Exploring The Unique Jewelry Of Russian Hill's 'Shop No. 3'

Exploring The Unique Jewelry Of Russian Hill's 'Shop No. 3'Jenny Chung. (Photos: Nathan Falstreau/Hoodline)
Nathan Falstreau
Published on April 29, 2016

As the proprietor of Acrimony at 333 Hayes St. in Hayes Valley, Jenny Chung sells high-end ready-to-wear men's and women's clothing, featuring hard-to-find items and work by emerging designers. But she also has a passion for jewelry, and yearned for a store dedicated exclusively to fashion accessories.

When a spot opened up in Russian Hill, she decided to expand, opening Shop No. 3. The store showcases a variety of fine art, costume and bridal jewelry that you might not find at a typical jewelry store. 

Acrimony does offer a small selection of jewelry, but it's never been the focus, Chung told us. "We've always [done well] with accessories," she said, "but never had enough time or space to dedicate specifically to jewelry. I knew that it would be my next retail concept, but was waiting for the perfect location, something small and focused and in a great neighborhood."  


Costume jewelry and fine art pieces are some of Chung's mainstays, but alternative bridal jewelry has become increasingly popular with her clientele: "Something for the woman that doesn't necessarily want a traditional solitaire diamond, but wants something that really speaks to her personality," she told us.

Customers don't always realize many facets of jewelry can be interchangeable, Chung said. For example, "having a black diamond instead of a white diamond, if that speaks to her more. And you can do rose gold instead of platinum." She works closely with the jewelry designers and sources her product from around the world; she can often obtain custom, one-of-a-kind pieces for customers.

As for the process for curating her pieces, "there aren't many rules in my head on how to do things or why to do things," she said. "I create a space with product that I believe in, and work with designers who I think are innovators ... and fill the shop with things that will really make people feel special."

Chung noted that the difference between clothing and jewelry is that "with clothing, there is this constant need to feel new all of the time. And that's why there is seasonality to the piece. But with jewelry, every time you put it on, it feels new." 


Chung, who was born in Hawaii but raised in San Francisco, didn't go to design or fashion merchandising school. Instead, she studied economics at UC Berkeley, because she was "interested in how our local and global economies work," she said. But fashion was always on her mind, and her ultimate goal was to get into the industry; she just didn't quite know how. 

Using her degree, Chung secured a job in Los Angeles with BCBG, doing wholesale planning on the financial side of the business. The job, however, was close enough to the fashion world that she was able to get an inside look into what it would take to set out on her own. 

Chung later worked for an Italian shoemaker, and was able to travel to the factories where the shoes were made and meet with clients. Feeling like she had learned enough to set out on her own, she took the leap and opened Acrimony in 2008. "I was never going to be ready for taking on such a risk, but I knew that it was the best time to do it," she said.

She later opened up a store on Telegraph Hill called ACRE/SF, but had to close in 2011 after she lost her lease. No. 3, appropriately, is her third retail venture. 


Chung said she never spent much time in the Russian Hill neighborhood before finding a small space to move into, but now that she owns a shop there, "I'm madly in love with the neighborhood. There are so many gems in Russian Hill, and [it's] not just just cool shops and restaurants. I'm talking hidden parks, cobblestone stairs, gardens and alleyways."

She hopes to expand and open up other retail stores, but as for where, she's staying mum. "I think that this is it for San Francisco. But I've got my eyes on another area code, for sure!"

No. 3 is open Thursday and Friday 2–7pm, Saturday 12–7pm, and Sunday 12–5pm.