Leonard and Sofia Shpigel opened House of Jewels in 1985, first in the Bird Rock neighborhood of San Diego, then relocating to 1772 Garnet Ave, Suite B, in Pacific Beach, 92109, in 1991. The couple emigrated from the former Soviet Union in 1979 with their son Alex. Leonard, a trained mechanical engineer, had apprenticed as a jeweler in Russia before leaving and continued his studies under a master jeweler after arriving in San Diego. Sofia earned a Ph.D. from a prominent Russian conservatory and went on to teach music at the University of San Diego for more than 20 years. Couples shopping for engagement rings along the Garnet Avenue corridor sometimes pair the visit with dinner at Enoteca Adriano a short drive away. The BBB lists the business under owner Leonid Shpigel with an A+ rating and 14 years on file as a sole proprietorship. All work, from ring sizing and custom fabrication to watch battery replacements and band adjustments, is performed on premises under Leonard's direct supervision. The shop handles gold, silver, and platinum repairs and specializes in transforming inherited or outdated pieces into new custom designs. Google reviewer Barb Chegin describes the store's warmth and notes that Sofia made her feel like a valued guest, while reviewer Shanelle Roesler highlights the impeccable craftsmanship and family atmosphere. Now serving a third generation of Pacific Beach families, House of Jewels sits near PB Sushi on the same Garnet strip and maintains the home-like feel where neighbors drop in just to say hello. The store is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Sunday and Monday.