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E-ring shopping in NYC

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jjc42

Rough_Rock
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May 28, 2009
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Hello all, thought I would relay some quick thoughts about first round of e-ring shopping in NYC. Our stops included Cartier, Michael C. Fina and Saks. She knows that she wants a round diamond, so we were primarily looking at settings. Cartier was of course very helpful and the most expensive; 1895 solitaire setting, 1.67 ct, G, VS2 for just shy of $31k (I think I felt a tear run down my cheek!). Michael C. Fina had a tremendous selection from various designers (Tacori, Michael B., etc.). We primarily looked at Tacori and didn't feel that they lived up to the photos we had seen. They would provide the diamond or I could bring one that was purchased elsewhere. Our last stop was Saks where we looked at Graf. We were very disappointed in that they had an extremely limited selection (no plain solitaire settings) and didn't seem particularly interested in helping us. One thing to note though is that Saks is a Cartier retailer and while they don't stock Cartier e-rings they can get them for you. The benefit to this (as opposed to going straight to Cartier up the street) is that if you have a Saks card you could get a whole lot of points buying the ring from Saks. Cartier was the winner for her, but need to look again.

So round 2 is set to occur next weekend and now that I am more aware of the premium paid at a place llike Cartier I'd like for us to check out a few places more similar to Michael C. Fina that have a lot of different settings. I'm trying to stay away from 47th Street. Any suggestions?
 
I bought hubby's wedding band from Michael C. Fina and looked at other boutiques as well. I'd recommend Natalique as well. How about the DeBeers store in Midtown? Stuart Moore in SoHo has great settings that are worth visiting - we bought a diamond band there last year and the customer service was fantastic. Kwiat has some nice settings as well.

Of course, I'm biased and I think Mark Turnowski at Engagement Rings Direct is THE BEST. His settings are to die for and very affordable for custom designs.
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personally i would buy a stone from say Whiteflash and then go to someplace special for a custome mounting that is unique. in my opinion too many people put far too much money in the stone and forget about the mounting. for example Verdura has amazing settings and it would be something really special--alternatively ERD or Leon Mege or Carvin French could do a custom ring
 
I know you said you wanted to stay away from the diamond district, but I''ve heard good things about ID jewelry. I recently bought an eternity band online and customer service was great. There are some threads of people who have bought their Vatche setting and stones from them.
I also second the idea of buying your stone from WF and having a custom setting.
 
Agree with L.

Graf has their own store on Madison Ave, I think in the 60''s.

DeBeers is a also a fun place to look.

What about Tiffany''s on 57th and 5th, they have alot of bling.

Again, agree with L.
 
Date: 5/29/2009 1:48:03 PM
Author: tigian
I know you said you wanted to stay away from the diamond district, but I've heard good things about ID jewelry. I recently bought an eternity band online and customer service was great. There are some threads of people who have bought their Vatche setting and stones from them.

I also second the idea of buying your stone from WF and having a custom setting.
Click to expand...

Totally agree with going to ID Jewelry. They are on 47th street. If you let Yekutiel know that you find them from PriceScope he will take special care of you. I just got an e-ring from him and he can beat the pricescope quote prices on diamonds. He can provide you with the Idealscope pictures and the ASET pictures. He also has a Heart and Arrow viewer for you to use. The best thing is you can see the diamond in person before buying it. Also, you could always bring pictures of the ring you want and a lot of jeweler can replicate it.

Kin
 
Oh, goodness....well, you can get a setting similar to the Cartier custom made by Leon Mege in NYC. (I have one, in fact). I''d recommend Good Old Gold in Long Island for a fabulous selection of superideal cut diamonds. You''ll likely end up with better quality than the typical stones at Tiffany, etc. and she''ll get a MUCH larger stone if you don''t pay for the store name. Just take a look at the diamonds you can get for under $20,000:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4317/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4337/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5080/

And here is Leon Mege''s site:

http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=350 (He usually makes the classic solitaire with a single prong. It has a basket head like the Cartier.)
 
Date: 5/29/2009 10:04:18 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
Oh, goodness....well, you can get a setting similar to the Cartier custom made by Leon Mege in NYC. (I have one, in fact). I''d recommend Good Old Gold in Long Island for a fabulous selection of superideal cut diamonds. You''ll likely end up with better quality than the typical stones at Tiffany, etc. and she''ll get a MUCH larger stone if you don''t pay for the store name. Just take a look at the diamonds you can get for under $20,000:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4317/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4337/

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/5080/

And here is Leon Mege''s site:

http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=350 (He usually makes the classic solitaire with a single prong. It has a basket head like the Cartier.)
Click to expand...
DITTO, DITTO.

Unless there is importance placed on brand by either/both of you (which is valid on its own, it''s YOUR purchase) then I''d take Diamondseeker''s advice and check out some other options....you will get a crazy amount MORE for your buck, and the same or BETTER quality.

My $0.02


But by all means.....check out the big name B&M stores for the bling, ideas, and sparkly lights. It''s FUN!
 
Good Old Gold as others have mentioned is fabulous.

And although he is in the DD he isn''t a "stall" vendor-you need to make an appointment-but Mark at Engagement Rings Direct is fabulous as well.
 
Just a quick update. We checked out a few other places last night, with the rest to be seen next Sunday. At the suggestion of Bliss and bgray, respectively, we went to DeBeers and Verdura. And also went to Harry Winston. The salesperson at DeBeers was very friendly and helpful. There were a few rings that she liked...all roughly with a 1.2 ct center stone, pave band for about $17k (sorry, don''t remember specifics of stone). However that was quickly eclipsed by our stop at Verdura. Overall it was a wonderful shopping experience and the saleswoman was very friendly and clearly loved working there. It was a significant departure from what we had been looking at but did find one to her liking. I should have a picture shortly, which I will try to post. Unfortunately, the ring was $115k...it would be a huge understatement to say that is out of my price range. That did include a 3.04 ct round diamond, G, VVS1. And they did mention that they would be willing to work with a stone that I brought them but for that particular setting it would have to be at least 2 ct. Not sure how a smaller stone would translate in this particular setting. This was quickly established as the new favorite, ahead of Cartier 1895. We then went to Harry Winston, who had only one ring of interest...the micropave cushion cut, 1.27 ct center stone, E, VS1 for $27k. I was not a big fan of the saleswoman at HW. She also tried to convince us that the cushion cut is "sparklier" than a round because it has more facets. Based on everything that I''ve read so far this is not true. Maybe I''m wrong. As it stands the HW cushion cut and Verdura are neck and neck with possibly a slight edge to Verdura for a bit more uniqueness. I like the idea of the cushion cut since I can get a larger stone and then have something custom by Mark at ERD or Leon with some beautiful micropave.

Next up...

Stuart Moore
Natalique
Kwiat

Then I suspect we''ll have to have a second look at a few of the favorites. Once I''m confident she''s found the type of setting I''ll start looking for the stone.
 
how exciting! cant wait to see how this evolves.
 
Has she seen Leon Mege's website? Truthfully, he makes rings for high end stores like you have mentioned. I would say that ideal cut rounds will usually beat a cushion on brilliance, but there are some beautiful cushions. Mark has been known to source beautiful ones and so has Jon at Good Old Gold. Jon is having some new cushions cut in the old chunky style with great light performance, and that is what I personally would choose. They are perfection and maybe better than the ones you are seeing. But regardless, the important thing is, does she like round or cushions better???

Take a look at the second video on the GOG homepage (Angel setting w/ 5 ct. GOG cushion) and you can see an example of an excellent cushion)

http://www.goodoldgold.com/Home/
 
Everything we have looked at thus far has been round with the exception of the Harry Winston. So for that particular ring she liked cushion, but in general she prefers round. Here is the picture that I mentioned in my previous post of the ring at Verdura.

Cross over.jpg
 
I recently worked with Mark from ERD and had a wonderful experience. I am absolutely in love with my ring and was looking for one particular stone that he was able to get for me. He''s right on 5th Ave near 48th St.
 
i love Verdura...........everything they do is classic but with a a unique quality. not to mention a Verdura ring is a true heirloom. this ring is stunning and would be beautiful with a 1.5 to 2 carat round
 
My concern with the Verdura setting is that the salesperson told me that I couldn''t really go smaller than 2 ct. The photo is with a stone a little over 3 ct. Looks like a 2 ct, G, VS2 would run me somewhere in the area of $20k plus. And I''m waiting to hear back, but I figure that the Verdura setting is a at least $10k. I''d be more comfortable in the 1.5-1.75 ct area but I don''t think it will work for that setting. I''ll see what happens after we finish looking next weekend.
 
Date: 5/30/2009 9:31:18 AM
Author: jjc42
Just a quick update. We checked out a few other places last night, with the rest to be seen next Sunday. At the suggestion of Bliss and bgray, respectively, we went to DeBeers and Verdura. And also went to Harry Winston. The salesperson at DeBeers was very friendly and helpful. There were a few rings that she liked...all roughly with a 1.2 ct center stone, pave band for about $17k (sorry, don''t remember specifics of stone). However that was quickly eclipsed by our stop at Verdura. Overall it was a wonderful shopping experience and the saleswoman was very friendly and clearly loved working there. It was a significant departure from what we had been looking at but did find one to her liking. I should have a picture shortly, which I will try to post. Unfortunately, the ring was $115k...it would be a huge understatement to say that is out of my price range. That did include a 3.04 ct round diamond, G, VVS1. And they did mention that they would be willing to work with a stone that I brought them but for that particular setting it would have to be at least 2 ct. Not sure how a smaller stone would translate in this particular setting. This was quickly established as the new favorite, ahead of Cartier 1895. We then went to Harry Winston, who had only one ring of interest...the micropave cushion cut, 1.27 ct center stone, E, VS1 for $27k. I was not a big fan of the saleswoman at HW. She also tried to convince us that the cushion cut is ''sparklier'' than a round because it has more facets. Based on everything that I''ve read so far this is not true. Maybe I''m wrong. As it stands the HW cushion cut and Verdura are neck and neck with possibly a slight edge to Verdura for a bit more uniqueness. I like the idea of the cushion cut since I can get a larger stone and then have something custom by Mark at ERD or Leon with some beautiful micropave.

Next up...

Stuart Moore
Natalique
Kwiat

Then I suspect we''ll have to have a second look at a few of the favorites. Once I''m confident she''s found the type of setting I''ll start looking for the stone.
Click to expand...

I love cushion cuts. They are NOT sparklier than a round. They give off chunkier flashes, which I like.

I would go with the cushion cut and then a custom setting if that''s what SHE wants.

I do just love a well cut cushion -- saw one at the grocery store last week. Almost stopped the complete stranger to ask her if she was a PSer!
21.gif


BEST wishes in your search.
 
Date: 6/1/2009 12:13:37 PM
Author: jjc42
Everything we have looked at thus far has been round with the exception of the Harry Winston. So for that particular ring she liked cushion, but in general she prefers round. Here is the picture that I mentioned in my previous post of the ring at Verdura.
Click to expand...

well................?
 
I live in NYC and after reading up around here, I took a LIRR field trip out to Good Old Gold. Definitely happy I did. I was able to do a lot of the research via internet and e-mail and so the hour and a half I spent out there was totally focused and productive.

And because it seems I cannot figure out how to delete my post now, I'll just say: D'OH! never mind, seems like you are going another direction. Alas for my poor end-of-day reading ability, and good luck. : )
 
Jay8: Actually that is exactly the direction I''m headed. We still have a few more brand name stops to make tomorrow and Sunday, but that is primarily to get ideas for settings. After that I''m likely to check out stones at GOG and ERD.

bgray: Not sure what the "well" was for...if it was for the Verdura picture, it is posted. Let me know if for some reason you can''t see it. If you were looking for more info I won''t have any until Sunday. Most of our looking is relegated to the weekend since I work in Connecticut and most places close at 6:00 during the week.
 
Well it looks like my plans have been derailed somewhat. I thought that we would be visiting a bunch of B&M jewelers to narrow it down to one or maybe a few styles, but about half way through our search she decided that she''d prefer it be a surprise and that I had a good enough idea of what she wanted. So I''m supposed to take it from here, which make this considerably more difficult/stressful. Anyway, I visited Kwiat myself and found a ring (picture below) that sorta kinda resembled the ring that she liked from Verdura. The woman who helped me at Kwiat was very friendly and extremely patient as well as very low pressure, which was nice. It also seems that there markup isn''t as extravagant as other high end jewelers (I realize it not as big a name). The setting was a little over $4k and the diamond (G, VS2, 1.51 ct) was slightly over $15k. Based on what I''ve seen online that is roughly inline with what I would pay for a loose stone of similar quality and about what I was looking to spend on a setting. I''m off to Stuart Moore now...

17598A_table_web.jpg
 
While Stuart Moore has to be one of my favorite stores in nyc, based on the pics you posted, i don''t think you''ll find anything like that there. They tend to carry very, VERY modern designs. Think tension settings and the like.
 
Back from Stuart Moore. The worst ring shopping experience thus far. I walked into the store, which was completely empty with two salespeople off to the side chatting. After about ten minutes they finally asked if I needed help and then didn''t seem particularly interested in actually helping me. There was one setting that I liked...really nothing special about. Pave around the band and basket. Unlikely I will go with that since it she did say doesn''t want the typical solitaire she sees many people with.

Right next door was Georg Jensen, so I figured I''d stop in there real quick. They were friendly but really only had two rings, neither of which were anything I''d even consider. However the salesperson told me to go around the corner and up the block to Marisa Perry.

At Marisa Perry I met with the designer, Douglas Elliot, and he showed me a micropave halo setting with a round diamond that looked great (picture below). Everyone in the store was very friendly and it all had a very laid back feel, including their dog roaming around the place.

For a quick recap, based on her preferences I''m looking for a ring with a thin band (2mm or less), a relatively low set stone, micropave and a little bit different (as in she doesn''t want the plain solitaire).

Here''s what I''m thinking, with the exception of the Harry Winston cushion she has preferred round shape. And now several people have told me that cushions come in and out of style, basically less classic than round (not to take anything away from some of the beautiful cushions I have seen on PS). The Verdura is out of the running because I don''t feel like the setting looks appropriate unless there is a very large stone in it, so that''s out. And the Kwiat from yesterday was not close enough to the Verdura for me to consider further. So as of now I''m leaning toward the Marisa Perry shown below. From what I''ve read Marisa Perry has great prices on buying a diamond through them, does anyone have any experience with this? Any other thoughts or suggestions are more than welcome.

070425_rings_7_marissaperry.jpg
 
Date: 6/7/2009 12:54:44 PM
Author: jjc42
Well it looks like my plans have been derailed somewhat. I thought that we would be visiting a bunch of B&M jewelers to narrow it down to one or maybe a few styles, but about half way through our search she decided that she''d prefer it be a surprise and that I had a good enough idea of what she wanted. So I''m supposed to take it from here, which make this considerably more difficult/stressful. Anyway, I visited Kwiat myself and found a ring (picture below) that sorta kinda resembled the ring that she liked from Verdura. The woman who helped me at Kwiat was very friendly and extremely patient as well as very low pressure, which was nice. It also seems that there markup isn''t as extravagant as other high end jewelers (I realize it not as big a name). The setting was a little over $4k and the diamond (G, VS2, 1.51 ct) was slightly over $15k. Based on what I''ve seen online that is roughly inline with what I would pay for a loose stone of similar quality and about what I was looking to spend on a setting. I''m off to Stuart Moore now...
Click to expand...
jjc42--
A few settings came to mind when I read what you were describing. All are LM located in NYC and I think all of the settings would compliment the size stone you are seeking.

Option 1:

LM_1.jpg
 
Option 2:

LM_3.jpg
 
Option 3:
 
Date: 6/7/2009 5:54:16 PM
Author: audball
Option 3:
Click to expand...
Oops, try it again.

Additional views seen here.

LM_2.jpg
 
I love all the LMs Audball posted - they all have that classic with a twist solitaire look (nothing too ostentatious or trendy, but at the same time, still very different from a traditional solitaire).
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I do like the first option the most. It''s a little bit hard to tell from the picture, but I don''t really like the ring that goes around the diamond in addition to the prongs. My main concern with that setting is how it will look with a smaller stone and that the setting will make the stone look smaller, as opposed to a thin micropave band that I think would make the stone look bigger.

I''m pretty settled on going for a round stone, so I''m going to look at some stones either tomorrow or Tuesday.
 
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