Suggestions for vendors in Diamond District?

[pregcurious]

I am thinking of visiting AGL in person to drop off a stone. While there, I'd like to shop in the diamond district, and was looking for suggestions. I will be looking for pave settings for stones I already have, and to just look (famous last words) at finished pieces. Do I need an appt. with each of these vendors? So far, I have the following:

Isaac @ Signed Pieces, 15 West 47th, 212-382-1374
www.pricescope.com/forum/hangout/diamond-district-in-nyc-t19641.html

ID Jewelery, 8 West 47th Street, Booth #49

DBL, 30 West 47th Street, Suite 910

Klim Jewelry for settings and benchwork, 66 W 47th St # 39
JI Diamonds for settings and benchwork, 41 W 47th Street # 1
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/pink-tourmaline-pendant-from-nyc-plus-apatite.146635/?hilit=pendant']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/pink-tourmaline-pendant-from-nyc-plus-apatite.146635/?hilit=pendant[/URL]

 

[cellentani]

I am thinking of visiting AGL in person to drop off a stone. While there, I'd like to shop in the diamond district, and was looking for suggestions. I will be looking for pave settings for stones I already have, and to just look (famous last words) at finished pieces. Do I need an appt. with each of these vendors? So far, I have the following:

Isaac @ Signed Pieces, 15 West 47th, 212-382-1374
www.pricescope.com/forum/hangout/diamond-district-in-nyc-t19641.html

ID Jewelery, 8 West 47th Street, Booth #49

DBL, 30 West 47th Street, Suite 910

Klim Jewelry for settings and benchwork, 66 W 47th St # 39
JI Diamonds for settings and benchwork, 41 W 47th Street # 1
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/pink-tourmaline-pendant-from-nyc-plus-apatite.146635/?hilit=pendant']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/pink-tourmaline-pendant-from-nyc-plus-apatite.146635/?hilit=pendant[/URL]

JI has moved to 13W, and is now Diamonds by Siag.

I have a hard time recommending Klim for benchwork - some pieces have turned out okay, but I'm admittedly very particular. However, if you purchase a setting from Klim, they'll usually set your stone for no additional charge.

Do you need any supplies? Kassoy is at 28W, and I love their locking gem boxes for traveling w/ several stones.

 

[cellentani]

I forgot to say, hope you have a FANTASTIC time! When are you going? I'm headed there soon myself.

 

[pregcurious]

Thanks, Celletani for your input. I don't have a date yet, and I keep on vacillating on other jewelry-related things I want to get done. Sigh.

 

[pregcurious]

Just wanted to update this post and say I dropped of stones with AGL and GIA this past weekend, and it was very straight forward. I learned that GiA will not take mounted diamonds, but will take mounted stones that are no diamonds (that's what the receptionist said).

 

[FrekeChild]

I'll actually be there next week. Where do you like to go Celle?

(I know this thread is months old...but what the hey!)

 

[chrono]

Just wanted to update this post and say I dropped of stones with AGL and GIA this past weekend, and it was very straight forward. I learned that GiA will not take mounted diamonds, but will take mounted stones that are no diamonds (that's what the receptionist said).

Good to know....I suppose it is so that colour and clarity can be graded with better accuracy, including getting all the angle information for the diamond. How long is the wait for the memos?

 

[pregcurious]

For AGL, a gembrief is taking ~3 weeks. I decided upon this instead of the prestige report with origin. My stone was loose.

For GIA, I don't remember, but I requested the full report with the map of the inclusions instead of the less expensive dossier (everything but the map). I also opted for laser inscription. This was for my own edification, and also because I keep on resetting this stone, and I feel foolish for not being able to ID it.

GIA had signs that they are no longer expediting reports. I wasn't given a reason for the having to unmount the diamonds, but I assume it's because inclusions can be hidden if a diamond is mounted.

 

[pregcurious]

Frekechild, have fun! Let us know how it goes. I really enjoyed my time, and would go there once a year if I could find the time over other priorities.