Irma Marie in Chattanooga: Custom Jewelry and Repair in Downtown

Irma Marie is a jewelry studio and retail shop in downtown Chattanooga specializing in custom design, in-house repair, and a curated selection of fine and fashion jewelry. Unlike chain jewelers, it operates as a single-location, designer-driven business where the owner works directly with clients on custom pieces and handles most repairs on-site rather than sending work to a regional facility.

What Irma Marie actually is

The shop combines retail display with a working studio where custom commissions and repairs happen in full view. The inventory spans fine jewelry (14k and 18k gold, platinum, diamonds, gemstones) and contemporary fashion pieces, but the core of the business is bespoke work. This is not a quick-service jewelry counter; it is a place where you sit down, discuss your vision or problem, and walk out with either a timeline for custom work or a completed repair within days rather than weeks.

Services and pricing

Custom design starts with a consultation and ranges from simple modifications (sizing, adding stones to an existing band) to full bespoke pieces. Custom work typically begins at $300 and can extend into the thousands depending on materials and complexity. The shop does not publish a flat rate menu because each commission is priced individually based on materials and labor hours.

Repair services include sizing, polishing, stone replacement, clasp repair, and restoration of vintage or inherited pieces. Standard sizing runs $30 to $80 depending on the metal. Stone resets and more involved repairs range from $75 to $250 or more, again depending on the scope. Most routine repairs are completed within three to five business days; custom pieces take two to eight weeks depending on the design and current workload.

Appraisals for insurance purposes are available and typically cost $75 to $150 depending on the piece's complexity.

How Irma Marie compares to other Chattanooga jewelry options

Chattanooga has three main categories of jewelry retail: big-box options like Zales (present in local malls), independent jewelry stores, and custom designers. Zales offers immediate gratification on fashion and entry-level fine jewelry, faster turnaround on repairs (often same-week), and familiar pricing structures, but custom work is limited and repairs are sometimes outsourced. Local independent jewelers like those in downtown offer more personalized service and local relationships, but not all specialize equally in custom design or have a full studio setup.

Irma Marie stands out because the owner is on-site during business hours, custom design is the primary focus rather than an afterthought, and repairs happen in-house without outsourcing delays. Choose Zales if you need a quick gift or repair and do not care about customization. Choose Irma Marie if you want a piece that reflects your exact vision, need restoration of a meaningful heirloom, or prefer to work with one craftsperson over multiple handoffs.

Who it suits and who it does not suit

This shop suits people commissioning engagement rings or wedding bands, those restoring inherited jewelry, anyone redesigning an existing piece into something new, and buyers seeking a long-term relationship with a jeweler rather than a transactional encounter. It also works well for those comfortable discussing timelines and materials in depth.

It does not suit people who need a gift by tomorrow, those who prefer to shop from a full rack of preset designs without conversation, or anyone expecting big-box pricing on custom work. The emphasis on consultation also means you should expect to spend 30 minutes to an hour on a first visit if you are discussing anything beyond a simple repair.

What the first visit involves

Walk in or call to book an appointment if you are discussing a custom project; simple repairs can be drop-off. If you are commissioning work, bring reference images, any existing pieces you want to match or incorporate, and be ready to talk budget and timeline. The owner will sketch ideas, discuss stone choices and metal types, and explain the process. If you are bringing in a piece for repair, leave it for evaluation; you will typically hear back within a day with a quote and timeframe.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Irma Marie operates by appointment for custom consultations and is located downtown. Parking is street-level or in a nearby lot; confirm current hours before your visit as they can shift seasonally. Call ahead for same-day repair drop-offs to ensure availability.

Irma Marie fills a specific gap in Chattanooga retail: the person who wants a jeweler who remembers their name and their taste, not a salesperson reading a script.