Paging Harriet, Nicrez and/or others who know NYC...

[anne_h]

Hi everyone,

In a few weeks, I will have an opportunity to spend a Friday shopping in NYC.

My first love is antique jewelry. But I''m also in the market for a loose blue sapphire to make a ring. 1 - 2 carats, medium blue, I don''t mind heat treatment (but no others).

I''m currently thinking:

- Antique jewelry plaza (not sure what it''s really called), I think it''s at 10 West 47 St (it seems like M. Khordipour is in the same building?)
- The Natural Sapphire Company at 6 East 45th Street
- Possibly, Leon Mege at 2 West 47th Street

Questions:
- Is there a logical foot-traffic progression in which I should visit these?
- Are there any other must-see shops while I''m there?
- What about other places for a large selection of loose blue sapphs (I would like to visit Simply Sapphires but they are not open to the public.)

PS - This is not really related, but if I wanted to visit a major department store (such as Saks), does anyone know which would be closest to the diamond district by foot?

Thanks in advance,

Anne

 

[Eva17]

Get there early on fri, so you can have all day on 47th. MANY of the jewelers close early for the sabbath. then when you are done there you could go to bloomies or bergdorf.

 

[surfgirl]

I wouldn''t do Leon unless you are serious about him making up a ring for you and you want him to source the sapphire for you. I dont think he keeps stones on hand, only when he knows a client is looking...at least that''s the impression he gave me.

 

[fansynancy]

These are the shortest days of the year and Shabbat starts at sundown. Observant Jews will close their shops very early. I suggest calling ahead to make appointments and being sure when the shops open and close on a Friday. Is there ANY way you can do a Thursday instead? I remember when my children attended preschool at the Jewish Community Center pickup was very early on Fridays in December.

 

[diagem]

Date: 11/12/2007 6:53:58 PM
Author:anne_h
Hi everyone,

In a few weeks, I will have an opportunity to spend a Friday shopping in NYC.

My first love is antique jewelry. But I''m also in the market for a loose blue sapphire to make a ring. 1 - 2 carats, medium blue, I don''t mind heat treatment (but no others).

I''m currently thinking:

- Antique jewelry plaza (not sure what it''s really called), I think it''s at 10 West 47 St (it seems like M. Khordipour is in the same building?)
- The Natural Sapphire Company at 6 East 45th Street
- Possibly, Leon Mege at 2 West 47th Street

Questions:
- Is there a logical foot-traffic progression in which I should visit these?
- Are there any other must-see shops while I''m there?
- What about other places for a large selection of loose blue sapphs (I would like to visit Simply Sapphires but they are not open to the public.)

PS - This is not really related, but if I wanted to visit a major department store (such as Saks), does anyone know which would be closest to the diamond district by foot?

Thanks in advance,

Anne

Saks is a couple of short blocks up from the Diamond district... (3 min. walk)

 

[anne_h]

Thanks everyone.

Excellent advice about the sabbath! I never would have thought of that myself.

Unfortunately, due to other business commitments, a Friday is my only option. I will start my day early so I can be finished by sundown. I am guessing that might be 3-4pm NYC time?

Let me know if there is anything else I should be aware of,

Anne

PS - Yes, I am seriously considering asking Leon Mege to do the sapph ring... but I may find my own stone. I think he still allows that (vs him having to find it)... at least that''s what his website said when I last checked it. Although I may ask him for the little side diamonds. I''m not planning it to be an expensive ring though.

 

[Harriet]

Date: 11/12/2007 6:53:58 PM
Author:anne_h
Hi everyone,

In a few weeks, I will have an opportunity to spend a Friday shopping in NYC.

My first love is antique jewelry. But I'm also in the market for a loose blue sapphire to make a ring. 1 - 2 carats, medium blue, I don't mind heat treatment (but no others).

I'm currently thinking:

- Antique jewelry plaza (not sure what it's really called), I think it's at 10 West 47 St (it seems like M. Khordipour is in the same building?)
- The Natural Sapphire Company at 6 East 45th Street
- Possibly, Leon Mege at 2 West 47th Street

Questions:
- Is there a logical foot-traffic progression in which I should visit these?
Not really. They're all close to each other.
- Are there any other must-see shops while I'm there?
- What about other places for a large selection of loose blue sapphs (I would like to visit Simply Sapphires but they are not open to the public.)
www.paraibainternational does not stock many sapphires, but they can source them for you if you give them a call. I've been very happy with the stones I bought from them. Leon can also find sapphires for you if you let him know in advance.

PS - This is not really related, but if I wanted to visit a major department store (such as Saks), does anyone know which would be closest to the diamond district by foot?
Saks is the closest. Bergorf Goodman is within walking distance and has quite a collection of jewellery, both estate and new.

Thanks in advance,

Anne

 

[Nicrez]

Nothing new to say here. Bloomingdales to me is too far, so why head up to 59th and Lex for no reason. I personally am not a fan of Bloomies. As Harriet and the others mentioned Saks is at 50th and Fifth, you will be walking on 47th and Fifth. So it''s a non issue about progression and pacing yourself. Many people are right, the offices in NYC ABOVE the jewlery district often require appointments. The ones on the street do not, but they are often crowded, and mostly on Fridays.

Shabbat is something to consider, but it''s fair to plan on around 4-5pm for closing. If you like antiques, Eric Originals has quite a selection with different price points. You will likely stick to the part of 47th closer to 5th Avenue than 6th Avenue. THings toward 6th start getting a bit sketchy. People try making sales and the quality level drops, I feel. There is also an arcade area, that tunnels between 47th and 48th. I wouldn''t normally recommend it, but oddly I got a great deal on a pair of 1ct studs for a friend who priced them out elsewhere and we just got such a good deal from a pawn shop, she paid almost $2000 less than she should have. Well worth the stroll down that corridor. One never knows.

Sapphires, I suggest more than one day to look for them, but that''s just me. I am personally very picky, and I don''t think it can be done in a day, as each one is so VERY different. I am of the mind that you fall for a stone, either you pick it arduously and the get best, or you see it set in a ring and you just fall in love. Again, passing Khordipour yesterday I saw some really lovely sapphire/diamond rings. Always fun shopping.

Do a little research on the net about sapphire before you go. and for each place that has a nice ring, take a card, ask the name of the sales person and write a brief description (main things that distinguish the stone or ring) and then the price. Trust me in hindsight this is a crucial way to remember who to return to and what price was last agreed upon. Then sit down at Dean & Deluca right at the corner of Rockefeller Plaza (as all tourist will do) and go over what to return to, etc and when you are done, treeat yourself to some chapagne truffles at Teuscher, you will not regret it. It''s right at the row of shops at Rockefeller.

Enjoy and have a great time!

 

[anne_h]

Thank you Harriet and Nicrez, that is just what I needed to know.

Nicrez - I''ve been doing sapphire research for many weeks now, I''m fairly clear on what I''m looking for. I''ve even looked at some loose stones in my home city of Montreal (which were sooo sad and overpriced!). If I lived in a major US jewelry-friendly city, yes, I would take plenty of time poking around to see many stones in person. But I don''t get to the US often and so will really be trying my best to find a great candidate (maybe not *the* best, but a good one) during the one day that I''ll have in NYC. If I can''t find anything suitable, I guess I''ll go the internet/mail-order route, but I figured that would take longer and have more hassles (eg: returns), etc. Plus, it involves cross border shipping, which is always a pain in the butt.

Thanks again for the advice. If anyone thinks of anything else, let me know. My next step is to choose a nearby hotel that doesn''t cost an arm and a leg...

A.

 

[diamondfan]

Saks in NYC is great. I happen to love Berdgorfs the most. But the main Bloomies is also a great store, much better than my local one! Vielle Russie, near the Plaza, is also very nice to stop in for antique jewelry...