Deciding between 2 Tiffany rings

[arbyho]

Hi,

It's my first time posting here.

I am trying to decide between 2 Tiffany engagement rings:

1.11 carat H color, VS1 clarity
1.09 carat I color, IF clarity

Here are the reports:

1)
SHAPE Round
CUT Brilliant
MEASUREMENTS 6.58 - 6.61 x 4.12 mm
(minimum girdle diameter - maximum girdle diameter x depth in mm)
CARAT WEIGHT 1.110 carats
COLOR GRADE H
FLUORESCENCE None
PRESENCE
PRECISION OF CUT Excellent
SYMMETRY Excellent
POLISH Excellent
CLARITY GRADE VS1
ENHANCEMENTS None
(Besides Cut/Polishing)
CUT PROPORTIONS
TOTAL DEPTH PERCENTAGE 62.5%
TABLE SIZE PERCENTAGE 56%
CROWN HEIGHT PERCENTAGE 15.6%
CROWN ANGLE 35.4°
PAVILION DEPTH PERCENTAGE 43.2%
PAVILION ANGLE 40.8°
GIRDLE THICKNESS Medium To Slightly Thick
GIRDLE FINISH Faceted
CULET None
LOWER HALF LENGTH PERCENTAGE 75%
STAR LENGTH PERCENTAGE 50%


2)
SHAPE

Round
CUT

Brilliant
MEASUREMENTS 6.59 - 6.62 x 4.09 mm

(minimum girdle diameter - maximum girdle diameter x depth in mm)

CARAT WEIGHT

1.090 carats
COLOR GRADE

I
FLUORESCENCE None

PRESENCE

PRECISION OF CUT Excellent

SYMMETRY Excellent

POLISH Excellent

CLARITY GRADE

IF
ENHANCEMENTS None

(Besides Cut/Polishing)

CUT PROPORTIONS

TOTAL DEPTH PERCENTAGE 61.9%

TABLE SIZE PERCENTAGE 56%

CROWN HEIGHT PERCENTAGE 15.3%

CROWN ANGLE 34.8°

PAVILION DEPTH PERCENTAGE 43.3%

PAVILION ANGLE 40.9°

GIRDLE THICKNESS Medium

GIRDLE FINISH Faceted

CULET None

LOWER HALF LENGTH PERCENTAGE 80%

STAR LENGTH PERCENTAGE 55%

It is me and hubby's 10 year anniversary this year. I have a E color 1 Carat SI1 engagement ring but it isn't very sparkly. So, hubby has decided to get me one for our 10 yr anniversary.

I have read the IF & VS2 clarity don't make the difference in terms of the diamond's sparkle. So, I think I am probably wasting $ by getting the IF diamond. Does color H & I make any difference to the naked eye?

I actually already paid for the IF diamond, but I have 30 days to think about it. The more I think about it, the more i feel that I am wasting $ by paying a premium for the IF.


Thanks for the help. Any comment is welcome.

Linda

 

[krisjon]

The numbers on the IF are better in terms of predicted light performance.

IF is totally overkill in terms of clarity unless you're into absolute perfection. When cut and proportions make the real difference, you don't really need to go anything over VS1.

For me color-wise, I-J is where I start seeing a hint of yellow-ish tint. Then again, it depends stone to stone. I just bought an AGS 0 cut H color for my fiance and when were in Tiffany a few weeks back looking at wedding bands, one of their diamond experts complimented her ring and thought it was minimum F color. It's very white and the great cut helps tremendously with that.

What kind of setting are you going with? A halo or something that covers more of the sides of the stone will make a difference, too. If you've seen both in person, what do your eyes tell you?

Tiffany has beautiful stones, but like anywhere, you have to sort through to find the truly great ones with ideal proportions. Do they have any other options to consider? I can't imagine they don't.

 

[arbyho]

There is also:
1.16 carat H color, VS2 clarity

SHAPE Round
CUT Brilliant
MEASUREMENTS 6.67 - 6.72 x 4.19 mm
(minimum girdle diameter - maximum girdle diameter x depth in mm)
CARAT WEIGHT 1.160 carats
COLOR GRADE H
FLUORESCENCE Faint
PRESENCE
PRECISION OF CUT Excellent
SYMMETRY Excellent
POLISH Excellent
CLARITY GRADE VS2
ENHANCEMENTS None
(Besides Cut/Polishing)
CUT PROPORTIONS
TOTAL DEPTH PERCENTAGE 62.6%
TABLE SIZE PERCENTAGE 57%
CROWN HEIGHT PERCENTAGE 15.2%
CROWN ANGLE 35.0°
PAVILION DEPTH PERCENTAGE 43.3%
PAVILION ANGLE 41.0°
GIRDLE THICKNESS Medium To Slightly Thick
GIRDLE FINISH Faceted
CULET None
LOWER HALF LENGTH PERCENTAGE 80%
STAR LENGTH PERCENTAGE 45%
CLARITY PLOT
CROWN INSCRIPTION T&CO.O08270056
GIRDLE INSCRIPTION None

 

[arbyho]

I am going with the Tiffany setting.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I'd rather have H color than I when possible, but I liked the I color measurements better than the H VS1. However, the 1.16 H VS2 you posted last has potential, plus it is a little larger than the other two. I'd want to compare the H VS2 with the I IF. I normally would never pay for IF, but it will help you to see both rings to determine whether the VS2 stone is totally eyeclean (usually will be) and if it seems to perform as well as the I color stone.

Just to be sure you know, you can get an ideal cut diamond that is equal to or even better than Tiffany for less money which would allow you to get a larger stone. Some of us here have the Vatche U-113 which is a platinum Tiffany repro solitaire setting.

Example (and super ideal cut, hearts and arrows stone), 1.22 H VS2 $9190 with PriceScope/wire pmt discount. They carry Vatche and the setting in platinum is $1843 (with PS discount and wire payment). Total of $11,033 and I don't know how that price compares with the Tiffany 1.16 H VS2.

http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2982237.htm (6.85mm diameter)

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/6-prong-solitaire-engagement-ring-by-vatche-1778.htm

Here's a 1.3 ct , H VS1 superideal cut stone for $12,109 plus @$1900 for the Vatche setting (which GOG also carries), total around $14k:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/11578/

I will add that I like Tiffany jewelry and have a few pieces of their jewelry (not sterling). But when I can get a better quality diamond in a larger size for less money and a very similar setting, that was the choice I made. Plus, when I want to trade up, I don't have to spend double with either of the above jewelers. What I did was get a real Tiffany wedding band to wear with my solitaire, so that worked out well!

 

[teobdl]

I would go with the last one posted. Your current E color to an I color might be tough. If you like the whiteness of yours, stick with H. You will likely see color in the I if you stare the right lighting.

Re: the angles of the last diamond, it was argued here in the past (years ago) that a super-well cut CA/PA of 35/41 has the theoretical potential for the best performance, but you're at angle thresholds where leakage happens more easily if things are off. Probably not a problem in a Tiffany's diamond.

 

[ame]

If Tiffany is a requirement for you, as in you really want the brand, of these three, the 2nd is the best, but you can find better within their selection, so really I'd keep looking, lower your clarity into like VVS2/VS1 territory and see what they can find you with better numbers. If you want the brand, that's fine, but for me the better stone for the same look at a better price would be more alluring. You can always get a wedding band from Tiffany and complete the look. I have a non-Tiffany e-ring and a Tiffany w-ring, if it helps. No one knows it's Tiffany if you don't tell them.

If Tiffany the brand is NOT a requirement, DiamondSeeker just gave you some pretty great advice in getting the same exact look with a known better diamond for a better pricetag.

 

[MarionC]

I have Tiffany ear studs and a Tiffany 2.5 RB.
The more I know, the less I am enthralled with Tiffany...[and I was a Tiffany nut who went through a prolonged period of wanting just their products]. The diamonds I have are very pretty and have good color/clarity, but the cuts are not nearly as nice as diamonds I've gotten from venders here.
If you are set on TIffany, of course! but quite a high percentage of the price goes to that little logo inside. And I would look very carefully at a Tiffany stone before buying one.

 

[Clairitek]

Another vote over here for considering other great vendors outside of Tiffany if you are OK with foregoing the Blue Box and thus skipping that lovely Blue Box Tax. Yes, Tiffany has really pretty jewelry but that Whiteflash setting DiamondSeeker linked is a dead ringer for the Tiffany solitaire and those Whiteflash A Cut Above diamonds are stunning (as are BGD's signature stones, both kinds fall into the AGS000 cut category).