New York City Travel Forum

Hi everyone,

I have never posted in a forum before so I am quite excited about what response it might generate. I really need some help from a New Yorker, or some one who knows New York very well. I am planning to travel to NYC for the first time in May 09 and while I am there I plan to propose to my girlfriend.

I want her to pick out a ring so if she says yes I plan to whisk her off in a yellow cab to a jeweler. I have done a great deal of research about jewelers in the city, but it is very difficult to tell over the internet. I am looking for someone to recommend a couple of shops that we could confidently look at. I am looking for somewhere that will make my girl feel special, it is her dream to be proposed to in New York so I want it to be something she will remember positively.

My budget is around $3500 USD so Tiffany is out of the question sadly but if anyone could recommend a place I would be forever grateful, the name of the business, location and any testimonials would be perfect. Thank you all so much for helping me to make this special for my girl.

Hope to hear from you all soon.

I live in New York City, but I've never needed to buy serious jewelry here. The 2 main "diamond districts" are just north of Chinatown, on the northwest corner of Canal Street and Bowery. This is directly across the street from the Manhattan Bridge. The other one is uptown, on 6 Avenue from about 43 to 45 Streets. This is close to Radio City Music Hall. Good luck!

The midtown diamond district is on W. 47th St. between 5th-6th Aves. There aren't shops, but stalls within markets. And you must know about gems, there are many disreputable dealers. Personally, I would only go to a reputable shop, like Fortunoff's.

Have fun planning. Have you picked your perfect location to propose?

DO NOT go to anyone in the "diamond districts" unless you know all about diamonds and that means able to recognize a stone with flaws etc.

You would be better off going to Fortunoffs and I also think Macys has a diamond department in their "Fine Jewelry". Perhaps you should just look at Tiffanys since they may have a small diamond that can be put in a beatutiful setting.

Good luck and of course much happiness.

Losham

we would certainly not go to macy or fortunoff for diamonds and pay commercial retail prices - yes the product would be reputable but the cost much too high.

the only reliable way to shop in the jewelry district on w 47th is to know somebody who can get you an honest deal (as opposed to a honest dealer of which there are none ).

the best recommendation is to wait until you get back to london and to a sales venue known by you or your associates to be honest.

Thank you all very much for taking the time to respond to my request. I have taken on board everything that you have all said and I am very greatful. It was very much my suspicion that the diamond district might be tricky waters, I live in London England, so I am well used to the big city scammers, I suppose that was what I really wanted to get a feel about. I have noted some of the stores you guys have mentioned and I will look into those further.

For those of you who are interested I plan to do it (ring or otherwise!) on top of the Empire State Building. I have never visited New York but my girlfriend has and says that it is her favourite place anywhere in the world, so I thought that would probably nail it!

Thank you all for your kind wishes and help,

I will post on here next may if all goes well, so keep your eyes peeled!

Happy travelling!

The ESB is gorgeous, but it can be a hassle getting up there, with long lines snaking around the ugly building basement. So get your passes in advance, here's the web site:
http://www.esbnyc.com/index2.cfm

I hear the least crowded time is late at night (last elevator is at 1:15 a.m.), so maybe go after a beautiful late supper. If you don't want to pick the ring out for her, you can shop the next day. (Personally, I think it's much more romantic for the guy to buy the ring.)

Oh, and don't opt for the cheesy Sky Ride, it's a waste.

another member of VT proposed in a rowboat under the Bow Bridge in Central Park, this bridge made famous by among others the director Woody Allen in some of his pictures.