Jewelry business character

[Insomniator]

Looking to buy an engagement ring, lets say ~10k.

Is this like buying a car where every dealer is trying to totally screw you? I know they say research for months, investigate diamonds, learn the 4 c's blah blah blah but if a place has a grading certificate and the price seems comparable to others is it likely honest?

I found what I think is the perfect ring (antique, hard to find), but its at some shady NYC office. I visited in person, it was a random 8th floor office in the diamond district that you needed to show your face to a camera to be buzzed in. Not exactly 'Jared the Galleria'. The lady was very nice, and ring was beautiful but for all I know it could be completely fake. The Gemology certificate was from a place right down the street, how do I know they don't just hand out phony grades to the dealers in the area?

I'm not looking for the greatest deal in the world, I just want it to be OK. This place has an ebay store with 100% positive feedback, but only 30 or so ratings since they only joined a few months ago.

 

[highland145]

Is this like buying a car where every dealer is trying to totally screw you?

Probably but by a larger profit margin. The diamond district may be better, IDK. Personally went to the gift mart in Atlanta and paid about half of the appraised value.

Sis owns 2 stores, typically 400% mark up on jewelry. Wife's co-worker had a $15K appraised value diamond she was trying to sell after the marriage failed. Sis offers $3K because that's what she can get them for.

 

[mikeford]

Get the ring appraised by somebody independent, maybe discuss this with the seller in advance with agreement on returning it if it fails to appraise at the same grade.

 

[alkemyst]

www.pricescope.com if you are spending $10k, go GIA.