bermyguy

I will be visiting New York just before Christmas and, fingers crossed, will be purchasing an engagement ring. Can anyone recommend some reputable diamond stores in NYC? Obviously, the Tiffany brand comes to mind but from what I've read you're paying (as with most established brands) for the name. I would love to get the name of a reputable store where I feel I can trust what the salesperson is telling me (if that is even possible).

Thank you.

GoTravel

Cartier, Harry Winston.

You need to educate yourself as much as you can about diamonds. Buy a book, shop on line, read message boards.

When you feel like you couldn't possibly know another thing about diamonds, read some more and do more research.

You are getting ready to spend and obscene amount of money on ....a rock, a stone and nothing more. Go into the jewelry store as an expert.

The best deals are in the diamond district but you need to know what you are looking for.

Don't rely on anyone else for this info.

ekscrunchy

Check Kwiat in the Diamond District; very reputable firm.

sylvia3

Read all about diamonds, but please do NOT buy a diamond and consider it an investment of any kind other than emotional. You could take that brand-new rock to the jewelry store nextdoor, and you would NOT get what you paid. It is a false market, a very structured and controlled system, from the mines to the cutters to the retail market. BTW, you can research on-line sites that sell loose stones and give detailed descriptions (using the usual U.S. standard) and prices. Then find out what settings cost, and you should be prepared to buy. Don't be afraid to discuss a discount, if you can back up your reasoning with knowledge.

bermyguy

So is it worth it to pay a bit extra at Tiffany's and at least know that you have something of quality?

Gekko

Diamonds -- the actual stones -- are a commodity. If the "three c's" are the same, a Tiffany diamond is no better than one from the mall.

djkbooks

Unless your really know what you're doing, or have some really special sentimental reason for purchasing a diamond (this is an engagement ring?) in NYC or from a "name" jeweler such as Tiffany, I'd recommend purchasing it locally. For one thing, they'll clean it and check (replace if necessary) the prongs without charge.

Kalik

Tiffanys ..Tiffanys ...Tiffanys..
Thats all I have to say. I would not trade mine for anything.

MarionCK

I understand that you will be proposing first and then shopping for the engagement ring together ?

While I'm sure that many will advise that you *might* save some money by buying in the diamond district, I think the selection is a part of the romance and the memory.

So...I would suggest going to Tiffany and purchasing one of their porcelain, signature boxes for the proposal. While there, speak with one of their diamond experts. Discuss budget, and make an appointment to shop for the ring together. Ask if they will provide champagne while you're making your selection ( I know they will !) and make another memory

If you are travelling from Bermuda to make this event special in every way, it needs to be a Tiffany experience

Marion

The porcelain Tiffany box that I suggested is their signature packaging. A blue square box, with white porcelain ribbon...and sells for around a $100. A memorable keepsake

ekscrunchy

You do not have to go to Tiffany for the best quality diamond. I believe that all of the diamond merchants buy their stones from the same supplier(s). Do your homework first..look around in the best store in your town and talk to the merchant there before coming to NY. I live here in NYC and I would go to places other than Tiffany for serious jewelry...yes, to the diamond district. I am sure many will disagree....interesting if we could get an opinion from someone in the business.

bermyguy

Appreciate all the advice. Still not sure what to do. The "Tiffany experience" is appealing but it would piss me off to buy something in there and see the exact same diamond (cut, clarity, colour, carat) for less somewhere else. Don't intend to keep looking once we've purchased but you know what I mean...Then again would probably be even more pissed off if I bought something in say the Diamond District and found out two days later it was worth half of what I paid...
I think I may have answered my own question there!!!

Kalik

Actually Tiffanys is a great experience!I agree with MarionCK
I have had serveral woman come up to me and say,"Oh, is that a Tiffanys ring." I can't belive how many woman knew that is wa Tiffanys just by looking and noticing the style. That just makes my day! Just wanted to share that. Best of Luck!

chepar

I agree that you should have a working knowledge of the 4c's (carat, color, clarity and cut) before you start any serious looking.

I also somewhat agree with Gekko - if the 4c's are the same, it doesn't matter where you purchase the stone itself.

Obviously the name cachet of having gotten a ring from Tiffany's or Cartier is greater than from a mall jeweler like Kay's. I don't know if that necessarily has to translate into better quality (as far as the mount), though.

Typically a higher quality stone will already have GIA certification papers.

MarionCK

I'll just venture a guess and say that selection of any major purchase comes down to gender issues.

But when discussing a symbol of love ;-), the male may just have to give way to the female.

You should certainly expect to purchase a quality diamond and get your $$ worth. But that can be be subjective, even to a jeweler with a loop on his eye.

From the female perspective, your future wife may be more inclined to remember the romantic trip and proposal and the selection of the ring in a place worth bragging about.

I'm not sure she will think fondly of *negotiating* in the diamond district for an extra point or two in the diamond.

I think she might remember an environment where she is made to feel like a princess.

I'll stop now, I promise ! I have two daughters, one married, one recently engaged...and their stories about *the ring* are probably influencing my response.

Marion

mclaurie

Surprised no one has mentioned Fortunoff. It's a few blocks from Tiffany (54th & 5th) and while it may lack the snob appeal of Tiffany, they're known for good value.

I think where you purchase depends on what style of ring you want and how budget conscious you are. You will get more for your money at a place like Fortunoff.

Here are some Fortunoff rings
http://www.fortunoff.com/dept.asp?dept_id=1060408

Here are the Tiffany rings
http://www.tiffany.com/expertise/dia...engagement.asp

bermyguy

Marion, do you work for Tiffany's? If not, you should because you've sold me!!! I personally would always go for the brand when buying most things. I wasn't sure what to do in this situation because (a)it's my first time getting engaged and (b)I know nothing about diamonds. On reflection, I guess I'm one of those people who gets a bit of a kick from saying "oh it's from Tiffany's" or "oh it's Prada" as opposed to someone who gets a kick from getting a great deal on the item.
Anyway, thanks again for all the advice. Hopefully she'll say "Yes"!!!

MarionCK

I have no doubt that she'll say YES

And we'll all look forward to hearing about that enthusiastic YES !

I don't work for Tiffany, but I do have a PR background...or you could just blame it on my romantic soul and my Irish heritage

We don't just tell good stories, we plan them !

My heart is filled with good wishes for you and your lucky bride to be !

Marion

sylvia3

Oh, dear, it makes me roll my eyes. To think that throwing money away when you don't need to is worth it for the experience?! (It's like tossing it away on a fine meal or show tickets--urgh!)But seriously, how important will your future finances together be to your intended--worth, for example, a mortgage payment on a home, perhaps? Can you even talk about it? (If you can't, time to rethink things.) Do some homework, go into the trenches armed with your research, and get that rock, with or without some adequate champagne. (what good is a porcelain box when you wear the ring all the time anyway?) Whether you go to Tiffs, buy the setting and stone wholesale on line (certified, of course), or go to the diamond district, just KNOW WHAT YOU'RE BUYING!!

nytraveler

Agree to doa LOT of research on what you want. Of the 4 c's - cut changes in fashion - and what's very popular now may look too trendy - or old fashioned in 20 years.

And way too many people go for size - when what really matters in keeping value is quality (clarity and color).

So be very sure what is realistic for you - in terms of $ and what you can get for it before you buy.

djkbooks

I'm with Sylvia here - even if someone could look down and exclaim "Oh, Tiffany's!" (which I certainly could not and I have a good eye for jewelry), it just would not be worth whatever to me...necessarily.

You're gonna pay a heck of a lot extra for the "Tiffany Experience" and "Tiffany Brand" - not that it won't be well worth it to you in the overall.

AND, I'm one of those who would definitely want to be included in the "selection process".

Many women aren't so particular about the size so much as the cut (round, oval...) and setting (some prefer plain, others with a bit of embellishment).

I haven't quite figured out whether you plan to have the ring in hand when you propose, or propose, then go shopping. My vote would be for the latter, especially to get the most out of the "Tiffany Experience".

For me, anyway, the bigger "kick" from a top brand (than bragging rights) is TOP, EXCEPTIONAL, QUALITY. Comparing buying (not the item itself) an engagement ring from the "Diamond District" with one from Tiffany's, to me, is sort of like comparing a fine Martini at the "99" to the same enjoyed at Rainbow Grill. When it's important to you, the extra is well worth it for the "experience". And, believe me on this, you'll forget the extra you paid rather quickly, but you'll NEVER, EVER, forget the "experience"!

If you can, I would highly recommend reserving a window table at Rainbow Grill for your proposal. (If you wish to economize a bit, or even if you don't, the pre and post theater menus, 6-6:30 and 10-11:30, are excellent. Though drinks are outrageous, $20 last we were there, but very heavily poured...) The view is MAGNIFICENT (have you seen "Sleepless in Seattle"? - a great "date", especially at home, movie)and just SO romantic. While there, if you wander down the hall (past the rest rooms), there are huge windows overlooking Central Park.

Note that during the holidays you cannot get into Rainbow Grill just for drinks, you must have a dinner reservation.

Most important, NO WAY will you ever, ever "find the exact same thing for less elsewhere". You will not get any sort of "bargain" at Tiffany's, but you will most definitely not get "ripped off" either.

Though it may seem so, I'm really not contradicting myself here, as it seems you may truly enjoy the more "sentimental" endeavor.