Buying Diamond Jewelry in Houston

By Devorah Isenberg , Saturday, April 02, 2011 3:11 AM

In a big city like Houston, there are many options for every kind of shopping experience you might be looking for. Being Houston, Texas, everything is bigger and bolder than you might find anywhere else in the country. Whether you are looking for a new couch,  a designer handbag, or an engagement ring, you can find it in Houston. For home goods on the cheap, there is one of the country’s largest Target stores. For designer clothes and shoes, the Galleria is one of the country’s largest elite malls. For jewelry or loose diamonds in Houston, you have options ranging from national chain stores to independent boutiques. Here are some of the most frequently asked question from people looking to buy diamonds and engagement rings in Houston.

Q: If I have an heirloom jewelry piece that I want to reinvigorate with a new diamond, can I buy a diamond in Houston that is not already set in a setting?

A: Most chain stores and designer jewelry boutiques do not carry loose diamonds, but luckily there are several Internet retailers that have their headquarters in Houston. If you are in the Houston area, you can actually visit these headquarters and see loose diamonds in person before buying them. For example, Whiteflash.com, an online vendor that specializes in their exclusive line of A Cut Above hearts and arrows diamonds, has offices in the Richmond area that you can visit.

Q: I have to buy several pieces of jewelry—a sterling silver necklace for my niece, a gemstone necklace for my daughter, and a diamond bangle for my wife. Is there anywhere in Houston where I can find jewelry at many different price points without running all over town?

A: Houston is a big city, and sometimes it can be overwhelming to run simple errands without driving all over town. The Houston Galleria is a world-famous mall that caters to high-end budgets and tastes, but it still has something for everyone. You can get the widest variety of jewelry in Houston at the Galleria. You can buy exquisite diamond rings at Bulgari, duck into Zales for a simple pendant necklace, and then stop in Nordstrom for a birthday jewelry gift for everyone on your list. It’s truly one-stop shopping—Houston-style!

Q: I’ve noticed that the prices on many high-end engagement rings and loose diamonds are a little better online than they are in small stores, but I don’t feel entirely comfortable shopping online. Is there any way I can get Internet prices at a brick-and-mortar store?

A: Normally, physical stores find it hard to match the prices that online vendors can offer, because of the overhead costs of renting and running a store. That being said, it’ s important to note that many of the fears people have of buying a diamond online are unfounded. Looking at the image scans, photos, and certifying materials of a diamond is actually a better and more accurate way of judging its quality than looking at the diamond itself, especially if you are a relatively inexperienced diamond buyer. Luckily, though, you can have the best of both worlds if you want to buy diamonds and engagement rings in Houston. Several online retailers like Whiteflash.com have offices in Houston, so you can see your diamond in person, meet the people who will craft your engagement ring, and buy the engagement ring of your dreams — no FedEx required.

Q: I love the look of antique jewelry, and I love the eco-friendly choice of buying a pre-owned engagement ring. But all the jewelry in Houston seems brand new, and most jewelry stores in Houston don’t carry antique or vintage engagement rings. Is there anywhere in Houston I can buy an antique diamond ring?

A: Most jewelry stores in Houston do specialize in new and even custom engagement ring design, but if your heart is set on an antique, you can find that in Houston as well. Wright Pawn and Jewelry is one of those little-known, best-kept secrets of the Houston jewelry scene that might have just the ring you are looking for. Not an ordinary pawn shop, Wright Pawn and Jewelry carries only high-end jewelry and housewares, including many antique pieces. For an even more exclusive experience, visit Louis Tannenbaum Estate Jewelry in the Galleria. With one of the largest collections of estate jewelry in the city, Tannenbaum is a must-see shopping destination for someone looking for the perfect antique engagement ring, or the casual shopper.