Guide to Navigating Diamond Districts
How to shop the diamond district like a pro to find high-quality gold at wholesale prices!
NYC and LA are home to the most prominent diamond districts in the U.S. I have visited the diamond districts of NYC, LA, and Chicago, and here’s my advice for how to take advantage of these jewelry meccas like an industry professional.
You do not need to be a jewelry professional to check out the diamond districts.
Often, jewelers source and have their pieces made in the diamond districts, but that doesn’t mean you can’t utilize these shops as well. Typically, most stores in diamond districts offer wholesale pricing on their pieces, since they function as wholesalers to jewelry retailers. This means you can get high-quality jewelry at low prices.
Be prepared to explore.
Diamond and jewelry districts are made up of many stores over many blocks. I recommend setting aside a large portion of your day to explore all of the hidden gems the districts have to offer.
Go in open-minded.
These districts are entirely overwhelming, with an endless number of options to choose from. If you are shopping for something specific, that’s great, but the endless jewelry supply means you might end up falling in love with something unexpected.
Check the price of gold that day.
Knowing what the current price of gold is will help you negotiate when buying and give you a better idea of what you’re being charged. If you’re buying a gold piece, ask for the gram weight.
Make connections!
Whether you’re visiting or a local, make connections with shop owners. Many people in the diamond districts have worked in jewelry their entire lives. They will be knowledgeable and have good prices, and you’ll have a trusted contact to return to.
Highlight: My Latest Gold Chain Find in the LA Diamond District
I have been working on my gold chain collection over the past year, so I took the opportunity to add to my collection while in LA. With gold prices higher than ever, I knew I wanted to shop as close to wholesale as possible for my new chain. I stopped at Luv Jewelry in the Fox Jewelry Plaza, located at booth P-605. They had such a great selection of gold chains and charms at a wholesale price. The owners, Jack and Reyna, have been running their shop since 1978. They were incredibly knowledgeable, had an amazing variety of styles, and were so friendly - it made the whole experience feel personal and memorable.
