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Where should I go for wide selection in NYC?

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antiquecushionseeker

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jan 20, 2011
Messages
57
My friend's boyfriend asked me to (sneakily) find out what my friend would like in an engagement ring. We are going tomorrow under the guise of searching for a wedding band for me. I want to go somewhere with a wide selection of shapes so she can see a lot, so I was thinking Tiffany (I live in NYC). Any other ideas?
 
Diamond district is on 47th st, from what I understand (not from NYC) but I'd personally want to browse IDJ, DBL and if you get to Long Island, GOG. Wonder if you could call and meet with Mark of ERD?

On 5th Ave, there is Cartier, Van Cleefs and of course Tiffany!

Have a great time! Please bring your camera and take photos to post!
 
Certainly Tiffany's would be fun, but unless he is going to buy the ring there, I am not sure it is a great idea to go there. You can't buy a Lucida diamond anywhere else, for example. On the other hand, they have all their diamonds set in rings which makes it easier to try them on. Somewhere like Good Old Gold will have a more varied selection of diamonds, but I am not sure how you can manage looking at loose stones when you are supposedly there to look at wedding bands! So I guess Tiffany's might be the best. But PLEASE send him here after you find out what she likes because we can help him find the best reproduction of the style she likes!
 
This is really just a preliminary trip to find out what she likes in general (she's not very particular, and he really wants it to be a surprise), so was hoping to take her somewhere that would have a wide selection of shapes. Good point on Tiff's, I have no idea where he is planning to buy. I think something like a Jared's would be perfect for this outing, but I don't think there's one in NYC. I've never been into Van Cleef or Cartier, would those be good places to try? Maybe Michael Fina?

I will most DEFINITELY send him here!!
 
I think 47th street in all its carny barker glory might actually suit the purpose of this trip nicely: there are a ton of different stores carrying widely different wares, and unlike the fancier stores, which have a tendency to segregate their wedding bands here and their engagement rings there, there's a natural sort of flow to succumb to the eye-candy.
 
I would go to IDJ or take a train to GOG. Those would be my choices. IDJ has a great selection of bands but also has a fabulous selection of everything else too. GOG has great everything as well, and lots of bands too.
 
GOG has a huge selection. I have never seen such an array in one place befor!
 
Would love to get to GOG at some point, but we'll definitely be staying in Manhattan today. I'll give the ones you suggested a try--I've been to IDJ and bought my ring from Mark at ERD, but don't have experience anywhere else. Is it a little shady to just walk into places on 47th street? Any other specific suggestions on 47th street? THANKS!
 
What fun! If it were me, I'd go to Tiff, and I'd call ahead and tell the SA that I want to try wedding bands and to get my friend to try some engagement rings for "fun" in different shapes (not too too big, perhaps). That way the idea is coming from the SA. When I've been in Tiffanys in NYC they always seem happy to play.
 
There's no Jared in NYC. The closest one is in Paramus, NJ.

However, I think you could find a much nicer selection/stone somewhere closer. A nice place to check out in Manhattan is Michael C. Fina, IDJ and of course GOG is great if you're up for a train ride out to Long Island.

Your friend's BF will be paying a premium at Cartier, Tiffany, etc., but it's always fun to check out.

What a fun task for you both!
Best of luck.
 
47th Street is actually not that scary and there are lots of stores with different settings on display. Nobody is going to make you buy anything if you say no and you can always walk out to go to the next store. The variety is amazing and most stores are actually fairly low key. The only thing to keep in mind is that most stores are closed on Saturdays and very few open on Sundays.

Tiffany's is always packed with tourists and it's very hard to get any type of service there unless you make an appt. Michael C. Fina has been very busy couple of times I've been there and unable to provide service without appt.
 
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