Best Jewelers in Chicago for Diamonds & Fine Jewelry

Whenever you think of buying diamonds, you often deal with one dilemma – buying online or offline. Each of these options comes with its rewards and drawbacks. However, experts recommend purchasing jewelry online in Chicago or anywhere else.

The first significant advantage of buying jewelry online is accessing a vast collection of diamonds. Online showrooms are quite different from physical displays because the element of crowding is not there. Therefore, you can take your time to sample as many diamonds as possible. Furthermore, the online experience is as realistic as the brick-and-mortar experience. Contrary to popular perception, you can now view a diamond online from all perspectives. Some reputable dealers have made doing so possible by deploying certain state-of-the-art web design technologies. Some of these technologies include 3-dimensional pictures and 360-degree HD videos.

Another benefit of shopping for diamonds online is that prices are remarkably affordable. Diamond prices in online retail outlets tend to be 30 – 50% lower than in physical retailers. The best part is that there is no high-pressure salesmanship, so that that sound judgment will inspire every decision.

Lastly, buying diamonds online in Chicago is the safer option. Like many cities with a vibrant diamond industry, Chicago has had its fair share of jewelry heists. One such brazen robbery appeared on NBC Chicago. Though sellers are mostly the victims, buyers are not necessarily safe either. Thieves could tail you to the jewelry shops and wait for you to make a purchase. Afterward, they could waylay you and make away with your precious merchandise.

But much as it is convenient, not everyone fancies the idea of online shopping. Some people crave the adventure of shopping for diamonds in physical stores. Indeed, buying diamonds at brick-and-mortar stores also has some advantages; most notably, you get to touch and feel the real thing. You also get to interact with the merchants firsthand. Besides, buying diamonds from physical stores enables you to verify all documentation. When shopping online, verifying the authenticity of things like grading certificates is often tricky.

The best part about buying diamonds from physical stores is that you can try the jewelry before purchasing it. It is especially true if you buy a loose diamond and a piece of jewelry separately.

But it does not matter whether you buy diamonds online or offline. Most importantly, you source the stone from a trusted vendor. Establishing the legitimacy of a vendor is not a walk in the park. However, there are specific qualifications the dealer must satisfy.

First and foremost, the vendor must sell only diamonds with certifications issued by a trusted grading entity. Examples of reliable grading labs include the Gemological Institute of America.

Apart from grading certification, check where the merchant sources their diamonds. Cases of blood diamonds infiltrating the mainstream jewelry industry are rampant. The motivation behind selling blood diamonds is to use the proceeds to fund armed conflicts. You do not want to be part of these intrigues now; therefore, your best bet is to go for conflict-free diamonds.

Other factors to consider when choosing a jeweler are the additional services the seller offers. Examples include diamond cleaning, resizing, mounting, and insurance. Remember to investigate their returns and shipping policies, especially buying online. After everything is said and done, you still want fair bargains out of the jewelry. So, go for a seller who offers reasonably-priced jewels.

For those who fancy the thrill of adventure shopping, Chicago has your interests at heart. The city boasts a lively diamond district. The Chicago Diamond District is also known as Jewelers Row. It is the most popular place in the town to shop for all kinds of diamond jewelry.

The Chicago Diamond District is located in the Jewelers Center. It may not be as vibrant as other major exchanges like the New York Diamond District. However, the Chicago Diamond District boasts over 200 diamond outlets, which speaks volumes about the range of diamond jewelry you can find here. Diamond prices are also reasonably lower compared to other locations within the city.

But you do not have to visit the Jewelers Row only to shop for diamonds. The street also boasts iconic 20th-century architectural landmarks. The Jewelers' Building is an architectural marvel located within the district.

The Chicago Diamond District is located on Wabash Avenue. East Monroe Street and East Washington Street enclose the district. Jewelers Row is one of the most accessible streets in Chicago because it is nestled right at the center of the Loop. Two main stations, Washington/Wabash and Adams/Wabash, are close to the street.

The stations service the Brown, Pink, Purple, Green, and Orange lines. Of the two stations, the Washington/Wabash station is disabled-friendly. The Monroe/Dearborn station is also within walking distance from Jewelers Row. The street features ample parking lots. Some parking areas include the Adams & Wabash Self Park and the Self Park at 55 East Monroe. Remember that because of being a bustling street, parking fees are expensive.

Buying diamonds at Jewelers Row can be challenging, as with any diamond district. As you may expect, most shops feature stunning assortments of diamond jewelry. You may be swayed by the flawless beauty of the diamonds on display here, and with over 200 vendors in one street, you will be spoilt for choice. Therefore, your best bet is to go prepared.

Before heading to the district, ensure you have a list of the stores you wish to visit. Research the stores online first and identify those vendors that have been in business the longest. Also, try to uncover how previous clients have reviewed them, and while checking out the reviews, keep your eyes out on a vendor’s most vital points: how do they score in terms of customer service?; what is the quality of diamonds they offer?; and so forth. Also, read the dealer’s pricing plans and after-sale services.

A dealer should enjoy positive reviews across the spectrum. If they sell genuine diamonds, such diamonds must also be duly certified. Besides, they should also be accompanied by reasonably-priced diamonds if they offer exceptional customer service.

One significant benefit of shopping for diamonds at the Jeweler’s Row is variety. After honing in on the stores to visit, your main concern will be getting fair bargains. This is where we draw the divide between reputable and unscrupulous dealers.

In any diamond exchange center, there are two types of shady vendors. You will come across those who offer outright subpar-quality gems. It is worse if the merchants also charge exorbitantly for their inferior merchandise. The next category comprises professional wheeler dealers. Such vendors sell merchandise of relatively good quality. However, inconsistencies always loom large; they can easily escape your attention if you are not discerning enough. For instance, you could discover gross inaccuracies in their grading reports.

Besides these two categories of merchants, you must also contend with aggressive salesmanship tactics. Under its location, jewelers in the district pay astronomical rents. The only way to recoup that is by employing hard-selling tactics. Stores located on the ground floors are notorious for these habits. Therefore, we cannot overstate the importance of preparedness before buying diamonds at Jewelers Row.

Ethan Lord Jewelers

Ethan Lord operates on the second floor in the Jewelers Center. What makes them outstanding is the fact that they sell only GIA-certified diamonds. Ethan Lord is primarily known for its custom engagement rings. It is also a go-to place if you are looking for an exceptional customer experience.

Dimend SCAASI

Dimend SCAASI specializes in custom engagement and wedding rings. You can also get lots of diamond jewelry here, from earrings to necklaces and pendants. Dimend SCAASI is renowned for its exemplary customer service. The staff here strive to assist their customers in locating a diamond that matches their specifications. You can book an appointment to consult with them before making your purchase.

Windy City Diamonds

Here is another favorite store if you are looking for GIA-certified diamonds. The store also employs GIA-trained gemologists. Friendly customer services are also some of their selling points. Moreover, Diamonds by Windy City come in all shapes, sizes, cuts, and colors.

The Magnificent Mile

The Magnificent Mile is not located in Jewelers Row, nor is it a specific vendor. Instead, it is a street nestled within the Chicago shopping district. Unlike Jewelers Row, the Magnificent Mile primarily features boutiques. However, it is an excellent place to buy diamonds in Chicago, especially if you want a calm and relaxing shopping experience.

Chicago is a major tourist hub in the central US. One of its main attractions is the vibrancy of its streets. With its iconic architectural landmarks and friendly inhabitants, shopping along Chicago streets is a surreal experience. If you think of diamonds in Chi-town, believe the Jewelers Row. Besides, if you prefer online shopping, hundreds of reputable merchants exist. Either way, due diligence is paramount.