Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

E-Ring Help!

B

ben_in_love

Rough_Rock
Joined
Sep 3, 2012
Messages
1
Hey Everyone,
I'm new here and new to the whole diamond buying process. At this point in the process, I'm still deciding where to buy and what process to use. I have a lot of questions so any help would be much appreciated.

So... my girlfriend has subtly indicated to me in the past that she would like a Tiffany diamond. I know... The thing that she wants in her ring is sparkle. If I were to get a diamond from Tiffany, I would get something along these lines: http://tinyurl.com/3td492q

I think I'd prefer to get her an ACA diamond from whiteflash.com. It seems like I could get a much bigger and nicer diamond for the price from them as compared to Tiffany's.

I think I would just buy a diamond from them and bring it someplace to get set. Honestly, I can't see myself being able to buy a setting online without seeing it person (ironically, I have no problem buying a diamond this way).

So onto the questions:

Are diamonds from Tiffanys comparable to ACA in terms of cut and other grading criteria?

I think I like the diamonds on the band and I definitely think I'm going to go with that, but I feel the halo takes away from the diamond. If I'm going through all the trouble to buy the nicest diamond I can online, I feel like I should skip the halo. Do you agree that the halo takes away from the diamond? Do you think a ring looks much sparklier with the halo? Do you think it looks trashy?

What are your guys thoughts on my planned setting process. I was planning on buying the diamond and then taking it someplace to get it appraised (still a little hesitant about buying a diamond online). Do you think this step is unnecessary? I would then take it someplace where I could pick out the setting in person. Are there any considerations I need when using this process? Do I need to do anything to make sure the setters don't mess the diamond up or anything? Do most jewelers set diamonds and how much does it typically run? Finally, if I do decide to buy a diamond in the setting online, can the diamond still be adequately appraised?

As you can see I'm quiet lost. Don't feel the need to tackle all of these questions. Even one or two would be very helpful.

Thanks a bunch,
Ben

PS. Do you guys know what the standard, showcase, ring size is at a place like Tiffany's.
 
I'll see if I can get the ball rolling here.

ben_in_love|1346694019|3261832 said:
Are diamonds from Tiffanys comparable to ACA in terms of cut and other grading criteria?

I think I'd prefer to get her an ACA diamond from whiteflash.com. It seems like I could get a much bigger and nicer diamond for the price from them as compared to Tiffany's.
Click to expand...

There have been a lot of threads about diamond quality at Tiffany's - the general feeling is that some of their diamonds would not meet the performance specs you could get by shopping online using some of the tools available here. Tiff's diamonds (and jewelry) carry a huge mark-up so yes, you could definately get more flash for your cash by shopping with one of the PS preferred vendors.

ben_in_love|1346694019|3261832 said:
Hey Everyone,

I think I like the diamonds on the band and I definitely think I'm going to go with that, but I feel the halo takes away from the diamond. If I'm going through all the trouble to buy the nicest diamond I can online, I feel like I should skip the halo. Do you agree that the halo takes away from the diamond? Do you think a ring looks much sparklier with the halo? Do you think it looks trashy?
Click to expand...

Do you have any idea what style your girlfriend likes? Some people add halos to increase the "finger coverage" - to get more stone presence without the huge cost of a huge center stone. Others like the look of a halo, whether you'd call it lacier, splarklier, feminine, or just more interesting... there are a lot of reasons for adding halos, or not. The style you're describing, with diamonds on the shank, is also very popular and as you said, it does let the center stone shine. Some women prefer simple, others want ornate... again, I think it's important to think of what sort of style your girlfriend might want. If for some reason you think her preferred style would be a bad choice (it happens... the disagreement, that is) think in terms of meeting her halfway, rather than just imposing your preferences on her.

ben_in_love|1346694019|3261832 said:
Hey Everyone,

What are your guys thoughts on my planned setting process. I was planning on buying the diamond and then taking it someplace to get it appraised (still a little hesitant about buying a diamond online). Do you think this step is unnecessary? I would then take it someplace where I could pick out the setting in person. Are there any considerations I need when using this process? Do I need to do anything to make sure the setters don't mess the diamond up or anything? Do most jewelers set diamonds and how much does it typically run? Finally, if I do decide to buy a diamond in the setting online, can the diamond still be adequately appraised?
Click to expand...

You will find that some retailers (not all) will not set a stone you provide, citing concerns about liability in the event that they damage your stone. If you plan to go this route, ask whether the store will set outside stones in their settings before you start shopping and fall in love with one of their settings.
 
I think a lot of gals would like to say they have a Tiffany ring. But IMHO more ladies would like to get the best diamond she can. Im no expert but my two cents would be to go with the whiteflash. Maximize your budget rather than pay for the name. As for the setting its hard to say. If you know she wants that type of halo go for it. I know some stores will set your personal diamond into one of their settings if you arent comfortable picking one online. Or if you dont know exactly what she wants maybe just get it in a solitaire- and if she wants something different you could swop it out.
 
ben_in_love|1346694019|3261832 said:
So... my girlfriend has subtly indicated to me in the past that she would like a Tiffany diamond. I know... The thing that she wants in her ring is sparkle. If I were to get a diamond from Tiffany, I would get something along these lines: http://tinyurl.com/3td492q
Click to expand...


What is more important to her? Having a Tiffany ring, or just making sure it sparkles? Some women prefer a designer name over other things. So, if she has indicated she wants Tiffany, then that is what you should get...assuming it's within budget. If she equates Tiffany with "sparkle" and doesn't care if it is actually from Tiff's, then I'd definitely buy online.

As for settings, there are such big differences in the looks of them, and if you're not sure on a halo and she has not indicated that is what she wants, then I'd get an inexpensive solitaire setting for the diamond. When you're both ready, you can shop for the setting together.

You mentioned uncertainty in purchasing the setting online. You cannot go wrong quality-wise by purchasing it at any of our PS vendors. You mentioned WF, and so I can speak on that. I have worked with them several times for custom pieces and have always been thrilled with the quality.
 
If you got a WhiteFlash ACA, you'd be getting as good as the best round diamond Tiffany's has, and better than some. I'd certainly go with a larger stone from WF if she does not have her heart set on the Tiffany brand. No, you do not need another appraisal because the stone has been graded by an independent lab, AGS. I strongly recommend having WhiteFlash set the stone. Many jewelers do not want to have the liability of damage to the stone while being set, plus, it is complicated to insure the diamond when it is unset. WF carries very high quality settings. I have diamonds from them and my daughter's e-ring is like the one in the second link.

I'll show you a couple of my favorite settings from WF:

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/diamond-settings/legato-sleek-line-pave-diamond-engagement-ring-422.htm

http://www.whiteflash.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/caroline-solitaire-engagement-ring-by-vatche-251.htm

Gosh, Tiffany's standard size is like a 6 or 6.5. I have tried on rings there before but don't recall which it is. You need to try to find out her size if you can. And definitely if you get a ring with diamonds on the shank as it can loosen them if you resize it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top