Prelimary upgrade/reset research: recommendations on where to try things on

[giamari23]

Hi All,

I was wondering if anyone could recommend any jewelers in the Boston area and/or Massachusetts to help me find retailers to try on different settings in preparation for my upgrade and/or reset. As I have mentioned previously, at the time my husband and I got engaged things we're very hectic with family members in the hospital and the lack of availability of family. We rushed a lot of things to make sure we we're married while everyone was still with us. This impacted how quickly and the amount of knowledge i had to gather when I chose my engagement ring. i had always gone to the same jeweler but that relationship isn't tenable anymore and I'm not sure I want to even consider it.

I want to make sure this time to really take my time trying things on for when the time comes (hopefully in the next year to upgrade) and making sure all my choices are informed since i have a lot of time to do this. In an effort of doing that home work I was hoping people might have retailers they might have either worked with or happen to know retailers who have a lot of stock to try on to get a feel. I am looking around Boston and Massachusetts for right now. Later on I know we will expand over to NY (I'll definitely head back to IDJ and I am going to make an effort to make it out to GOG at a later date).

I took a look at this already: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/visiting-boston-jewelers.200563/

And just wanted to check in to see if people had some current recommendations. If i missed any other good threads let me know, I took a look around the last few days but didn't see too much.

Thanks as always!

 

[SimoneDi]

Hi there another fellow Bostonian here...There are a few decent jewelers in town, I am just not sure if one of these was your initial jeweler, if so please ignore. However, important to note that even though these stores have nice inventory and you can try on different styles, I personally would purchase online or from IDJ, with whom you have worked already. Pricing and quality is just better online, plus no tax due which is another benefit.

Local recommendations:

Joseph Gann - family owned, honest staff. If you go in, ask for Josh or Matt. They are a pleasure to speak with and will be willing to spend some time with you, educate you and show you different diamonds. They have a pretty good inventory of both diamonds and settings. They also offer upgrade options, which I found unusual compared to many local stores, but I have never looked too much into their policies, so I can't comment how great they are.

- DeScenza - Mark and Paul are the owners and you can usually see them in the Boston store. They are both very nice and "old school" knowledgeable about diamonds (aka no emphasis on "ideal" cut") They sell HOF diamonds so you can see some ideal cut stones in the store as well. They work with many setting manufacturers and they have a good inventory of settings that you can try on.

Long's - Pricier, but they do have a very good customer service. A friend purchased her setting from them and the setting bent after several weeks of wear, they fixed it for free no questions asked. They also have a decent inventory and you can try on different settings.

Lux Bond & Green - smaller inventory, but I would go in just to browse. They work with some local jewelers that I have seen produce some nice settings. Steve is very kind to talk to.

Shreve, Crump & Low - go in just to browse, they are expensive and slightly snobby, but they have some nice inventory and many large stones that you can try on.

Once you figure out what you like and want from your upgrade, I would consider some of the online vendors, especially if you want a super-ideal stone: WF, BGD, HPD, VC and also IDJ + JA for neal super-ideal stones.

In the meantime, I would also consider sending your existing diamond to Brian Gavin for a recut. I remember some of your previous threads and you mentioning that your stone is not that well cut. He has recut two stones for me, I just sent him a third for evaluation and recut, the results have been nothing short of spectacular each time!

Good luck!

 

[giamari23]

Hi there another fellow Bostonian here...There are a few decent jewelers in town, I am just not sure if one of these was your initial jeweler, if so please ignore. However, important to note that even though these stores have nice inventory and you can try on different styles, I personally would purchase online or from IDJ, with whom you have worked already. Pricing and quality is just better online, plus no tax due which is another benefit.

Local recommendations:

Joseph Gann - family owned, honest staff. If you go in, ask for Josh or Matt. They are a pleasure to speak with and will be willing to spend some time with you, educate you and show you different diamonds. They have a pretty good inventory of both diamonds and settings. They also offer upgrade options, which I found unusual compared to many local stores, but I have never looked too much into their policies, so I can't comment how great they are.

- DeScenza - Mark and Paul are the owners and you can usually see them in the Boston store. They are both very nice and "old school" knowledgeable about diamonds (aka no emphasis on "ideal" cut") They sell HOF diamonds so you can see some ideal cut stones in the store as well. They work with many setting manufacturers and they have a good inventory of settings that you can try on.

Long's - Pricier, but they do have a very good customer service. A friend purchased her setting from them and the setting bent after several weeks of wear, they fixed it for free no questions asked. They also have a decent inventory and you can try on different settings.

Lux Bond & Green - smaller inventory, but I would go in just to browse. They work with some local jewelers that I have seen produce some nice settings. Steve is very kind to talk to.

Shreve, Crump & Low - go in just to browse, they are expensive and slightly snobby, but they have some nice inventory and many large stones that you can try on.

Once you figure out what you like and want from your upgrade, I would consider some of the online vendors, especially if you want a super-ideal stone: WF, BGD, HPD, VC and also IDJ + JA for neal super-ideal stones.

In the meantime, I would also consider sending your existing diamond to Brian Gavin for a recut. I remember some of your previous threads and you mentioning that your stone is not that well cut. He has recut two stones for me, I just sent him a third for evaluation and recut, the results have been nothing short of spectacular each time!

Good luck!

Hi Simone!
Thanks for remembering and I do remember your advice re: recutting. Right now I just want to play around with style...when we get closer to that upgrade period of time I'm going to revisit that option. Further, you definitely understand my plan! Yes all research in store but with full intention to work through online vendors and/or IDJ directly. This is fantastic info and thank you for the name recs too. I am going to work through a snails pace on this (although I wonder how true that is once I find what feels right). Anyway thank you again!

 

[Matthews1127]

@Bostonberry

 

[motownmama]

You’ve got lots of good suggestions, but i just wanted to add that I went into Boston Tiffany’s and entertained myself trying on a bunch of rings. IDK if their styles are what you’re interested in, but if so, they seem very used to people trying things on and not buying - more than accommodating and comfortable. Just an idea....

 

[rockysalamander]

Worthy of visiting if you are up for a drive out of the city...

Barmarkian - Framingham. BIG.
Stardust Jewelers - Framingham {smaller store, mostly a custom jeweler, but has some nice settings)
H Brandt Jewelry, Natick (small, but worth a visit)
Alex & Co (Newton)
Family Jewels, Northampton (call ahead for an appointment, all vintage rings. 99% GIA certified. Wonderful if you are looking at vintage)
Silverscape Designs, Northampton - Big, fund to peruse. They have designs unique to them.
Dom Muller Gallery - Smaller selection, but a lot of more unusual designers (including Maevona, Megan Thorne and Pamela Froman). Sale cabinet in the back always worth checking out.