NY Diamond District vs Online?

[rockhunting]

Maybe a newbie question, but...

Am I better off going to the NY Diamond district to buy an engagement ring or is it better to buy online?

I don''t live far from NYC.

 

[belle]

this is a common question actually because many people are under the impression that you can do better buying in the diamond district. of course, this is absolutely not the case but you can do a search here and read the previous posts to make a more informed decision.

 

[neatfreak]

You can get the best of both worlds.

Mark at Engagement Rings Direct is a very trusted online vendor here on PS. I am in Wisconsin and we got my ring from Mark, he's fantastic. Just run a search on PS and you'll see what I mean.

BUT he is also technically a diamond district vendor! You can go to his office and his prices are great, he'll give you a GREAT education on diamonds, AND his customer service is fantastic too.

Find him online at: http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/

Highly recommend Mark!

ETA: Depending on where you are, Good Old Gold in Long Island is awesome too. Same deal as Mark, a storefront and an online business. If you want to deal strictly online (or happen to be going to Texas soon), add Whiteflash to that vendor list too.

 

[Nicrez]

Yes agreed...You can''t go wrong with GOG and Mark T! Shopping on 47th is like swimming with sharks. They can sense uninformed people and they attack...

I work in the area, and I went into a store front of several booth (malls as they call them, not the same as MAUL STORES) and literally each booth I passed I got a voracious, "Can I help you?" Literally in a run down of voices as I walked to the back...it was intimidating and scary, and to think I wasn''t even there to shop but speak to someone about lunch! I felt like I was being eaten alive! Now factor in that you have money to spend. Many of the sales folks are not even Gemologists... you will get the gammut of sales pitches just to get your money so I suggest doing your homework, inform yourself of what you want, and then go look at the stones, and compare prices.

47th can yeild deals, but it takes reasearch and bargaining, and GIA certificates to be able to do it. Not everyone has that kind of time and focus. PS dealers are likely your easiest and safest bet though...

 

[ls14evar]

Well, one advantage to online is you save the sales tax (if applicable) And on a larger stone that can amount to alot of money very quickly.

 

[decodelighted]

Date: 5/10/2007 10:38:19 AM
Author: belle
people are under the impression that you can do better buying in the diamond district. of course, this is absolutely not the case but you can do a search here and read the previous posts to make a more informed decision.

I dunno if its *absolutely not the case* ... I feel pretty confident that we got *as good* a deal if not *better* on my asscher & setting than any of the popular p-scope dealers were offering on comperable stones *at that time*. I shopped both before making my recommendation to my then FF.

I would say that it''s *difficult* though ... because you really have to be armed with a ton of info & be able to call b**** to folks that don''t know what they''re talking about. We had people tell us Asschers were Cushions and that giant inclusions in a stone''s table was "no biggie" and all kinds of tall tales.

FWIW ... we *also* chose wedding rings from two different ONLINE places with showrooms in the Diamond District: Facets & Estatediamondjewelry.com. Didn''t go in person - but could have if we''d wanted to. Shopped at B&M stores for those too but found them so, so, so overpriced.

Mark T at Engagement Rings Direct would be an excellent way to go since you''re in NYC -- best of both worlds indeed! A skilled eye, lots of access, Diamond district/online prices!

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 5/10/2007 10:40:27 AM
Author: neatfreak
You can get the best of both worlds.

Mark at Engagement Rings Direct is a very trusted online vendor here on PS. I am in Wisconsin and we got my ring from Mark, he''s fantastic. Just run a search on PS and you''ll see what I mean.

BUT he is also technically a diamond district vendor! You can go to his office and his prices are great, he''ll give you a GREAT education on diamonds, AND his customer service is fantastic too.

Find him online at: http://www.engagementringsdirect.com/

Highly recommend Mark!

ETA: Depending on where you are, Good Old Gold in Long Island is awesome too. Same deal as Mark, a storefront and an online business. If you want to deal strictly online (or happen to be going to Texas soon), add Whiteflash to that vendor list too.

great advice neatfreak!!!

 

[diagem]

Date: 5/10/2007 10:34:07 AM
Author:rockhunting
Maybe a newbie question, but...

Am I better off going to the NY Diamond district to buy an engagement ring or is it better to buy online?

I don''t live far from NYC.

There is a plus side to NY too...

First you will see "live" the Diamonds or Jewelry selections..., something you dont when shopping on-line...
But be carefull..., its an ocean of sharks out there...

If you get good recommendations from a trusted source..., you should be safe.

As regards to prices..., I wouldnt know...

 

[peachster]

I bought my engagement ring (3.15 carat) from a person who owns a cutting business on 47th. It was neat to go there and see the men cut stones on the scaife - and I also enjoyed my walk down the street to see many settings and stones, all kinds. I got a price which was entirely competitive with online merchants - on the exact stone I wanted. However, no matter how friendly it may seem, you really need to be informed as to rpices and cut, or you may regret your purchase. I have been very happy with my stone, my custom setting, and my sales person.