where to go SF bay area

[4_cs]

So I recently became friends with a 1.01 L AVR. I tend to drive myself crazy and am doing it with this diamond. We have been to 3 jewelry stores together. First store no way. I think they wanted me to leave. Second store I was a little disappointed. Of course they wanted to sell me one of their diamonds. I saw tons of hearts and arrow but nothing impressed me. I prefer the AVR and OEC. Third store close to home. Only custom work. Does hand engraving. Pieces tend to look more modern. I prefer a vintage look. They were super nice and even called in a few diamonds for me to look at.I couldn't believe how picky I was in dismissing the diamonds. So I want to go to one more store and then call it a day. I want to see quality of work because I do have a few projects planned.Maybe they will have some pretties I can look at or maybe an OEC that will blow me away in price and performance. So where do I take this beauty to get set in my current setting ? Not where I got the setting.I don't think they did the best job setting my old stone. I live in the bay area. I'm used to driving all over so that's not a problem. Affordable,quality,friendly. Any and all reccomendations welcome. Otherwise I might have to fly to NYC and then go visit GOG and have them set it. The trip would be for myhusbands birthday of course.

 

[Mayk]

Langs.

You need Gypsy to see this...she's will have a konnngggg list!

 

[LLJsmom]

Eric Trabert on Fillmore in San Francisco. Lovely vintage inspired settings. Carry Single Stone and has old cuts in stock. Know a out Pricescope too. Need I say more? I haven't been, but will soon. Joe Escobar in Milpitas, I think. Recommended by Gypsy.

 

[asscher_girl]

Definitely worth visiting Joe Escobar, ask for Eric or Mark. Lang Antiques in SF is awesome but they do not create custom designs for customer's stones. I love Darren McClung in Palo Alto (Stanford Barn - next to mall) but they are pretty pricey. Great place to get ideas though.

 

[geoffreysnow]

After re-reading your post, I'm not sure if you have already bought the AVR or if you're looking for a stone like it? If you have already bought it and are just looking for a setter, Geoffrey's in San Carlos has set some gemstones for me and was very nice. I believe they do custom settings.

 

[patentgirl]

Joe Escobar is wonderful. They are in the south bay in Campbell, near San Jose.

 

[4_cs]

I have the AVR and I have the setting with my old diamond in it.I just tend to get obsessive and want to look at everything possible and then I usually go with what I have. Meaning I will most likely put the AVR in the setting I have but I want it done right. I'm realizing now where I got my setting a year ago that they could have done a much better job on setting the diamond. Current diamond in the setting is an ungraded diamond I've had my long married life.Time is running out on this AVR if I want to return it. I havent seen anything I like better. This diamond thing is new to me as I've never been interested before in jewelry . Eric Traybert sounds promising and it is near a favorite bakery of mine. Not sure the husband wants me driving around the city by myself with diamonds in my pocket. Husband works today and next week is not good . I might drive to Joe Escobar. Haven't been and I can catch up with a friend after since I'll be on that side of the bay. I've been to Lang Antiques. Beautiful stuff. Didn't think they sold loose diamonds.

 

[Gypsy]

My best recommendation is Joe Escobar in Campbell, just as Asscher_girl suggested (she suggested most of these).

For settings there is a store in San Mateo called Galati. They are a very small store but their in house bench does lovely work with custom vintage style setting. If you plan to come to this one I can try to meet you, as it is close to my home.

Darren McClung in Palo Alto is also a good option, but very expensive. (Very)

Langs will sell some of their stones loose.

Do you know anyone in LA a quick trip down there might be a good idea.

 

[4_cs]

So thank you all for enabling me To clarify-I have a setting-have had it around a year-18 kt white gold halo with hand engraving and milgrain.It's a Kirk Kara Carmella. I love it but it does put restrictions on the size of diamond I can put in it. My setting contains my diamond from my original setting which is old but not the good kind of old. It was purchased in the 80's and is .78 who knows what which is about a 5.8. My husband is understanding about me wanting a new diamond to go in my fairly new setting which I love. He would not be understanding about an entirely new setting and a new diamond. My setting can take a 6.5 round . Can go up or down a little. I've looked at hundreds and hundreds of diamonds online. I've gone into many jewelry stores and looked in person. I know I prefer AVR's or OEC's over a MRB. So no MRB, no H&A. A few weeks back GOG posted an L VVS2 AVR at a fantastic price. I really need to see a diamond in person before I can commit. GOG has a great upgrade and return policy so I felt safe in ordering. And it was the first diamond I've seen online that I wanted to order for a better look. Well there was a mistake in the pricing but GOG was great to work with and I still went ahead an ordered even though the price had changed. The diamond is beautiful. I've compared it next to every colored MRB and I still prefer the AVR over a MRB. I've also seen a few OEC's but they are very hard to come by in person and many I have seen are pretty wonky. Today I did visit a store and they did have an OEC. I really liked it. Higher color grade than the L but no cert of any kind and I don't want to make an expensive mistake. I actually like the warmth of the L AVR but I'm uncertain how it would look in my setting. I also have to make a decision weather to keep the AVR or return it. My budget is pretty tight and my purchasing window narrow. Right now I have 1 in college. In the fall I will have 2 in college. I also have some projects I want to finish for sentimental reasons that I don't want to put off. Gypsy-thanks. I used to work on 37th Ave in San Mateo for years and years and I grew up in the North Peninsula. Is there a way to contact off of PS. I've purchased on LT and DB. I'm on FB and like many of the diamond and gemstone vendors. I would love your input. Zero of my friends know or care anything about jewelry. I didn't either until recently. My husband has said I'm trying to make up for lost time
Thanks
Sue