Gold City Jewelers — Local services in Rockville

We were initially drawn to Gold City by glowing online reviews that highlighted their competitive prices and excellent service, and we were hoping for a personalized experience for both shopping and jewelry maintenance. Unfortunately, our visit was nothing like what we anticipated. Based on our experience, we strongly advise against purchasing an engagement ring from this store. After our disappointing visit, we ended up at Diamond Direct in Rockville, and we were thrilled with our decision. Here's a detailed account of what transpired:

Our first interaction was with Vik, who was patient and took the time to show us various ring settings. He also assisted us in comparing different options using sample Zirconium diamonds. We requested diamonds of different sizes for comparison, and we were told that we'd need to express serious intent to proceed before they could arrange for us to view the lab diamonds.

When we returned, we met Sab. Upon asking for diamond prices, Sab checked his phone and quoted a price that was significantly higher than what we had seen elsewhere. When we inquired about bringing in a diamond from another store, he suddenly reduced the price by $1,500, claiming he had made a mistake reading the price. He subsequently added that quoting the higher price initially was to “make us happier” with his eventual plan to offer additional discounts later. This dishonesty was deeply concerning, and we decided not to engage further with Sab.

Instead, we chose to continue working with Vik. We called the store to confirm our intention to move forward with our purchase and scheduled an appointment with Vik to view diamonds. The appointment was confirmed, but when we arrived, Vik barely stayed for two minutes, citing another meeting, and quickly sent Sab to assist us. When we asked about the diamonds, Sab once again showed us Zirconium stones and informed us that we would not be able to view the lab diamonds unless we made a deposit to show our commitment. Once again, our time was wasted, and we were left feeling misled and frustrated by unfulfilled promises and unprofessional behavior. At this point, we decided to look elsewhere, which ultimately led us to a much better experience at a different store.

Several key issues stood out during our visit:

Lack of Service: While complimentary drinks are a nice touch, we didn’t expect them, but we did expect basic comfort during our visit. There were no chairs provided while we selected a ring, and we were left standing throughout the process. Furthermore, no education was offered on diamond grading, nor were we given the opportunity to compare different grades to understand what we were paying for. The store demonstrated a complete lack of regard for our time, failing to keep appointments and coming unprepared for the promised discussions. It was clear that their priority was maximizing profit rather than delivering a customer-focused experience.

Inflated Prices: While we understand that high-quality service comes with a price, we found that Gold City’s prices were inflated. The ring setting itself was reasonably priced, but their lab diamonds were marked up at least 2-3 times the fair market value. We later visited a reputable jeweler nearby and found much more reasonable prices on lab diamonds. It became evident that Gold City follows the strategy of quoting inflated prices with the expectation of "coming down" to make customers feel like they’re getting a deal. We urge you not to fall for this tactic.

Non-existent Maintenance: Sab told us that no maintenance services were offered, but when we spoke with Vik, he mentioned that it would depend on the situation. Ultimately, he promised a one-year repair for the side diamonds. In contrast, Diamond Direct offers lifetime repair, maintenance, and resizing services.

Perhaps Gold City could provide better services for gold or other jewelry, but after what we have experienced, we will not be returning. Save yourself the frustration and wasted...

I recently went into this store, for the 1st time, because they are close to my office, to have a pair of diamond earrings evaluated. My inquiry required the attention of the owner/" diamond expert", who was evidently more concerned with a couple in the store shopping for earrings, with another sales associate, than to see if he could help me. Once my earring got his attention, for less than 2 minutes I might add, he never addressed me directly, other than to ask if I had papers for the earrings and commenced to deliberate with the associate, who greeted me, in their native language. (I might add, I noticed that the couple who he was eager to get back to also spoke this language.) Again, never addressing me to even give me his thoughts. The associate, who was relatively nice and attentive, commenced to plug in numbers into a calculator, never telling me what was just said, and came back with a laughable figure. To top it off, I could not get a definitive explanation as to what constituted the figure. I knew going in that the earrings were not VVS or even VS, but I was looking for an expert opinion on if what I paid for them was fair. I could not get that here. This establishment is not customer service oriented once they determine that the amount of money you may, or may not, spend with them is not enough to be worth their time. I was not able to get the assistance I was seeking until I went to Jewelry Exchange of Maryland in Gaithersburg, where I will be taking all...

I've made about a handful of purchases from Gold City over the last few years. Jewelry is something I truly love and spend a lot of time looking at on social media. I really enjoy seeing what's trendy and what the celebs are wearing - this goes for Indian/Bollywood stars and Western ones. I've lived in Dubai and visit India and Tel Aviv often. I've also lived in the bay area where there is a big population of desis. Previous to finding this store, I generally purchased my jewelry from well know designers or larger stores known for their selection.

With that being said, I am more than impressed with what this hidden gem (no pun intended!) in the DC area has to offer. I was looking to purchase a delicate necklace with a small diamond on it from a Turkish jeweler that I saw on a friend. I was told that the owner, Anita, really has an eye for this style of jewelry so I went in and showed her. She designed a necklace (and bracelet!) similar to the one I loved at a fraction of the cost. I also decided on a gorgeous peridot ring and brought in many pieces for repair. A facet (pun intended) of their business that I truly appreciate is their honest pricing. They work hard to give you the best deal and work within your budget. It's evident they want their customers to leave happy. Now that I'm back in the area, I'll always consult with Gold City before making any jewelry purchases. This family owned business is just what...