Suggestions for jewelers in Los Angeles?

[HappyNewLife]

Hi there,

My SO wants to look at diamonds in person, despite my insistence that online is the way to go We live in LA, so there's the downtown diamond district, but I'm hoping people familiar with that area will have recommendations on which jewelers to visit. With 3,000 options in that small radius, I think we will get overwhelmed! Thanks in advance!

 

[madelise]

DTLA has a crap ton, and they're like sharks. If you can promise yourself and each other to leave all your credit cards and cash at home to only go LOOK, then by all means... go. Most of them will pressure you and get you all excited with sparkles and magic to buy something from them, and by the time you're back to check everything, BAM, you're swindled.

I'm not saying 100% this is what will happen, but it happens very darn often.

Is there a particular type of diamond she's looking for? Antiques? Modern? Is she trying to figure out her color preference? Why does she want to go in person?

 

[Gypsy]

What is your budget like and what do you want? Because that makes a big difference. There are a lot of good jewelers in LA but some specialize and some are better at certain things than others.

 

[HappyNewLife]

Good idea, thanks. I bought her diamond (we are a same-sex couple) online, utilizing all my PS knowledge (HCA score, Ideal Scope, ASET, etc). The ring should arrive in a week or two. She got "wind" of it (aka I have a terrible poker face) and now wants to get me a ring too. She has heard from her mother that downtown is the best place to get a good deal, so she's believing her over me Anyway, I am glad I get to go, so I can pull out my HCA calculator and scoff at all the non GIA/AGS and crappy cut diamonds

I got her a 1.7 carat G/SI1/ideal cut round brilliant (to HCA standards, nice IS/ASET) diamond and the idea is for us both to have similar rings. Not sure what her budget is, but I spent about $15k on her diamond. Since she does change her mind often (and I mean DAILY, oy vey), I hope to be able to change her mind about shopping online But, if not, would like to know who in LA is trustworthy with a good selection of well-cut RBs.

 

[Gypsy]

How about Victor Canera?

 

[HappyNewLife]

bookmarked, thanks!

 

[Gypsy]

http://www.23rdstreetjewelers.com/ has nice pieces. Don't know about their MRB selection though.

And if you like vintage style pieces at all Singlestone.