Jewelry Exchange in San Diego

[lono]

Hello, does anyone have information on the Jewelry/Jeweler''s Exchange on 6th Ave. in San Diego? My SO and I have been looking into engagement rings online when I happened upon this building while downtown yesterday. I guess it has dozens and dozens of shops inside. I visited the two that were open (it was Sunday). One felt very used-car-salesman-ish -- and he tried to tell me what I liked (instant turn off). The other did custom work, was not pushy at all and had what appeared (to my untrained eye) to be very nice GIA- and EGL-certified diamonds. But I had never heard of this establishment and it doesn''t have a website. Your help is appreciated!

thank you, Lori

 

[Hera]

I actually have been there a few times. I''m not sure about their diamond prices, but they mostly deal with the trade. I know what you''re saying about the car salesman thing, though. I personally don''t think they have the setting selection I would want if I were looking for my e ring. When it came time for my engagement ring upgrade I actually used the vendors here on Pricescope. What i would suggest you doing is going and looking at various diamonds and settings in person and then buying what you decide on online. Also, most of the vendors here have return policies that you can return the diamond if you''re unhappy for some reason. I think that''s important when you are buying such an expensive item!!


I would go there for jewelry repairs like ring sizing, and watch batteries (there''s a watch repair that services like Ben Bridge and some other B&M''s. )and I was able to get my Tag''s battery replaced for $35. I also got my rings rhodium plated for $11.00. While I waited

What type of diamond are you looking for?

 

[lono]

Thanks so much for the response and good advice. It seemed so strange that no one around San Diego seems to have heard of the place.

We''re looking for a one-carat (or slightly less like .9 if it saves $) round diamond with sidestones -- am deciding between pave or prong sides in a platnum setting. In search of best quality diamond we can get in this kind of ring for 5 - 6K.

We had made up our minds to go online until I saw a ring I really like at the Exchange -- a 1.02 center stone, H color, SI2, GIA cert. with two sidestones (don''t know size) and pave diamonds on the side of those and a surprise diamond in platinum for $6500.

 

[surfgirl]

I find the dealers at that building a bit shadey and you''re right, car dealerish! I did get two nice sapphires from someone who used to be there, and I also use that watch repair that Ben Bridge uses (they''re also a Rolex repair center). There''s a good custom jeweler there, Miriam Butz, just near the watch repair place you mentioned, who you might talk to about which dealers are reputable for loose stones. I just dont know the names of any, If you want to check out an awesome local jeweler who''ll source stones there for you, call Arthur Pawlak in La Jolla. He does very fine custom work...

 

[Hera]

Well, I would be more interested in the cut of the diamond. It's the most important "C" of the 4 C's of diamond buying. The cut is what is responsible for the diamonds "sparkliness". Most of us here aim for a superior cut because it's the difference between seeing a so-so diamond from 4 feet and seeing it from across the room.

It's good that you were looking at a GIA diamond. GIA and AGS are the labs you should deal with. The SI2 of that diamond would cause me some concern as some are eye clean and some are not. I actually have a diamond with similar specs as the one you were looking at, an I si2. I can't see my inclusions, but I know many SI2 's have inclusions that can be seen. As for the H color, I would not buy an H diamond without it being an ideal cut diamond as a so so cut H colored diamond will show more color than an ideal cut.

If you really love that diamond at the exchange, I would call them and ask for the GIA report number. I still would be very leary of an si2 though.

Have you picked out a diamond and setting online already? If not, post a pic and we'll do some sleuthing

 

[lono]

Hi again, thanks so much to both of you. Really good advice, which I plan to take. As for picking anything out online, I have not yet. I have three settings I like online but have not picked actual diamonds yet. We are trying to figure it all out. But I''ll be back in touch when I have more information. Hopefully by the end of this process I''ll be able to offer some wisdom of my own!