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2manybags · Mar 24th, 2008, 02:31 PM

I know there's already a thread on the NY Diamond district, but I couldn't find it in a search. I'm probably doing something wrong, but thought I'd post another thread in case it helps others who might be buying in this area.

I visited 3 stores: Shenoa & Co, Golda, and Diamond Source. I went in expecting the stores to be really shady and thinking they were going to push the crappy stones on me. To my surprise, all 3 stores on their own (before I said I wanted GIA certs) showed me only GIA certified diamonds with excellent polish, symmetry, and cut grade. They all steered me away from EGL (though they had a ton of EGL diamonds) because their grading is so off. I was told an EGL "F" is like a GIA "I" Of course, GIA diamonds are more expensive and thus, the stores make more money, but I was impressed they didn't try to sell me just anything.

I did see a couple nice stones that I liked. SO had no intention of purchasing on the spot, so this was more of a research visit. I don't know if we will purchase from any of these places, as SO loves to haggle and they have no interest in doing so, but it was a good learning experience. SO has a friend visiting from Israel next month who works in the Boursa (sp?) and he's going to bring some stones for me to look at it. If it works out cheaper I will probably go that route.

Anyway, I hope this information is helpful to anyone thinking about buying diamonds in NY. Since I didn't purchase anything I can't speak to the entire sales & transaction experience and I'm not recommending anyone purchase from these stores, but it may be worth checking out.

shells · Mar 24th, 2008, 10:43 PM

i've done some diamond research in the diamond district, and i still think it's overpriced and extremely difficult to get a good price there...i agree that gia standards are above egl, but i wouldn't call a gia I a comparison stone to an egl F stone...did they give good prices along with their good stones? i don't know about particular stores, but at least u enjoyed ur experience! i'm all for research

Lola · Mar 25th, 2008, 08:15 AM

^ If not the diamond district in NYC, where would you recommend to get a good diamond price in the Tri-State area?

ame · Mar 25th, 2008, 10:06 AM

I HIGHLY recommend Good Old Gold on Long Island. They have a website: www.goodoldgold.com

Shenoa has gotten some horrible reviews on other sites, mostly diamond ones. They have been accused many times of misrepresenting what they are selling you.

Also:
EGL-USA certs are not usually very off, if at all. I had my stone checked by both GIA and AGS and both came back exactly the same, with one exception--GIA ranked my color higher by one letter than either of the other two labs.

Mininana · Jan 6th, 2009, 11:57 AM

the difference I saw btw EGL and GIA stones was in the cut. The GIA stones looked like they had a smaller "table" or smaller arrows.. sparkling more

jan228 · Jan 6th, 2009, 12:09 PM

I'm sure they'd budge on the price if you were serious about buying. It's good to know someone as well.

DH and I will be going to the NYC diamond district for my e-ring upgrade in a few years. His father has a guy he went to for decades and has probably spent tens of thousands of dollars with him, if not more over the years. So we'll be going to him because we know we'll get a fair price.

missD · Jan 6th, 2009, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by hotredbag

Ah the Diamond District! shells, it is certainly not difficult to get a good price over there, you just have to know where to go and who to avoid. The 3 the OP mentioned sound familiar. We recently got this gorgeous antique Simon G engagement ring at Firenze Jewels however. I was in NY over the holidays(yes I was one of those obvious tourists watching the ball drop in below freezing weather lol). We actually bought it when we got back home through their site www.firenzejewels.com because we still wanted to look around. They're one of the few stores in the District with such a large site and the price we paid could not be beat. We paid overnight and it got here in mint condition, i love it! The same exact ring we saw in the store. Firenze Jewels is definitely a gem, I'll be shopping with them again for sure!

I loved the settings in Firenze.com I actually got inspired from this particular one.

snoozle · Jan 14th, 2009, 06:30 PM

I flew into nyc to go to long island and meet with jonathan at goodoldgold and purchased my stone there and had it shipped to my designer to have it set. Nothing but a great experience, he spent some time analyzing the stones with us mostly for DH's benefit because of his engineering curiosity of how things work. I on the other hand had come in with tons of research from pricescope. So we looked at a bunch of stones and chose the one that we liked the best and it was positive all around buying from gog.

chanel-girl · Jan 16th, 2009, 11:24 PM

I highly recommend I.D. Jewelry who are located in NYC's Diamond District and are a vendor on Pricescope.com. They have been around for years and are a family business and very reputable. I have been purchasing my diamonds from them for over 10 years and have sent many family and friends to them as well. They have great quality stones and fair prices and are reliable and honest people.

Mar 24th, 2008, 02:31 PM	#1
2manybags OP Member Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 889	NY Diamond District experience I know there's already a thread on the NY Diamond district, but I couldn't find it in a search. I'm probably doing something wrong, but thought I'd post another thread in case it helps others who might be buying in this area. I visited 3 stores: Shenoa & Co, Golda, and Diamond Source. I went in expecting the stores to be really shady and thinking they were going to push the crappy stones on me. To my surprise, all 3 stores on their own (before I said I wanted GIA certs) showed me only GIA certified diamonds with excellent polish, symmetry, and cut grade. They all steered me away from EGL (though they had a ton of EGL diamonds) because their grading is so off. I was told an EGL "F" is like a GIA "I" Of course, GIA diamonds are more expensive and thus, the stores make more money, but I was impressed they didn't try to sell me just anything. I did see a couple nice stones that I liked. SO had no intention of purchasing on the spot, so this was more of a research visit. I don't know if we will purchase from any of these places, as SO loves to haggle and they have no interest in doing so, but it was a good learning experience. SO has a friend visiting from Israel next month who works in the Boursa (sp?) and he's going to bring some stones for me to look at it. If it works out cheaper I will probably go that route. Anyway, I hope this information is helpful to anyone thinking about buying diamonds in NY. Since I didn't purchase anything I can't speak to the entire sales & transaction experience and I'm not recommending anyone purchase from these stores, but it may be worth checking out.
2manybags OP Member Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 889

Mar 24th, 2008, 10:43 PM	#2
shells will work for bags! Joined: Nov 2007 Location: nj Posts: 916	Re: NY Diamond District experience i've done some diamond research in the diamond district, and i still think it's overpriced and extremely difficult to get a good price there...i agree that gia standards are above egl, but i wouldn't call a gia I a comparison stone to an egl F stone...did they give good prices along with their good stones? i don't know about particular stores, but at least u enjoyed ur experience! i'm all for research
	__________________ dreaming of more chanel....

Mar 25th, 2008, 08:15 AM	#3
Lola Member Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 890	Re: NY Diamond District experience ^ If not the diamond district in NYC, where would you recommend to get a good diamond price in the Tri-State area?
Lola Member Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 890

Mar 25th, 2008, 10:06 AM	#4
ame Member Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,843	Re: NY Diamond District experience I HIGHLY recommend Good Old Gold on Long Island. They have a website: www.goodoldgold.com Shenoa has gotten some horrible reviews on other sites, mostly diamond ones. They have been accused many times of misrepresenting what they are selling you. Also: EGL-USA certs are not usually very off, if at all. I had my stone checked by both GIA and AGS and both came back exactly the same, with one exception--GIA ranked my color higher by one letter than either of the other two labs.
ame Member Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,843	__________________ Despite the high cost of living, it remains popular. I LOVE SEWNSATIONAL! Things I want.... -Balenciaga Twiggy -Anna Corinna Jetsetter/Jetsetter Jr. -More Anna Corinna Mini Citys -Mulberry Mabel -Rebecca Minkoff MA/MAM ...it's good to want things.

Jan 6th, 2009, 11:57 AM	#5
Mininana Member Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 764	the difference I saw btw EGL and GIA stones was in the cut. The GIA stones looked like they had a smaller "table" or smaller arrows.. sparkling more
Mininana Member Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 764

Jan 6th, 2009, 12:09 PM	#6
jan228 Sofa King Banned Joined: May 2008 Posts: 1,650	I'm sure they'd budge on the price if you were serious about buying. It's good to know someone as well. DH and I will be going to the NYC diamond district for my e-ring upgrade in a few years. His father has a guy he went to for decades and has probably spent tens of thousands of dollars with him, if not more over the years. So we'll be going to him because we know we'll get a fair price.
jan228 Sofa King Banned Joined: May 2008 Posts: 1,650

Jan 14th, 2009, 06:30 PM	#8
snoozle love being a new mom Joined: Jan 2006 Location: California Posts: 389	I flew into nyc to go to long island and meet with jonathan at goodoldgold and purchased my stone there and had it shipped to my designer to have it set. Nothing but a great experience, he spent some time analyzing the stones with us mostly for DH's benefit because of his engineering curiosity of how things work. I on the other hand had come in with tons of research from pricescope. So we looked at a bunch of stones and chose the one that we liked the best and it was positive all around buying from gog.

Jan 16th, 2009, 11:24 PM	#9
chanel-girl Member Joined: Jun 2007 Location: CT Posts: 930	I highly recommend I.D. Jewelry who are located in NYC's Diamond District and are a vendor on Pricescope.com. They have been around for years and are a family business and very reputable. I have been purchasing my diamonds from them for over 10 years and have sent many family and friends to them as well. They have great quality stones and fair prices and are reliable and honest people.

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