Florida Diamond Center has been run by the Valdes family since it opened. Steve Valdes III is behind the counter today, after his father and his grandfather. We are on U.S. Highway 19 in Holiday, Florida. The work you see at the counter is the work we do on site: diamond buying, engagement ring design, watch repair, estate appraisal. Nothing is shipped out.

Our Story

Florida Diamond Center started as a family shop and stayed that way. Four generations of the Valdes family have been buying, grading, and setting stones here, with more than thirty years of combined experience behind the counter and at the bench. Each generation learned the trade before working the sales floor. Customers tend to get a straight answer about stones, settings, and pricing.

Most of our customers come in for the same reasons. They want a real person to explain what they are buying. They want a jeweler who actually touches the piece. They want a price that reflects the goods rather than the overhead. An engagement ring is a real purchase, and most buyers have questions about cut, clarity, metal, and sizing. We answer those questions plainly and put the stones under loupe and scope so you can see what you are paying for.

Repair and watch work make up a big share of the week. Pieces come in from Tarpon Springs, Palm Harbor, New Port Richey, Clearwater, and Dunedin. Some were bought here years ago, some were bought elsewhere and cannot be serviced there anymore. Either way, the work is done in our shop, usually within the week, and the person who did it is the one who hands it back.

Appraisals happen on set days. A GIA Graduate Gemologist grades the piece, documents the specifications, and writes valuations for insurance, estate, or resale. Customers often bring in inherited jewelry or loose stones that have sat in a drawer for years. We are happy to look at any of it, whether you plan to sell or not.

The Valdes Family Today

The family still runs the shop. You will meet us at the counter, in the repair area, and at the gemologist bench. We sell new pieces alongside pre-owned and estate jewelry, and we are always looking for quality stones and pieces to buy from the public.

Visiting Tampa Bay or live nearby? Come in. No appointment needed. The store is on U.S. Highway 19 in Holiday with parking out front. Open Monday through Saturday and there is always someone on the floor to help.