Dan Riley and his stepdaughter, Andrea Eisnaugle, show off noteworthy rings for sale at Riley’s Jewelry Services.  When he’s not repairing Old Towne neighbors’ jewelry, Riley loves playing the guitar and airs electric background music at his store.

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Dan Riley, Riley’s Jewelry Services

On Dan Riley’s first day of work at Riley’s Jewelry Services, he made his first ring sale within an hour.  For the past 26 years, he’s kept up that success by providing Old Towne with jewelry buying, selling, trading and repairing needs through his store inside Antique Station.

“I get to repair people’s jewelry and make them happy,” he says.  “It’s very rewarding.”

Riley discovered his passion for jewelry and gems when he was young, and almost immediately fell into the industry.  When he was 12, a neighbor he had a crush on showed him a jewelry project gone awry, and he wanted to understand the mechanics of the issue.

“I was always fascinated by pirate treasure as a kid,” he says.  “I took a class to see what my neighbor was talking about, and then I never stopped.”

In the past year, Riley’s business has seen a non-stop flow of happy customers.  With the opening of the Paseo, he says he’s had an unparalleled amount of growth in new clients.  A portion of that comes from the consistent flow of consumers in Old Towne, but Riley also focuses on word-of-mouth promotions instead of traditional advertising.

“He’s really great with customers because he’s talented and honest,” says Andrea Eisnaugle, Riley’s stepdaughter, who has worked with him for the past seven years.  “People come back and refer their friends to him because he actually listens to the customers.”

A portion of Riley’s customers are more than just referrals, too—they’re family.  He’s seen generations of clients come through his store, and he spends time to really get to know his customers as individuals.

“When I first opened this store, I didn’t think that 25 years later I’d be selling jewelry to the babies of my first customers,” he says.  “It’s been a joy to make people happy.”

While much of the Plaza’s foot traffic leads to customers seeking jewelry repair services, Riley also offers some custom-made jewelry work.

Eisnaugle herself received a ring from his services, and she remembers the care her stepfather put into casting the jewelry.  Her husband bought a vintage 1920s engagement ring from the shop, and Riley took the time to create a custom band specifically for the piece.

“He says he does limited custom work, but I believe he can do anything,” she says.  “Customers keep coming back to him, and it seems like they have a twinkle in their eyes when they talk to him.”

Riley’s Jewelry Service (inside Antique Station)
178 South Glassell St., Old Towne Orange, CA 92866  /  714-538-7000