Custom or Designer?

[armada1651]

Hi everyone,

I''m new here and looking for an engagement ring and I''ve got a couple questions.

Basically, I''m torn between getting a custom designed ring and a getting a Tacori. The issue is that there are two Tacori pieces with elements that she likes - the band on the 2578RD and the setting immediately around the centerstone on the HT2299. Overall, the 2578 is by far her favorite and I know she''d be thrilled with it. What I''m wondering is if it would be possible to get a quality, custom designed hybrid of the two.

My concern is that it will be difficult or impossible to get a custom designed piece of the same quality as the Tacori - I obviously want to avoid anything with the appearance of being a cheap(er) knockoff of a designer. I''m also wondering whether the premium one pays for quality custom design work is similar to that for a quality designer name, or if one route can be expected to be substantially more expensive than the other.

My second question is unrelated and has to do with warranty issues. Several of the jewelers I''ve researched offer lifetime warranties with the condition that you bring the ring in for periodic cleaning and maintenance. The problem is that our careers (and desires) will keep us frequently moving for the foreseeable future and coming back to one location regularly is highly impractical at absolute best. Is there any way around this?

I''d really appreciate any insight anyone can provide on either question.

Thanks a lot,
Chris

 

[Firestone]

I''m not familiar with those particular Tacori''s but it is possible to have a custom ring made with the same quality. It may not be less money than a Tacori but since you want to blend two different rings that may not matter. Also note that Tacori uses G VS stones. If you go custom, you may be able to upgrade color and clarity. The key is finding the right place to make the rings.

 

[Gypsy]

Tacori's work is very distinctive and very fine. I don't know anyone who can replicate the look of it reliably. They use a very low point size on their melee and have very stylized (copyrighted) work. If your lady has seen the settings in person and loved them... it's going to be hard to come up with an insprired by that will match the delicacy and look unless a tacori dealer or someone very familiar with their work (in person, not on the net it looks very different in person) is willing to do it and stand by it.

Personally if she wants a tacori... show her some work by Kirk Kara and Beverly K and see what she thinks. If she prefers the Tacori, don't go custom. If she just likes lots of pave and milgrain and engraving... you might be able to figure something out... I'd recommend Greenlake Jewelry for this kind of work, or possbily Maytal Hannah.

Tacori is expensive and that is something to discuss with her too. Tacori might be willing to do a hybrid for her.

As for moving. You can either mail it back to your store. Forget about the warranty and get your ring insured. Or if you buy a designer setting, any retailer will normally service it by sending it back to the designer.

BTW, in point size that small there is no earthly reason to use melee of higher color clarity than G/VS. G/VS will be fine for just about ANY center stone... unless the center stone is much lower in color and the contrast bothers you.

 

[Lula]

Date: 3/17/2010 2:25:42 AM
Author:armada1651



My second question is unrelated and has to do with warranty issues. Several of the jewelers I've researched offer lifetime warranties with the condition that you bring the ring in for periodic cleaning and maintenance. The problem is that our careers (and desires) will keep us frequently moving for the foreseeable future and coming back to one location regularly is highly impractical at absolute best. Is there any way around this?


I'd really appreciate any insight anyone can provide on either question.


Thanks a lot,

Chris

These warranties are a waste of money, in my opinion. Any reputable jewelry store will clean and inspect your ring. When you move to a new community, look for a local Tacori dealer. That way, if anything ever needs to be repaired on the ring, you'll be able to get it repaired by Tacori through that dealer. For regular cleanings and safety checks, any jeweler should be able to help you for no charge.

 

[armada1651]

Thank you all so much for the input! I''ll look into your recommendations. I''m really glad I stumbled onto this site!

Does anyone have any experience with Brilliant Earth and their custom designs? Their website and design gallery certainly makes their work appear to be very high quality.

Thanks again!

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 3/17/2010 3:32:57 AM
Author: Gypsy
Tacori''s work is very distinctive and very fine. I don''t know anyone who can replicate the look of it reliably. They use a very low point size on their melee and have very stylized (copyrighted) work. If your lady has seen the settings in person and loved them... it''s going to be hard to come up with an insprired by that will match the delicacy and look unless a tacori dealer or someone very familiar with their work (in person, not on the net it looks very different in person) is willing to do it and stand by it.


Personally if she wants a tacori... show her some work by Kirk Kara and Beverly K and see what she thinks. If she prefers the Tacori, don''t go custom. If she just likes lots of pave and milgrain and engraving... you might be able to figure something out... I''d recommend Greenlake Jewelry for this kind of work, or possbily Maytal Hannah.


Tacori is expensive and that is something to discuss with her too. Tacori might be willing to do a hybrid for her.


As for moving. You can either mail it back to your store. Forget about the warranty and get your ring insured. Or if you buy a designer setting, any retailer will normally service it by sending it back to the designer.


BTW, in point size that small there is no earthly reason to use melee of higher color clarity than G/VS. G/VS will be fine for just about ANY center stone... unless the center stone is much lower in color and the contrast bothers you.

big huge ditto. Tacori''s have a look about them that I''ve not seen replicated to capture the look and feel of the real deal. If she really loves it and it''s within budget then I''d go that route. Custom does not always save $ and in a delicate detailed ring like the tacori the savings may not me much if anything at all. Tacori makes their rings day in and out, a custom jeweler will have to start from scratch which could add to additional labor costs as well which could offset what the mark-up is for the designer name.

 

[armada1651]

Date: 3/17/2010 2:01:41 PM
Author: mrssalvo


big huge ditto. Tacori''s have a look about them that I''ve not seen replicated to capture the look and feel of the real deal. If she really loves it and it''s within budget then I''d go that route. Custom does not always save $ and in a delicate detailed ring like the tacori the savings may not me much if anything at all. Tacori makes their rings day in and out, a custom jeweler will have to start from scratch which could add to additional labor costs as well which could offset what the mark-up is for the designer name.

Well the goal of going the custom route isn''t to save money but to get a unique ring a bit closer to the "perfect" image in her mind. I expect and am willing to pay more than I would for the Tacori.

I''m really impressed with some of the work in Brilliant Earth''s custom design gallery - none of the designs are really exactly what I''m looking for, but the fineness of the details and the apparent quality of the pieces has caught my eye.

Thanks for the input! I really appreciate hearing everyone''s views.