johnnydiamond22
Rough_Rock
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2015
- Messages
- 15
Hi all,
This will be my first post but do visit frequently. I am coming up on 3 years with my gf and am planning to propose in a little over a month. I have done extensive reading on all things diamond to educate myself as much as I can before doing any serious shopping. I live very close to NYC and am planning to head down to the diamond district in the next week or so and am looking for any advice or store recommendations anyone has. I have browsed a few of the online stores (james allen, whiteflash, bluenile, etc.) for spec and price ranges to be prepared with for when I head down. I have been to the diamond district once before with my gf when we were in the city just to browse and to get a sense of what type of ring she likes, but no serious shopping. I am looking for a GIA cert, 1.4-1.7c, ideal cut, si1 or higher, G-I stone. For the setting I'm looking for a solitaire but am not sure if I want pave or not, depends on the specific setting. I am looking to spend no more than $9k. A few places that I have seen good reviews and will probably check out when down there are Kent Jewelers, Jangmi Jewelry, David S Diamonds. Does anyone have any experience with any of these jewelers? I also am contemplating making the drive over to goodoldgold and checking them out as well.
Also, for people who have been to both the diamond district as well as shopped online, how do you find the overall comparison as far as pricing, quality and customer service? How much play do you have with negotiating in the district (hundreds, thousands)? One more question was about appraisals people have received after purchasing from both the diamond district or online retailer. Do they tend to be around the same price, double, triple?
I also am aware of most of the basic diamond district tricks to watch out for (hawkers, "sale" signs, not having GIA certs, etc.) Any help you guys can provide will be greatly appreciated!
This will be my first post but do visit frequently. I am coming up on 3 years with my gf and am planning to propose in a little over a month. I have done extensive reading on all things diamond to educate myself as much as I can before doing any serious shopping. I live very close to NYC and am planning to head down to the diamond district in the next week or so and am looking for any advice or store recommendations anyone has. I have browsed a few of the online stores (james allen, whiteflash, bluenile, etc.) for spec and price ranges to be prepared with for when I head down. I have been to the diamond district once before with my gf when we were in the city just to browse and to get a sense of what type of ring she likes, but no serious shopping. I am looking for a GIA cert, 1.4-1.7c, ideal cut, si1 or higher, G-I stone. For the setting I'm looking for a solitaire but am not sure if I want pave or not, depends on the specific setting. I am looking to spend no more than $9k. A few places that I have seen good reviews and will probably check out when down there are Kent Jewelers, Jangmi Jewelry, David S Diamonds. Does anyone have any experience with any of these jewelers? I also am contemplating making the drive over to goodoldgold and checking them out as well.
Also, for people who have been to both the diamond district as well as shopped online, how do you find the overall comparison as far as pricing, quality and customer service? How much play do you have with negotiating in the district (hundreds, thousands)? One more question was about appraisals people have received after purchasing from both the diamond district or online retailer. Do they tend to be around the same price, double, triple?
I also am aware of most of the basic diamond district tricks to watch out for (hawkers, "sale" signs, not having GIA certs, etc.) Any help you guys can provide will be greatly appreciated!