Jewelry Exchange in Villa Park, IL?

[ChicagoJohn13]

What do you all know about this place?

http://www.jewelryexchange.com/

My sister recommended it as a place to get a good local deal. I''m in Chicago, so I''ll probably check it out as part of my search, but I just wanted to know if anyone had a good/bad experience there.

They obviously sell a lot of uncertified stuff, which is how they keep their prices so low I''m sure, but what do you think about their EGL and GIA stuff?

Thanks for all your help!

John

 

[iheartscience]

I would definitely go with Whiteflash or another reputable Pricescope vendor over a place like that. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is, you know?

 

[monarch64]

Oh H*ll, no. You can do far better than that. Try Martin & Martin in Oak Lawn, or Merry Richards in Oakbrook if you''re worried about buying online. First, though, spend some time here and educate yourself. Also, do you have a budget and do you know her preferences as far as what carat weight, shape, style of setting, etc.? Once you narrow those things down we can assist you further.

 

[oshinbreez]

It looks alot like other "exchange" places I''ve been to. From what I''ve seen, you can find ideal cuts, but they usually cost more than what you can get online.

 

[ChicagoJohn13]

Thanks....I''m pretty set on going through WF, but I just wanted to explore my options and see some in person to get a good idea of size, clarity, cut, etc.

Can anyone with a good grasp on appraising stones take a look at their inventory and see if the prices seem fair for what they''re offering?

Thanks!

 

[cinnamon013]

Don''t go with those guys. First of all SI3 really isn''t a category, so anytime I see that, I know they could be more on the up and up. I also did a search on their AGS graded stones, and they are way overpriced.

Look at Whiteflash, Good Old Gold, or James Allen. You can''t go wrong.

And, only go with AGS or GIA stones. Stay away from EGL. It sounds like you''ve got the money for this stone, so go for a good one.

 

[ChicagoJohn13]

Oh yeah....my budget is somewhere in the 5-6K range.

Thanks!

 

[Dee*Jay]

John, DON'T BOTHER! I drove the whole way out there one Saturday morning (and I live about 7 blocks from the Sears Tower so it was quite a hike) and could not have been more disappointed. This places makes Zales look like they're carrying the Crown Jewels. Seriously, not worth the trip.

 

[ChicagoJohn13]

Haha...thanks for the heads up.

Anyone know what a 1ct Hearts on Fire retails for?

 

[ChicagoJohn13]

Date: 6/7/2007 12:26:45 PM
Author: cinnamon013
Don''t go with those guys. First of all SI3 really isn''t a category, so anytime I see that, I know they could be more on the up and up. I also did a search on their AGS graded stones, and they are way overpriced.

Look at Whiteflash, Good Old Gold, or James Allen. You can''t go wrong.

And, only go with AGS or GIA stones. Stay away from EGL. It sounds like you''ve got the money for this stone, so go for a good one.

It is listed on WF though...isn''t it?

 

[cinnamon013]

Date: 6/7/2007 12:53:06 PM
Author: ChicagoJohn13

Date: 6/7/2007 12:26:45 PM
Author: cinnamon013
Don''t go with those guys. First of all SI3 really isn''t a category, so anytime I see that, I know they could be more on the up and up. I also did a search on their AGS graded stones, and they are way overpriced.

Look at Whiteflash, Good Old Gold, or James Allen. You can''t go wrong.

And, only go with AGS or GIA stones. Stay away from EGL. It sounds like you''ve got the money for this stone, so go for a good one.

It is listed on WF though...isn''t it?

Ok, it exists, but I think EGL is the only one who uses it. So for you, it isn''t really a category to consider, because you know enough already to go with a AGS or GIA stone. It''s like EGL''s bridge from an SI2 to an I1. And, if you do a search on WF, they likely don''t have any stones they link to with this grading.

See these past posts, or do a search for SI3 on PS
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/what-is-si3.27312/
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/si-3.11275/
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/is-an-si3-really-bad.60153/

 

[ChicagoJohn13]

No worries. Thanks for clarifying. This is pretty confusing....

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 6/7/2007 1:45:09 PM
Author: ChicagoJohn13
No worries. Thanks for clarifying. This is pretty confusing....

Nothing to be confused about! Stick with WF ACA or ES stones, come back here with the specs (AFTER you have put it on hold), just to make sure.

The ACA stones are just as nice if not nicer than HOF diamonds and the HOF carry a HEFTY premium. Not worth it.

 

[FireGoddess]

Date: 6/7/2007 12:26:45 PM
Author: cinnamon013
Don''t go with those guys. First of all SI3 really isn''t a category

According to EGL it is.

It will be difficult to find a well cut stone in this type of place. It can be done, but they don''t know much about cut quality there. The JE I''ve been to has a diamond room in the back (I wouldn''t even try to buy something from the front counter) but you have to know your cut parameters, because they won''t.

 

[ChicagoJohn13]

Thanks....

Date: 6/7/2007 1:55:55 PM
Author: neatfreak


Nothing to be confused about! Stick with WF ACA or ES stones, come back here with the specs (AFTER you have put it on hold), just to make sure.

I''ve yet to contact anyone at WF until I get my $ squared away and everything. How do you put them on hold?

 

[FireGoddess]

You have to talk to WF to put a stone on hold - you can''t do it yourself.

 

[iheartscience]

Once you''re ready to purchase and you have a diamond or a few diamonds picked out, call up Whiteflash (I worked with Sheerah and I highly recommend her!) and ask them to reserve the diamond or diamonds for you. Then post the specs and images here and everyone will chime in!

 

[ChicagoJohn13]

Date: 6/7/2007 2:10:43 PM
Author: FireGoddess
You have to talk to WF to put a stone on hold - you can''t do it yourself.

I realized that, do you need to put money down first or do to they hold for a certain amount of time just as a buyer courtesy? Thanks again for all the help!

 

[iheartscience]

I think they''ll hold it as a courtesy and you don''t have to put any money down, although I''m not sure how long they''ll hold it for.