Philadelphia Jewelers Row

[phil94]

I have seen some recent mention of diamond shopping in the Philadelphia area and was wondering which locations people found quality selection and helpful vendors? I am in the market for a cushion cut stone and starting my search. Thanks.

 

[TheGreatTwizz]

What size (or budget) are you looking at?

 

[jstarfireb]

My friend got her diamond from Barsky Diamonds, but I have no experience with them personally.

 

[phil94]

Twizz - I am looking for a stone anywhere 1.5 - 2ct, probably compromise on color G-I and clarity VS2-SI2 for a larger well cut stone. Not looking to spend more than $12k on the stone. I saw your post about Barsky on another post, thanks. I will have to stop by and see whatthey have to offer.

 

[jewels2]

nm

 

[Mrsacornblue]

I had a great experience at Golden Nugget Jewelers...they did an amazing job on my eternity band/e-ring reset.

 

[oldminer]

You'll find Barsky, Golden Nugget, and Steven Singer competing heavily with themselves. Although they all have good features, I think that if you ask to see Nate Barsky, you will be in good hands. Another couple firms to check out are Deb's Jewelers on 8th St, Harzin, Tang's and, Sydney Rosen and Safian & Rudolph all on Sansom St. By then, you will have seen a good number of people and found several choices.

Do not buy a diamond with an EGL report from overseas. EGL-USA is commonplace, but we all tell you that GIA and AGS is to be more relied upoon for strict grading.

Happy SHopping

 

[TheGreatTwizz]

Twizz - I am looking for a stone anywhere 1.5 - 2ct, probably compromise on color G-I and clarity VS2-SI2 for a larger well cut stone. Not looking to spend more than $12k on the stone. I saw your post about Barsky on another post, thanks. I will have to stop by and see whatthey have to offer.

Keep in mind that there is a GREAT difference between a 1.9 and a 2.0. Now, if you say I'm looking UNDER 2ct, its a different ball game. Further, the price difference between G and I is significant.

Current Rap puts a 1.5 G/VS2 at 11,700. A 1.5 I/VS2 is 8,400. That's a 28% premium for G color over I color. I can tell you, from my experience in looking at them, that I wasn't able to discern the difference between an H and a J. I can, however, see the difference from J to K, so I've limited myself to H-J color. The premium for G, to me, isn't worth it. Further, I'm not color sensitive, so I'm certain I'll end up with an I or J stone simply based on what I've seen.

I saw Nate Barsky again this past Sunday to look at a stone I asked him to bring in (I'm shopping a bit bigger, in the 2.1-2.5 range), and cannot speak highly enough of him and his operation. Even got to meet his father, and discovered a connection with his grandfather. Barring a terrible transgression (which I can't see him blowing the opportunity to fix), Nate has a customer for life in me, and I haven't even spent a PENNY in his shop.

I shopped all of the places that Dave (OldMiner) mentioned, with exception to Steven Singer and Deb's. Tang's, Sydney Rosen, Safian, and Golden Nugget were all at a minimum, polite.

Steve Rosen at Sydney only had two stones that met my criteria, and neither were satisfactory, but he provided me great service and, should I decide to see it, show me the stones under their 'big' equipment in the back.

Tang's, too, were quite polite, but didn't have anything in house, but they did immediately pull up RapNet and show me what was on the market.

Safian simply wrote down my specs and offered to call me should they locate anything; they never called me back.

David Cohan at Golden Nugget entertained me for a solid hour. I looked at no less than 10 stones there, but none were 'IT'. He did, however, introduce me to one of the owners (I discussed some watches with him; my apologies for forgetting his name), follow up with a phone call, and was quite polite. Golden Nugget had the MOST stones in-house of any single store on the Row that I visited. They are, however, a volume shop, so keep that in mind.

Again, I cannot speak enough of Barsky Diamonds and their service. Nate is tremendous. Go there, or call, and say 'Hey, Nate, I read about you guys on Pricescope, I'm looking for 'XXXXXX', do you have some stuff for me to look at?'. You can tell him you read some posts by 'Chris, who's looking for a 2+ ct cushion'. He'll know to whom you're referring.

 

[Iluvprettyrocks]

I had a great experience at Golden Nugget Jewelers...they did an amazing job on my eternity band/e-ring reset.

+1

 

[peachy4397]

Twizz - I am looking for a stone anywhere 1.5 - 2ct, probably compromise on color G-I and clarity VS2-SI2 for a larger well cut stone. Not looking to spend more than $12k on the stone. I saw your post about Barsky on another post, thanks. I will have to stop by and see whatthey have to offer.

Keep in mind that there is a GREAT difference between a 1.9 and a 2.0. Now, if you say I'm looking UNDER 2ct, its a different ball game. Further, the price difference between G and I is significant.

Current Rap puts a 1.5 G/VS2 at 11,700. A 1.5 I/VS2 is 8,400. That's a 28% premium for G color over I color. I can tell you, from my experience in looking at them, that I wasn't able to discern the difference between an H and a J. I can, however, see the difference from J to K, so I've limited myself to H-J color. The premium for G, to me, isn't worth it. Further, I'm not color sensitive, so I'm certain I'll end up with an I or J stone simply based on what I've seen.

I saw Nate Barsky again this past Sunday to look at a stone I asked him to bring in (I'm shopping a bit bigger, in the 2.1-2.5 range), and cannot speak highly enough of him and his operation. Even got to meet his father, and discovered a connection with his grandfather. Barring a terrible transgression (which I can't see him blowing the opportunity to fix), Nate has a customer for life in me, and I haven't even spent a PENNY in his shop.

I shopped all of the places that Dave (OldMiner) mentioned, with exception to Steven Singer and Deb's. Tang's, Sydney Rosen, Safian, and Golden Nugget were all at a minimum, polite.

Steve Rosen at Sydney only had two stones that met my criteria, and neither were satisfactory, but he provided me great service and, should I decide to see it, show me the stones under their 'big' equipment in the back.

Tang's, too, were quite polite, but didn't have anything in house, but they did immediately pull up RapNet and show me what was on the market.

Safian simply wrote down my specs and offered to call me should they locate anything; they never called me back.

David Cohan at Golden Nugget entertained me for a solid hour. I looked at no less than 10 stones there, but none were 'IT'. He did, however, introduce me to one of the owners (I discussed some watches with him; my apologies for forgetting his name), follow up with a phone call, and was quite polite. Golden Nugget had the MOST stones in-house of any single store on the Row that I visited. They are, however, a volume shop, so keep that in mind.

Again, I cannot speak enough of Barsky Diamonds and their service. Nate is tremendous. Go there, or call, and say 'Hey, Nate, I read about you guys on Pricescope, I'm looking for 'XXXXXX', do you have some stuff for me to look at?'. You can tell him you read some posts by 'Chris, who's looking for a 2+ ct cushion'. He'll know to whom you're referring.

Twizz, is there a place to look up those prices you mentioned?

 

[TheGreatTwizz]

Yes, diamonds.net. After you subscribe.

Any legitimate diamond merchant will show you the Rap sheet. It is a GUIDE, not the holy book, just like when looking up a car value on NADA or Kelley Blue Book. I've seen stones from 40 back to 20 over, so again, it is only to be used as a GUIDE.

 

[peachy4397]

Yes, diamonds.net. After you subscribe.

Any legitimate diamond merchant will show you the Rap sheet. It is a GUIDE, not the holy book, just like when looking up a car value on NADA or Kelley Blue Book. I've seen stones from 40 back to 20 over, so again, it is only to be used as a GUIDE.

Great - thanks!

 

[phil94]

Thank you everyone for the terrific advice, I will most certainly be stopping by a few of the above mentioned locations. Hopefully find the right one.