NYC's Diamond District Questions

[MickeysMommy]

I was just curious if anyone ever bought a diamond from the Diamond District? Or if they have heard anything about the stores there (i.e. quality of diamonds, etc.) and if they have heard of a store called "Diamond City". This store supposedly gives discounts to Police, Fire, Union members. Thanks

 

[TimeforMe]

My (now) DH, along with my dad's help, bought my engagement ring from the diamond district. I can't recall the name of the store, but it was small. The stores are legitimate and many have been around for years. The prices are awesome and really cannot compare with those from a local jewelry store. We've had my ring appraised several times from reputable jewelers and all have said that it is extremely high quality. It pays to know a little about diamonds before buying though. Good luck!

 

[jel0511]

I'd advise making sure you KNOW who you are dealing with, and get a guarantee on what your puchasing. I've know people who have been ripped off, so you have to be careful.

 

[Loubon]

I bought my wife's engagement ring and our wedding bands there. It was 20 years ago so I don't remember the name of the stores. They sent us to a different place there for the appraisal and it came back twice the amount. We went somewhere else (I believe it was a department store such as Macy's) and it appraised higher but not as much as that.

This always sort of bothered me since I do not know much about these things and felt it might be a scam. So 10 years ago I went to a completely different appraiser on Long Island who was very well known. His appraisal matched the original one. I felt much better as not only did he have nothing to gain by lying, he also spent a lot of time and gave us a lot of documents rationalizing the appraisal.

 

[PamOKW]

Originally posted by jel0511
I'd advise making sure you KNOW who you are dealing with, and get a guarantee on what your puchasing. I've know people who have been ripped off, so you have to be careful.

I would second this advice. It's a mixed bag. It is best to either know what you are doing and/or have a recommendation from someone before just heading in blind to any store. There are some bad apples in the area who appear on "Consumer Help"-type NYC TV programs at least once a year.

 

[RUDisney]

That's where my engagement ring is from. My DH did everything over the phone with a company his uncle deals with all the time, and he knew he could trust. The thing that he learned is that they'll take a diamond back if your GF doesn't like what you select for her. All I ever wanted was a 1 carat round diamond. He bought a 1.6 carat pear shaped stone. I never saw it. He started quizzing me one night, asking questions like, "what if it isn't perfectly round?" I told him that I'd be disappointed since he knew what I wanted. He told me that his mother liked it, so I told him to give that one to his mother and buy me the one that I want. I'm the one who has to wear it forever, so I should have what I want. He sent it back and got me a 1.1 carat round and it is just beautiful!

He never would have done things this way, if his uncle didn't have a relationship with the jeweler. You only buy diamonds a few times in your life and these people do it for a living. They know exactly what to look for and what they can charge for it. In April, we won't be returning to NY for my anniversary band, we'll be going to a local jeweler whom we've come to know and trust.

Good luck with your decision.