Help with LA Jewelry District

[davinci]

Hi all
I''ve been lurking here for the past couple of months trying to learn as much as I could about diamonds and I think I''m ready to take the plunge and shop for an ering.
I''m visiting the LA jewelry district in the next couple of days. Anyone have any recommendations about reputable dealers there?

Also, based on recommendations from friends, I''m visiting INTAGEMS, GEMLAND, and Icing on the Ring...
anyone have good or bad experiences with them? Any advice?
Would places in the jewelry district look at me funny if I ask for Sarin report or Idealscope image?

Also is it common to have it independently appraised before buying? Or do places generally expect me to buy first then get it appraised after buying?

Any help would be appreciated.
Max
BTW I''m looking for: approx 2ct, G-H, SI1, ideal cut. Platinum 6 prong solitaire for $20K. Does that seem doable?

 

[NelsonValley]

I have been looking just for fun, and I came across a site www.bridalrings.com and I believe they are in the jewelry district, you might have to check, as their address shows it? but I"m not from around there, I just happen to be on their site, and they have tons of rings!! good luck... hope this helps

 

[coatimundi_org]

Date: 2/28/2008 11:12:19 AM
Author:davinci
Hi all

I''ve been lurking here for the past couple of months trying to learn as much as I could about diamonds and I think I''m ready to take the plunge and shop for an ering.

I''m visiting the LA jewelry district in the next couple of days. Anyone have any recommendations about reputable dealers there?


Also, based on recommendations from friends, I''m visiting INTAGEMS, GEMLAND, and Icing on the Ring...

anyone have good or bad experiences with them? Any advice?

Would places in the jewelry district look at me funny if I ask for Sarin report or Idealscope image?


Also is it common to have it independently appraised before buying? Or do places generally expect me to buy first then get it appraised after buying?


Any help would be appreciated.

Max

BTW I''m looking for: approx 2ct, G-H, SI1, ideal cut. Platinum 6 prong solitaire for $20K. Does that seem doable?

Intagems would not look at you funny if you whip out an idealscope

That''s a great place to start in the Jewelry Mart. Ask to talk to the owner''s son, he''s usually around. He''s a graduate gemologist who is really passionate about diamonds and gems. I''ve found him to have great information. They''re reputable and very popular.

Bridalrings is good too. I''ve purchased from both vendors. At Bridalrings, I''d ask for Cathy Lee. She''s great--she''s a graduate gemologist as well with a great wealth of knowledge.

Good Luck and have fun down there!

 

[Love Street]

Ooh, not to threadjack, but I''ve been wanting to go the LA jewelry district too to look at some cushions in real life. Can any jewlery district veterans (like you, Coatimundi!) recommend someplace for that? They don''t seem easy to find here.

 

[coatimundi_org]

Date: 2/28/2008 3:41:02 PM
Author: Love Street
Ooh, not to threadjack, but I've been wanting to go the LA jewelry district too to look at some cushions in real life. Can any jewlery district veterans (like you, Coatimundi!) recommend someplace for that? They don't seem easy to find here.

Hey LoveStreet--I'm actually just getting started down there

I don't know anything about cushions. From what I've read on PS, I'd look up Engagement Rings Direct and talk to their cushion guy, Mark. They are in the NY jewelry district, I believe.

HTH!

 

[Love Street]

Hey Coati! don''t try to fool me - I''ve seen your collection on SMTR

I will definitely contact Mark when I''m ready to buy, but I''m in pure drooling/educational phase right now. I haven''t seen that many cushions in person since I started getting obsessed with them Hopefully a trip to South Coast will satiate me for a little but I''d like to see some in person - just for fun

 

[jayreneepea]

Try Liberty Diamond Cutters in Irvine. You have to make an appointment, but they had a nice selection of cushions.

http://www.libertydiamonds.com/

 

[debhew]

I've got the very best jeweler in LA - Oscar's Design Jewelry. Oscar is a graduate of GIA and so awesome to work with. I bought my diamond from him 10 years ago and since he offers trade ups, I'm going to upgrade yet again later this year for my 20th anniversary. I think his website is www.oscarjewelry.com BTW, if you do a search on Oscar on Pricescope, you'll see there have been other PSers that have purchased from him. Good luck!!

 

[kcoursolle]

If you want an antique stone check out singlestone...gorgeous!!!!