diamond district questions...

[dolby77]

Hey All,
This is my first post on here, and I read through the forums in search of the answers to my q''s, so if they were already posted, sorry.

1. There seems to be mixed opinions on buying in the diamond district. I understand there is less hassle by buying online, but which is consistently cheaper, assuming your not getting taken in NYC? My gf and I visited the district and got used to the bombardment and I feel like I have a good understanding of the terms(other than the table and depth %''s).

2. If you paying with cash in the district, is there a better chance to get a deal?

3. Either way, I think I''m stuck purchasing the setting in the district (b/c I can''t find the one she likes anywhere else). If I purchase the stones online, do I just walk into a jeweler and say "can you put this together for me"?

4. If buying rings in the district, can you have them mail an empty box and keep the ring in order to skip paying tax? (I read this online somewhere).

I think that''s all for now...thanks for all the help

D

 

[Kingdiamond]

Date: 11/20/2008 4:31:43 PM
Author:dolby77
Hey All,
This is my first post on here, and I read through the forums in search of the answers to my q''s, so if they were already posted, sorry.

1. There seems to be mixed opinions on buying in the diamond district. I understand there is less hassle by buying online, but which is consistently cheaper, assuming your not getting taken in NYC? My gf and I visited the district and got used to the bombardment and I feel like I have a good understanding of the terms(other than the table and depth %''s).

2. If you paying with cash in the district, is there a better chance to get a deal?

3. Either way, I think I''m stuck purchasing the setting in the district (b/c I can''t find the one she likes anywhere else). If I purchase the stones online, do I just walk into a jeweler and say ''can you put this together for me''?

4. If buying rings in the district, can you have them mail an empty box and keep the ring in order to skip paying tax? (I read this online somewhere).

I think that''s all for now...thanks for all the help

D

1. Avoid diamond district like the plague unless you are expert, otherwise, "buyer beware"

2. Cash is always king! But if you buy from one of the online sponsors with a CC, you have a 30 day no question return policy.

3. Hard to believe that one setting does the trick, others can copy what you like.

4. That is illegal. You are asking someone to commit a crime, that is up to you.

 

[neatfreak]

If I were going to the diamond district I would skip most of it, head to Mark at Engagement Rings Direct, and call it a day. Too many ways to get taken. I promise. And Jon @ Good Old Gold on Long Island is also completely worth the trip if you can get out there.

I personally would never pay cash for something like an engagement ring in a place like the diamond district unless you REALLY REALLY know what you are doing (or are dealing with a well known vendor like Mark). And based on your questions it seems like you don't. You would just have no recourse if you get screwed. Not worth it IMO.

If you buy the diamond from online you can usually send them the setting and have them set it without a problem. I'd do that OR visit Mark. But make sure to make an appointment, Mark's office is in a high security building not on the street.

 

[dolby77]

I mean that I can''t find the setting in any jewelery catalog and even after explaining it to a jeweler in my hometown they couldn''t find it...so if I purchase the setting in NYC, I should be able to have a trusted jeweler in my area set the stones, right?

thanks again

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 11/20/2008 5:25:06 PM
Author: dolby77
I mean that I can''t find the setting in any jewelery catalog and even after explaining it to a jeweler in my hometown they couldn''t find it...so if I purchase the setting in NYC, I should be able to have a trusted jeweler in my area set the stones, right?


thanks again

Yes. Or you could send the setting to the online vendor and they can likely set it for you too.

 

[honey22]

Understanding the depth and table measurements are one of the most important things when looking for a wellcut stone. If you are going to buy an unbranded cut, you need to understand what all those numbers on the certificate mean!! They are the key to getting a well cut sparkly diamond.

Ditto neatfreak''s suggestion, if you don''t know your stuff, you are likely to get taken for a ride. Use a trusted PS vendor and save yourself the hassle!

 

[dolby77]

Why is this diamond seem cheap? Does the EGL Isreal cert have anything to do with it? Do the certs matter, as long as they are certified by someone? Thanks

$2606.
0.93ct. Round Diamond (Stock #: 5229434
Carat Weight: 0.93
Color:H
Clarity:SI1
Depth%:62.4
Table %:55.0
Symmetry:VG
Cert: EGL Israel View
Polish:VG
Girdle:-
Culet:N
Fluorescence:N
Measurements:6.24-6.32-3.92
Cut Grade: Premium

 

[dolby77]

have you ever used abazias.com? how do i know if it''s a PS site?

 

[honey22]

Date: 11/20/2008 6:29:58 PM
Author: dolby77
Why is this diamond seem cheap? Does the EGL Isreal cert have anything to do with it? Do the certs matter, as long as they are certified by someone? Thanks


$2606.

0.93ct. Round Diamond (Stock #: 5229434

Carat Weight: 0.93

Color:H

Clarity:SI1

Depth%:62.4

Table %:55.0

Symmetry:VG

Cert: EGL Israel View

Polish:VG

Girdle:-

Culet:N

Fluorescence:N

Measurements:6.24-6.32-3.92

Cut Grade: Premium

It''s a EGL Israel, do some reading on that, but I wouldn''t go there at all. It''s also deeper than I would like. There is a reason it''s cheaper, they are notoriously off on their colour and clarity grades, it''s likely to be J SI3/I1 clarity. If you check out prices for that colour and clarity combo, it may start to make sense.

I would say keep looking.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 11/20/2008 6:36:27 PM
Author: dolby77
have you ever used abazias.com? how do i know if it''s a PS site?

Some people have, they aren''t a "preferred" vendor I would say because they don''t provide the info we all like and they mostly are a drop shipper, so they can''t tell you if a stone is eyeclean, etc.

As for the cert, it DEFINITELY matters who it is certed by. Some are no better than your dog writing down what he thinks on a piece of paper and calling it a diamond certificate. Stick with AGS and GIA for the most reliable consistent information.

 

[Harriet]

Date: 11/20/2008 4:31:43 PM
Author:dolby77
Hey All,
This is my first post on here, and I read through the forums in search of the answers to my q''s, so if they were already posted, sorry.

1. There seems to be mixed opinions on buying in the diamond district. I understand there is less hassle by buying online, but which is consistently cheaper, assuming your not getting taken in NYC? My gf and I visited the district and got used to the bombardment and I feel like I have a good understanding of the terms(other than the table and depth %''s).

2. If you paying with cash in the district, is there a better chance to get a deal?

3. Either way, I think I''m stuck purchasing the setting in the district (b/c I can''t find the one she likes anywhere else). If I purchase the stones online, do I just walk into a jeweler and say ''can you put this together for me''?

4. If buying rings in the district, can you have them mail an empty box and keep the ring in order to skip paying tax? (I read this online somewhere).

I think that''s all for now...thanks for all the help

D

1. Sorry, but that would be a leap of faith, not an assumption. Do give Mark at ERD a call.

2. Yes, but as Neatfreak pointed out, you''d have no recourse should something go sour.

3. I think so.

4. It would be illegal on both parts. Witness Dennis Koslowski''s art.

 

[QuantumKen]

I bought my setting and diamond in the diamond district last week, had made about 10 visits before I bought..I found it to be pretty harmless, if you know what you''re looking for then they''ll back away if they don''t have it. Otherwise don''t bother leaving a deposit. I did a lot of independent research and knew what I wanted, found a few good places and shopped around. Used cash too, which got me a pretty big discount.

 

[dolby77]

here''s the other thing I''m thinking...since it seems I''m stuck with buying the setting in the district I''m going to also shop around for bullets that match the center stone that i get online right? any suggestions on that front?

Again, I appreciate everyone''s input.

 

[dolby77]

Also...found this online...is it about right?

Depth % Table %
Ideal 58-62 53-58
Premium 58.3-62.9 52-60
Excellent less than 58.3 51.5-63
VG or greater than 50.5-57
G 62.99 -
F -

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 11/20/2008 10:30:26 PM
Author: dolby77
here''s the other thing I''m thinking...since it seems I''m stuck with buying the setting in the district I''m going to also shop around for bullets that match the center stone that i get online right? any suggestions on that front?


Again, I appreciate everyone''s input.

Huh? The setting doesn''t have them already? What makes you think you can only get this setting there?

 

[Linda74]

I highly recommend Mark at ERD as well as ID Jewelry...both of whom are Priceline vendors and in the diamond district...and reputable. ID has a ton of settings to look at and i would just call both ahead and make appointments.....
Our daughter got her engagement ring and setting from Mark, and her wedding ring from ID....and the quality, beauty and value are there.....

I have made many purchases on my own in the Diamond district, before Priceline, and must say most times I have not received what I thought I was getting.......so stick with those two vendors and you will be fine.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 11/20/2008 10:48:53 PM
Author: Linda74
I highly recommend Mark at ERD as well as ID Jewelry...both of whom are Priceline vendors and in the diamond district...and reputable. ID has a ton of settings to look at and i would just call both ahead and make appointments.....

Our daughter got her engagement ring and setting from Mark, and her wedding ring from ID....and the quality, beauty and value are there.....


I have made many purchases on my own in the Diamond district, before Priceline, and must say most times I have not received what I thought I was getting.......so stick with those two vendors and you will be fine.

Pricescope vendors...not priceline.