Q:  Who is diamonds4memphis.com?

A: diamonds4memphis.com is a division of Mednikow Jewelers, a 129-year-old family owned and operated business in Memphis. diamonds4memphis.com is the local answer to diamonds on the internet. The Mednikow family uses its vast family connections and knowledge of sourcing the best diamonds at the right price in order to compete effectively in the world today. Our competitors say we are high priced. Actually, if you compare the quality and compare the price, you will quickly recognize that we have been immensely successful by selling a lot of diamonds at the right price and not by being high priced.

Q:  Why can't I actually checkout online?

A:  We're debating this very issue. As a true jeweler, born and raised in the diamond business, I know that no two diamonds are alike, and they are certainly not commodities. Even if most internet diamond sellers will want you to believe that all diamonds with the same grade are the same, a quick scan of pricing variations will show you that this just isn't the case. No photograph can capture the essence of a diamond. A video comes closer, but videos are taken in controlled environments, usually under magnification. I truly want you to see the diamond for yourself in person. Check back soon, though. I may change my mind. Until then, please call, email, or best of all, come in to our store to see our diamonds to make your purchase.

Q:  Is financing available? How do I apply?  

A: 0% financing for six months is available to qualified buyers, provided through Synchrony Financial.  The necessary application is in our store and approval is usually obtained in less than one hour. We could put the application online for you to fill out and submit before coming in, but we are told by Synchrony Financial that approval amounts they provide are vastly higher when done in person rather than online. This is a reflection of the possibilities of online fraud, and your physical presence in our store is a big plus in their decision-making process.

 Q: Who has graded the diamonds at diamond4memphis.com?

A:  The vast majority of diamonds are accompanied by GIA certificates. In a few cases, primarily for smaller sized diamonds, we have graded them ourselves. Both Bob and Jay Mednikow are experienced graders with Graduate Gemologist degrees from the GIA and are recognized as Certified Gemologists by the American Gem Society. Diamonds without certificates are accurately graded, and we will gladly submit any diamond to the GIA at no additional charge if the buyer doesn't mind waiting a couple of weeks. 

Q: Do you offer layaway? 

A: Given the small margins that the internet has forced upon the diamond business, only very short term layaways are possible. Currently, we can hold an item for 30 days with a 50% deposit, and the other 50% when picked up.

Q:  Are your diamonds ethically sourced and conflict-free?

A: Unequivocably yes. [Explanation to follow]

Q:  What are man-made diamond? Do you sell them?

A: Technology to produce diamonds in a laboratory has been available since the 1950s, but only in the past couple of years has the cost of that technology come down to the point that they are economic to produce. In other words, until recently, it was less expensive to mine diamonds from the earth than to make diamonds in a laboratory. Finally, the cost of the technology has come down, and lab-grown diamonds cost less than natural diamonds. We expect the price of lab-grown diamonds to continue to decline as technology advances. Some people prefer lab-grown diamonds because of their concerns about working conditions in natural diamond mines and ethical sourcing. This can be debated, and for now diamonds4memphis.com is sticking with natural diamonds. We will source and deliver a lab-grown diamond at the request of a customer, but we don't actively stock or sell them.