in the early '70s. Over the next 50 years, he built Padis into the Bay Area’s most trusted fine jewelry destination alongside his wife Judy and their daughter Alexis, who now helps lead the business into its next generation. In 2026, again Padis was voted Best Jewelry Store in the Bay Area. Learn more about the history.

These aren’t marketing claims. They’re a 50-year track record.