Going to NY soon and was wondering if it's worth it to check out the Diamond district? Anybody had any experiences there?
New York Diamond Distrct..anybody shop there
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I would visit it. My mom has bought some things from the area thoughout the years. However, I do not have any jeweler recommendations. My family never used just one jeweler.
I tend to avoid the guys with storefronts, but there is one jeweler that I work with that I trust and gives fair prices - PM me for the name. If you are looking for something specific (such as a particular diamond) call ahead so that they will have it for you.
I visit every time I go to NY. I found my upgrade engagement ring (a 4.2 carat old european cut diamond with platinum and diamond setting) there, as well as an Asscher cut ring and some old european cut diamond earrings. I shop primarily for estate pieces. I will say that it helps to know something about pricing and what you are looking for before you go so that you do not get taken advantage of. It is fun to visit even if you do not buy. Most of the stores are quite large with several independent jewlers each with their own booth. Good luck!
Jennifer
Jennifer
believe me, buying jewelry from the NY Diamond District is the BEST way to go. you will get amazing deals there and they're very honest.
i grew up being schlepped there as a kid by my mom who was obsessed with buying most of her jewelry there. my parents are both from new york city and it's something that is very well known and very trustworthy. you're not going to pay the added fees that you will at a place like tiffany & co., cartier, et al, because of their lower-cost overhead. and you're not paying for the fancy boxes, etc. just good old fashioned jewelry.
my mom bought her gorgeous 3 carat pear diamond platinum ring from the diamond district back in 1974 (which was also an estate piece)—and now it is mine. i was only 9 years old and i remember going with her when she bought it.
just take a walk up and down and go to every store and see what catches your eye. you'll be amazed and what you can get as opposed to a mall-type jewelry store.
good luck and have fun!
i grew up being schlepped there as a kid by my mom who was obsessed with buying most of her jewelry there. my parents are both from new york city and it's something that is very well known and very trustworthy. you're not going to pay the added fees that you will at a place like tiffany & co., cartier, et al, because of their lower-cost overhead. and you're not paying for the fancy boxes, etc. just good old fashioned jewelry.
my mom bought her gorgeous 3 carat pear diamond platinum ring from the diamond district back in 1974 (which was also an estate piece)—and now it is mine. i was only 9 years old and i remember going with her when she bought it.
just take a walk up and down and go to every store and see what catches your eye. you'll be amazed and what you can get as opposed to a mall-type jewelry store.
good luck and have fun!
I am sorry to say that my family did not have a positive experience in the diamond district for larger pieces. My mother bought a 3 1/2 D SI1 pair, or so she thought. It began to turn colors on her. My mother ended up buying an enhanced stone. The stone was falsly presented to her as untreated. She later upgraded the stone, and finally ended up with the diamond that she wanted.
My fiance and I have been looking there, in particular at a friend's family's store - I think we're going to design my ring ourselves. But just from browsing I've seen that there are tons of great deals and most of the stores advertise having GIA-certified stones, which is reassuring to us. A GIA report would tell you if a stone was enhanced right?
The GIA report does tell you if its enhanced. Just make sure to get the diamond appraised after you buy it to make sure it is what the GIA certificate says. I have seen stories where the person is sold a diamond with GIA and it turns out its not for that diamond!
Personally, I did had a very bad experience to buy from N.Y. I would never ever buy from some one is not recommended. My 4C earring had a certificate, but when I send them to check again it was enhanced. It was a nightmare to get my money back.
Again, it is only my experience.
Again, it is only my experience.
I found shopping there to be overwhelming to say the least. I did visit signedpieces' booth but they are now under new owners. My favorite was one of the antique places that is well known on pricescope - sorry forgot the name. I ended up not buying there though.
I would highly recommend Firenze Jewels if you're shopping for an engagement ring and/or wedding band, my experience with them was fabulous and we got an excellent deal on my bridal ring set. The center GIA stone was individually appraised and we were quoted nearly double the amount paid 
. Firenze also has an impressive selection of beautiful designer antique/vintage diamond jewelry if you fancy that style. Check them out here: http://www.FirenzeJewels.com. If you do go to the Diamond District, I would just advise to stay away from the jewelers closer to 6th avenue and to do your research on diamonds. Also be sure to buy a platinum setting, not white gold(especially if the mounting has any side stones).
. Firenze also has an impressive selection of beautiful designer antique/vintage diamond jewelry if you fancy that style. Check them out here: http://www.FirenzeJewels.com. If you do go to the Diamond District, I would just advise to stay away from the jewelers closer to 6th avenue and to do your research on diamonds. Also be sure to buy a platinum setting, not white gold(especially if the mounting has any side stones).