Zigerli+Iff AG

Zigerli+Iff AG is a jewelry and watch retailer at Spitalgasse 14 in Bern whose history goes back to 1893, when Gottfried Zigerli opened his watch and jewelry shop on Kramgasse. Today it is a family business in its fifth generation, a premium partner of the Swiss wedding ring maker Meister, and it has its own goldsmith and watchmaking ateliers. The site is published in English as well as German.

Wedding rings

The wedding ring page, headed "Rings for life", sets a calm tone: "Wedding rings hold a promise: forever and ever. Thus, they also want to be carefully selected. Take your time to find your personal rings." It promises advice "with great empathy and comprehensive expertise in an atmospheric and peaceful environment."

The main offer is Meister. The page says: "As a premium partner of the Swiss manufactory MEISTER, we offer you the widest range of engagement, wedding and eternity rings in the area of Bern." It describes the complete collection with current models in gold and platinum, plain or set with diamonds, "From classic to modern, plain or striking". The collection headings on the page are Engagement rings, Symbolics, Classics, Individuals, Phantastics and Eternity Ring. The page describes the Meister manufactory in Wollerau as a place where craftsmanship "evolved over generations stands in complete harmony with innovative high-tech", and says Meister wedding rings "Made in Switzerland" are made for eternity.

Couples can start at home with Meister's 3D ring configurator ("Create your dream ring in 3D!"), which the page links to, and then bring their ideas to a consultation in Bern. The Meister page also points to diamond solitaires for engagement rings.

Custom work in the atelier

Beyond Meister, the shop's own goldsmiths make pieces to order. The atelier page says: "Our goldsmiths develop their own creations in our ateliers or make unique items according to your wishes. Whether classic, modern or unconventional". The jewelry service page adds that the goldsmiths respond to individual wishes "and will be happy to inspire you with design suggestions and drawings."

The service list on that page covers:

• creation of individual pieces of jewelry;
• alteration of jewelry ("old becomes new");
• professional repairs of any kind of genuine gold jewelry;
• refurbishment of jewelry pieces;
• resizing of rings;
• checks such as ensuring gemstones are securely set;
• precious metal testing;
• engraving by hand, machine or laser.

For a couple, that means a ring from the Meister range and any later resizing, engraving or repair can all stay with the same shop.

The atelier page says the shop employs "both male and female in-house watchmakers and goldsmiths" and trains young people as goldsmiths; the apprenticeship lasts four years and ends with the Federal Diploma of Vocational Education and Training. It also notes that despite modern instruments such as a laser for soldering, most tools and work steps are the same as in the past.

Stones, pearls and other brands

The atelier page describes a large selection of "Flawless diamonds, fiery red rubies, shimmering green emeralds, deep blue sapphires, shiny pearls", with South Sea, Tahiti, Akoya and freshwater pearls. The brand menu lists Rolex, Patek Philippe, Longines and Tudor watches, jewelry from Wellendorff, Ole Lynggaard Copenhagen and Messika, CanadaMark Diamonds and the house's own Zigerli+Iff line, as well as a section on investments.

Watch service and appraisals

Zigerli+Iff describes itself as "an official and certified Rolex service center" with its own watchmakers, and it also looks after watches from other renowned Swiss brands, either in-house or with the manufacturer. Batteries for brands it carries are usually replaced within a few hours; for other brands it may take up to 24 hours. On request the shop collects a large clock, such as a pendulum clock, from a customer's home for an overhaul.

It also provides appraisals for watches and jewelry, giving the replacement value for insurance, the value for dividing an estate, or the liquidation value. For a couple insuring new rings, the replacement value appraisal is the one to ask for.

The shop and its history

The history page tells the story in a few steps. The shop moved from Kramgasse to Marktgasse in 1901, and about ten years later, under Carl Zigerli, to Spitalgasse 14, where there was room for watch and goldsmith ateliers with natural light. In 1967 Karl Zigerli and Robert Iff merged their shops, Zigerli & Cie and Willy Iff, to form Zigerli+Iff AG. Reto Iff and Beatrice Stebler-Iff joined in 1993 as the fourth generation, and Marc and Patrick Stebler are now part of the business as the fifth.

The page says the business today has 24 employees and workplaces over three floors, "far larger than one would expect when looking through the shop windows." In 2014 it opened a vaulted cellar with a customer lounge, an event area and two discreet consultation corners, a good setting for a private ring consultation.

Contact and language

The address is Spitalgasse 14, 3011 Bern, phone +41 31 311 23 67, email info@zigerli-iff.ch. The site has a "Schedule a consultation" link and a separate opening hours and contact page. It shows a Google rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars.

The site's English version covers the wedding ring, atelier, service and history pages, which makes it easy for a couple from abroad to prepare. It does not say which languages the staff speak, so it is worth mentioning English when scheduling the consultation.

What the site leaves open

• Prices. No prices are published for Meister rings or custom work.
• Lead times. The site does not say how long a Meister order or a custom piece takes.
• Getting there. The site gives the address and a location map but no directions or parking information.

Who it suits

Zigerli+Iff suits couples who want to choose from a full Meister collection in Bern, with the option of custom work and aftercare from the shop's own goldsmiths. The English site, the consultation corners in the vaulted cellar and the appraisal service all help couples who are organizing a wedding from abroad or settling in the city. Couples buying a watch as a wedding gift will find a broad watch range in the same place.

It is less suited to couples who want to compare prices online before visiting, since none are published.