20th anniversary diamond band recs?

[elfgofer]

hey all!

this is my first post, so I'll do a little intro...

mom + dad's 20th anni coming up in september, dad asks me to research and find a ring for mummy...SECRETLY of course. dad wanted to buy from costco (!?!?!?!?) b/c of the return policy.... (ah, men...). I'm looking for specific high-end (tiffany and cartier are the only ones I've come up with so far) recs for a wedding band. the only reason I'm wanting to go the so-called Tiffany route is because both mom and dad LOST their rings (each had only one ring that served as both e-ring and wedding band) shortly after marriage (WTH?!?!? how did my parents lose their DIAMOND rings?!!?!) so I think this is the chance for my mom to have a really high-class ring....

i'm looking for:

diamonds (duh)
platinum
thin-ish (not too wide, I think 3mm tops b/c mother has tiiiiinnny fingers)
nothing sticking out (like channel set, pave, etc.)
classic style (mom is very traditional, none of that "contemporary" stuff--that's for me!

)
budget is $2500 and under, but I convinced dad to do UP TO $3000 (under $2500 is preferrable, but if it's a showstopper then $3k is fine too...)

I like tiffany's novo band ring, but after reading all that stuff about getting a better ring for a fraction of the "name-brand"...i might be reconsidering

btw, can I post links to the tiffany's site? or is this against the rules? (so sorry, I'm a total noob....both on the forum and buying diamonds)

eeeek!!! what a long post....thanks for reading all the way through

ETA: actually, I forgot to mention that ANY recommendations are welcome! though i THINK i know what I want, I am not my mother and I have seen so many creative people (and rings!) here that I am up for anything....thank you again!

 

[Kaleigh]

What a fun project. Check out www.thefacetscollection.com I have bought from them several times..

Also check out www.whiteflash.com Have bought from them too..

When you say you don''t want anything that sticks out... are you talking about shared prong settings??

 

[Gypsy]

I adore (I mean ADORE) the Tiffany Jazz Graduated band, it's one of my favorites. It's 2800, but so lovely. I think it's a flash site so if I link you it won't work... so here's a link to a pic of it. http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing?id=93813 It's very delicate and lovely in real life. I tried it on a couple of weeks ago and really, just beautiful. ANd perfect for an anniversary. If her fingers are tiny, you might really love this one.


I also really love a bargain so I would look at Pearlmans, who mostly carries high end designer brands and see if you find anything here... their prices are negotiable for some of the pieces so if you find something in the right size that strikes your fancy, pick up the phone and give them a call: http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-specials/closeout-jewelry/

Here is one:

http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-specials/closeout-jewelry/rings/07M1/32/ Almost bought this one for myself, honestly. Platinum and diamonds and high end designer. All for half your budget-- and it might be sizable. You could get her something to go with it with the left over! http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-specials/closeout-jewelry/earrings/07M2/8/ Matching earrings maybe? Or these, which also match... http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-specials/closeout-jewelry/earrings/14M2/16/

You might even be able to get the band and the matching necklace here: http://www.pearlmansjewelers.com/jewelry-specials/closeout-jewelry/necklaces/10M3/24/ for under 3K... if they'll work with you on the pricing.

 

[elfgofer]

@ Gypsy

Wow! Thanks for all that info. The Tiffany Jazz does looks great, I just went over to Tiffany's the other day and I can't believe I didn't see that one! Guess I'll have to go back....

Actually, I loved going to Tiffany's...I got to try on all these sparkly rings!!! (Too bad they're not for me....)

 

[elfgofer]

Date: 7/28/2009 1:18:07 AM
Author: Kaleigh
When you say you don''t want anything that sticks out... are you talking about shared prong settings??

@ Kaleigh

By "sticking out" I mean anything where the diamond is not flush with the band....sorry, I''m REALLY new and I know there''s a term for this, but I can''t find it (I''ve been trawling through the forums to find the term....)

For example, most e-rings have a band, then a diamond "sticking out" (a notable exception would be the tiffany lucida, where, even though the diamond sticks out, it''s almst flush with the setting...kwim? I know that was so unclear)

in constrast, channel settings have the diamonds set "in" the band, so there''s nothing "sticking out"....I did look at the tiffany''s shared setting band, and I consider that okay too, the diamonds are small enough and pretty much in-line with the band, so for me that would be NOT sticking out

aha! that''s it! sticking out means that the diamond is not "in line" with the band....from a profile view you WOULD be able to see the diamond (as opposed to channel settings, where the diamonds are not visible from the profile view)

 

[elfgofer]

I don''t mean to thread-jack, but I thought I''d keep all my questions to one thread...

this has probably been asked before, but I couldn''t find anything, so if it has, could you post the link?

COLOR or CLARITY?

For example, two bands w/same carat weight, one has D-E color with VS1-2, while the other is F-G color with VVS1-2. Both are relatively colorless and clean, but which would you personally pick, and why?

 

[Gypsy]

Whichever was cheaper. Between the two choices you gave (as long as the grading is reliable... not from a mall store or kays or anything like that) it would make no difference to me.


If you like the Jazz you should go check it out. Blue box, 20th anniversary, and a gorgeous bezelled band.

 

[elfgofer]

Date: 7/28/2009 5:06:59 PM
Author: Gypsy
Whichever was cheaper. Between the two choices you gave (as long as the grading is reliable... not from a mall store or kays or anything like that) it would make no difference to me.


If you like the Jazz you should go check it out. Blue box, 20th anniversary, and a gorgeous bezelled band.

Thanks, Gypsy!

Yeah, I like the Jazz too, but now that I think about it, my mom would prefer something more "old-fashioned"....

I totally agree with the "blue box=20th anniversary" statement though!

 

[Gypsy]

Not necessarily. Why don''t you show her some pics... explain to her that there is an internet site about diamonds and you saw some things you liked... making a bonding time where you look at pretty things together. One of those pretty things can be that band. Or another band. So you can tell what she likes best.

When my uncle got married I sent his bride to be a couple of links to some champagne flutes I told her I was considering buying as a special present for myself and my now husband, told her I was torn and wanted her opinion. She told me which she preferred. I bought them those. The look on her face when she openned the box was priceless.

 

[Venice]

Platinum is the metal for a 20th anniversary! Good Luck with your shopping!

 

[elfgofer]

Date: 7/28/2009 8:05:24 PM
Author: Gypsy
One of those pretty things can be that band. Or another band. So you can tell what she likes best.

Hahaha!!!

Nice job, Gypsy! I liked the uncle story too...too bad I''m not getting married or else I''d do the same and tell my mom....but I think we may "accidentally" drop by a jewelry shop, as you suggested....will keep you posted on that!

 

[elfgofer]

Date: 7/28/2009 8:10:13 PM
Author: Venice
Platinum is the metal for a 20th anniversary! Good Luck with your shopping!

Yeah! I totally agree! I wanted a white metal, so I was going to do white gold, but then I just realized that platinum is so much better--the coating won''t wear off, and I figured if we were going to do it, we might as well go the whole way!

 

[elfgofer]

Not quite diamond-related, but....

I decided that I''m going to get a custom gift box designed on etsy to present the ring in. You know, like a heavy-duty-paper box (Tiffany-style).

If I go with Tiffany, I''ll use their box, but right now...seeing as I read somewhere that the Tiff. markup is 35%, and how I can get better diamonds if I''m willing to forego the designer name......