NYC diamond district...best prices?

TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others

C

callmelulu

O.G.
Mar 17, 2006
1,979
80
#1
I have been scoping out a pair of diamond studs and after looking at blue Nile, whiteflash and a few other online options and then going to 47th street I find the prices to be far better in NYC. I visited a store I know is reputable...but would welcome thoughts from diamond shoppers familiar with the diamond district:smile1:
 
#2
There are no deals in diamonds. You get what you pay for. Let's get that out in the open air right out of the gate.

If you are thoroughly educated and can confirm that what is being sold to you is exactly what it is, and the report is legit, the items match the report, and you can return for cash money if they are misrepresented, fine. But typically, you can get better quality goods outside of the district. There are a couple within that district that are decent, but most of them are not ground level. ID Jewelry, Brilliantly Engaged (Mark Turnkowski) and Steven Kirsch.

I do not buy within the district, usually. My NYC dealer of choice is actually out on Long Island: Good Old Gold. Worth the trip and every penny.
 
#4
I had an awful experience roaming the diamond district in NYC. I felt like they were all a bunch of pushy scammers. I was looking for diamond hoops. Now, I'm not saying they all are but you need to know where to go. I didn't. I was shown cloudy yellow tinged diamonds and they were very pushy when I called them out.. In the end I left empty handed. My local small jeweler brought in several pairs for me to look at it. The quality, cut, color was so much better than what I saw in NYC. I ended up with close to 3ctw diamond hoops for what I thought was a fair good price. Ame is right, there are no deals
In diamonds.. You just have to know where to go and educate yourself before dropping $$$ on something.
Good luck!
 
#5
My mom got scammed years ago (in the 1990s). She bought a 3 carat pair supposedly D color SI1 clarity, and the stone yellowed within a year. The stone was not GIA certified, but it was brought to one of the gemologists in the district to evaluate before purchase.
 
#6
I have bought Many pieces in the Diamond District and have never had any problems, and the prices are VErY hard to beat. I always buy from KENT, ask for Nick.
Everytime I come back with a new piece, I have it evaluated my a gemologist back home and he is always stunned at the price I paid for the quality I got. I would not trust everyone on that street but speaking for me, having bought many pieces, it had ALWAYS turned out great. Make sure to ask what happens if you have the piece evaluated back home and it is not as sold, what happens. Nick ( the first time I bought from him) said if I was not fully satisfied, he would refund me fully. I always buy VS F and it is always on point. Hope this helps.
 
#7
karylicious said:
I have bought Many pieces in the Diamond District and have never had any problems, and the prices are VErY hard to beat. I always buy from KENT, ask for Nick.
Everytime I come back with a new piece, I have it evaluated my a gemologist back home and he is always stunned at the price I paid for the quality I got. I would not trust everyone on that street but speaking for me, having bought many pieces, it had ALWAYS turned out great. Make sure to ask what happens if you have the piece evaluated back home and it is not as sold, what happens. Nick ( the first time I bought from him) said if I was not fully satisfied, he would refund me fully. I always buy VS F and it is always on point. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...


It really is all about *knowing* where to go!! It's very overwhelming just walking in and out of places kinda like a tourist ( and I'm from NYC area) I really think you have to know someone or get a recommendation/referral for someone there!
 
#8
Totally agree it can be overwhelming and some of the vendors are really aggressive, made me walk out right away. It's a shame there are so many questionable shops there as I believe there are good honest places too, I grew up with someone who's familuown a store and they guarantee full appraisals and have certified stones as well
I do like seeing the actual diamonds in person...
Thanks for sharing all of your experiences!
 
#9
My DH went to David S Diamonds which is near the diamond district but just outside of it. He really did his due diligence and felt like prices were fair, stones were good quality, and the sales people were patient and not pushy. Since we got engaged and married, we've recommended several people and they all felt like they had good experiences there, even some of our friends who ended up not using them (went with a family friend but wanted to see what was out there) liked them.
 
#10
ame said:
There are no deals in diamonds. You get what you pay for. Let's get that out in the open air right out of the gate.

If you are thoroughly educated and can confirm that what is being sold to you is exactly what it is, and the report is legit, the items match the report, and you can return for cash money if they are misrepresented, fine. But typically, you can get better quality goods outside of the district. There are a couple within that district that are decent, but most of them are not ground level. ID Jewelry, Brilliantly Engaged (Mark Turnkowski) and Steven Kirsch.

I do not buy within the district, usually. My NYC dealer of choice is actually out on Long Island: Good Old Gold. Worth the trip and every penny.
Click to expand...

So well said and +1 for GOG.
 
#12
It really depends on what youre trying to buy, you mentioned diamond studs. Do you have a particular size that youre looking for? in example 0.50 ct each or 1 carat each? Shape (round, princess, etc)? what about quality (clairty / color)?

Generally if youre looking for a pair of round, fine quality, 1 carat each studs, id say that youll probably end up paying rap at every single dealer regardless wherever theyre located.
 
#13
I had a really good experience in the diamond district and would go back. We walked up and down 47th and found a lot of places that didn't have anything we were looking for, but haniken jewelers was great. 66 west 47th #24. I would check out their selection and negotiate a little with them.
 
#14
I went to Diamond district in NY. You really have to do your research before you visit places. There are many individuals trying to sell you jewelry and they can be very aggressive. I went with my fiance and there were men trying to make us go in there store. We already made an appointment to designs by kamni. We contacted her before hand and visited her office at 50 West 47th Street, Unit 1904. I had a really good experience and would recommend her.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top