In search of recommendations please

[Cailin]

Hi all.
I got engaged over Christmas and came upon this excellent site.
As part of the engagement I was given a trip to New York to purchase the ring.

I went looking at rings here in Ireland and was surprised at the crappy quality and
crazy prices. Also most jewellers could only show me diamonds that were already set.

Anyway I am in search of a round brilliant, Excellent cut, 1ct approx, H colour , VS2/SI1 diamond .
I have looked at and tried on many settings had would really like a halo setting.

I arrive in new york on a monday morning and leave on friday evening. I have looked at Good Old Gold''s website and read
many positive posts here. The only problem for me is they only seem to use designer settings which seem pretty expensive.( and gorgeous particularly Vatche Grace setting)

I also liked many of the settings on Excel diamonds website. I would like to get the diamond and setting from the same source.
Budget is $6000/6500 for diamond and setting.
Willing to compromise on all factors except cut.
Any suggestions welcome.

Thanks for all the great posts and suggestions.
Eimear

 

[jet2ks]

Excel has offices in the NY diamond district. Why don''t you contact them and make an appointment to visit? Call Judah ahead of time, give him your desired specs and let him select a few stones for you to view in person at your appointment.

Also, GOG has other settings available, they just aren''t all on the website. Since you have the time it would be well worth the trip out to Long Island.

Some other quality vendors in the diamond district are:

www.jamesallen.com

www.idjewelryonline.com

www.engagementringsdirect.com

You would need to make appointments to see any of them, but it is worth it. The diamond district is not a place for novice diamond buyers. There is too great a chance of getting ripped off.

 

[stone-cold11]

Ditto.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/18/2010 1:47:22 PM
Author: jet2ks
Excel has offices in the NY diamond district. Why don''t you contact them and make an appointment to visit? Call Judah ahead of time, give him your desired specs and let him select a few stones for you to view in person at your appointment.

Also, GOG has other settings available, they just aren''t all on the website. Since you have the time it would be well worth the trip out to Long Island.

Some other quality vendors in the diamond district are:

www.jamesallen.com

www.idjewelryonline.com

www.engagementringsdirect.com

You would need to make appointments to see any of them, but it is worth it. The diamond district is not a place for novice diamond buyers. There is too great a chance of getting ripped off.

Hi Eimear and welcome!

Great post from Jet, I would just reiterate to be careful out there as the DD can be a minefield for the rookie, but you will be fine with the vendors listed above. Also if you have time, a trip to LI to see Jon at GOG would be well worthwhile, I also understand they have a fantastic pizza restaurant nearby....

 

[Bella_mezzo]

CONGRATS~!!!!

definitely be careful in the diamond district and stick with the vendors recommended here. I go over for fun sometimes, it is truly crazy

At GOG you might be able to negotiate a little to get the ring and setting within budget...just as an example...

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/6889/

that would leave you almost enough for the Vatche setting. Perhaps you could meet in the middle...?

GOG also has the capacity to custom make settings if you ask. Sometimes those can be more affordable.

Judah at Excel should be able to find you something nice too and I know Bliss has recently had some wonderful experiences with ID and many others love ERD...

 

[Kaleigh]

It''s worth the time to take a trip to GOG. From Manhatten it''s about an hour. You''ll need an appointment for GOG and all the vendors listed.

Good luck, and ditto the DD is not a place for the novice... Fun to look, but you don''t want to buy at street level...

 

[mrssalvo]

I agree that if it''s any way possible a trip to Goodoldgold would be a great idea. Mark T of Engagementringsdirect is also in the diamond district and would be worth considering contacting as well.

 

[Dreamer_D]

There are inexpensive setting at GOG too! Go check them out and happy shopping!

 

[Cailin]

Thanks everyone.
I will heed all advice and make some appointments.