First time newbie looking for an engagement ring LA/OC area

[Supotco]

I've been lurking on the forums for the past year now and now in the serious phase of looking for an engagement ring for my GF. This past weekend I've visited all the jewelry stores at south coast plaza (Tiffany, De Beers, Nathan Alan, Cartier, Harry Winston) as well as Victor Canera in Los Angeles. My GF likes the classic style rings of Tiffany Classic, but wants the a four sharp prongs. So this leaves me to go the custom route. Any custom jewelers in the LA/OC area that can work with loose diamonds? I believe Victor only works with his only diamonds. Just comparing the diamonds to other places, its almost a 2k difference in diamond price.

The diamond I was looking at is

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-3394266.htm

My Budget is 20k
Round Signature Cut or Hearts and Arrow
1.5ct to 2.0ct
H or better color
VS2 or better

 

[Gem Queen]

Re: First time newbie looking for an engagement ring LA/OC a

I've been dealing with a place called precious jewelry. They are awesome. They are in Fullerton. Her name is Nancy. If you're interested I can get her info for you

 

[MrsWhitney]

Re: First time newbie looking for an engagement ring LA/OC a

I am not sure if they have exactly what you like, but having lived in Laguna Beach and Westwood, my favourite jeweler in all of SoCal is 23rd Street Jewelers aside from Tiffany, Cartier and HW.

 

[goodliferunner]

Re: First time newbie looking for an engagement ring LA/OC a

I live in the LA area and highly recommend Servis & Taylor Jewelers in Brentwood. They're the jewelers who introduced me to AGS-graded ideal cut diamonds and educated me on the importance of cut. I've visited 23rd St Jewelers, but was disheartened to find that they sell EGL-graded diamonds. THey also carry GIA-graded, but the sales person told me EGL was fine While I'm sure their bench does fine custom work, I definitely would purchase an ideal-cut diamond elsewhere.

I ended up getting my diamond and setting (Vatche U-113) through Whiteflash because I wanted a super-ideal cut diamond and the price was more reasonable at Whiteflash, but if you want to buy locally, I recommend Servis & Taylor. I ended up finding
Pricescope (and Whiteflash) because of the diamond-cut education S&T gave me.