Designer rankings

[stereotactic]

Hi all, new to the forum and to this whole industry.

My question for the group: Is it possible to come up with a consensus of which jewelery/engagement ring designers are considered the "best" or most prestigious? Perhaps the best system would be to come up with tiers. For instance:

Tier 1:
Harry Winston
Cartier

Tier 2:
Danhov
Daniel K
Tacori
Verragio?

Tier 3:
etc etc

Tier Z:
Walmart


This is just to help me make sense of the massive list of designers out there.
https://www.pricescope.com/designers.aspx


Love to see what people come up with. Maybe will spark some interesting discussion!

 

[beechezz]

Tier 1: Tiffany

 

[stereotactic]

bump

anyone else care to chime in?

 

[Circe]

I think it''s a little hard to create that sort of hierarchy, because it''s just not adaptable to a pyramid structure: there are just too many designers who form their own little pyramids.

For example:

Tier 1, Arty Category:

Alex Sepkus, James Meyer

Tier 2:

[I actually cannot think of anyone in particular, but let''s just say anybody featured at the http://www.clay-pot.com/]

Tier 1, faux-antique category:

Michael Beaudry, Beverly K.

Tier 2:

Fay Cullen

And so on and so forth. On top of that, knowing how many of our posters have beautiful rings from ALL of the jewelers out there - the most exemplary pieces, the best-composed combinations of stones and settings - there''s just too much potential for hurt feelings if you rank (which, btw, I hope I''m not guilty of with the examples above). I say, pick the setting you like most in terms of design and quality, and don''t worry too much about the prestige ....

 

[Cinna]

And on top of that, some people value quality without any regard to brand name and some people highly place value on brand names so it''s pretty subjective and it''s not as simple as making a list.

 

[Gypsy]

Yeah. It''s really hard. There are a LOT of ''tier one and two'' jewelers.

Their is JAR, Neil Lane, Fred Leighton, Graff, Van Cleef and Arps, Harry Winston Cartier ....

Then there is Tiffany, Daniel K, Jack Kelege, Beaudy, Carl Blackburn, Kwiat, and a bunch of smaller production shops. Hearts on Fire...

Then Tacori, Ritani, Veraggio, Vatche...

And I''m sure many people know of MANY more jewelers that I haven''t mentioned, and would rank them differently.

 

[Dreamer_D]

JAR?

 

[CharmyPoo]

Date: 4/4/2010 1:04:23 AM
Author: dreamer_d
JAR?

JAR stuff is amazing!! He is really prestigous - won''t sell to just anyone.

 

[swingirl]

http://www.jewelry.com/2009-03-jn-JAR-jewels.shtml

Quite amazing designs. JAR.

 

[Gypsy]

Hi Dreamer! I did own an X-prong but it was from Unique Settings of NY. But... it didn''t hold a candle to the Vatche or the Lucida and was just an imitiation. There is a big difference in the... fluidity, and solid but feminine feel a really nice X-pong versus one that''s ...well not as nice. I didn''t like mine. It was a great deal, because ultimately the style wasn''t right for my stone... but I do like the style in general (just not for my particular diamond), but for someone who wants a keeper setting... not my choice.

 

[jgny]

Lust over JAR!

Here is a slideshow from the Ellen Barkin auction. I love his thread rings. Amazing!

 

[jgny]

A...Link to the whole auction...

and another thread ring...

 

[DiamondGirlHH]

This is probably one of the most difficult questions to answer here on the PS.

Even though Tiffany, Harry Winston, Van Cleef and Cartier considered the top jewelry designers, in my opinion they simply have been around forever and they maintained an upscale image. Their ring designs are not necessarily the most unique or attractive so you are mainly paying premium for a the brand and the company behind it.

My engagement ring is from Verragio and the reason I have been a long time fan of Verragio is because they design and create unique rings, they are known for quality materials and workmanship but most importantly I simply love their signature look.