Tiffany and Tiffany-esque

Date: 1/22/2008 10:03:37 PM
Author:Propter Hoc
Pricescopes,

You and yours have already been invaluable in my quest for the perfect (for us) stone. I've added one member's suggestion to my list of top contenders and have now narrowed the list down to three. As all the stones I am still considering are very similar (and my retinas are feeling the 'kiss' of brilliance and ideal scope images) I've set that mission aside for a moment and have turned my eyes to the setting. Despite a lot of chatter to the contrary, I haven't found anything that matches the one image of a classic Tiffany Solitaire I could find at Tiffany.com. That image is referenced below. Recognizing that this could just be the product of a six-figure salaried photographer, I'm looking for as much of the following info as I can glean from you fine folks (the thought of having to call Portland Tiffany and ask these questions makes me cringe):

-Is every Tiffany setting sold with the stone 'it was designed for' or will they set a stone I'll soon purchase elsewhere?

-Many have suggested that near-perfect Tiffany 'style' rings are out there. Can you match the one pictured? Particularly, I am having trouble matching the prongs and 'low-profile' of the setting in knock-offs.

-Tiffany rings 'start from' about 1k per their website. Anyone know where I could come by a better estimate for this classic solitaire style assuming I am providing the 1ct? I'm sure the 'end from' 50k =)

Thanks in advance for everything y'all do. Hundreds of happy fiances and wives owe their 'sparkle' to your expertise. I very nearly got suckered bad by a mall/chain store 'step right up' carnie salesman.

James

Date: 1/23/2008 5:14:41 PM
Author: Propter Hoc
Gah! I just about had this settled (SuperbCert) and now Mark Morrell's work has caught my eye. I've reviewed his site and found the turnaround time to be the biggest concern to me at the moment. I've put this off for too long, I'm not sure 6-8 weeks more is in the cards for us - we would like to be married this summer. I do love what I've seen of Mark Morrell, but for now I think SuperbCert may be the ticket due to the likeness to the genuine Tiffany, the Price Point (about half the cost of the Morrell Petite Sunburst), and deadline. I just wish I had the kind of disposable income it would take to bribe Morrell to get a ring out to be next week or so. At this point I may be going with a 'place holder' ring while the SuperbCert is finished anyway. Is that a terrible thing to do to a girl? Give her a ring and then take it back?

James

Date: 1/23/2008 6:19:48 PM
Author: honey22
Wow, you have done your research. Can you please tell me if any of these designs allow a wedding band to sit flush (approx 2mm band)


Thanks

Date: 1/24/2008 2:27:28 PM
Author: Propter Hoc
I've made a final decision to select a temporary ring to meet our engagement time constraints and investigate the SuperbCert/MM rings more before making a final selection. A no-exceptions criteria is that the ring must be completed before our wedding this summer, however I feel like both offer that potential.

With regard to requesting the prongs to be smaller on the top of the diamond, does that mean 'shorter' in that they wouldn't protrude as far above the diamond or smaller in that they would not cover as much of the crown of the diamond?

So far I like everything I have seen from Morrell and tend to trust his professional judgment. I won't deny that it appears to be a superior product to the SuperbCert. I hope that is not simply a product of a superior photographer. I wonder why SuperbCert accepts such mediocre photos to represent their product.

Either way, the 'temporary' takes the time crunch off. I would ideally like to be engaged the weekend following this weekend. I feel my plan is the only way to accomplish this and have an engagement ring we are completely satisfied with in the end. I let you know how she takes it.

James