[MediocreButArrogant]

I've already found some candidate stones at WhiteFlash.com and GoodOldGold.com. Is there any point at all to looking in town? The stones I'm looking at are about $30k. I'm thinking that local retailers would be at least $50k for the same, and have limited selection, but I've never actually walked into a local jewelry store since beginning my search.

[bledsoe3]

Times are hard. You may find a dealer who will deal. But probably not on the strip. I would think the overhead is too high.

[Prosze]

Whiteflash, GOG are just so much better. They have online reports, pictures, carry AGS/GIA graded diamonds, etc. If you want some more online vendor recs. or quotes Pricescope is a good site for diamond info/helpful forums if you haven't already checked it out.

I'll always put in a good word for Whiteflash, that is where we bought our diamond. I got my setting from Knox Jewelers- very easy to work with as well.

[MediocreButArrogant]

Originally Posted by Dltordj

Whiteflash, GOG are just so much better. They have online reports, pictures, carry AGS/GIA graded diamonds, etc. If you want some more online vendor recs. or quotes Pricescope is a good site for diamond info/helpful forums if you haven't already checked it out.

I'll always put in a good word for Whiteflash, that is where we bought our diamond. I got my setting from Knox Jewelers- very easy to work with as well.

I've been hanging out on the forums at Pricescope.com for a while now. I've concluded that between the liberal return policy during the examination period (30-60 days) and the trade-up policy, the online vendors can't be touched. I'll probably go with Whiteflash if we have a setting custom designed, or GOG if we go with a designer setting. Thanks for the tip on Knox Jewelers, having the diamond set here is a possibility, once I figure out what kind of insurance I need.

[Prosze]

You know about pricescope, WF, GOG etc. that puts you way ahead of most diamond shoppers

[pommysmommy]

I think the only place to deal in loose diamonds is still Amsterdam.

[bledsoe3]

Originally Posted by pommysmommy

I think the only place to deal in loose diamonds is still Amsterdam.

Road trip

[dynimagelv]

or fouty secon street in Gnu yawk.....since we dont seem to have a diamond district....just a couple of schlock jewelers that wanna "EVALURATE yer JEWRY" [from his commercial]

[quixotic59]

Originally Posted by dynimagelv

or fouty secon street in Gnu yawk.....since we dont seem to have a diamond district....just a couple of schlock jewelers that wanna "EVALURATE yer JEWRY" [from his commercial]

The KINGS of Rip off!!! They will lie and lie and lie to get you to buy inferior merchnadise for a higher price. I had a friend who had experience with diamonds show me some basics. When I went to the boys down at 42nd it was one scam after another. And, of course, no one wanted to commit to a return policy. With just a little guidance it was obvious that they were showing me the worst of what they had.

Ended up finding a nice peice at an estate sale and had it reset.

[yellowsnow]

You're not likely to find anything in that price range here. At least not at a fair price. They soak the high rollers/celebrities making impulse purchases. The only place here where I've gotten good deals is the pawn shop off Fremont next to the beef jerky store. See Paul. He has a lot of unusual merchandise and antique(old, not the finish) pieces.

Optimally, if I was buying a stone like that, I would use it for an excuse to go to Israel or Amsterdam. But online is good. Back before I was poor, I got a beautiful 3C emerald cut stone for peanuts compared to what I would have paid locally.