Where can I see lots of stones or ideals in person?

[Allisonfaye]

I have mentioned that I am on a jewelry moratorium for four years but I want to educate my eye, so to speak, for when I do decide on my next purchase. How can I see ideal diamonds to learn what I like without having jewelers order them in? I would like to know what jewelers carry the well cut stones onsite so I can see them. We went to Costco the other day and I looked at a three stone rb ring that was gorgeous. I read through all of the costco threads and the reviews seem mixed.

It had a 2.44 ct center stone and I asked them for a copy of the GIA because I wanted to see how the cut rated. It came out very good. But if I wanted to see an ideal cut diamond, where would I go? What chains have the best cuts? Ultimately, I might buy through a ps vendor but I want to at least know what I like.

I know it doesn''t always come down to the numbers. You have to go with what wows you but I want to see enough of a selection to feel like I made the right choice.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Off hand, the only store I can think of in my area that might have a nice selection of ideal cut diamonds would be Tiffany''s.

 

[belle]

most cities have at least one hearts on fire dealer, i would definitely suggeste looking there.
have fun!

 

[dragongem]

It really depends where you live. Beware though Jewelers will tell you different things.

 

[Gypsy]

I have to say I agree with the Hearts on Fire rec. We looked at some Hearts on Fires... Dream cuts.

As for Tiffany... yes, there are many nice diamonds there... but my experiences at Tiffany's have never been of the-- I'm here to browse and be educated about diamonds-- how about I take a load off and let you wow me-- and oh, BTW I would like to see 8-10 different diamonds-- variety. Our HOF dealer though was EXACTLY like that. We spent about an hour and a half there just looking with no pressure to buy.

I still think about that one .89 G SI1 Dream Cut. It was ... *sigh* amazing. And this is coming from someone who owns a 1.09 VS1 F of fanatastic cut.

 

[Allisonfaye]

Interesting that you mention HOF. Those were the very first diamonds that I looked at when I first started looking at Erings but the prices were outrageous.

Are all HOF ideal cut?

 

[Gypsy]

They are billed as the most perfectly cut diamonds in the world... take three times as long as other diamonds to cut and all of that. You are paying for the cut when you buy one.

But honestly? I can only speak of what I''ve seen but.... Yes, they are all pretty much amazingly cut. At the time we thought the jeweler was blowing smoke up our

, but looking back... he was just being honest.

 

[Allisonfaye]

There is a jeweler near us that sells them. I think the guy would show me a few of them because my husband was trying to order a watch band from them and they kept losing his order and finally, they gave him such terrible customer service that they gave him the band for free. Maybe that guy would show me a few of them.

 

[Gypsy]

Oh yeah. Just go in making noises about upgrades or anniversaries. Always best to go on a weekday-- morning or afternoon. Weekends are bad if you want jeweler attention-- to many customers. Tell them you''ve heard all the hype and want to see if it''s true... if they are anything like our jeweler here? He''ll bend over backwards to show you the diamonds-- pull out microscopes and all kinds of things too. I''ll be honest-- in that SI1? I never could find the inclusions under the scope-- that sucker was that well cut.