In NYC for 1 week, who should I go see?

[mskris]

Good Morning Pricescopers,
I have been a lurker for a while, but now I need some advice of my own. My boyfriend has tasked me with finding the ring that I want. I will be in NYC for the last week of August, so I want to visit some vendors in the diamond district while I am there. Can any of you recommend some people to see? I am looknig for a cushion cut around 0.85 to 1.5 cts depending on the clarity/color.

I have already talked to Mark T at ERD. And I tried to make an appointment with Excel Diamonds, but Barry was not very polite and in a very curt way told me they were booked for the week.

Anyone have any other suggestions?

TIA
Kristina

 

[Lorelei]

Hi Kristina and welcome!

If you could fit in a jaunt to Long Island, you could make an appointment with Jon at www.goodoldgold.com He has a brick and mortar store as well as an online inventory, and has a great rep here.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/5/2008 11:39:40 AM
Author: Lorelei
Hi Kristina and welcome!

If you could fit in a jaunt to Long Island, you could make an appointment with Jon at www.goodoldgold.com He has a brick and mortar store as well as an online inventory, and has a great rep here.

Seriously, try to make time to get here, and try to let Jon know you''re coming. You''ll get quite the visit, not only looking at lovely stones, but all kids of gadgets as well.

 

[CrookedRock]

I thritto Jon. He''s such a doll to work with with. between him and Mark you should be able to find what you want!
Good Luck and keep us posted!

 

[surfgirl]

I have to Ditto Lorelei on making an appt. to visit GOG and meet Jon and his team. A lot of people complain that it''s "too far" but really, it''s just a train ride from the city and IIRC, if you call Jon, he''ll tell you exactly which train(s) to take and they''ll even pick up/drop off at the train station to make it easier for you. GO! A few people her have bought at Golda - I didn''t but I went in there once and they seem to have good selection, GIA stones and decent prices. But I think ERD and GOG are your best bets. Have fun shopping, that''s the best part...

 

[stone_seeker]

There is no shortage of dealers on 47th street but make an appointment with Mark first since he''s the most honest and will work hard for you. John @ GOG was also nice via email but a bit of a schlepp to get out to long island. Depends on how long your stay is and what your transportation situation is. Best thing about Mark is you can walk down 5th Ave to his office and browse HW, Tiffany, Cartier, etc for some ideas!

I ended up buying elsewhere but he Mark was by far the nicest guy.

 

[mskris]

Sounds like I''ll be making a visit out to Long Island! My mom and I are driving up from DC for the US Open, so we will have a car.

I''m so excited to be starting this process. Our budget is limited (about 4-5K), but hopefully I''ll be able to find something I like.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions!

 

[Regular Guy]

Kristina,

Sorry, I''ll only confirm everything what my friends here have said. Do make the time to go to GOG...and as I''ve said before...everybody like Mark T. But...

Date: 8/5/2008 11:33:37 AM
Author:mskris
And I tried to make an appointment with Excel Diamonds, but Barry was not very polite and in a very curt way told me they were booked for the week.

...any idea what that''s about? I mean...although he''s actually known for this bad behavior...how does he make a living? He only sees people who aren''t shopping? Who would that be?

Best wishes...and welcome to Pricescope!

 

[mskris]

Date: 8/5/2008 11:56:04 AM
Author: Regular Guy
Kristina,

Sorry, I''ll only confirm everything what my friends here have said. Do make the time to go to GOG...and as I''ve said before...everybody like Mark T. But...

Date: 8/5/2008 11:33:37 AM
Author:mskris
And I tried to make an appointment with Excel Diamonds, but Barry was not very polite and in a very curt way told me they were booked for the week.

...any idea what that''s about? I mean...although he''s actually known for this bad behavior...how does he make a living? He only sees people who aren''t shopping? Who would that be?

Best wishes...and welcome to Pricescope!

Ira, I wondered the same thing. I called first and he told me to send an email. Then I sent an email and he replied "We are completely booked for that week" and that was all!! No options for possibly trying to do any business over the telephone or email, or seeing if I could come back another time, nothing! I was shocked.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/5/2008 11:54:49 AM
Author: mskris
Sounds like I'll be making a visit out to Long Island! My mom and I are driving up from DC for the US Open, so we will have a car.

I'm so excited to be starting this process. Our budget is limited (about 4-5K), but hopefully I'll be able to find something I like.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions!

Because you will actually be able to see the stones in person, you might be surprised at what color and clarity you are able to tolerate. The lower you go on both, the bigger the stone.

Anyway, glad to hear you are making time for GOG, you won't be sorry! (make sure to call Jon before)

And you're welcome!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/5/2008 12:01:46 PM
Author: mskris

Ira, I wondered the same thing. I called first and he told me to send an email. Then I sent an email and he replied ''We are completely booked for that week'' and that was all!! No options for possibly trying to do any business over the telephone or email, or seeing if I could come back another time, nothing! I was shocked.

How weird...

 

[mskris]

Date: 8/5/2008 12:01:52 PM
Author: Ellen
Because you will actually be able to see the stones in person, you might be surprised at what color and clarity you are able to tolerate. The lower you go on both, the bigger the stone.

Anyway, glad to hear you are making time for GOG, you won''t be sorry! (make sure to call Jon before)

And you''re welcome!

Ellen, I like the way you think!

That''s what I told Mark, as long as the diamond is eye clean and faces up white, I am not concerned about what the stats say about the diamond''s color or clarity.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/5/2008 12:09:27 PM
Author: mskris

Ellen, I like the way you think!

That''s what I told Mark, as long as the diamond is eye clean and faces up white, I am not concerned about what the stats say about the diamond''s color or clarity.

You''ve got a great attitude, I can''t wait to see what you end up with!!

 

[mskris]

I have to admit before lurking on here I was way more concerned about the stats, but not anymore. I have learned so much on here.

One more question, how far in advance do I need to let Jon know I''m coming out there?

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/5/2008 12:18:46 PM
Author: mskris
I have to admit before lurking on here I was way more concerned about the stats, but not anymore. I have learned so much on here.

One more question, how far in advance do I need to let Jon know I''m coming out there?

Honestly, if it were me, I''d call him this week and set things up. That''s not that far away!

 

[sarah95]

surfgirl, I had heard good things about Golda too, but had an awful experience there. I told them exactly what I was looking for in a diamond and the guy kept telling me, "Okay, when you''re ready I''ll find something." I told him I was ready to purchase now, and he kept beating around the bush, changing topics, ignoring me and talking to the saleswomen....I got the impression that he didn''t want to sell me a diamond so I left.

All in all, my experience with the NY diamond district was pretty bad. I didn''t feel comfortable in any of the stores I went to and most of the salesmen seemed a little shady to me. I also realized there are no deals there...pricing is much better with internet vendors. Just my 2 cents.

 

[mskris]

Well folks I have an appt with Jon at 10:30 on the 29th of August. I can''t wait!

I just looked at their website and saw they have a new cut called the cushette. Have any of you seen one of these stones in person?

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/5/2008 12:35:46 PM
Author: sarah95
surfgirl, I had heard good things about Golda too, but had an awful experience there. I told them exactly what I was looking for in a diamond and the guy kept telling me, ''Okay, when you''re ready I''ll find something.'' I told him I was ready to purchase now, and he kept beating around the bush, changing topics, ignoring me and talking to the saleswomen....I got the impression that he didn''t want to sell me a diamond so I left.

All in all, my experience with the NY diamond district was pretty bad. I didn''t feel comfortable in any of the stores I went to and most of the salesmen seemed a little shady to me. I also realized there are no deals there...pricing is much better with internet vendors. Just my 2 cents.

I get the impression he didn''t have/couldn''t get what you wanted.

But either way, he didn''t handle it well.


mskris, YAY!! You lucky duck, please report back!

 

[dbsdiamonds]

Find what you like locally, or go into a Tiffany, or Cartier, or Bailey Banks and Biddle, or any other higher end jewelry store that carries the nicer goods. Find what you want, confirm what size your beau can afford, come back and find a diamond company of choice on pricescope and get it quoted out.

Take the time in Ny to enjoy the city. If you decide you want a 1ct, or 1.25ct, or whatever you''ll highly unlikely run into the best option for your money, there are great things to do with your time up there and shop online in the privacy and comfort of your home.

Marty
CEO/Pres
www.diamondsatcost.com
www.dbsdiamonds.com

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/5/2008 2:38:42 PM
Author: dbsdiamonds
Find what you like locally, or go into a Tiffany, or Cartier, or Bailey Banks and Biddle, or any other higher end jewelry store that carries the nicer goods. Find what you want, confirm what size your beau can afford, come back and find a diamond company of choice on pricescope and get it quoted out.

Take the time in Ny to enjoy the city. If you decide you want a 1ct, or 1.25ct, or whatever you''ll highly unlikely run into the best option for your money, there are great things to do with your time up there and shop online in the privacy and comfort of your home.

Marty
CEO/Pres
www.diamondsatcost.com
www.dbsdiamonds.com

Sorry Marty, that''s so not true. GOG carries some of THE best cut stones one could ever hope to find, and at online prices.

I know, I have one on me finger.

 

[Regular Guy]

Date: 8/5/2008 2:38:42 PM
Author: dbsdiamonds
If you decide you want a 1ct, or 1.25ct, or whatever you''ll highly unlikely run into the best option for your money....

Marty
CEO/Pres
www.diamondsatcost.com
www.dbsdiamonds.com

Marty...you''ve been posting, but have you been reading?

What people think here?

And figured out how trust is earned, built, and believed in, through vetting, and reporting shopping experiences?

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/5/2008 2:45:01 PM
Author: Regular Guy

Marty...you've been posting, but have you been reading?

What people think here?

And figured out how trust is earned, built, and believed in, through vetting, and reporting shopping experiences?

Good question(s) Ira.

 

[dbsdiamonds]

I wasn''t speaking of any particular jeweler, vendor or person. And there are people who want to go to 500 jewelry stores and then there are shoppers who know what they want fairly immediately. So certainly there is no set rule on what the "way to do it" is...

However, what definitely will be true almost across the board is that if a person walks into any vendor, company, or whatever in NY and finds 1, 2, 5 options, and JA, or WF or BN or some other nice popular internet vendor has 25, 50, 200 options because they are utlizing the entire industry availability, I''ll bet ya a better diamond could have been found at a better price on a pricescope or competitor site.

But I do luv the spunk out here, certainly not looking to step on anyone''s toes whether the opinion presented is different than ya''ll veterans...

Marty
CEO/Pres
www.diamondsatcost.com
www.dbsdiamonds.com

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/5/2008 2:56:30 PM
Author: dbsdiamonds
I wasn''t speaking of any particular jeweler, vendor or person. And there are people who want to go to 500 jewelry stores and then there are shoppers who know what they want fairly immediately. So certainly there is no set rule on what the ''way to do it'' is...

However, what definitely will be true almost across the board is that if a person walks into any vendor, company, or whatever in NY and finds 1, 2, 5 options, and JA, or WF or BN or some other nice popular internet vendor has 25, 50, 200 options because they are utlizing the entire industry availability, I''ll bet ya a better diamond could have been found at a better price on a pricescope or competitor site.

But I do luv the spunk out here, certainly not looking to step on anyone''s toes whether the opinion presented is different than ya''ll veterans...

Marty
CEO/Pres
www.diamondsatcost.com
www.dbsdiamonds.com

If you had read much here Marty, you would know that ERD and GOG are PS vendors. You can''t beat what they sell, for the large part, keeping with quality.

 

[vintagelover229]

Go see Jon at GOG! I''m going to see him the week before and I already bought my diamond from him! I''m just looking for a wedding band!

 

[mskris]

Date: 8/5/2008 2:56:30 PM
Author: dbsdiamonds
I wasn''t speaking of any particular jeweler, vendor or person. And there are people who want to go to 500 jewelry stores and then there are shoppers who know what they want fairly immediately. So certainly there is no set rule on what the ''way to do it'' is...

However, what definitely will be true almost across the board is that if a person walks into any vendor, company, or whatever in NY and finds 1, 2, 5 options, and JA, or WF or BN or some other nice popular internet vendor has 25, 50, 200 options because they are utlizing the entire industry availability, I''ll bet ya a better diamond could have been found at a better price on a pricescope or competitor site.

But I do luv the spunk out here, certainly not looking to step on anyone''s toes whether the opinion presented is different than ya''ll veterans...

Marty
CEO/Pres
www.diamondsatcost.com
www.dbsdiamonds.com

Marty, please understand that I am well aware of many other online vendors I could purchase from. However, I''m sure you would understand why someone would want to see diamonds in person. So I don''t see the harm in going to any of these vendors. I do know exactly what I want, but I have no problem shopping around to find it, be it online or in person.

 

[ScorpioNYC]

Date: 8/5/2008 12:35:46 PM
Author: sarah95
surfgirl, I had heard good things about Golda too, but had an awful experience there. I told them exactly what I was looking for in a diamond and the guy kept telling me, ''Okay, when you''re ready I''ll find something.'' I told him I was ready to purchase now, and he kept beating around the bush, changing topics, ignoring me and talking to the saleswomen....I got the impression that he didn''t want to sell me a diamond so I left.


All in all, my experience with the NY diamond district was pretty bad. I didn''t feel comfortable in any of the stores I went to and most of the salesmen seemed a little shady to me. I also realized there are no deals there...pricing is much better with internet vendors. Just my 2 cents.

I had a good experience and will buy from Golda. They showed me a number of stones and looked for what I wanted, which Mark T did not do. Only see Mark if you are interested in cushions. You can learn a lot from him and he is a nice guy, but he is opinionated and will tell you what you should think looks attractive, rather than letting you determine for yourself.

 

[purrfectpear]

Date: 8/5/2008 2:56:30 PM
Author: dbsdiamonds
I wasn''t speaking of any particular jeweler, vendor or person. And there are people who want to go to 500 jewelry stores and then there are shoppers who know what they want fairly immediately. So certainly there is no set rule on what the ''way to do it'' is...

However, what definitely will be true almost across the board is that if a person walks into any vendor, company, or whatever in NY and finds 1, 2, 5 options, and JA, or WF or BN or some other nice popular internet vendor has 25, 50, 200 options because they are utlizing the entire industry availability, I''ll bet ya a better diamond could have been found at a better price on a pricescope or competitor site.

But I do luv the spunk out here, certainly not looking to step on anyone''s toes whether the opinion presented is different than ya''ll veterans...

Marty
CEO/Pres
www.diamondsatcost.com
www.dbsdiamonds.com

In cushions? Unh uhh. Methinks probably not.

Especially if OP is interested in a chunky faceted cushion. I''d like to see the vendor online or otherwise who can pull in 50 to 200 of those

 

[Bliss]

Date: 8/5/2008 12:01:46 PM
Author: mskris

Date: 8/5/2008 11:56:04 AM
Author: Regular Guy
Kristina,

Sorry, I''ll only confirm everything what my friends here have said. Do make the time to go to GOG...and as I''ve said before...everybody like Mark T. But...

Date: 8/5/2008 11:33:37 AM
Author:mskris
And I tried to make an appointment with Excel Diamonds, but Barry was not very polite and in a very curt way told me they were booked for the week.

...any idea what that''s about? I mean...although he''s actually known for this bad behavior...how does he make a living? He only sees people who aren''t shopping? Who would that be?

Best wishes...and welcome to Pricescope!

Ira, I wondered the same thing. I called first and he told me to send an email. Then I sent an email and he replied ''We are completely booked for that week'' and that was all!! No options for possibly trying to do any business over the telephone or email, or seeing if I could come back another time, nothing! I was shocked.

Wow, so it wasn''t just me? Barry from Excel was rude to me, too. So I didn''t even bother trying to go see him... lucky for me, I was so pleased with Mark T. from ERD I lucked out and went to him for the beautiful custom work!

 

[mskris]

Just a little update on my interaction with Excel Diamonds. Judah, Barry''s son, saw my post on PS and sent me an email apologizing for the situation. He was very nice and thoroughly explained the situation to me and confirmed that they are in fact booked for the entire week.

I told him I wished his response was the one I received first, then I wouldn''t have been prompted to post anything negative about my experience with them on PS.

Judah seems like a very nice, genuine person. And from what I have read in other posts about him, he''s a pleasure to do business with also.