Colony 13 in Chattanooga: Custom and Vintage Jewelry with On-Site Design
Colony 13 is a independent jewelry shop specializing in custom design, vintage and estate pieces, and repair work, located on North Shore. It operates at the intersection of bespoke metalwork and curated secondhand inventory, serving customers who want either one-of-a-kind pieces or alternatives to mall jewelry.
What Colony 13 actually is
Colony 13 combines a retail showroom for vintage and estate jewelry with an on-site design studio. The business takes custom commissions from the ground up, meaning a customer can sketch an idea, choose metals and stones, and work with the designer through multiple revisions before fabrication begins. The shop also carries pre-made vintage pieces from multiple eras, priced individually rather than at fixed markups typical of chain antique malls.
Services and pricing
Custom design starts with a consultation, typically free or nominally priced depending on project scope (verify current policy by calling ahead). Design fees for complex pieces run $200 to $600, separate from materials and labor; simpler modifications or resizing may fall in the $50 to $150 range. Finished custom work pricing depends entirely on metals chosen (gold, platinum, silver, alloys) and stone selections, but Colony 13 generally charges labor at rates between $60 and $100 per hour of fabrication time. A three-stone engagement ring redesign with new setting and band typically costs $1,200 to $2,500 in labor alone, plus stone and metal costs.
Vintage and estate pieces on the showroom floor range from $200 for smaller rings or chains to $5,000 or more for pieces containing substantial precious metals or notable gemstones. Prices are individually set; no haggling is expected, though the shop does offer standard jewelry services like sizing and cleaning on any piece purchased there.
Repair services include resizing (standard $40 to $150 depending on ring type and metal), cleaning and polishing ($30 to $60), setting replacement, and structural work on damaged or vintage pieces. Turnaround is typically 5 to 10 business days for routine work; complex repairs or custom builds may take 4 to 8 weeks.
How it compares to other Chattanooga jewelry options
Chattanooga has two broad jewelry retail categories: chain retailers like Helzberg at Northgate, where inventory is pre-made and staff are trained salespeople rather than jewelers, and independent shops. Among independents, Colony 13 differs from Estate Jewelry & Antiques (multi-dealer mall on Main Street, lower prices but less designer expertise) in having in-house design capability and a single curation voice. Compared to mall jewelry chains, Colony 13 offers custom work and vintage depth but longer lead times and no walk-in sizing for everyday repairs. Choose Colony 13 for engagement rings, bespoke pieces, or vintage hunting; choose a chain retailer if you need a gift today or routine sizing in two days.
Who it suits and who it does not suit
Colony 13 is ideal for customers with a specific design in mind, those who value uniqueness, and buyers comfortable spending 2 to 8 weeks on a piece. It suits people seeking to repurpose inherited jewelry or stones into new designs, and those drawn to particular eras or styles of vintage work. It is not the right fit for last-minute gift buyers, customers seeking trendy fashion jewelry, or those prioritizing the fastest possible turnaround.
What the first visit involves
Walk-in browsing of the showroom is welcome. If you come with a specific idea—a photo, sketch, or description—be ready to discuss metals, stones, and your budget during a design consultation. If shopping vintage, the staff will explain the provenance and condition of pieces. For custom work, expect an initial meeting to be exploratory; formal proposals and down payments come after that conversation.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Colony 13 operates on North Shore in downtown Chattanooga. Standard retail hours typically run 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday (verify by phone before visiting, as design appointments occasionally shift these hours). Street parking is available on North Shore; metered spots are free after 6 p.m. and on weekends.
Colony 13 fills a narrow but necessary role: it serves the customer who knows the difference between buying jewelry and commissioning it, and who values a designer with a fixed address over a mall kiosk.
