Dream diamond hard to find in MA

[Duke000088]

Hi everyone - this is my first post. I''ve spent the past few weeks immersing myself in Pricescope and the other highly regarded diamond resources (GOG, Nice Ice, etc). I even bought myself an IdealScope and I have begun my quest for my first diamond purchase (for E-ring for my girlfriend).

I''ve been to a couple larger, higher-end retailers recently and been a little stunned at the low inventory of what I percieve to be high quality loose diamonds. Specifically, I am in the market for a 1ct (or slightly undersized) round brilliant cut AGS 0/Ideal (hopefully a triple 0?) maybe VS2/SI1 and maybe E-G color. Something that will at least approach the recommendations of GOG or Nice Ice tutorials. I know, there''s more to it than just a list of angles but I''ve been shocked that these LARGE retailers will have at best ONE stone in the house that fits the bill.

Specifically, Barmakian recently had one AGS 0 (very nice on paper; mounted so I could not evaluate loose) and Descenza had not one diamond fitting this description. Plenty of GIA Very Goods, Goods, and ONE OR TWO GIA Excellent cut stones.
Is this odd? Is this possibly a selling tactic? "Oh, boy, just one left! You want us to wrap it up for you?" Or is this the norm for B&M diamond dealers? I just sort of expected that I would be evaluating more than one or two diamonds.

For locals, I live in Worcester MA. I am considering a trip to the Jeweler''s Building in Boston (? not familiar with the place personally). I am also now considering a pilgrimage down to GOG to shop for the ring.

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome Duke!

It sounds as if making the trip to GOG would be well worth your while, contact Jon and make an appointment with him and I am sure you would be very pleased you did! Jon sells superbly cut stones and that way you can see for yourself exactly what might be the best colour and clarity choices. Even G or H might be a possibility once you can see how good these grades look in an excellently cut stone.

www.goodoldgold.com

 

[NewEnglandLady]

There''s no way to know if Barmakian is using it as a sales tactic, but I sort of hate Barmakian and wouldn''t put it past them. While purchasing my wedding band from them they were very wishy-washy (pricing always changing, made the band in the wrong metal...in the wrong size...with the wrong-sized stones, etc.)--I wish I''d run the other direction.

I''ve heard good things about some other jewelers in the building, but don''t have any experience with them.

I was impressed with Shreve, Crump and Low because they immediately recognize that cut is king and emphasize cut before any other "C", but in general they are really overpriced. We got lucky and bought my ring there when they were changing ownership and some pieces were going to auction.

I would probably make the trip to NY to see GOG...you''ll have a much wider selection and it''s not that far away.

 

[Kismet]

If you journey into Boston, you may want to swing by Hefez & sons. My husband found them to be quite nice when he purchased my engagement ring. Of course that was 12 years ago so things may have changed. Their website does say that they emphasize cut and that they carry GIA and AGS diamonds.

Some of my co-workers have had bad experiences with Barmakians too. In general I have not heard good things about them but have never shopped there myself.

 

[sapx2]

Hi there!

I feel your pain... I am from MA, and sepnt a good deal of time searching for a diamond for my gf. I looked online and at B&Ms in the Boston area. Here is a short rundown of the places i visited...

DeScenza - was not impressed at all. THey hardly had any GIA excellent cut diamonds, and tried to tell me that a very good cut doamond would be the same... and to focus on getting a larger size, because that''s what all women want. I walked out.

Shreve Crump & Low - I was treated very well, even though I showed up in cargo shorts and flip-flops. They emphasize cut, and I believe they have their own signature line of AGS0 and AGS000, although I may be wrong. Their selection of settings was also very nice. However, I found their stones to be a little over-priced, and they did not offer competitive financing.

Long''s - Fantastic to deal with, and very knowledgable. They have their own line of AGS000 loose stones (I think it is called the "Trae"), as well as an idealscope to view them in. They also have some near misses that still show the hearts and arrows that look great, but cost a little less (just like on WF). Their prices were reasonable, and I was able to haggle a little, however their settings left a lot to be desired. I almost went with a stone here, but decided against it, because of the setting issue (this may have been based on personal preference though... I would highly suggest checking them out. Their new store in Natick is great.)

After much deliberation, I decided on a 0.81ct round 1895 Solitaire from Cartier. They shipped in a number of loose diamonds for me to look at, and then had the one I chose set in NYC. Also, they offer a 12 month equal payment plan with 0% interest, as well as lifetime service.

I hope this helps... I went to a few other places in the Diamond building, but i felt like i was buying a used car, so i took off. However, its worth the trip, especially if you''re in Boston anyway checking out Long''s or Shreve.

Sean

 

[dockman3]

I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents. I don''t live anywhere near Boston (actually in the middle of Indiana), but I just bought from a B&M around here. I went to a few chains in town and also the local independent jewelers. The chains didn''t have much in stock, but the independent one I went to, and eventually bought from, ordered a bunch of diamonds for me to look at. I asked them if they could get some stones in with certain features and limitations and within a week they had 5 stones for me to look at. I didn''t really like any of those, so in another week, they brought out 5 more gorgeous stones and I ended up getting one of those. So my advice is to just ask them if they can get them in for you to look at. I''m sure they''ll be happy to help you out and sell you a fantastic diamond. Remember, they want your business for the wedding bands too, so they are going to try to make you as happy as possible with the engagement ring.

 

[KtIceRN]

Having been to the jewelers building many time to just browse I can tell you it might be worth a look. There is a guy on the 2nd floor that has some really great pieces. I forget his name or the name of the store but I will try to find out for you. My friend and I meet up there just to look around. We found that Descenza had some nicely cut stones even though they were not certed. We took some pics and made a thread let me see if I can find it.

ETA: found it HERE

 

[kcoursolle]

Since you know what you want, why not just buy online from GOG, WF, JA, or others? You can get exactly what you want for a great price. If for some reason the stone isn''t perfect when you get it, you can always return it too. You also wouldn''t have to pay sales tax.

 

[JerseyWoman]

I have worked with Sisters Jewelry in the Jewelers Building (#333 on the 6th floor) for many years and they are very reputable. When I decided to upgrade my diamond, I used pricescope to educate myself and then went to them to tell them what I was looking for. i.e., I was looking for a cushion or radiant. They called in a number of diamonds for me to see.

I also was able to use the search function of pricescope to bargain for the cost of the diamond. They didn''t mind at at all and were extremely reasonable. As it turns out, they actually got one of the diamonds that was posted "virtually" so I knew the exact Pricescope cost of the diamond. And I was able to purchase through them.

If you don''t want to use them, but prefer a local B&M, I think if you print out the range you are looking for and bring it with you, it will put you in a much better bargaining position. Good luck!

 

[Lurchie]

If you make the trip to Boston, try E.B. Horn on Washington Street, right near the jewelers buildings. I know someone who went to them with a list of specs and they got her just what she wanted. They also have a good reputation and have been around forever.

 

[elrohwen]

I don''t really have any good recommendations for the Boston area as I don''t live there, but I did relate to your story. I was in a B&M the other day and the guy hands me a stone with a "small inclusion." There''s a huge (I mean huge) white area on the crown and I point to it. He says that''s the inclusion. I''m sorry, but a white chip that takes up 1/4 of the top of the stone isn''t small to me. While I got my setting from an awesome B&M, there are definitely some that are just out to get you.

 

[Duke000088]

Whew - Thanks so much for the great replies! I''m glad I posted

Sapx: I feel like I could have written your reply myself... such a similar experience so far. I took your advice and went to the Long''s in Natick. I came VERY close to purchasing a great package they put together for me (a nice Trae diamond in a Tacori setting)... very reasonable price but the diamond was a little smaller than I had been hoping for. I decided to hold off and shop more. Regardless, Long''s in Natick had by far the best selection of AGS0 diamonds in the "Metrowest" area. Comfortable atmosphere... IdeaLoupe for viewing... knowledgeable staff. But I also agree that their collection of settings was very slim compared to other jewelers in the area.

I have contacted GOG to get the ball rolling with them. I''ll make the journey and report back - also a trip into the Diamond building in Boston is planned ASAP just so I can say I covered my bases.

Thanks everyone - this is a great community!

 

[Lorelei]

Please let us know how you get on!

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

Date: 6/19/2008 3:16:43 PM
Author: kcoursolle
Since you know what you want, why not just buy online from GOG, WF, JA, or others? You can get exactly what you want for a great price. If for some reason the stone isn''t perfect when you get it, you can always return it too. You also wouldn''t have to pay sales tax.

What she said. Why waste time? You can go there but you don''t have to. Jonathan makes videos for distant customers (I am located in Texas-have bought 2 diamonds from him-plan to buy more as $$$$ allows). He makes it so easy to buy awesome diamonds online that it is scary and dangerous (to the checkbook, that is!). Let him do the work and you can just relax and benefit from the fruit of his labors!

 

[sna77]

Hi,
I''m from Boston too... I bought my diamond from Whiteflash... I looked at Long''s, EB Horn, and Shreve Crump & Low to get an idea of what I wanted... Once I knew what I wanted, I went online and found the best diamond / price I could... ended up going with Whiteflash, who I can''t recommend highly enough.

BTW, once you buy a ring, be sure to get it appraised. I''ve used jeff Averbrook of Metro Jewelry Appraisers a number of times--he''s fantastic and a member of this board...