Super Ideal vendor in NYC?

[Acrata]

I'm interested in looking at super ideal cut stones in person to see if they are worth the cost. What vendors in Manhattan sell them?

GOG is great, but it's outside the city. JA is here but my impression is their stones aren't truly super ideal.

 

[ac117]

You could go to Hearts on Fire authorized dealer and look at those stones....but leave your wallet at home! They don't call them Wallets on fire for no reason!!

 

[LLJsmom]

I don't know of one in NYC. I would make the trip to GOG.

 

[MollyMalone]

HI, ACRATA

* I just double-checked Crafted by Infinity's authorized retailer page; Bill Scherlag -- whose office is at 608 Fifth Ave, at the corner of 5th Ave & W 48th St -- is still listed there:
http://www.craftedbyinfinity.com/web/locations/

* Based on my reading of PS posts through recent years and looking at sundry James Allen listings, I feel comfortable saying there are indeed JA True Hearts diamonds that qualify as "super ideal", favorably compare with Whiteflash's ACAs, Brian Gavin's Signature diamonds. Their NYC showroom is at 5th Ave & E. 45 St:
https://www.jamesallen.com/showroom/

* Brilliantly Engaged (in the World Diamond Tower, 5th Ave & W. 47th St) usually has at least some "super ideal" stones at hand, and of course can "call in" any others that are elsewhere in the Diamond District. I've seen in person some of their rings -- both cast and hand forged -- and thought they reflected really fine design and craftsmanship. And they were one of the few Manhattan retail vendors that my late father-in-law, who was in the diamond trade here in NYC, would recommend to friends and neighbors (back when BE was doing business as Engagement Rings Direct).
https://www.brilliantlyengaged.com

With any of the above, call ahead for an appointment & to explain your mission; also, if there are any JA settings that appeal to you, ask JA to have those waiting for you to view and try on.

 

[alene]

My stone was purchased years ago from Diamond Ideals, they used to be a PS vendor at that time. I haven't dealt with them since, but just checked and they're still around.

 

[Asscherhalo_lover]

GOG is not that far, just hop on the LIRR you'll be there in less than an hour.

 

[Acrata]

Thanks everyone. For HOF, I went to Saks, because it is under my office, and the service was terrible. They couldn't even tell me the weight of the stones they had. Bill Scherlag seems to no longer be operating here. BE and JA are possible but I wonder whether they can source stones as well-cut as ACA and the like.

 

[eugchen]

look for ID Jewelry, Yeketiel in midtown!!!

 

[ryan23]

I second the Yekutial nomination. Give him a ring or go visit IDJ in the city. He knows PS standards and can at least tell you if he can get you what you are looking for.

 

[MollyMalone]

@Acrata -- By any chance, did you call the number given on CBI's retailer web page for Mr. Scherlag? Although the link for the DiamondOne web site is a dud, that phone number is the one Manta reports corresponds to IM Services, LLC at the same 5th Ave address in Manhattan
https://www.manta.com/c/mr4nhbm/im-services-llc
& IM Services was the formal name of Mr. Scherlag's business when he was in Virginia (IM = Ice Mine).
http://www.us-jewelers.com/business/im-services
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...th-diamond-from-ice-mine-bill-scherlag.39744/

If the phone number proves to be a dead end, use the CBI USA contact email address
http://www.craftedbyinfinity.com/web/contact/
to let CBI know that Bill Scherlag no longer seems to be in business & ask if there is another NYC retailer. I think your email will actually go to PS Trade member John Pollard, who is the US Executive for CBI:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johntable55

I second the Yekutial nomination. Give him a ring or go visit IDJ in the city. He knows PS standards and can at least tell you if he can get you what you are looking for.

As a general FYI: When you ask IDJ for "PS quality" stones, that won't be interpreted as a request for "super ideal", but rather, better than their "mass market" norm.

I'm a fan of IDJ, but didn't suggest IDJ to Acrata because she's not looking, at this juncture, for good bang for the bucks (and/or a Gabriel & Co or Vatche setting), but rather premium stones and that's not a niche IDJ caters to. So that's why I think Brilliantly Engaged is better suited for her particular mission.

P.S. Speaking of "super ideal," here's a very useful discussion

https://www.pricescope.com/communit...nding-a-signature-super-ideal-diamond.174235/

 

[ryan23]

Thanks Molly for the clarification. I'm still new to this somewhat but did have a great experience at IDJ (hence the recommendation).

EDIT - That is a great read on ideal v. super ideal stones.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I'd certainly go to Good Old Gold for super ideals. I don't think you'll access them from the other vendors mentioned.

 

[WillyDiamond]

Call Chris at BE

 

[John P]

@Acrata -- By any chance, did you call the number given on CBI's retailer web page for Mr. Scherlag?
...
If the phone number proves to be a dead end, use the CBI USA contact email address
http://www.craftedbyinfinity.com/web/contact/
to let CBI know that Bill Scherlag no longer seems to be in business & ask if there is another NYC retailer. I think your email will actually go to PS Trade member John Pollard, who is the US Executive for CBI:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johntable55

Molly, I might hit you up for future sleuthing. Expertly done above.

You are correct: Mr. Scherlag can be reached by phone. He maintains an office on 5th Ave and 49th street, across from Rockefeller Center.

His main business is now high-value & celebrity sales, which is why he no longer advertises on the internet. He maintains his status as a Crafted by Infinity dealer, with access to the entire inventory, and will gladly open his doors to those interested in viewing our diamonds by appointment.

Be advised: The last time we met he put a 40 carat D-IF emerald cut on my wife's hand and a necklace dripping with two-dozen 10-carat Old European cuts around her neck.

(I'm never taking her back there)

Thanks again, Molly.

 

[december-fire]

Molly, I might hit you up for future sleuthing. Expertly done above.

You are correct: Mr. Scherlag can be reached by phone. He maintains an office on 5th Ave and 49th street, across from Rockefeller Center.

His main business is now high-value & celebrity sales, which is why he no longer advertises on the internet. He maintains his status as a Crafted by Infinity dealer, with access to the entire inventory, and will gladly open his doors to those interested in viewing our diamonds by appointment.

Be advised: The last time we met he put a 40 carat D-IF emerald cut on my wife's hand and a necklace dripping with two-dozen 10-carat Old European cuts around her neck.

(I'm never taking her back there)

Thanks again, Molly.

 

[MollyMalone]

* * * Mr. Scherlag can be reached by phone. He maintains an office on 5th Ave and 49th street, across from Rockefeller Center.

His main business is now high-value & celebrity sales, which is why he no longer advertises on the internet. He maintains his status as a Crafted by Infinity dealer, with access to the entire inventory, and will gladly open his doors to those interested in viewing our diamonds by appointment.

Be advised: The last time we met he put a 40 carat D-IF emerald cut on my wife's hand and a necklace dripping with two-dozen 10-carat Old European cuts around her neck.
(I'm never taking her back there)
Thanks again, Molly.

Somewhat belated THANKS to you, John, for letting us know that there is indeed a CBI dealer in Manhattan -- and that Mr. Scherlag will welcome us mere mortals who couldn't possibly afford
an eye-popping 40 ct emerald-cut stone

 

[Acrata]

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone here. I'll come back and let people know if I was able to find Super Ideals.

 

[retinoschisis]

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone here. I'll come back and let people know if I was able to find Super Ideals.

I wonder what happened... did you find them? I'm considering a run to Houston (WF & BGD) from NYC because I don't know where to find an inventory of super ideal rounds (~2 F-G) in NYC.

 

[Maggiemeans]

Late to this party but I have to say Bill Scherlag is a cool guy... I called up out of the blue.. TOTALLY not in the market AT ALL and told him straight out.. but asked if he had and CBI diamonds as I just really wanted to see one.. He told me to come up.. i went up the next day and he showed me two lovely stones that were to be someone's earrings.. I made sure not to take much time, but I really appreciated that he did this for me.

 

[Maggiemeans]

I do think it's worth the trip to GOG and contacting John at August Vintage inc.. John showed me a AVC about 10 years ago. I finally got one two years ago. He is great on educating.. and I can't imagine either John or GOG stearing you wrong. they want to make sure you understand.

 

[WillyDiamond]

Old thread from 2017