birks or tiffany''s?

[kenny]

Date: 5/14/2010 1:22:52 AM
Author: rockylove
hmmm so i guess generally, Birks and T&Co are on par? So T&Co isn''t better than Birks?

Learn about diamond cut.
That''s what matters.

 

[cutes814]

a lot of people consider T&Co when they are in the engagement process. or a lot of my friends do. that is because they don''t know they can get a much better quality diamond and save about 50% of their money if they go non-brand.

do check out some of the vendors on here and you''ll see you can get a much better diamond for less money and i mean A LOT less money. plus with a wedding coming after the engagement, wouldn''t you want to have some extra cash?

BUT if you absolutely need that name brand, i would say go with T&Co.

 

[chemgirl]

I was never impressed with the quality at Birks. Nothing stands out to me and the prices are insane. You could probably go Cartier for the price of a Birks ring. That said, is your girlfriend concerned with quality, or what other people think of the brand name?

In my experience, Tiffany platinum seems to hold up better than many other types (perhaps the alloy used?). I''m sure there are other designers and custom jewelers that use similar platinum, you''d just have to look in to it.

My other point is, if she is concerned about what people think of the brand, how will they actually know what the brand is? Rings are so small and fine details that identify the brand don''t really stand out during day to day wear. People who are not familiar with the designer will never know. I have a few Tiffany and Cartier pieces and the only people who know that they are of a specific brand are my fiance and my sister. I''ve only once had someone ask me if my ring is Cartier, and they only knew because they had considered the same ring.

If she is going for a designer brand because she personally wants to, then I would suggest looking at Cartier, H W, Graff (not sure about size/shapes available there), Van Cleef and Arpels. Tiffany is becoming rather mainstream due to their silver line (not knocking it, I love the funky necklaces). I also noticed strange marks on some of the legacy rings and unmatched pearls in the odd pearl strand last time i was in a Tiffany''s. Some of their other peices were spectacular and very detailed. You''d definitely have to check out the ring under different lights to make sure there are no issues.

 

[iota15]

Date: 5/14/2010 1:22:52 AM
Author: rockylove
hmmm so i guess generally, Birks and T&Co are on par? So T&Co isn''t better than Birks?

I think, at least in my part of Canada, they''re both about the same... that is to say, they''re okay - "better than" going to the mall or a fine, local jewelry store but I''m not exactly wow''d by either.

 

[CharmyPoo]

I definetly won''t say Birks and Tiffany''s are on par. I see Birks as a level below Tiffany''s. I hav enot been impressed by the quality of Birks - you can actually get something bad there. Whereas Tiffany''s, you almost always get something decent - maybe more than what it is worth but Tiffany won''t sell you a nasty diamond.

 

[northyvr]

I''m Canadian too and just went to Birks, Tiffany''s and Cartier looking for an engagement ring upgrade. Wasn''t impressed with the quality of Birk''s and Tiffany''s and felt the markup was huge for what you were getting. Am partial to Cartier and love their quality, but again couldn''t justify the huge markup. Ended up going with a Leon Mege and couldn''t be happier. I feel the value is better, the quality of work is amazing and much more stylish than anything that Birk''s had.

 

[motownmama]

definitely Tiffany''s