Protea Diamonds

Anthony, at Protea, knows his stuff. I worked with Anthony to design the perfect engagement ring for my now fiancé and she loved it. I highly recommend Protea especially if you are looking to do something unique. Anthony is great to work with and I’ll be going to him for any other future jewelry needs.

Worked with Chloé to buy my wedding band, couldn’t be happier.
I competitively priced the band with other stores in the DC Metro area and was able to get a quote over the phone, it was several hundred dollars less than the competition. Many of the stores refused to give me a quote over the phone.
Overall, great experience and highly recommend their services and products. Having a solid 5-​star rating says it all.

I had my grandma’s diamond earrings reset here. Fast service and very personable! Love what the new setting looks like.

I remember writing a post several months ago but it doesn’t appear, I visited Protea several months ago and Anthony was very knowledgable in getting insurance appraisals for jewelry I inherited from a European relative. He gave me an estimate of the cost of appraisal of six items, mostly diamonds, and showed me the written appraisals before proceeding, he was most pleasant and articulate in explaining the diamond quality, size, clarity, etc. I felt he was very trustworthy and I was able to stay while he wrote up the specs for the diamonds and their settings, some in hand crafted settings. all the paperwork was ready in a week or so where I submitted it to the insurance company and safe deposit box. I will consult with him if further design is needed of the inherited stones, He was very pleasant and competent in his appraisals, I lived in the neighborhood for many years and didn’t know of its existence.

I highly recommend Protea Diamonds… We bought our engagement ring and wedding bands from Anthony at Protea, and are very happy. Anthony is not only knowledgeable, he is also quite patient, and takes the time to educate you on the ins and out of diamond buying, and really helps you find the right ring that will be special for a lifetime. Thank you, Anthony.

Prior to meeting with Anthony I did quite a lot of research on the 3 C’s and I thought I was knowledgeable enough to come in and make a decision in one sitting. Not the case. Anthony unravelled the incredible journey that is searching for the perfect engagement ring that fit my fiancé’s personality. Not to mention he was very considerate of my price range and never made my selection seem unimpressive. My future wife loves the ring and I am forever grateful to Anthony and his patience. I cannot wait to see how the weddings band selection will add to this overall excellent experience. He is honest, patient, personable and an expert in his field.

My fiancé got my engagement ring at Protea and it is absolutely gorgeous. There was no question that we would go back to get our bands here as well. Anthony is a pleasure to work with, very knowledgeable, reasonably priced and does not take advantage of his customers. Highly recommend!

I had a great experience last year working with Chloe.
I was looking for a pair of diamond stud earrings. My first stop was a place I have bought several jewelry pieces from in the past, but a frustrating shopping experience led me to look for an alternative jewelry store.
I spoke over the phone with Chloe and told her what I was looking for. She suggested I come in for an appointment to take a look at what they had in stock. Initially, I was focused on specific color/​clarity grades I wanted. Chloe showed me what they had in stock matching my requested specifications, but she also educated me on the importance of the cut– showing me examples of how some earrings with lower color/​clarity grades actually looked more brilliant than higher color/​clarity grades, simply because the cut was better.
After the initial consultation and some back and forth over email, we narrowed down the specs and size I was interested in– plus the fact that I wanted the earrings to be GIA certified. Chloe did not have anything in stock matching those exact specs, so she did some research and quoted me on some matching pairs of diamonds that could be ordered in for me to look at. We settled on a pair that most closely matched my specs, and I went back to Protea to look at them. They were absolutely gorgeous, sparkly, just the right size (two thirds of a carat each), and both GIA certified with excellent cut grades. I was also able to choose the earring settings and earring backs that I wanted.
I really like the fact that I was able to select every detail of these earrings, and that they were truly made for me. Even better, there was no additional cost for having them made-​to-​order. The prices at Protea were very fair for such nice quality, and I value having been able to see and compare the different diamonds in person.
The earrings are beautiful and I get compliments on them all the time. Chloe was very friendly and knowledgeable, and even followed up via email a few weeks after the purchase to make sure I was happy with the earrings.
I really recommend getting in touch with Chloe if you are looking for a knowledgeable jeweler and a more personalized experience.

When I decided to start shopping for an engagement ring, I began researching what exactly such an undertaking would entail. After weeks of research and searching, online, in shops around Washington, and even in New York, I decided to stop by Protea and speak with Anthony. He had great reviews on Unilocal,and everyone who has worked with him has recommended him enthusiastically.
I was not disappointed.
Anthony is a great guy, on top of being an expert in his field. He broke down what exactly to look for when buying a diamond and showed me countless diamonds as examples. I knew after my first meeting with Anthony, Protea was where I was going to get the ring. I wanted something different, and Anthony worked with me to design the perfect setting.
There was absolutely no pressure to buy, as Anthony will leave it completely up to you to make the right decision. He even worked with the jeweler to complete the ring as soon as possible, as the proposal timeline had shifted due to my work schedule.
My fiancé was thrilled with her ring, and we will definitely be back for our wedding bands!

My husband wrote this but Unilocal filtered it so I’m reposting it.
The five star rating you see here is very much deserved. Both Anthony and Chloe did a great job from start to finish:
1. Appointments: Not only are they easy to make with Chloe, but Anthony is also both patient and flexible. When I was running late for an end-​of-​the-​day appointment due to DC traffic, Anthony never made me feel rushed to finish. In fact, we were together past closing time!
2. Education: Anthony’s experience and willingness to teach me about diamonds was a real bonus. He explained not just what to look for, but also why certain diamonds are priced as they are. In the end, Anthony really made me feel like I was making an informed decision and getting the best value for my money by pointing out both the pros and cons of each diamond we looked at. In addition, he explained the different metals used for the bands and answered all of my questions related to those too.
3. Salesmanship: You’re never pressured to buy anything. In fact, I didn’t make a purchase until my second visit; the first visit was purely educational. When I sat down with Anthony, the first question wasn’t regarding my price range, but rather, describing what sort of ring I was looking for.
4. Purchasing: Anthony and Chloe were always accurate and upfront with the price and timelines for getting the rings. Chloe was always happy to provide an update when I called to check on the status and she was quick to inform me when the rings arrived. They also include an appraisal (complete with a photo) when you come to pick up your purchase. Not only does the appraisal tell you everything you’d want to know about what you bought, but it also makes insuring it that much easier.
Also of note — If you’re not 100% sure what ring you would like or you don’t know the right ring size for your bride-​to-​be, Protea offers a temporary engagement band. Anthony will place the diamond you select in a simple setting for the proposal. You and your fiancé can then go to Protea together and select the permanent band (the cost of the temporary band will be credited back to you). I chose this option and I was really happy with the result. With Anthony’s help, I narrowed down the rings to 4 or 5 options I thought she would like and let her make the final decision. The collaborative experience was great and I have to admit that I was really excited when she picked my personal favorite.
My fiancé and I are thrilled with Protea Diamonds. Her engagement ring has been complimented many times and we’re often asked where we got it. Obviously, I’ve been more than happy to tell them about Protea (we’ll be going back for some diamond stud earrings before I know it!). Even now, after having it for several months, my fiancé and I still love looking at the engagement ring just as much as we did when we got it. It’s perfect for us and Anthony and Chloe helped make that possible. For an investment that will last a lifetime, that’s a great feeling to have.

Great experience. Anthony isn’t pushy at all and really explains everything. Highly recommend.

We love the personal service and Anthony’s attention detail. I brought my mom to meet with Anthony to have her 50 year old engagement ring reset. He offered very practical suggestions and took the time to show her what to look for in her setting options. It was returned in a week and it exceeded our expectations! I am quick to refer anyone I can to him!

I bought my engagement right at Protea 11 years ago. Anthony talked me patiently through the entire process, explaining all the traits and characteristics of the diamond and the ring. Anthony is well-​informed, honest, and transparent about his business and I felt extremely comfortable working with him. I had shopped around for rings and felt like Protea gave me the fairest deal. My wife was extremely happy with the ring and hence, over the last 11 years, I’ve gone back to Anthony for numerous birthday and Valentines gifts (rings, pendants, etc).
Just recently, we celebrated 10 years and I went back to Anthony for an engagement ring upgrade. Again, he was trustworthy and honest thoughout the whole process and after shopping around, again, there was no better option.
Anthony is a small, locally owned business and he works on word of mouth. He’s truly a joy to work with — and I can’t think of a better place to buy something as important as an engagement ring!

Great experience at Protea Diamonds; Anthony is a pleasure to deal with.
My husband and I didn’t want a big hassle when it came to picking out rings. I found Protea through Unilocal because I was looking for something different than the mall experience. Anthony and his business are the exact opposite — it’s very personalized, and no clerks trying to «make the sale.» He clearly knows his gemstones and jewelry well. He asked what our tastes were and what we were looking for, and he brought out a number of rings that fit our descriptions. I had a pretty specific idea of what I wanted to match my engagement ring, and he brought out several different selections until I found the right ring. No pressure to buy a certain type of ring, or the most expensive offering, and a quiet, low-​key environment.

I had a very good experience with Anthony at Protea Diamonds.
I found shopping for an engagement ring at the larger, big name establishments in the area to be stressful, to put it mildly. They made me feel I felt like I was a bozo after hearing my budget. They would shield important information like the certification of the diamond from me and just never really paid much attention to or listened very carefully to my needs.
Fed up, I sought out a smaller, independent place and came across Protea Diamonds (thanks Unilocal!).
In contrast to the chain stores I visited, Anthony gave my fiancée and I personalized attention, listened to what she wanted, and measured out and customized the ring to her exact specifications. Despite being a custom job, the ring was ready in less than 4 weeks. The quality, costs and communication were all completely transparent and I felt comfortable with every step of the process.
I recommend Protea Diamonds without reservation.

I was incredibly anxious about the engagement ring purchasing process, especially because I wanted to surprise my girlfriend and didn’t have all of her preferences deciphered by the time I first visited Protea. Anthony came to me highly recommended by multiple friends, so he was my first (and only) stop. I was very pleased with his expertise and service and my fiancéé is thrilled with the final product.
First things first: Anthony is a diamond expert. With a lifetime in the industry, and history in diamond cutting, he knows what he is doing and he places an emphasis on buying beautiful quality gems and helping his customers understand how to choose the right one (or ones) for their budget. He listened to me and gave me options that were exactly what I wanted without playing the «show-​her-​you-​love-​her» card. He used a friendly, low-​pressure approach and he was very clear about the pricing process and the characteristics that yielded the best bargains. In the end, he helped me pick a stunning diamond for my fiancéé and it was very clear that he actually cared about the proposal.
This is a small, low-​frills, boutique operation. You get great service and a great product at a great price. I wouldn’t go anywhere else. Make an appointment – you won’t be disappointed.

Engagement ring shopping. Yowsers.
When you are offered a mimosa during your lunch hour by a – yes – quite attractive Eastern European woman dressed to tease, RUN! RUN! (or prepare to be had.)
Anthony doesn’t pull tricks. He is a friendly, knowledgeable, non-​swindling jeweler. What convinced me to go with him was not that I was sure he had the best stones or the best prices (though I liked both), I just TRUSTED him more than all the others.
Instead of trying to sell me on the ‘rings are a lifetime investment’ nonsense, his view was quite clear: «Rings are not an investment. They are rings… And if she doesn’t like what you’ve got for her (though she will), then, my friend, you have bigger problems than the ring.»
Truth you speak, Anthony.
My fiancée LOVED the diamond (we got a temporary setting, a great option, ask about that if you’re TERRIFIED of picking out the band like I was).
Let’s be honest gents, 99% of us have no idea what the heck cut, clarity, carrot and all that nonsense really mean. Though we may read feverishly for a month or so and fashion ourselves an expert (as I did), you really don’t know. Find someone you trust to help you.
Anthony – in my experience – I could trust. That’s it. And if she doesn’t like what you got her (when you likely paid thousands for a rock), then… run.

Anthony was great to work with and a very knowledgable guy. He made the whole process as painless as possible with zero pressure. I was able to find a stone that was great quality, very brilliant, and fit within my budget. My fiancé was very happy with her ring. She gets compliments on it all day long.
I continue to recommend Protea to all my friends and will be going back for my wedding bands.

«They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.» — Carl W. Buechner
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I was looking for a place to buy an engagement ring nearby in the Arlington area on Unilocal and I found Protea Diamonds. I was skeptical about a place that had all 5 star reviews and decided to do a walk-​in one weekday.
*Please note that Anthony, the owner, works on an appointment only basis and I do not recommend barging in without one.*
He was quite generous as I stood at the door and sheepishly looked in to see if I could meet with him. He could have just as easily refused. Not knowing I needed an appointment left me a little embarrassed but his attitude towards me was entirely welcoming.
Having visited a few other big name diamond stores Anthony will come as a welcomed change of pace. No being bombarded at the door by over perfumed stepford wives or shown the specials of the month. The incentive here is to have a great diamond buying experience and that’s exactly what you’re have. After the engagement ring went over brilliantly I also came back to buy one of two wedding bands.
Anthony’s service was personalized, prompt and business professional. He was timely and realistic about turnaround times and price quotes. Pricing was fair and communicated clearly. While I chose a ring that he had already in stock he let me know I could show him a style and he would do his best to make it happen. I came to the appointment with a few pictures of rings that my fiancée liked and Anthony narrowed my search down immediately.
Every diamond is GIA certified and Anthony will let you know exactly what that means with a full diamond education. It doesn’t feel like you’re being sold an expensive piece of jewelery. Anthony went out of his way once again when I went to pay for my ring and my debit card was declined.
Go to Anthony first and everyone else will feel like a disappointment.

Unfortunately for my now fiancé, I am one of those gals that has been dreaming about her wedding for years and have had her ring picked out for the longest time. No, I didn’t want something similar just with a different basket. I wanted that EXACT STYLE. Even more unfortunate for him, I have a very keen eye and notice the smallest of flaws on everything. So you can imagine how stressful and grueling the ring shopping process was for him.
After visiting the big name jewelers in the area (Wash. Diamond, Charleston Alexander, Mervis, etc.), I wasn’t impressed with the workmanship and center stone choice at these locations. Everything looked the same at each shop, and the rings looked cheap. Plus, it felt like the salespeople at each of those places had no interest in helping us find (and make) the perfect ring and it was more about the sale than then a quality product. I happened to stumble upon Protea Diamonds on Google Maps, and boy am I glad I found them.
The moment I sat down with Anthony, I described to him the exact ring I’m looking for. Round brilliant, square channel setting, tapered up to the center stone. It just so happened he had a similar style for me to try on. Anthony really took the time to make sure I was comfortable with the setting and that every concern I had over the look was taken care of. He was flexible and was willing to make the small adjustments to the ring to make it «just right.» He also took the time to describe to us how to pick the best center stone, showing us the difference between the different color, clarities, etc. Since he was in the diamond industry for so long, I trusted his opinion and his honesty about what looks, and would be structurally, the best for my ring. It didn’t feel like he was pushing us into a sale, and it seemed as he was genuinely interested in getting us the best ring for our budget.
I could not have asked for a better jeweler, who really paid attention to every detail and wanted to make sure the ring was exactly what I wanted. I highly recommend Protea and will be definitely returning in a few months for my wedding band.