NYC's Best Stores For Engagement Rings, Wedding Bands

The ring department at this beloved store in Park Slope—still family run after 40 years—features work by more than 200 designers and artists from throughout the United States, in a range of styles and materials. The sales staff is attentive and thoughtful, without being pushy or aggressive. On a personal note: I'm still as in love with the wedding band I bought here almost a decade ago, with the guy I'm married to.

Located in New York City's Diamond District, Ultimate Jewelry Designs was established in 1959. The custom jewelers are recognized as a small store that is also family-run. According to their official website, they specialize in not only helping their customers find particular diamond styles, but also in educating them about the purchases that they are making.

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Founded in 2000 by two sisters with a passion for antique jewelry and all things sparkly, Doyle & Doyle offers both estate and original pieces, designed to be collected, cherished, and most importantly, worn. Their huge selection of vintage rings means you just might be able to find something old, something new, and something blue in one swoop. Beautiful jewelry should be a part of one's life, the store's philosophy says, rather than tucked away for special occasions.

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Rings in In God We Trust's "Let's get serious" collection run the gamut from classic, simple, polished bands to more elaborate settings, featuring precious stones and intricate design work. The vibe of this store (with locations in Greenpoint, Williamsburg, and Soho) is decidedly creative -- and perhaps a little cheaper -- than some of the other spots on this list. Note that much of what you see, from jewelry to textiles to clothes, is designed by the store's owner and manufactured in the United States.

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If diamonds are a girl's best friend, then the Diamond District is a girl's must-visit neighborhood. And Jangmi is our favorite store in that area to shop for jewelry. The sales staff will patiently explain every aspect of the four Cs (cut, clarity, color, and carat weight) of the engagement rings and wedding bands on offer. Here's where to go for conversation stoppers, for sure.

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Ben Moses, owner and operator of the store, has been personally hand-designing crafted jewelry for well-over 60 years. His craftsmanship style specializes in antique ones and fine hand-engraving, especially pertaining to engagement rings and wedding bands. The jewelry store will create any design to the customers' specifications and offers a large variety of styles. In conjunction with such, Ben Moses Jewelry Designer is recognized as offering premiere customer service, with both Ben and his son Ray giving customers personal, one-on-one attention.

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Before we get to the bling, let's have a quick chat about ethics: those behind Ken & Dana Design are unassailable, with an emphasis on being environmentally-friendly and socially responsible, as well as carefully handcrafted in NYC. You don't have to worry about conflict diamonds or labor issues here. Instead, you can concentrate on picking out the loveliest ring you can find. Plan on spending an afternoon here—there are just that many to choices to sift through and evaluate.

Facets, an intimate handcrafted jewelry boutique, now operates several stores within the Brooklyn area. Along with wanting to provide customers with unique jewelry, Facets strives to continue maintaining its reputation of providing outstanding customer service and quality craftsmanship. The store specializes in custom handcrafted jewelry, along with engagement and wedding rings. In conjunction, Facets also offers its clientele jewelry restoration services and custom orders that are created with the latest CAD technology.