Words can't possibly describe the gratitude I have, nor the luck I feel, for having met David S and his team. Though 5 stars is max David and his team deserve 7. They are truly exception people in today's otherwise opaque and deceitful world of diamond dealers.
As I prepared to make a lifelong commitment to my gf I first had to make one of the largest purchases of my life. Knowing not even the 4 C's I started doing my homework. I booked about 8 appointments with the diamond hawkers of NYC confident that I was just going to use NYC to get my chops before jetting off to LA or Chicago or Seattle to buy the rock I really wanted at a better price.
My first 6 appointments were basically the same. Pushy used car salesman. They would hand me 5 diamonds, put them side by side, and try to create some fake value scale before convincing me to buy the second most expensive one at a "bargain" price. Why should I buy one over the other? It was always some sticking point, its near colorless, its near perfect clarity, blah blah blah.
I was about done with the BS, about ready to cancel the rest of my appointments in NYC, then I walked into David S. Everything changed.
First off, his showroom is beautiful. Spacious and professional, not one of those corner offices in a building full of diamond dealers with enough space for two people, a desk, and a safe. David S is the majority of an entire floor with waiting room, comfy chairs, display cases, etc. His staff are kind, very attentive to email, and accommodating.
The main differentiator when I walked into David S was the fact that he didn't sell me a damn thing, didn't even try. I was a lost sheep and he did exactly what I needed him to do, offer guidance. Whereas my past experiences were 45 minutes of pure sell sell sell, David sat with me for well over 2 hours and schooled me in the A-Z of diamonds.
He enlightened me about the tricks jewelers played on vulnerable folks in the diamond district. He told me about the methods that jewelers use to evaluate diamond quality when they buy from wholesalers. He showed me advanced eval tools I had never seen in any previous appointment. He was completely transparent on his business model and how he makes money. He sent me home with a 10 page packet of reading materials and told me to come back in two weeks. All the while he never tried to sell me a single thing. I was speechless, thinking maybe I didn't need to leave NYC to get an honest deal on an engagement ring. David was honest, transparent, and even told me to keep shopping around if I wanted to. His integrity was further cemented when a customer leaving his store stopped us in the middle of our meeting, turned to me, pointed at David, and said "this is the most patient man in all of New York City". I could tell he had gone through the same process as me.
Fast forward two weeks and I was back at David's. I had read the packet, feeling for the first time I knew enough to really judge a diamond. David knew my budget and brought me out three or four stones. He didn't drown me in options. Some smaller stones at higher clarity and better color, some larger at lower clarity and worse color. They were all of exceptional cut, which I now understood was all that counted besides carat.
David let me scrutinize the diamonds to a T. He showed me them in every light condition using every tool he had. He showed me the full array of reports, GIA, gemex, and 3 others. He showed me the stones in different settings and metals. He never pressured me to buy one.
It would take two more appointments, including one with my future sister in law, before I pulled the trigger. David even offered to put all of the stones on hold, out of circulation while I was making my decision. Once I finally picked the stone he helped me run through countless settings until I found just the right one. And the price? Well, i'll let you figure that one out for yourself when you visit his store, but trust me you won't be disappointed.
Finally with the purchase made David's team worked diligently to forge the ring, set the diamond, and prepare it for the big day. They allowed me to come and see the finished product and even offered to house it for me until they shipped it to the destination right before the big day. They suggested insurance companies and gave me a diamond care and maintenance guide. They offered to service the ring twice a year free of charge for life. Lastly they gave me a money back guarantee just in case something happened, which is a must when buying a stone.
Overall, what was sure to be a miserable, pressure filled, salesy, and expensive experience that I wanted quickly to forget turned into a relaxed, enjoyable, and affordable affair that I look back on with fond memories and great satisfaction, feeling like we both benefitted equally from this transaction. I will surely be a lifelong customer of David S and a strong advocate for him any time a friend of mine is ready to pop the question. read more