E-ring shopping in Irvine, CA/OrangeCounty

[sunkist]

Has anyone been jewelry shopping in or near Irvine, CA?? My BF and I are going to look at e-rings next week (

) and I''m wondering where is the best place to go. I know at South Coast Plaza there is Tiffany&Co. and Cartier and I''m sure other jewelry stores. I just want to see a wide selection of ring styles and I want to see a range of diamond shapes and colors (I''d really like to see down to a K cause I''ve never seen one in person). Are there anyother places you''d recommend going? I searched local stores here on PS and it gave me one - Liberty Diamonds or something? Any suggestions are welcome!

 

[qtiekiki]

There''s a jewelry show in Anahiem this weekend if you want to check it out. Here''s the website: http://www.intergem.net/.

 

[GGLW]

I''ve never been myself, but a good friend of mine recently got engaged with a diamond and setting from Liberty Diamonds.
She and her fiance both liked working with them and said their prices were pretty reasonable, and she does have a beautiful ring! BTW, her fiance told me he read a lot on Pricescope before shopping, so I''m guessing if he was impressed it was probably a decent place.
I know there are some beautiful jewelry stores in South Coast Plaza...can''t think of names off the top of my head, but at least for ideas on settings there are some really pretty things to look at!
Have fun shopping

 

[sunkist]

The antique district!?!?

I LOVE antique shopping! Where is it???? And do they have all kinds of antiques or is it antique jewelry? Thanks SDL!

 

[JulieN]

err, old town Orange? Near Chapman University/Orange Circle.

 

[AChiOAlumna]

We got my new EC stone last year from Liberty Diamonds. They were wonderful! They are knowledgeable and very patient in working with your needs....

 

[Nifergirl7997]

Try Robins Brothers. All t hey sell are engagement rings... tons and tons of them. I don''t know about their pricing, but they have lots to choose from, for ideas if nothing else!!

 

[Slykat12]

I vote for Liberty. I worked some with them for my marquise. I told them what I wanted cut wise and they could not locate it but I respect their efforts, Diamond knowledge and honesty. They did not attempt to sell me a crappy cut which Robbins Bros has tried and as most chain stores. I think Tiffs is over priced and you can get more Rock for your money online or through even through Liberty.

Learn about proper cut parameters here prior to going out and looking. According to all venders their stones are the best.

 

[sunkist]

Thank you everyone for your help and suggestions!! I am really not planning on buying at any of these stores, we''re just going to look at styles and what looks good on my hand

I''ve done plenty of homework here on PS and basically know what I want # wise, I just need to be able to see them in person before making final decisions. So I''m hoping that Tiffany, Cartier, and Liberty will have ideal cut stones that I can see? The only jewelry store I''ve ever been to didn''t know a thing about diamonds (even though they thought they did)!!!

Obviously they hadn''t spent any time on PS

 

[Slykat12]

Yes if that is what you are doing by all means those 3 stores I am sure will have ideal cut stones in round st least! Probably princess too! Have fun!

 

[Pixie]

I just recently went to South Coast Plaza to get ideas for a 3 stone ring. Try Van Cleef & Arpels, Black Starr & Frost, and Nathan Alan. I loved their styles. Then there''s Chopard, Bailey Banks & Biddle, and the usual Tiffany and Cartier. I was disappointed that Cartier didn''t have a big selection of rings to look at. All of these stores seem overpriced, but great to get ideas...

 

[AChiOAlumna]

sunkist...If you do decide to go with Liberty....call ahead...tell them exactly what parameters you''re looking for....although you don''t need an appointment to see their OC showroom, calling ahead and speaking with Troy or David will allow them the ability to look through their inventory and let you know if they have what you''re looking for.

Good luck!

 

[sunkist]

Date: 2/22/2006 8:14:55 PM
Author: Pixie
I just recently went to South Coast Plaza to get ideas for a 3 stone ring. Try Van Cleef & Arpels, Black Starr & Frost, and Nathan Alan. I loved their styles. Then there''s Chopard, Bailey Banks & Biddle, and the usual Tiffany and Cartier. I was disappointed that Cartier didn''t have a big selection of rings to look at. All of these stores seem overpriced, but great to get ideas...

Wow, South Coast has ALL of these!? Wow, I''m gonna have fun! Well I hope I do... I''ve never gone in the majority of the stores at South Coast cause they''re all so sterile looking, you know? The places that have walls and floors in slick shiny white, all furniture at a minimal and in geometric shapes, and one purse sitting on the shelf available for sale... I''m not used to this. I hope the jewelry stores are friendly

 

[Slykat12]

Gee I wish I was a bit closer. I would love to go with and look at stones with a pricescoper. I only went once to the la jewerlry district and I used my knowledge and all the stupid salespeople acted like I was a nut job. I was only looking at Marquise. I bet looking at rounds is cooler cuz ther are so much more of them and you can see the diff in cut more easily.

Oh yes, and do call Liberty first as they have two stores. Have some lovelys waiting for you!

 

[Pixie]

I actually found that the stores let me try on rings and didn''t seem too snobby, even the stores with 2 display cabinets and a lot of space and furniture in them (you know those stores have to be expensive!). My hubby wasn''t dressed too well either. He didn''t care we were going ring shopping. I think I made it a point to look half way decent. You just have to look confident and serious about buying, like you''re not shocked that a little ring would cost $50K... Don''t be afraid to ask to try things on. You never know how you like the look of the ring until it is on your finger. Oh, and all the jewelry stores are pretty close to each other. The wing with Nordstrom has all the ones I mentioned. Nathan Alan is in the center of the mall on Macy''s wing, so not far either. Have fun!!!

 

[kaya]

The Michael B studio and jewelry store is located in Studio City, Ca which is near by. It is called Matthews. Thats where I got my ring.

 

[Nifergirl7997]

That''s true, Sunkist. Try on styles you don''t think you like. They look different on. Really. My original "favorite" looked horrible on my finger, and I''ve since fallen in adoration of a setting I said I''d never like. Go figure...

If after hitting South Coast, you still can''t seem to fall in love with any setting in particular, hit Robins Brothers. Don''t buy there, but there are SO MANY to look at. It''s a great time. The salespeople aren''t pushy, either.... They know a lot of people come in to look, and then to move on to smaller, more personable stores.