Put a Ring on It

Shop these 5 Austin gems to find the engagement ring of your dreams

These are our five favorite places to shop for rings in Austin.

Valentine’s Day is upon us, which means you’re probably feelin’ the love. If you’ve got a hankering to tie the knot, we’ve compiled a list of the best local shops to find a ring that will knock your partner’s socks off.

The Menagerie
The Menagerie has been a local jewelry staple since 1978, when owner Vickie Roan befriended two jewelers at a Dallas trade show — and the rest is history. Her shop offers beautiful engagement rings, wedding bands for men and women, ring settings, conflict-free diamonds, and more. The Menagerie has other jewelry too: bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and (non-engagement) rings. It also offers gifts, tableware, and wedding registries.

Benold’s Jewelers
Family-owned Benold’s on Anderson Lane is a must-stop shop. A local business with a storied history, it’s been in Austin since 1929. Benold’s carries a range of rings by premier jewelry designers at a great price. In fact, a CultureMap editor found a wedding band here at a fraction of the cost of the same ring seen in another boutique. Benold’s also sells fashion jewelry, so even if you’re not planning to get hitched or pop the question anytime soon, you can still frost yourself with rare colored diamonds or custom-made jewelry.

Calvin’s Fine Jewelry
Opened nearly 20 years ago, Calvin’s Fine Jewelry sells carefully curated designer jewelry as well as beautiful designs crafted by owner Calvin Smith and his wife, Jackie. The stones Calvin’s sells are all conflict-free, and the store is accredited by the Kimberley Process, which imposes extensive requirements to certify shipments of rough diamonds as conflict-free.

Gallerie Jewelers
If you’re a dog lover, Gallerie is definitely the place for you to ring shop. You’ll be greeted by Brina, Bart, and Liesl, cute furry friends who love to play, while owners Ted and Corey Shaughnessy help you pick out the ring of your dreams. Gallerie Jewelers has partnered with a diamond company to make sure you can place an order for the exact diamond you want, which will be delivered within a matter of days. How’s that for service?

Dean Fredrick Custom Jewelry
If you want something one-of-a-kind, Dean Fredrick’s your man. Visit his South Austin boutique, and he’ll work with you to design something that will take your loved one's breath away. You can choose something you like from his portfolio, bring a design that you have in mind, or even start from scratch.

weddings shopping jewelry beauty bests

Brunchy Business

Mimosa Walk returns to Austin's South 1st Street for sips and shopping

Blue Suede/Instagram

Businesses along South 1st Street are welcoming shoppers with mimosas on Saturday, November 16.

Perhaps no other drink has the mimosa's power to draw people out on the weekend, and one Austin neighborhood is harnessing it for a leisurely tour of local businesses. The Austin Mimosa Walk: South 1st Fall Festival is scheduled for November 16, and will stop at local businesses, each with complimentary drinks.

The tour will include some shopping, some casual snack spots, and even some wellness stops. Although not every business mimosa walkers will pass is participating, the tour will pass lots of local eateries, making it easy to tack on a lunch when the Champagne starts making itself known.

The following eight businesses are participating as stops on the self-guided tour:

Austin Salt Room — a spa-like environment for salt therapy, essentially hanging out near tons of salt while breathing in microscopic salt particles, which are said to improve respiratory health
Blue Suede Austin — a cool women's shoe boutique (with a wine bar!) that specializes in semi-casual styles at mid-range prices, featuring brands like Sam Edelman, Jeffrey Campbell, and Cecelia
Devil’s Details Boutique — formerly Bloomers and Frocks, this vintage shop has rebranded and shifted its focus to jewelry, often in bold and unique styles
Glint Dental — a dental office specializing in aesthetic procedures like veneers and whitening, but also offering general and preventative care
Golden Mean — early holiday shoppers should keep friends and family in mind at this gift shop, which carries unique goods ranging from soaps and blankets to kitchen goods and avant-garde decor.
Once Over Coffee— an unassuming-on-the-outside, artsy-on-the-inside coffee shop serving Wild Gift Coffee and less common coffee shop finds like kombucha and Italian soda
Package Austin — a queer menswear store for harnesses, underwear, accessories, toys, and community events
Sugar Mamas Bakeshop — a colorful bakery specializing in fantastically decorated cakes, often with a sarcastic or funny twist

The listing on Eventbrite promises a hydration station by Topo Chico, a collector's glass, and that the event will sell out. It requires that tickets ($32) be purchased in advance online. [Update: An event organizer says the ninth business on the Eventbrite list is still under construction, and will not be participating.]

The walk will take place from noon to 3:30 pm. Guests will receive a "passport" to help navigate between tour stops. A check-in tent will get guests started at 1628 S. 1st St.

local business cocktails shopping