Loose diamonds in downtown Chicago

New York Jewelers at 11 N. Wabash has the largest selection of loose stones in the city. Their sales tactics can be a little off-putting (they take you into a private office and show you the stones) but their inventory makes it all worth it. Obviously don''t tell them that you''re "just looking" and gain whatever in-person knowledge you can before going off to any other vendors. As for prices, I actually found their pricing to be very competative with the on-line vendors (maybe 3-5% higher, but you are paying for overhead in that cost) so that part should be pretty educational too.

Happy shopping!

Hi Windy City,

I just did an extensive e-ring search and am based in Chi. We ended up buying our diamond in NYC. (the ring isn''t finished quite yet -- yes, the custom process is very frustrating) Dimend Scaasi is great for looking at loose diamonds, but I''m convinced tht ultimately online purchasing is the best way to go; both price wise, and for getting what you want via people who actually know what they''re doing.

That being said, you and your friend should take advantage of all the B&M''s in the city to figure out what you want. We looked at loose stones in these stores: Dimend Scaasi, Trabert & Hoeffer, James and Sons, New York Diamonds, and Diamonds Chicago. I was looking for a cushion brilliant, and the only place that even had any was Trabert. (seems like everyone is pushing cushion modifieds now) If you''re looking for a round, princess, etc. Dimend Scaasi and New York Diamonds both have a good amount in stock. Diamonds Chicago also has access to a ton of stones, and can pull them for you quickly b/c they are in jeweler''s building on Wabash.

We also hit up Tiffany''s, Neiman Marcus, Cartier and Van Cleef to get an idea for settings.

Hope this helps!

I also live here in Chicago and am going through my e-ring search right now as well.  One note on NY Jewelers, you can negotiate with them a bit.  They quoted me a price of $8,400 for a GIA excellent, 1.33, H, SI1 diamond.  When I asked them what was the best price they could offer, they said that for me they''d do it for $8,000.  That was if I paid in cash or bank wire.  So, they''re prices are pretty competitive.  I''ve been quoted upwards of $10,000 for similar (or even worse) stones at other stores in jewelers'' row.

But I have to echo ChicagoLawyer''s sentiments.  If you''re looking for the best price and people that are nice to deal with I''d consider using a PS online vendor.  I''ve had the best experiences with them and the best service.  I visited C.D. Peacock, Christian Bernard, Goldin, NY Jewelers, Marshall Pierce etc.  Not to mention Tiffany''s and Cartier and I was disappointed with how generally unknowledgeable the sales people were.  I also agree that NY Jeweler''s sales techniques are a bit off-putting.  Ultimately I decided to go with GOG and am having my setting custom designed by Quest.  Going this route I feel better that I''m getting quality products for the best price possible and (hopefully) my ring will be beautiful and a little different.

Good luck!

Thank you, everyone!  I will add a couple of destinations to our agenda.  We are going out this Saturday.  I''m very excited -- it''s going to be a lot of fun! 

Chicagolawyer -- I''m a Chicago lawyer too, incidentally. 

There are 2 GOG diamonds that we have our eye on, so the current plan is to see if we see anything exceptional this weekend and then to compare the options. 

Weird co-in-ki-dink but I''m a lawyer too.    I guess everyone looking for a diamond in Chicago is strangely a lawyer.  Good luck on your search WindyCity.  I purchased my stone from GOG too, I''m getting it tomorrow.  I''ll let you know what I think.

I shopped all through that building. New york jewelers are used car salesmen. The people who i found good and honest were windy city diamonds. Those guys were not pushy at all, competitive in price(they have a ''real'' wholesale office upstairs in that bldg) and were great with custom designing a dream ring for me. What i liked the  most was that they were honest about the diamonds that they showed me and veered me away from a diamond that the salesman didn''t like even though they would have sold it for $1500 over the one that i eventually bought. Good people too work with for my money!