Calbeads Gemstones & More

Just an FYI for anyone who shops at this store. I was asked to leave because I had 2 children with me, a 6 year old and a 17 month old. The woman also told me she didn’t have an item that I found myself after only looking for 2 minutes. I used to shop here a lot, but unfortunately they have lost a customer.
If I could give zero stars I would, which is sad because I’ve shopped here many times before, and the owner was a very sweet lady.

I came here a couple of times when they first opened and the woman who helped me was friendly. The store does look a bit hard to browse through as they have a lot of stuff, but that’s good if you need supplies. However, I’m not returning to this place because of my experience today, after having not been there for so long. First of all, their website states they’re open until 7pm. I drove over there, arrived at 5:15pm, and the door was open and the sign said open until 6pm. I went in and the lady behind the counter (not the same lady that was there ages ago) was talking to another customer who was browsing around. That customer finished and paid within 5 minutes. Then the salesperson (not sure if she’s the owner but probably) said to me, «excuse me, but I’m going to close the store to go to church». I looked at her in surprise and said «Really?» She said unless I had something specific I needed and was going to buy it quickly, she had to go to church (and in a very rude manner, actually, as if I was committing sin holding her from church and myself also not leaving to go to church). I asked if she had sterling silver clasps and sterling silver or gold filled 16 gauge wire and she said no. Well, so much for that. Then she got up from her chair and kept mumbling she had to close up to get to church in time so just come back some other time. NO WAY, I will not. I don’t have a problem with anybody who goes to church, but puleeze, don’t post those hours and leave a wide open front door welcoming customers in and then telling them to get out 5 minutes after they got there, how unprofessional. What a waste of a trip and my time. I’ll take my business elsewhere.

This store and the people who work there more or less «grow on you.» At first I thought the place was totally disorganized, and I found the personnel gruff and unhelpful, but now they recognize me, they couldn’t be more helpful and friendly. (I now live walking distance from the store.) They have an amazing selection of all kinds of beads, etc. and if you don’t see something, ask.

I adore this gemstone store and appreciate the warm and friendly owners. They have been very helpful as I browsed through the huge selection of items. This place has quality & inexpensive products compared to Michaels. I went looking for a specific item and Michaels did not even carry it.
Highly recommend that you visit this bead store!

Today was my first time visiting the store. A friend recommended the store to me. They were so helpful and were able to help me with many ideas for my new art project. They have a large selection of beads, chains, ropes, ect.

Come with time to spare because there is A LOT to see and pick from. I probably didnt choose the best day to go seeing as it was blistering hot out and they don’t seem to have a/​c in this establishment, but nonetheless, I was like a kid in a candy store. The staff was very helpful when it came to finding things (surprising seeing as they too were confused about where everything was) and overall they are well priced.

I am so in love with this store. I stopped in one day a year or two ago while visiting my uncle who lives in Fountain Valley and was blown away by the large selection, low prices, and great service.
I don’t get to stop in nearly as often as I would like to (during my stay in SoCal I have stayed in Long Beach and Riverside) and every time I stop in they remember me and ask how I am doing and about my family and how my graduate degree is coming along.
They have a great selection of the beads that I like. I make a lot of hemp jewelry to gift to my family and friends and like to use mostly glass and stone beads but I have also been really impressed with their acrylic beads.
I love their prices. I make jewelry strictly as a hobby for gifting purposes because I feel that doing it for profit would ruin it for me, so it is nice to be able to afford a large assortment of awesome beads knowing I am not going to get any of that money back.
I wish that I was lucky enough to have such a quality store closeby. The previous reviewer sounds a little off her rocker. I almost lost it when I saw that the only review available for this store was so low — but after reading the review (someone making jewelry for profit buys gold chains at a dollar a yard and doesn’t inspect the quality???) I had a good chuckle and decided to spread the good word — this place rocks and you will love it too. :D

This place did interest me at first in terms of: proximity to my house, extensive supplies, and helpful staff. But then things changed.
My first trip I spent a good deal of money on supplies and chain. The woman working that day informed me that she was giving me a killer deal on this gold chain I was interested in, $ 1 per yard! And I am not going to lie, that was a killer deal.
I went home (after visiting another bead store further away to get everything Cal Beads didn’t have) and began cutting the gold chain to make some pendant necklaces. Much to my dismay there were permanent flaws in the chain. Several of them. Which meant that the chain was completely unusable. :(
I went back in to the shop to talk about it with the owner. Hoping of course for a refund, but also just wanting them to know the errors with the chain. I was also planning on doing a bit more shopping.
Then came the issue. She was rude, so rude! I understand it wasn’t her fault, that machines make this type of chain and she has no control over quality but I wasn’t expecting to have an argument with her. I didn’t know the return policy and was hopeful but not hell bent on getting the refund. But as soon as she claimed to have still given me a spectacular deal in spite of the flaws I was over it. It isn’t a great deal if I can’t use it, and if you aren’t responsible include a disclaimer. Tell me WHY you are giving me such a great deal.
Oh well, hopes dashed. Didn’t spend any more money there and won’t be going back. It isn’t worth the hassle and I don’t want to buy any more flawed chain.