NYC Diamond District Shopping

[diamondshopper33]

I live in NYC and while looking for an engagement ring I have made several trips to the diamond district and found the prices to vary pretty wildly. I took my gf with me on one of my visits and she really took a liking to a specific stone from one of the jewelers. It is a F color, VS2 clarity, Ex Cut and 1.53 carat round diamond. The diamond is EGL certified and the quoted price (including the setting) was around $8800. I am a bit concerned since the price seems much lower than what I have been finding on internet sites selling diamonds online. Any suggestions about questions I could ask to make sure I am not being swindled? The only thing I could think of is that the jeweler said that the depth was reduced which made the crown of the diamond appear larger.

 

[heather2012]

Is the diamond clarity enhanced? What is the stores return policy? Have you googled the name online to see if anyone has posted reviews?

 

[CharmyPoo]

Are you comparing prices with other EGL stones?

 

[yssie]

Loose 1.5ct F VS2s with GIA/AGS reports are selling online in the US for literally double - and online vendors don't have concerns like making sufficient profit to maintain their storefront overheads.

1. Do a search on here for EGL to read more about why we recommend against it. The problem isn't *loose grading* so much as it is *totally inconsistent* grading, which makes it impossible to accurately guess what you've got without another (reliable) professional opinion in the form of a GIA/AGS report, if you're in the US, or an independent appraisal w/ a reputable appraiser...

2. Truly, there's no such thing as a "good deal" on the primary market in the diamond district. You're always going to get exactly what you pay for (or less). So if you see a 1.5ct F VS2 pre-et that's being hawked at half of what comparables with GIA/AGS reports would cost, well, there's a reason for that - and in the diamond district it's not going to be a reason that works in your favour.


I'd recommend giving www.idjewelryonline.com and www.diamondsbylauren.com a call - both are in the area, IDJ has made many PSers happy with stones with and without reports and DBL has a variety of interesting stones both coloured and white.

 

[lagori]

When it comes to shopping in the Diamond District, if it sounds too good to be true - IT IS!

 

[Dancing Fire]

I live in NYC and while looking for an engagement ring I have made several trips to the diamond district and found the prices to vary pretty wildly. I took my gf with me on one of my visits and she really took a liking to a specific stone from one of the jewelers. It is a F color, VS2 clarity, Ex Cut and 1.53 carat round diamond. The diamond is EGL certified and the quoted price (including the setting) was around $8800. I am a bit concerned since the price seems much lower than what I have been finding on internet sites selling diamonds online. Any suggestions about questions I could ask to make sure I am not being swindled? The only thing I could think of is that the jeweler said that the depth was reduced which made the crown of the diamond appear larger.

i'll take a wild here...the report from EGL European?

 

[tenyearanniversary]

The diamond market (for the consumer) is vey much like the stock market. You won't generally find a "deal, " especially when buying from someone in the trade. You can compromise on a lower color and clarity and keep the size larger if the cut is excellent. The F color EGL is probably several color grades down, so you are not comparing apples to apples. If it would have been an F color from GIA, the dealer would get it certified for a couple hundred dollars and get several thousand dollars more for it.

 

[yennyfire]

I'd also call Yoni at Eternity Diamonds....

 

[PintoBean]

And add Engagement Rings Direct to that list!

 

[heather2012]

Whhat about Diamond Direct Buy?!

http://diamonddirectbuy.com/