Buy diamond in Toronto or Travel to NYC?

[dazedmedical]

Hey everyone,

I've been a long term lurker on this site. I'm hoping to get some advice regarding purchasing a diamond for my girlfriend. I live in Toronto and I've seen some people suggest USACerted and A.S.T. Jewellery before on pricescope as local vendors that are options.

I will be travelling to NYC during Christmas time and could also purchase from one of the many pricescope vendors down there (or any other suggestions you may have!).

We are both medical students so I can't bring myself to make such a large purchase without seeing the stone beforehand. I've been trying to wrap my head around ASET and Idealscope images but I really don't understand what I'm looking for to be honest.

Some additional info:

Budget: 2500-3500
Diamond: Round
Cut: Excellent
Colour : Not sure yet.... (advice?)
Clarity: I'm thinking VS2 right now but I would be willing to get an S1 if it was eye clean.

She actually has a setting already that belonged to her grandmother and would like to use, so I'm sure it would be extra to set it. The setting is yellow gold, 4-prong and is supposed to fit between .50-.80 carats

Thanks for your advice!

dazed medical

edit: I will also be travelling to Washington, DC around christmas as well.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would recommend Good Old Gold on Long Island (NY) who will happily explain anything you want to know about ASETs, idealscope images, etc., as they specialize in well cut stones!

I would recommend G-H color in round brilliants since that is the top of the near colorless range and faces up quite white when the stone is well cut. Some will go to I or J color to get a larger size. But I think you should be able to get a nice stone for $3500.

 

[_kat]

I'm from Toronto and purchased my diamond from ERD. They are also located in New York in the diamond district I believe. If you have the option of travelling to NYC and seeing the diamond for yourself, I suggest you purchase it there! I also agree with diamondseeker with the G-H colour range. I originally had a K and you can most definitely see the yellowness. To me, I can still see yellow in a J. Not sure about I though, which is why I think you should look at it in person if you have the opportunity. Goodluck!

 

[Sakuracherry]

If you're going to the diamond district, I'd suggest that you make an appointment with Yekutiel at ID jewelry. Tell him your budget, color, size and clarity preference and he'll be able to have some stones ready for you.

 

[CharmyPoo]

With your budget, I would for sure go to ERD in NYC when you are there. In the mean time, you should check out www.engagediamonds.com who are one of the few in Toronto that cares about cut and carries AGS 000 stones. I have a few friends that bought from them and was very pleased with both quality and prices. They will not set the stone into an outside setting so you will have to go to someone else - I suggest PH Design (149 Church Street at Queen St, East side on the second floor) for setting. I have used them many times and they have done a great job.

I have a friend that used AST for a custom ring. It was ok but not for me.

 

[dazedmedical]

Thanks for the suggestions so far!

 

[Enerchi]

I would check out the PS vendors online and then set up appointments, if you CAN get to NYC, and meet in person. Nothing compares to viewing them with your own eyes - if you have the ability to get to NYC!

I'm headed there in just under 2 weeks and can't wait to get to the Diamond District (my day is Oct 30!!!) and meet some of the PS vendors/shops in person!

Just do a lot of research in advance, on line. It will help immensely. Good luck!