Advice for Buying a Diamond Pendant Necklace..

[Gdepp519]

So, I'm in Boston right now.. and new to the area.. and im up here with my gf.. so for our anniversary I want to buy her some sorta necklace.. specifically the one below.. i figure its not something to crazy nor something where i've set the bar so high that i can't top it....

Now I was hoping I could get some advice with shopping around.. the necklace im consider is This One

So I've been reading alot on how to know what to look for and what not.. but I keep getting the feeling that I'm pretty much throwing myself to the wolves with buying a diamond necklace.. now i've though that maybe i should just go the more known route like "Tiffany & Co" and all that jazz, what ya'll think??

I dunno I'm up for anyones input.. lemme know..

btw.. here are the websites i've been reading up on:

Link 1

Link 2

*Btw.. the reason I chose this store is because its located in the Financial District of Boston where I work.. so I just wandered in and found that necklace.. I haven't committed to anything though so.. gimme ur input all *

 

[FP]

Lower price necklaces will usually have lower quality stones so you don't need to learn everything about diamonds before buying one.

Ask to see the piece outside and see if it still looks good. You can ask to look at it under a loupe if you want to see if there are any obvious inclusions but for a necklace that small it really isn't important.

If you have any questions specifically about diamonds ask away...

Good luck.

 

[Gdepp519]

ok then....

i went to another store and it had a similar necklace but the total was 1ct and it was 3 diamonds set in a similar way.. for $175 more.. is it a better
idea "well i guess depending on the quality of those diamonds" to get that instead of this smaller one??? or is it all a matter of preference..

and also supposed price of $1,999 on the website right under the sale price is that even true?? what does that stand for?? or is it just to
trick the buyer into thinking they are getting a bargain??

 

[AStar617]

Do you drive? If you can make it out to Sudbury (way down Rt.20 West from Boston), go to The Jewelry Exchange. Good stuff at pretty much near wholesale prices. Your dollar will go a *lot* further than some place downtown.

 

[Gdepp519]

yea?? you think so?? hrmm I don't have a car maybe a bus/train goes out somewhere near there??

 

[Gdepp519]

anyone have any other suggestions??

or advice??

 

[AStar617]

Originally posted by: Gdepp519
yea?? you think so?? hrmm I don't have a car maybe a bus/train goes out somewhere near there??

Well I know the Commuter Rail doesn't go directly thru there... Looks like there's a commuter bus but thats pretty much one inbound pickup and one outbound dropoff unless I'm misreading the schedule... you might be S.O.L. with that one unless someone can ride you out there.

 

[Gdepp519]

I'm looking at the webstie but they don't seem to have a wide selection of items :\

 

[AStar617]

Originally posted by: Gdepp519
anyone have any other suggestions??

or advice??

Know your "Three Cs" (Color, Clarity, Cut) and remember that the prices are *always* negotiable.

 

[FP]

The "prices" they show are always inflated. You could probably talk them down from their "sale" price if you tried.

If you can, find out if the stones used in the setting are graded, preferrably by GIA.

Honestly, at the price point you are looking at you probably won't be able to find out much about the stones. It is really about how you think the piece looks. You won't be able to sell the piece again so it really doesn't matter how "great" the diamonds are.

 

[Gdepp519]

Ok then cool..

I'm not trying to spend an excessive amount on thing I want to know is if its worth my money...

And also the lady there told me they were not GIA certified but that she could the diamonds tested
and then also have it appraised.. for insurance purposes..

I apologize if im making a bigger deal out of this than it really is.. but.. in all honesty i just don't
want to get hustled i just wanna know that for that amount of $$$ im spending im getting something
of good quality..

But like with hardware i can test it myself and know that it works.. and i got what i payed
for but with diamonds it seems im relying on another persons word... that im not getting a peice of glass.. lolol

 

[Lola]

i just want to tell you that from a females view, that is a beautiful necklace.
I love it :heart:

 

[Gdepp519]

thanks

 

[Gdepp519]

well then looks like ill invest in that necklace than.. anyone else with suggestons??

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: Gdepp519
So, I'm in Boston right now.. and new to the area.. and im up here with my gf.. so for our anniversary I want to buy her some sorta necklace.. specifically the one below.. i figure its not something to crazy nor something where i've set the bar so high that i can't top it....

Now I was hoping I could get some advice with shopping around.. the necklace im consider is This One

So I've been reading alot on how to know what to look for and what not.. but I keep getting the feeling that I'm pretty much throwing myself to the wolves with buying a diamond necklace.. now i've though that maybe i should just go the more known route like "Tiffany & Co" and all that jazz, what ya'll think??

I dunno I'm up for anyones input.. lemme know..

btw.. here are the websites i've been reading up on:

Link 1

Link 2

*Btw.. the reason I chose this store is because its located in the Financial District of Boston where I work.. so I just wandered in and found that necklace.. I haven't committed to anything though so.. gimme ur input all *

Well, anything with diamonds from Tiffanys will be extremely expensive. A necklace with diamonds will run you well over $2K. It wouldnt be wise to purchase anything without diamonds from Tiffanys though because it's just overpriced sterling silver. I bought my gf a diamond necklace last year. I think I spent around $700 or $800. But she loves it. I got it at a jewelry store and if I were to buy something similar with as many ct from Tiffanys, it would have been close to $3K-$5K probably.

 

[rivan]

That seems pretty pricy for 1/2ctw. The bulk of what you're seeing there is setting, not diamond - the one at the top's likely a chip.

I think you could do a lot better shopping around; I'd actually try a few smaller shops - the best jeweler I've ever used didn't even have a storefront; just a tiny shop in an office building - no advertising or anything.

 

[rivan]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

Originally posted by: Gdepp519
So, I'm in Boston right now.. and new to the area.. and im up here with my gf.. so for our anniversary I want to buy her some sorta necklace.. specifically the one below.. i figure its not something to crazy nor something where i've set the bar so high that i can't top it....

Now I was hoping I could get some advice with shopping around.. the necklace im consider is This One

So I've been reading alot on how to know what to look for and what not.. but I keep getting the feeling that I'm pretty much throwing myself to the wolves with buying a diamond necklace.. now i've though that maybe i should just go the more known route like "Tiffany & Co" and all that jazz, what ya'll think??

I dunno I'm up for anyones input.. lemme know..

btw.. here are the websites i've been reading up on:

Link 1

Link 2

*Btw.. the reason I chose this store is because its located in the Financial District of Boston where I work.. so I just wandered in and found that necklace.. I haven't committed to anything though so.. gimme ur input all *

Well, anything with diamonds from Tiffanys will be extremely expensive. A necklace with diamonds will run you well over $2K. It wouldnt be wise to purchase anything without diamonds from Tiffanys though because it's just overpriced sterling silver. I bought my gf a diamond necklace last year. I think I spent around $700 or $800. But she loves it. I got it at a jewelry store and if I were to buy something similar with as many ct from Tiffanys, it would have been close to $3K-$5K probably.

Tiffany's is nice to shop, just to see what you like, but he's right - ti's terribly overpriced. If you're dead set on a big name, give Bailey Banks & Biddle a try. I've had good experiences there.

 

[KarenMarie]

your profile says you live in Staten Island.

Take a trip to the diamond district in NYC and you will do much better than that.

You are getting 1/2 carat of 7 non white stones that are not eye clean for $500.

It is a beautiful setting but... I believe that you can do better than that. Seriously, take the time to walk around the diamond district in nyc... most times they are willing to negotiate.

If you do not want to do that... perhaps for the same money, you can find a few less stones of better quality.

(don't mean to rain on your parade, but you asked)

edit: sorry... i see you are in boston. I am not familiar with the area but I would think they have their own version of a diamond district?

 

[Gdepp519]

Yea i should change my profile i was born in staten island.. but im currently in Boston.. for Gradu school atm.. so thats why im asking because
if i was in NYC i would know where to go and find good stores...

But yea something in the back of my head keeps telling me to look around some more... i dunno.. theres this place called Diamond factory that is
near where i work in Boston.. and like.. its like a whole row of stores with jewlery.. i dunno how much i trust it.. lol.. in all honesty..

 

[Gdepp519]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

Originally posted by: Gdepp519
So, I'm in Boston right now.. and new to the area.. and im up here with my gf.. so for our anniversary I want to buy her some sorta necklace.. specifically the one below.. i figure its not something to crazy nor something where i've set the bar so high that i can't top it....

Now I was hoping I could get some advice with shopping around.. the necklace im consider is This One

So I've been reading alot on how to know what to look for and what not.. but I keep getting the feeling that I'm pretty much throwing myself to the wolves with buying a diamond necklace.. now i've though that maybe i should just go the more known route like "Tiffany & Co" and all that jazz, what ya'll think??

I dunno I'm up for anyones input.. lemme know..

btw.. here are the websites i've been reading up on:

Link 1

Link 2

*Btw.. the reason I chose this store is because its located in the Financial District of Boston where I work.. so I just wandered in and found that necklace.. I haven't committed to anything though so.. gimme ur input all *

Well, anything with diamonds from Tiffanys will be extremely expensive. A necklace with diamonds will run you well over $2K. It wouldnt be wise to purchase anything without diamonds from Tiffanys though because it's just overpriced sterling silver. I bought my gf a diamond necklace last year. I think I spent around $700 or $800. But she loves it. I got it at a jewelry store and if I were to buy something similar with as many ct from Tiffanys, it would have been close to $3K-$5K probably.

yea i just blurted out tiffanys as just a fimilar name.. but jesus that expensive X( lol.. maybe when im rich haha.. but

I dunno how much i trust these diamond stores.. around here.. they seem kinda shady reminds me of chinatown in NYC and Store after store of asian merchants selling jewlery.. iit doesn't seem to appeal to me..

well what about the this place?? Jewlery Exchange

 

[Gdepp519]

Originally posted by: KarenMarie
your profile says you live in Staten Island.

Take a trip to the diamond district in NYC and you will do much better than that.

You are getting 1/2 carat of 7 non white stones that are not eye clean for $500.

It is a beautiful setting but... I believe that you can do better than that. Seriously, take the time to walk around the diamond district in nyc... most times they are willing to negotiate.

If you do not want to do that... perhaps for the same money, you can find a few less stones of better quality.

(don't mean to rain on your parade, but you asked)

edit: sorry... i see you are in boston. I am not familiar with the area but I would think they have their own version of a diamond district?

naa dude that completely fine. i haven't commited to anything and im all about criticism on this.. cause i have no clue what im doing.. i mean i was reading those websites on what to look for.. but you can't get better than hearing other peoples personal accounts...

so yea. ill def start looking around more...

and for instance i found a similar pendant with just 3 diamonds for $175 more.. they were alot larger.. but does it really matter where i buy jewlery from?? the store rather??

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: Gdepp519

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

Originally posted by: Gdepp519
So, I'm in Boston right now.. and new to the area.. and im up here with my gf.. so for our anniversary I want to buy her some sorta necklace.. specifically the one below.. i figure its not something to crazy nor something where i've set the bar so high that i can't top it....

Now I was hoping I could get some advice with shopping around.. the necklace im consider is This One

So I've been reading alot on how to know what to look for and what not.. but I keep getting the feeling that I'm pretty much throwing myself to the wolves with buying a diamond necklace.. now i've though that maybe i should just go the more known route like "Tiffany & Co" and all that jazz, what ya'll think??

I dunno I'm up for anyones input.. lemme know..

btw.. here are the websites i've been reading up on:

Link 1

Link 2

*Btw.. the reason I chose this store is because its located in the Financial District of Boston where I work.. so I just wandered in and found that necklace.. I haven't committed to anything though so.. gimme ur input all *

Well, anything with diamonds from Tiffanys will be extremely expensive. A necklace with diamonds will run you well over $2K. It wouldnt be wise to purchase anything without diamonds from Tiffanys though because it's just overpriced sterling silver. I bought my gf a diamond necklace last year. I think I spent around $700 or $800. But she loves it. I got it at a jewelry store and if I were to buy something similar with as many ct from Tiffanys, it would have been close to $3K-$5K probably.

yea i just blurted out tiffanys as just a fimilar name.. but jesus that expensive X( lol.. maybe when im rich haha.. but

I dunno how much i trust these diamond stores.. around here.. they seem kinda shady reminds me of chinatown in NYC and Store after store of asian merchants selling jewlery.. iit doesn't seem to appeal to me..

well what about the this place?? Jewlery Exchange

You could just order online......have you checked Amazon?

 

[Aharami]

is all diamond the only option? I was considering my gf an all diamond necklace also. But my jaw dropped when i saw the prices. So i looked around and got her a nice necklace with a pink sapphire as the main stone, and smaller diamonds surrounding it. She loves it

 

[Gdepp519]

no it doesn't have to be all diamond.. but she likes white gold.. so i figured.. diamonds and white would work well together... or light color like blue or something..

 

[Gdepp519]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

You could just order online......have you checked Amazon?

funny as that sounds... no I haven't.. that's not a bad idea.. either.. lol.. looking now ..
but its better to see the stuff in person i think.. but ill still look..