Downtown's Bling
A Guide to the Jewelry District

The Jewelry District has long had a reputation for being insular and inscrutable, a forest of cavernous buildings that house hundreds of small shops and manufacturers  many of which are not open to the public. On ground level, a dizzying maze of vendors competes for street traffic, selling everything from diamonds to beads to gold and silver.

To first time shoppers, the experience can be overwhelming, especially without recommendations for reputable dealers. But these days, the district has made strides in becoming more user friendly, with a stepped up marketing campaign, new signage, advertising and more merchants offering parking validation. The following reference guide includes information about shopping, dining and trends defining the Jewelry District.

• Boundaries

The Jewelry District, which is roughly bordered by Hill, Broadway, Fifth and Eighth streets, is the second largest precious jewelry hub in the nation after New York. It houses nearly 5,000 manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers - mostly small family-run businesses. Much of the district's growth has come in the past three decades, largely fired by Armenian, Persian, Latino and Chinese immigrants. About 15,000 people are employed in the $4 billion industry.

There are 31 high-rise buildings in the district; the largest wholesale and retail complex is the St. Vincent Jewelry Center, which is home to about 500 tenants. The district is generally open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays following Thanksgiving and through Christmas Eve.

• History

In the early 1960s, Downtown's Jewelry District consisted mainly of one facility at 607 S. Hill St. In the early 1970s, when the U.S. pegged the dollar against the economy rather than against gold reserves, consumers began buying gold, said a representative of St. Vincent Jewelry Center and a district spokesman. The new interest in gold, coupled with a surge of immigrants from the Middle East and Far East into the community, spurred the jewelry industry. But the big boom came with the opening of the St. Vincent Jewelry Center in 1983.

• New Developments

The recent restoration of St. Vincent Court has attracted pedestrians and employees to dine in the district. As part of a joint effort by the city and district leaders, an alleyway was transformed into gathering place for breakfast and lunch. The court features new building facades that evoke a quaint Parisian streetscape, and cafes and delis serve everything from sandwiches to kebobs and baklava.

"This type of thing should be done in other parts of the district," said Mr. Pilavjian. "It has brought new faces we haven't seen before because it's a friendly place to have lunch and coffee. It also appeals to Downtown's new residential population."

• St. Vincent Jewelry Center

You can purchase direct or place a jewelry item on hold for pick up on a later date.