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Decision time! Tiffany or Michael Barin? Please help!

K

Krae11

Rough_Rock
Joined
Apr 20, 2011
Messages
53
Hello all!
I'm brand new to PS, but have been spying on other posts for inspiration. Here's my dilemma:
My fiancé and I have narrowed down our selection to either the Michael Barin Tri Halo, the Tiffany Embrace or the Tiffany Novo. I think we're leaning toward eliminating the Novo at this point, though it's hard to do (it's so beautiful!). One of the problems is that it's very difficult to get pricing on the Michael Barin. I imagine it's quite pricey, but not sure if it's actually more than Tiffany. Our budget is approx $35k. Any advice for making the most of it?
Also, I apologize for not posting pics. I should have taken pics when I tried them on, but I wasn't thinking ahead. I think I got a little overwhelmed by all the sparkly beauty.
Thank you for any and all help/advice!
 
I personally would prefer the Tiffany Novo over a halo ring. I just love the look of the Novo! But if you want to get a larger stone and are not attached to the brand name, we can show you some vendors who carry top cut quality stones and similar settings that would get you quite a nice ring at that budget. But if you can get the size you really want at Tiffany or MB within your budget, then go for it!

There is not a good head-on shot of this setting, but it is great quality and similar to the Novo. Then you just have to choose a cushion stone.

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/home/ring-details/?product_id=5372


I am going to suggest to you that you can get a better quality round halo than the one at Tiffany and end up with a larger diamond with equal to superior quality:

[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/forum/show-me-the-ring/steven-kirsch-2-32ct-rb-halo-ring-tons-of-pics-t159649.html']https://www.pricescope.com/forum/show-me-the-ring/steven-kirsch-2-32ct-rb-halo-ring-tons-of-pics-t159649.html[/URL]

Looks like to me you could get a 2.0-2.3 ct. G-H color VS2 round diamond for around $30,000 and then spend around $5k on the custom setting if you went this route.
 
Thank you so much, Diamondseeker!

I love the Novo, but admittedly the price tag was a little extreme. The one we liked (and the largest carried in our local Tiffany) was a 1.9 F VS1 and was priced at $48,600 (it made me shake when I put it on, but I couldn't justify that price tag), so we'd have to recreate a Novo-style setting if we went with that. It seems we could get a lot more bang for the buck going that route. But, I find it a little stressful trying to buy a loose diamond and setting without seeing them in person.

I had just looked at that link about the Steven Kirsch. It's gorgeous! If that setting would really only be in the 5-6k range, that may be the way to go. The Michael Barin setting we love runs (we think as we haven't gotten an exact quote yet) in the 10k range which definitely limits the funds for the center stone.

At Tiffany, the largest Embrace they had was a 1.51 and it was beautiful, though I admit sheepishly I kind of like the idea of a 2. The 1.51 was just over 32k though, so we definitely couldn't get a 2 carat from there in that style in our budget.

I think now I just have to stop being so indecisive and try to figure out which style looks best on my hand. My soon-to-be official fiance (waiting for the official proposal until we get the ring) wants me to go try on the Michael Barin again today so maybe I can snap some pics and post them for opinions....

Again, thank you so much for your help, time and advice!
 
Kirstyrae|1303322789|2901036 said:
Thank you so much, Diamondseeker!

I love the Novo, but admittedly the price tag was a little extreme. The one we liked (and the largest carried in our local Tiffany) was a 1.9 F VS1 and was priced at $48,600 (it made me shake when I put it on, but I couldn't justify that price tag), so we'd have to recreate a Novo-style setting if we went with that. It seems we could get a lot more bang for the buck going that route. But, I find it a little stressful trying to buy a loose diamond and setting without seeing them in person.

I had just looked at that link about the Steven Kirsch. It's gorgeous! If that setting would really only be in the 5-6k range, that may be the way to go. The Michael Barin setting we love runs (we think as we haven't gotten an exact quote yet) in the 10k range which definitely limits the funds for the center stone.

At Tiffany, the largest Embrace they had was a 1.51 and it was beautiful, though I admit sheepishly I kind of like the idea of a 2. The 1.51 was just over 32k though, so we definitely couldn't get a 2 carat from there in that style in our budget.

I think now I just have to stop being so indecisive and try to figure out which style looks best on my hand. My soon-to-be official fiance (waiting for the official proposal until we get the ring) wants me to go try on the Michael Barin again today so maybe I can snap some pics and post them for opinions....

Again, thank you so much for your help, time and advice!
Click to expand...

yeah I would decide if you want the brand name or a larger non-brand name but very well made (like Steven Kirsch) setting. I think you have a lot of options!
 
Thanks, sig47!
I don't think the Tiffany name is important to me, although the fact that we could have it instantly is nice. I adored that Steven Kirsch ring on the above link, but I guess I don't know how to go about making that happen. I live on the other side of the US so it may be difficult to get and SK designed ring from here.
 
Hi ! That Steven kirsch ring is mine and the setting is far less than 10k I promise you... It's about half of that! He is amazing to work with, I am a crazy perfectionist and he made everything perfect for me. His work is exquisite, and he is super nice and attentive, and really listens and executes exactly what you want ! I highly recommend you go to him for your setting needs and not pay the 10k for a setting alone... Yikes !

If you like my setting, Steven has one in stock that is the exact replica of my ring, perhaps you can ask and see if he can mail it to you to try on ? I don't see why there would be a problem if you are seriously interested! The next step is to buy your loose stone and have it sent to him so that he can make the setting that would accurately fit your stone. That part is super easy too, your diamond dealer or appraiser should be able to send it insured directly to Steven. It's been done a million times in this industry and with no problem.

Yes, patience is needed and there would be a few weeks wait but it's totally worth it to get 2 ct+ stone in a fabulous setting and saving thousands in doing so !

Let me know if you have any questions regarding this jeweler at all !
 
Thank you so much, Frankie!

I actually emailed Steven directly after seeing your ring and he has already responded (within a couple of hours). He didn't mention the replica of yours, but it may be hard to work with that as we'd have to find a center stone the exact same size. Who knows though?

I'm going to chat with him some more and look for a lovely center stone. Any suggestions for that? Yours is certainly gorgeous!

Thanks for all the help, PS!
 
He can custom make any ring that would fit your specific diamond, so you don't have to find a diamond that will fit into that particular setting. That replica i was talking about is his sample that he shows to his clients when they go for an appointment with him, as a guideline or starting point for a custom project. That is why we go to him for custom settings because he can make anything as long as you have the center stone ready for him to set with. He makes the setting to fit your stone and your style, not the other way round. Hope this helps and I am sure he will treat you in an amazing, attentive way!

Let me know if you need more help / guidance ! I live in NYC so it is easy for me to help out if needed , so feel free to ask any questions, since I have gone through this whole journey myself !
 
By the way, spotted this 2.09ct G VS2 diamond, cream of the crop quality, great size, tax free as well since you are in the west coast?

Contact them for a real life video analysis of this diamond for you...

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7310/
 
Hello!
I just recently reset my engagement ring with the Michael Barin French Pave Trio Halo and I absolutely love it. It was the best decision that my DH and I ever made. I have had it for a little more than one months and I have noticed that I can't stop staring at my ring. It is so well made. i am truly happy with it. Yes, it did come with a huge huge price tag, but I still think it was well worth the money. You should go back to Michael Barin and see the setting again. I certainly did and I knew it was love at first sight. In addition, I don't think the picture does the setting justice. It looks better in person that on the website.

BTW, I have a 2.23 ct, G, VS2 RB Hearts and Arrow.
 
Ok, I might be wrong, but it boggles my mind that the Michael Barin ring settings cost 10k+ but the pave diamonds used are G/H color at SI clarity?

I don't mean to offend anyone but I would have expected top notch quality pave diamonds at this price point... :confused:
 
You are right Frankiextah, the Michael Barin trio halo indeed does use GH SI1 stone considering that the price tag on the ring is 10K. I did consider the specs before resetting my eRing, but I still decided to go with it.
 
BTW Frankiextah, you have a very beautiful ring. =)
 
The trio halo style is beautiful and unique though ! I could see why his designs sell well ... Would love to see pictures if you have some!
 
Kirsty, I'd focus on Good Old Gold, WhiteFlash, and Brian Gavin for top quality hearts and arrows stones. I think the G VS2 stone that Frankie posted above is great!

I think the reason Steven's price point is lower at the moment is that he has recently gone out on his own. I think it is a bargain because his workmanship is superior. I hope Frankie doesn't mind me saying this, but when she took a beautiful Michael B ring and her mother's SK ring to an appraiser, he said the workmanship of the SK ring was superior to the MB! I suspect that may have had something to do with her decision to have SK reset her ring.
 
Hey Kristy...if you are really uncertain about purchasing a loose stone without seeing it in person, you might be able to have the stones shipped to a local appraiser for you to see in person and compare. I had a tough time deciding on a diamond and the folks at Brian Gavin were more than willing to send stones to a local appraiser for me to see before purchasing. You'll have to check with the individual vendors though.

I don't know if there's any way to see settings before buying though. I've heard others talk on here about getting trial settings with a cz, but I can't remember which vendor it is that does that.
 
Thanks tannet! I actually wound up choosing a BG signature diamond. I'm just trusting them that's it's gorgeous, but the specs were all spectacular. As far as settings go, I was able to try on the MB with a 3ct cz. It was lovely, though I wouldn't be putting a 3ct stone in it, so it would look a bit different. My guy has taken over on the setting design and such, so I'm not sure what I'm getting, but I'm sure it will be lovely. Fingers crossed!
 
Can't see how it turns out!
 
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