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Gems NY Review

Saturday, December 14th

2024 Diamond Store Reviews

Gems NY Review 3.5 Star Rating

Gems NY

3.5 Star Rating
  • Over 130,000 diamonds
  • Prices range from $207 to $1.9M
  • Both natural and lab-created diamonds available
  • Easy to view certifications (mostly GIA)
  • Most stones have 360° view
  • Free shipping
  • Free 30-day returns
  • Free ring resizing within three months of purchase
  • Lifetime warranty
  • In business for over 25 years
  • "A+” rated and accredited by the BBB

Gems NY is based in the Diamond District of the Big Apple and has more than 25 years of experience as a gemstone wholesaler. When you buy your diamonds here, you'll get a nice set of perks, including free shipping, free returns within 30 days, a lifetime warranty on jewelry, and, if your diamond purchase involves a ring, you get free resizing in the first three months after you buy it.

Props for having an easy-to-search inventory

This diamond store gives you access to quite a few diamonds: there are more than 130,000 lab-created and natural stones in their online inventory, ranging in price from $207 to nearly $2 million. And, the inventory is easy to shop. Unlike some stores that seem to default to round stones (making it hard to see multiple shapes at a time), Gems NY lets you see everything at once. We still recommend you take advantage of the filters, though, so that you don't get stuck browsing forever.

Use the compare and recently viewed tabs to your advantage

Mark any diamonds you like with the "Compare” star; those will be saved in that tab for you. There's another tab for any diamonds you've recently viewed, so in case you forget to mark one, you can find it again later. Finally, if you're in a hurry, you may want to toggle the Quick Ship button near the filters; otherwise, you may wind up with a stone that won't ship for a few weeks or more.

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All the requisite details

There's plenty of information on the diamonds in Gems NY's inventory. Most of them have the option to view them in 360°, and you can view the certification (typically GIA, and it opens in a separate tab) on demand.

Loose, set, or custom: it's up to you

Also, Gems NY doesn't automatically assume you're buying a diamond for the purpose of setting it in a ring. While you can absolutely do that here, you can also add any stone you like to a pendant or just add the diamond on its own to your online shopping bag. If you're thinking of designing a one-of-a-kind jewelry piece with a diamond (or several... or even with other gemstones), fill out the custom form with your ideas (even upload a sketch or a photo if you have one) and they'll get back to you with a quote.

Slightly limited but overall positive reactions from customers

We have no concerns about Gems NY's reputation. Although this diamond store doesn't have the thousands and thousands of reviews you might see for competitor retailers, it can still brag about its "A+” rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, with zero complaints filed in the last three years. And, in most places we found (like Trustpilot and Google Reviews), Gems NY tends to come in with an average rating of about 4.5 stars. Customers are especially enthusiastic about the end results of the design process here, naming specific reps for being helpful and going the extra mile to make sure their clients are getting the absolute best value for what they spend.

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A few minor areas for improvement

But, there were a few aspects of using the Gems NY store that kept us from putting the diamond retailer a little higher in our rankings. For one, we found "jewelery” misspelled on the customization page. That's kind of a big one for a diamond store to get right. Also, the ability to connect with a gemologist as we started the process of shopping wasn't really featured: yes, anyone can click on the live chat button or make a call, but some rival diamond services make getting expert help feel much more accessible.

Good option if you like personalization with other gemstones

At the end of the day, Gems NY is a solid choice for buying diamonds, especially if you're looking for other precious stones as well: maybe you want to create a unique heirloom piece with diamonds and sapphires, or your dream ring with emeralds flanked by diamonds. No problem here. This diamond store is missing a bit of the "flash” we see with some of our higher-rated retailers, but you should have no qualms about hitting that "buy now” button at Gems NY if you find something you love.

Where Can You Find the Best Selection of Loose Diamonds?

Have you ever ventured into a local jewelry store with high hopes of finding the perfect stone, only to leave feeling disappointed? You're not alone. Many physical jewelry stores grapple with the challenge of stocking a diverse range of diamonds due to financial and logistical limitations.

In light of this, it's no wonder that an increasing number of diamond shoppers are gravitating towards online retailers. Why confine yourself to a small selection of stones with limited sizes and cuts when you can delve into an extensive assortment of diamonds? These gemstones span across various carat sizes, shapes, clarity levels, and price points. Reputable online establishments offer the convenience of a comprehensive 360° view of each diamond, accompanied by certifications and ratings from well-recognized appraisers.

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Diamond Store FAQ

One of the most sought-after gemstones in the world, diamonds are one of the hardest substances known to man. Diamonds form from carbon under high pressure and temperature.
Fun backstory: diamonds weren't commonly used in engagement rings until 1947, when the British mining company De Beers featured them in an advertising campaign! The rest, as they say, is history. Diamonds now represent financial success, long-term commitment, and status.
Cut, carat, color, clarity. Cut is the only human "influence” on a gemstone: round, princess, cushion, marquise and oval are some of the more common shapes given to diamonds. Carat represents the weight of the diamond, with 1 carat equal to 200 milligrams. Color evaluates the stone using letters of the alphabet; the closer to "A”, the whiter the stone, though most people find stones in the G-H rating to still be icy-white in appearance. Clarity is a little more difficult for the average consumer to see, especially without magnification: the categories measure inclusions, or irregularities that happen during the formation of the diamonds but are hard to see without magnification, as well as blemishes like scratches or chips.
The names say it all: natural diamonds come from the earth, while lab-created or synthetic diamonds come from scientists! But, other than their origins, these two types of diamonds are exactly the same chemically and optically: even expert gemologists have a hard time telling them apart without using a jeweler's loupe! And, as you might imagine, synthetic diamonds are usually much more affordable.
These acronyms all refer to gemological societies and institutes with diamond grading scales used throughout the industry: Gemological Institute of America, American Gemological Society, European Gemological Laboratory, and International Gemological Institute. Generally speaking, GIA and AGS are seen as the most accurate and scientific, so if you're buying a higher-priced stone you may want to ensure that it's been graded by one (or both!) of those two systems.
If you're looking for a one-of-a-kind piece, you're not going to find it by buying the first pretty ring or solitaires you see at your local jewelry store. Many customers want something with a story that can be handed down as an heirloom: the shape of the stone chosen to match her eyes, the setting selected to complement his personality, and so on. Buying loose diamonds is the first step in a truly unique piece of jewelry.
While you'll find no shortage of companies wanting to sell you diamonds as an investment, most experts say that the average consumer isn't likely to profit from them. Unless you're buying extremely large diamonds (e.g. 20 carats or more) or ones with a noteworthy history (like being owned by a celebrity), you may have a hard time selling the diamonds you buy for more than you paid. If you're planning on spending a significant amount of money for a diamond, do it because you appreciate the beauty or want to own (or give) something precious - but save your investments for more reliable means of generating profits!
Absolutely. Of course, you shouldn't buy a diamond from an online retailer without doing your research: choose a business with a well-established history, preferably with a high rating from the BBB, and be sure that the diamond you buy has been rated and certified by one of the independent institutes or laboratories mentioned above. You can rest assured that the diamond retailer will take every measure to get your stone delivered safely, including tracking and insurance.
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Continued from above...

One of the key drivers behind the increasing popularity of buying loose diamonds online is the unparalleled convenience that digital platforms offer. The traditional process of purchasing diamonds often involved visiting multiple physical stores, engaging with sales representatives, and navigating complex pricing structures. Online platforms simplify this process, letting you explore a vast array of options from the comfort of your home. This convenience factor is particularly appealing to a generation accustomed to the ease of online shopping for various products.

Furthermore, the online diamond market provides you with an extensive selection of diamonds, going beyond the limitations of brick-and-mortar stores. You can easily browse through an array of sizes, shapes, and qualities online. This allows you to find a diamond that perfectly aligns with your preferences and budget.

The acquisition of loose diamonds opens the door to an exhilarating opportunity to craft a distinctive piece of jewelry. Once you've made your diamond selection, the possibilities for designing your jewelry become virtually limitless. The online diamond retailer you opt for is likely to provide an impressive array of settings, encompassing traditional solitaires and inventive tension settings tailored for engagement rings.

As you might expect, the choice of the right retailer matters. Your diamond purchase could become a cherished heirloom passed down through generations, so you'll want to be sure you'll receive precisely what you pay for. To help you in your selection of the ideal diamond retailer, we suggest that you keep the following considerations in mind:

  • Variety: Check the store's inventory of loose diamonds. Do they offer a wide range of options in terms of cut and size? Can you find a setting that suits your preferences?
  • Price: Compare prices with other diamond sellers. Are there any special promotions or benefits, such as free shipping, to make your purchase more budget-friendly?
  • Certification: Does the retailer provide documentation from reputable institutions like GIA, AGS, IGI, or EGL to certify your diamond's qualities? This is especially important for more valuable diamonds to ensure the stated carat size, clarity, and color are accurate.
  • Reputation: Research what other customers have to say about their experiences with the retailer. Has the Better Business Bureau rated the store, and are there any customer complaints? Buying a diamond can be a significant investment, so it's worth taking the time to make sure the retailer you're considering has a strong track record for honesty and reliability.

Here at Top Consumer Reviews, our experts have evaluated and ranked today's best online diamond retailers. We hope this information assists you in finding the ideal loose diamond for your long-awaited proposal, one-of-a-kind pendant, or a timeless heirloom piece to be passed on for generations.

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  • Rare Carat
  • James Allen
  • Blue Nile
  • Ritani
  • REEDS
  • Gems NY
  • Shane Co
  • Fascinating Diamonds
  • 25 Karats
  • Diamonds USA
  • Jared
  • Kay
Rare Carat vs James Allen Rare Carat vs Blue Nile Rare Carat vs Ritani Rare Carat vs REEDS Rare Carat vs Gems NY Rare Carat vs Shane Co Rare Carat vs Fascinating Diamonds Rare Carat vs 25 Karats Rare Carat vs Diamonds USA Rare Carat vs Jared Rare Carat vs Kay James Allen vs Blue Nile James Allen vs Ritani James Allen vs REEDS James Allen vs Gems NY James Allen vs Shane Co James Allen vs Fascinating Diamonds James Allen vs 25 Karats James Allen vs Diamonds USA James Allen vs Jared James Allen vs Kay Blue Nile vs Ritani Blue Nile vs REEDS Blue Nile vs Gems NY Blue Nile vs Shane Co Blue Nile vs Fascinating Diamonds Blue Nile vs 25 Karats Blue Nile vs Diamonds USA Blue Nile vs Jared Blue Nile vs Kay Ritani vs REEDS Ritani vs Gems NY Ritani vs Shane Co Ritani vs Fascinating Diamonds Ritani vs 25 Karats Ritani vs Diamonds USA Ritani vs Jared Ritani vs Kay REEDS vs Gems NY REEDS vs Shane Co REEDS vs Fascinating Diamonds REEDS vs 25 Karats REEDS vs Diamonds USA REEDS vs Jared REEDS vs Kay Gems NY vs Shane Co Gems NY vs Fascinating Diamonds Gems NY vs 25 Karats Gems NY vs Diamonds USA Gems NY vs Jared Gems NY vs Kay Shane Co vs Fascinating Diamonds Shane Co vs 25 Karats Shane Co vs Diamonds USA Shane Co vs Jared Shane Co vs Kay Fascinating Diamonds vs 25 Karats Fascinating Diamonds vs Diamonds USA Fascinating Diamonds vs Jared Fascinating Diamonds vs Kay 25 Karats vs Diamonds USA 25 Karats vs Jared 25 Karats vs Kay Diamonds USA vs Jared Diamonds USA vs Kay Jared vs Kay
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