Bargain hunting is a favorite past-time for frequent visitors to the Los Angeles Jewelry District. That’s because it is possible for shoppers to find jewelry at 70 percent lower prices than retail shops found in malls and other cities’ jewelry districts—including big cities such as Chicago and New York. Even with the price of gold and silver hitting all time highs, the stores within the district (there are more than 4,000) continue to strive to offer their customers the lowest prices in the country for quality jewelry. The vast majority of jewelers in the district have had stores for years; they depend on repeat business and continue to give their customers the highest quality for the least money. Many stores have survived past economic downturns, and the strongest continue to thrive in the most recent recession. Bargains—even with the increases in gold, silver and diamond prices—can still be found within the Los Angeles Jewelry District.
The LA jewelry district is known for attracting customers who understand what they are looking for. With sales that sometimes hit more than $3 billion annually, that’s a lot of jewelry being sold—and mostly at highly discounted prices. The district is lined with stores and buildings housing even more stores. What do you do if you’re not a jewelry expert? How can you know if you’re getting a good deal? For one thing, if you want to comparison shop, you’re certainly in the right place. Pay attention to such things as karat (for gold, the higher the karat, the more pure the gold) and the four c’s for diamonds (cut, carat, color, clarity). One of the LA Jewelry District’s resident experts, Icing on the Ring’s own Raffi Rupchian, also provides the following tip: “If the ring [that you buy in the LA jewelry district] has a wider width to it, it’ll occupy more space on your finger, which in turn will give the illusion that you have a large expensive-looking ring, a ring that’s making a strong statement.” With a wider ring that is slightly more of a bargain, therefore, you can still have a classy and expensive look without burning a hole in your pocket. Further, the district has on-site independent appraisers that are certified by the Gemological Society of America or the European Gemological Laboratories and can give you a dependable appraisal to ensure that you are getting exactly what you are paying for. This is particularly important when you are purchasing high-end jewelry in the LA jewelry district.
Not all LA jewelry stores are licensed to sell jewelry by the city. If you are bargain hunting, the last thing you want to do is spend money on a piece of subpar jewelry simply because you’ve been told by the jeweler it’s worth something that it really isn’t. That license doesn’t necessarily mean the jeweler isn’t upstanding or is not selling the highest quality, but if you are planning to spend thousands of dollars, it might be best to make that purchase from a jeweler who’s been operating successfully in the district for years. At the very least, seek out an independent appraisal before making that purchase. An appraisal will cost as much as $150, but if you’re buying a diamond valued at more than $5,000, that fee may be well worth it. Keep in mind, some stores have a no-return or no-exchange policy. Know what the LA jewelry store’s policy is before you make the purchase.
If you’re heading to the LA jewelry district, there is some information you’ll need to know that you may not find in travelogues written about the area. When you’re walking around, you will probably note that the area is well-maintained and safe. You may also notice the area is well patrolled by uniformed officers on bicycles. This gives visitors a sense of safety, particularly after making a purchase. You don’t want to walk around with an $8,000 diamond engagement ring and not feel safe. The area offers several restaurants that range in prices or you could try the Grand Central Market, located at Third and Hill street, which offers prepared foods at reasonable prices. Public restrooms can be found at the Biltmore Hotel on Pershing Square and St. Vincent’s Center, which houses several jewelers. Sometimes it’s the little details about an area like the LA jewelry district that makes your visit more pleasant.
Looking for more information about Los Angeles’s premiere jewelry district? Need advice about diamonds or other types of fine jewelry? Visit family owned and operated Icing on the Ring, a store located in the heart of the LA jewelry district. Call now at 888-565-6150 for more information about what Icing on the Ring can do for you!
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