Surat worth a visit?

[0515vision]

Hello, I'm going to India in late Dec-early January. Has anyone been to Surat? Is it worth a visit? Does the GIA facility give a tour? Do polishers have showrooms? I'll be a single woman traveling alone, for what that's worth.

I doubt I would buy anything since I'm not a casual jewelry buyer, so I'm not sure if there's anything to "see." Sure the diamonds would be cheaper there, but in my current situation, it's still money that could be used for other things. I love the nerdy spec aspect of diamonds and the ability to help diamond newbies.

Namely @Garry H (Cut Nut) @Karl_K @Texas Leaguer and any other trade folk, do you have favorite places/people?
I'm only posting here so as not to duplicate threads.
Would love any insights!

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Hello, I'm going to India in late Dec-early January. Has anyone been to Surat? Is it worth a visit? Does the GIA facility give a tour? Do polishers have showrooms? I'll be a single woman traveling alone, for what that's worth.

I doubt I would buy anything since I'm not a casual jewelry buyer, so I'm not sure if there's anything to "see." Sure the diamonds would be cheaper there, but in my current situation, it's still money that could be used for other things. I love the nerdy spec aspect of diamonds and the ability to help diamond newbies.

Namely @Garry H (Cut Nut) @Karl_K @Texas Leaguer and any other trade folk, do you have favorite places/people?
I'm only posting here so as not to duplicate threads.
Would love any insights!

Hmmm, been many times.
But you will not get in to any or many places.
I suggest you google "surat diamond bourse"
The shops downtown are everywhere but may not to your liking?
You would be at risk of being robbed by jewelers but otherwise quite safe.
@V_sh might be able to help?

 

[0515vision]

@Garry H (Cut Nut), since nearly all of my diamond eye training is by these highly magnified videos, would I even be able to judge diamonds in a B&M place is Surat? Would they even show me videos of the stones they have in stock?

Do you know about the retail markup there vs here?

Is something has an IGI cert and and engraved LG#, I assume I'd be able to trust it, but is that even true?

Since I'll be in Mumbai, is the Bharat Diamond Bourse worth seeing instead and just skip the Surat Diamond Bourse?

Thanks again!
(Honestly, at this rate, if I can feel confident, I'll likely come home with some stones )

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

@Garry H (Cut Nut), since nearly all of my diamond eye training is by these highly magnified videos, would I even be able to judge diamonds in a B&M place is Surat? Would they even show me videos of the stones they have in stock?

Do you know about the retail markup there vs here?

Is something has an IGI cert and and engraved LG#, I assume I'd be able to trust it, but is that even true?

Since I'll be in Mumbai, is the Bharat Diamond Bourse worth seeing instead and just skip the Surat Diamond Bourse?

Thanks again!
(Honestly, at this rate, if I can feel confident, I'll likely come home with some stones )

Hmmm, I doubt they would let you into a bourse without invitations from suppliers - consumers are not allowed into these places (partly to screen out crooks too) because they are a source of annoyance asking loads of questions and not buying $1m a month.
The retailers will probably see you coming.
Show me a diamond listed somewhere you are interested in and I can tell you the wholesale price - for naturals it is often between 10-20% and retailers with stores and staff will need a lot fatter margin, even in Surat!