The Chicago Diamond and Jewelry Exchange

06/07/2008 Posted by wills001

Found Chicago Diamond and Jewelry Exchange "chidexx" on the Notre Dame Chicago club Alumni Business Network. I performed a Google search on chidexx and found interesting artlicles including one in Crain's Chicago Business. The place was fun and informal. I did extensive research on the internet looking for good educational sites. Once I felt comfortable with the diamond terms I visited a number of Wabash stores. I made chidexx my last stop. I spoke with Shari on the phone and explained what I was looking for. Shari explained that chidexx doesn't own diamond inventory. Shari felt she was better able to find diamonds meeting my needs if she maintained her independence. Shari was a great listener. We met at Bjeweled Designer Jewelry Collection on Walton Street. Shari was very warm and funny. She had a number of diamonds to review. I found a diamond I liked; however, I made it clear I was not prepared to make a decision that day. I left the store with no pressure to buy. I felt good about her willingness to let me walk. Her diamond skills were great. I bought the diamond a couple of days later. I paid 7% over dealer cost. I looked at the dealer invoice. Her design talent is the best. We saw examples of the work she exhibited in Switzerland. The design we developed with her was a one of a kind piece. She didn't just copy a picture in a magazine. While I was in her store couples stopped to have their rings cleaned. She services what she sells. While the rings were cleaned by the jeweler she had warm conversations with the couples. Her clients become friends. Highly recommend chidexx and Shari.

Pros: Unbeatable Pricing, Outstanding Design Experience, the place is fun

05/25/2008 Posted by wmiles27

I was looking for a diamond engagement ring and getting frustrated with the high prices and high pressure of the chain and local jewelers. I found the Chicago Diamond Exchange by accident while googling "Chicago Diamonds". I made a phone call and talked directly to Kevin on a Tuesday and he asked me some basic questions to find out exactly what diamond I was looking for. By Friday I was sitting with Shari looking at some different options and I picked the diamond I liked the best, so easy and the price was unbeatable. After picking out the diamond, my fiance worked hand in hand with Shari creating the perfect setting. Shari was an expert at letting her know what would look good and what wouldn't, which helped mold the vision my fiance had into the perfect engagement setting. Also, we live 2 1/2 hours away so we did most of the communication over the phone or email. Its nice to know that when you call either Kevin or Shari answers the phone and you can talk directly to who you need to be working with. We couldn't be happier with our experience and am recomending it to everyone we know.

Pros: Selection, Service, and most of all PRICE!!!

Cons: None

04/30/2008 Posted by tcoley911

CHIDEXX provided the best shopping experience to my fiancé’ and I when we were making one of the most significant jewelry purchases of our lives. They offered the best in price, expertise and service amongst all of the other jewelers we visited and consulted with along the way. Shari and Kevin are tremendous people and their genuine character was represented in their approach to their business and their clients. At every turn we were surprised but moreover impressed by their genuineness and extreme professionalism. Shari’s honesty and knowledge was truly amazing when it came to the details regarding stones, metals and the overall design and workability of each facet together. In an environment of snakes and vultures trying to sell less than sub par or mediocre diamonds as top quality at the most ridiculous of prices, it was refreshing and redeeming to come across CHIDEXX. Hands down we will purchase all of our major jewelry selections from CHIDEXX, because we have clearly witnessed and experienced the authenticity of what integrity and professionalism is and should be when it comes to such a significant and meaningful purchase. My engagement ring is absolutely beautiful and truly unique and I smile every time I look at it and it is almost a year later. We are in the process now of designing our wedding bands with Shari for our upcoming wedding in October 2008. CHIDEXX truly is a diamond to us, aces among aces. If you are in the market for beautiful, unique jewelry, wedding related or not, CHIDEXX should be your first and only stop. But in the event you try a few other jewelers first as we did, you will be blown away by the service, value and expertise provided by Shari and Kevin in comparison to what is offered elsewhere.

Pros: Expertise, Service and Value

Cons: None

04/14/2008 Posted by chicagoshopper1

I recently was in the market for a diamond engagement ring and contacted Kevin via the Chidexx website. He immediately put me in touch with Shari, who helped identify the stone I was looking for in my price range. She helped me pick out an absolutely gorgeous stone and setting that was exactly what I envisioned. My fiancee absolutely loved it. Kevin and Shari were very easy to deal with and made the whole experience a pleasure. I also believe I paid much less buying from them than I would have anywhere else. Absolutely recommended!

Pros: Price, Personal service

Cons: none

03/21/2008 Posted by urtelke

I met the owners of Chicago Diamond & Jewelry Exchange (CDJE) during a trip to Chicago, when I was shopping for a 25th anniversity present for my wife. Needless to say, we were looking for something special. However, since both my wife and I are CPAs, we were also looking for the best value. Not only did they deliver exceptional value, but the stones/jewelry were of truly outstanding quality. They also worked with my wife to customize the settings and design that she wanted. While we live 1500 miles away, we still consider CDJE our personal jewelers. Great personalized service, in a friendly, low-key manner, but very professional. I'm not sure why anyone would want to shop elsewhere!

Pros: Value, quality, friendly, personal service, timliness, customization,

Cons: Can't think of anything

02/12/2008 Posted by william004

Best service and value in the Midwest. I couldn't be happier with my purchase. Anyone in the market to buy a diamond should buy from the Chicago Diamond and Jewelry Exchange.

Pros: VALUE, SERVICE

Cons: NONE

12/13/2007 Posted by smileee

My boyfriend proposed marriage to me in May 2007 and presented me with a beautiful diamond - the ring setting itself was simple because he said it was "temporary". He wanted me to meet with Shari and she would design a setting that I would like. Seven months went by before I could arrange the time. I recently met with Shari and we modified one of her previous designs to personalize it for me. I was very impressed with her personal approach and her expertise. Yesterday I picked up the finished ring and it was ABSOLUTELY gorgeous. So beautiful that it brought tears to my eyes. Shari said the design would make the diamond stand out and that is exactly what it does. It's almost like the diamond is speaking , saying "look at me!" One of the best parts about this experience is that my engagement ring is exactly that , it's MY engagement ring! Not just one bought from a store and given to me. It's personal! And, to me, that is very important. I can't wait to return to design MY wedding ring!!! I realize this reveiw is more of the "right brain" style, it isn't always about karats-color-clarity-cut, etc.-personal service is also very important. Yet all those things matter when buying diamonds and beleive me my fiance had all those hard questions covered with his original meeting with Shari. Which is why his final decision, after doing alot of research, was The Chicago Diamond and Jewelry Exchange. Teresa Cash

Pros: Everything

12/09/2007 Posted by idmurphymj

Some nine months ago I was looking for a ring for my bride of 20 years. I had looked at every major online wholesaler, and had visited two of their "retail" partners. The diamonds that I choose online were seldom available. Those that were available may have been graded well - but looked less than desirable in person. I ran across The Chicago Diamond and Jewelry Exchange and had a completely different experience. Making an appointment with Shari, I viewed stones in the sizes and shapes I had requested. Shari showed me other cuts and which side stones worked best with each shape. She took the time to guide me to stones that had the best visual appeal. Stones selected, she crafted a custom setting that I never saw in a catalog, nor could I have ever visualized. Bottom line, I went there for price - but was overwhelmed by the expert advice in selecting the stones and designing the mounting (and matching band). Seldom does the lowest price overlap with such uncompromising and friendly service. I am a person that second guesses major buying decisions. I can not think of one part of the experience where I didn't think that I was getting a lot more than I was paying for. Just a week ago, a waiter at a restaurant commented about the beauty of my wife's ring set. It reminded me that a letter of thanks was long overdue to Shari. I hope this suffices. Best Regards, Mike Murphy

Pros: Expert advice administered in friendly, low-key envrons. Best value around

Cons: None

11/02/2007 Posted by danjenky

I found the Chicago Diamond and Jewelry Exchange "Chidexx" in a Crains Chicago Business article. I met with Shari at the Chidexx/Bjeweled Designer Jewelry Collection location at 64 East Walton. Shari provided excellent diamond perspective and education. Once we determined my diamond criteria needs Shari brought in six diamonds meeting my diamond criteria requirements for viewing. We viewed the diamonds in different lighting to determine which had the best performance. Shari showed great patience and her presentation was unbiased. There was no pressure to buy. I tested Chidexx against the street and building jewelers on Wabash. Nobody came close to matching the pricing and selection at Chidexx. The pricing was transparent. Chidexx charge a brokerage fee of 7% over dealer invoice. Shari showed me the dealer invoice to confirm the math. No other jewelry store visited would disclose the vendor invoice. Shari helped build an interesting engagement ring. She had thousands of models to review. She listened to our ideas. We built a one of a kind engagement ring. We reviewed the wax model prior to the manufacturing of the ring. We made a few modifications to the wax model prior to the execution. The workmanship was excellent. Chidexx services what they sell. The experience was very satisfying. Shari showed us some of her designs she had exhibited in Basel, Switzerland. Shari is the real deal. The Chicago Diamond and Jewelry Exchange "Chidexx" lived up to the Crains article.

Pros: Great diamond education, great pricing, outstanding design consultation, relaxed atmosphere

08/04/2007 Posted by ssandila

At Chicago Diamond Exchange they are wonderful. Once you walk in there and sit down they are concerned about finding you the best diamond for your buck without any pressure to buy one over another. Very willing to work with you when it comes to design and very knowledgeable about suggestions for designs. I purchased a beautiful engagement ring from them without any hassles or pressure to get a different one. I had went to many different places to check prices and the feel of the place and it was the only place where I could get both. I would highly recommend Chicago Diamond Exchange to any of my friends that were looking for any type of jewelry.