Best no frills Philadelphia jeweler?

[DoeEyes]

I was planning to make a trip to see IDJ and OWD in NYC but it's had to be rescheduled multiple times now and I'm tired. I barely want to go, my boyfriend is only going to make me happy, but he definitely won't enjoy it. I just want to go somewhere locally on my own and get this ring bullshit over with. I'm buying my own ring and I know exactly what I want, but I need to see color grades and other details in person to determine how much imperfection I can tolerate in a diamond.

I know I want .75-1 carat solitaire and I would prefer pre-owned both for ethical reasons and price. I'll be putting it in a simple white gold solitaire band which any jeweler should be able to do.

I went to Halloween Jeweler in Philly, waited like 15 minutes for him to see me, and he had a lot of people coming in and waiting and didn't want to spend more than 5 minutes with me. That put me off, but I may try seeing if I can make an appointment so I have more time to see what he has.

Looking for any other places to try in Philly or nearby suburbs. No frills, lots of options, price friendly.

 

[KKJohnson]

What about Jeffrey Debs Jeweler Gemologist, they state they have loose diamonds for you to review since that is really what you need for color grading.

 

[DoeEyes]

@KKJohnson thanks! I just called and I might stop in today to see what they have. Do you have personal experience with them?

 

[KKJohnson]

@KKJohnson thanks! I just called and I might stop in today to see what they have. Do you have personal experience with them?

No, I live in Texas but did a search. One of the many things I get to do while I have a sleeping baby on me 24/7 lol

Since the main thing you want is to see how color sensitive you are, I think a diamond broker is going to be better for you than just your run of the mill jewelry store. I would give them a call before going and check if they have what you are wanting, if they don’t then they may be able to recommend a place for you

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I work with a jeweler in Philly but she only makes the settings. She doesn’t have a store front or a stock of diamonds.

If you want to figure out color sensitivity maybe just try somewhere big with a lot of inventory? Like Steven singer. I almost never buy in a brick and mortar store but I’ve gone to try things on and even though they can be a bit salesman like they understand if you end up not buying anything.

 

[DoeEyes]

I did try walking into a couple big box stores and didn't love the service I was getting. They wanted my budget, I told them (it's low) and it seemed like they weren't talking me seriously since I had a low budget and wasn't with my boyfriend. It's possible that I really was giving off the "not a serious buyer" vibe since I was so early in my search. Maybe if I go in again now and say I want to see every color grade from D-J, I might have more luck.

Do mined diamond and lab diamonds use the same color scale though? I haven't decided between a pre-owned mined diamond or a lab diamond. I'm currently looking at like I-H lab diamonds, should I look at the same range from mined diamonds in the store or would I need to go to a store that carries lab diamonds?

 

[rocks]

If you want to see color go to Tiffany and ask to see stones in the f to i range. If they ask for a budget, triple yours. Look at diamonds under 1ct in their 6 prong solitaire. Either you will see color, or you won't. Then you can order in your pj's and fuzzy slippers from an online vendor. Done.

 

[KKJohnson]

I did try walking into a couple big box stores and didn't love the service I was getting. They wanted my budget, I told them (it's low) and it seemed like they weren't talking me seriously since I had a low budget and wasn't with my boyfriend. It's possible that I really was giving off the "not a serious buyer" vibe since I was so early in my search. Maybe if I go in again now and say I want to see every color grade from D-J, I might have more luck.

Do mined diamond and lab diamonds use the same color scale though? I haven't decided between a pre-owned mined diamond or a lab diamond. I'm currently looking at like I-H lab diamonds, should I look at the same range from mined diamonds in the store or would I need to go to a store that carries lab diamonds?

I hate when a store won’t take you serious unless you have a man with you! That was one thing that annoyed me when I went looking st engagement rings with my best friend. I would just walk in tell them straight out that you want to look at different stones to judge how sensitive you are, you are not looking to buy that day and don’t need to discuss budget since it’s “up in the air” (they don’t need to know your details) If they keep pushing then just repeat yourself. I’ve also found that some higher end places don’t mind (too much) in helping you figure this out as they tend to have better customer service since they deal with high end clientele who are more demanding.

 

[DoeEyes]

@rocks that's a great idea and it would be fun to go to Tiffany's and pretend I can afford it haha.

@KKJohnson ugh thank you! It's really frustrating because I am buying my own ring with my own money, my boyfriend isn't involved in this at all other than wanting to marry me lol. He doesn't care at all about the ring, the wedding, all this bullshit turns him off. Me too to be honest, but I do want a ring and a wedding, so I'm doing the legwork to get it! I think the last time I went to the store I was still unsure about my real budget and what I wanted, and I was embarrassed to say I was paying for my own ring so I kept it vague. Maybe if I just go in guns blazing telling them what I need, I'll be happier with the experience! Great point that higher end stores might be more accommodating. I might try Tiffany's.

 

[rocks]

I'm serious about Tiffany. They are used to women coming in and previewing. People on this board do not like Tiffany. That said, as an instructional visit, you will figure out what you like and what you don't. Keep it real...like .60 to .85. If you triple your budget you will have a good idea of what you can get online.

 

[DoeEyes]

@rocks I went to a store today and looked at some different colors. I saw an L and honestly it looked great on my finger, I only noticed the color when he showed it to me next to an E, on white paper, etc. I might still go to Tiffany tomorrow just for fun, it's only a few blocks from my office and I can stop in during my lunch break, but I think I'm pretty much set and ready to order a lab diamond on Brilliant Earth. They don't even go lower than J so I should be okay. If it's really not great when I see it in person, I can always return it. I know lab diamonds are not supposed to be discussed on this forum so I won't continue the discussion here. Once I have it picked out and ordered, I'll post on the MMD forum.

 

[rocks]

Glad to hear you are on your way!

 

[MamaBee]

@rocks I went to a store today and looked at some different colors. I saw an L and honestly it looked great on my finger, I only noticed the color when he showed it to me next to an E, on white paper, etc. I might still go to Tiffany tomorrow just for fun, it's only a few blocks from my office and I can stop in during my lunch break, but I think I'm pretty much set and ready to order a lab diamond on Brilliant Earth. They don't even go lower than J so I should be okay. If it's really not great when I see it in person, I can always return it. I know lab diamonds are not supposed to be discussed on this forum so I won't continue the discussion here. Once I have it picked out and ordered, I'll post on the MMD forum.

I’m glad you narrowed it down and have a plan. J color will give you a larger ring if you’re not color sensitive. Please pay attention to the cut even in the type of stone you’re looking at. You want ideal cut..You can fudge on the other things like color and clarity and go smaller to save money but don’t do less than ideal cut. That will give you the sparkle. I’m really looking forward to what you pick out. Please let us know when you post on the other board.

 

[Tophat1]

Not Philly, but nearby. Milanj diamonds at the KoP mall. Make an appointment with David. He will find you the best diamond in your price range, very similar to IDJ. It’s a mall store, but not your typical mall store.

 

[Tophat1]

Not Philly, but nearby. Milanj diamonds at the KoP mall. Make an appointment with David. He will find you the best diamond in your price range, very similar to IDJ. It’s a mall store, but not your typical mall store.

Also, tell David what you are looking for in advance so he has good selection in stock. The size shouldn’t be an issue, but if you want a range of colors, they primarily stock I and J because they are better value

 

[vintageloves]

Not Philly, but nearby. Milanj diamonds at the KoP mall. Make an appointment with David. He will find you the best diamond in your price range, very similar to IDJ. It’s a mall store, but not your typical mall store.

It might be a good store for this purpose, but I have to say I don't recommend this store. Sorry to step only any toes. My brother and sister in law spent 17K on a ring there and it's a total lifeless dud. They also convinced her to go with white gold over platinum because platinum tarnishes, yes tarnishes, too quickly for someone who washes their hands as much as she does (health care worker). Now she thinks my platinum rings are proof that I don't wash my hands enough.

 

[DoeEyes]

Thanks for the recs guys. I'm now pretty set on what I need and not looking to visit any more jewelers in person so I'm going to unfollow this thread. If you want me to see something please tag me. Thanks!

 

[Tophat1]

It might be a good store for this purpose, but I have to say I don't recommend this store. Sorry to step only any toes. My brother and sister in law spent 17K on a ring there and it's a total lifeless dud. They also convinced her to go with white gold over platinum because platinum tarnishes, yes tarnishes, too quickly for someone who washes their hands as much as she does (health care worker). Now she thinks my platinum rings are proof that I don't wash my hands enough.

Sorry to hear that! I had such a great experience. Ultimately I went with a superideal from Whiteflash but Milanj had a few beauties that I considered.

 

[Vogue]

I work with a jeweler in Philly but she only makes the settings. She doesn’t have a store front or a stock of diamonds.

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but @MakingTheGrade would you mind sharing who this is? I have a friend who lives near Philly and is looking to have a setting made for a loose stone that's not a standard size.

 

[MamaBee]

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but @MakingTheGrade would you mind sharing who this is? I have a friend who lives near Philly and is looking to have a setting made for a loose stone that's not a standard size.

I would like to also know!

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I would like to also know!

Sure. I work with Jen Green. She’s not for everyone though as she works alone in a studio so something takes some time to get back to you or get something done. I find her really nice and honest though. And I like that I can drop my things off instead of mail them!

 

[DoeEyes]

@MakingTheGrade I've been trying to find who recommended Jen Green to me before, was it you? And also offered to meet me in person to go into some stores?

I'm at the point now where I have my stone, waiting for my setting to be delivered, and I'm trying to decide who to use to set it. I've been in contact with Jen and she said she can do it but said she would have her diamond setter do it, she wouldn't personally do it. There's another jeweler Anthony Fontana who also said he can do it and he does the setting and rhodium plating himself. Both will be about the same price, $30-50 for setting and replating.

I don't have any personal recommendations for Anthony, but I think I'm leaning towards him simply because he'll be doing everything so if it's not perfect I can talk to him directly instead of with Jen, having to talk to her and wait for her to talk to the setter. Plus I think I've learned I'm a really demanding and particular customer, and I get the sense she might get annoyed with me.

I can't decide what to do! I know Jen does good work, so I guess I can trust her setter? I haven't seen Anthony's work yet but honestly when people say "go in and look at their work" I don't even know what I would be looking at. Like how even the prongs are?

 

[MakingTheGrade]

My guess is Anthony could do it faster for you so I’d probably go with him. Prongs are usually pretty straightforward.

 

[DoeEyes]

My guess is Anthony could do it faster for you so I’d probably go with him. Prongs are usually pretty straightforward.

Thanks! Have you ever heard anything about Anthony Fontana? I found some good reviews online nothing bad, but not that many. Same with Jen though, I think it's hard to find reviews for smaller jewelers.
Any tips on what to look at and how to evaluate his work?

 

[MakingTheGrade]

Maybe ask him to email you some
Photos of his solitaire prong setting work?