Engagement ring shopping FYI's

[Astewartconst]

I have been researching engagement rings for a year now and finally the time has come to actually shop. I just wanted to get on here and post what I have learned to maybe help someone that is doing what I was doing online.

I shopped Graff Chicago they have a variety of shapes and even a couple fancy yellows in the 12-20k range. The sales person has been great just wants to help me out and not pressure me. He was quick to let me know that their prices can be adjusted. One ring that I love he dropped from 25k to 19k. Another fancy yellow from 12 something to 11k even. They are very open to cutting the price, I have not tried to talk him down anymore so idk if that would go over or not.

Harry Winston Chicago. Very nice rings also. Not as big a selection and the 15k ish range they only have solitaries and solitaries with small baguettes. I feel you can get more for your money at Graff because they are open to discount. I have not tried to talk Harry Winston down on price yet. I was a bit turned off by a girl that worked there, who when I said that I had shopped Graff was quick to announce that she had previously worked there and knew that their quality was not as good blah blah blah...to me this is akin to the Ferrari dealer telling you that Lamborgini is junk. It just turned me off. Harry Winston has no fancy yellows right now under like 2 carat.

Cartier Chicago. The girl I am working with there is so great, she guinuinely wants me to find the perfect ring even if it isn't at Cartier. I want so badly to buy from her for this reason...besides the 1895 pave being amazing. Cartier seems to be the most expensive. In my price range I have to go G color to get a 1 carat or F color for 90ish points. Cartier has only a few different ring types..which might be good because I look at all these rings as beautiful each in its own way which makes it hard to choose.

Tiffany Chicago. They definitely have what I feel is the most hip in style ring types. Tiffany seems to be the best bling for the money..but I have only looked at the soleste white and soleste fancy yellow. This ring is very nice, I only wonder if it is too bling bling. I have to stare at the white soleste close to my face to even see the diamond because the whole ring blends together and looks like one big sparkle. I prefer the fancy yellow because of the contrast. These rings are 12-14k. The sales person is friendly, she kind of talked to me as if I don't know anything but overall she is fine.

I know the argument of getting a bigger stone with non name brand. I respect that but it's not my choice. I will get on here for the next week or so, so hopefully if anyone that is in the beginning stages and wants to shop these stores has any questions I can help.

Thanks to all

 

[Dreamer_D]

Just a note: Cartier seems to often place cut quality low on their list, so if buy from there then evaluate the diamonds selected carefully.

And thank you for sharing your expeirence

 

[LD]

I do appreciate your desire to get a designer piece but that also limits how much hand you may have in the final design etc. If you've looked at yellow diamond rings, have you considered contacting David at Diamonds by Lauren? He has many coloured diamond rings and I'm sure could make you something spectacular for your budget.

http://rockdiamond.com/index.php/categories/diamond-rings

You could also consider perhaps sourcing a diamond and then having a ring made - this is a personal opinion but having a unique hand crafted ring beats a designer piece hands down!

 

[khangeee]

I'm looking at purchasing a Cartier 1895 0.96 G Excellent cut in Sydney for $14300 AUD. How much was it at the store you were at in Chicago? I was thinking of flying over to the US as diamond prices in Australia are ridiculously overpriced.

thank you!

 

[Astewartconst]

That is probably about what Cartier Chicago is, I don't remember off hang now without pulling up emails.i do remember that to get the 1 carat in the 1895 or the Ballerine it was around 20k up to 25k. I ended up buying from Graff they took a diamond from one ring and put it into another band that i wanted...and they gave me almost 30% off. I proposed yesterday and we are very happy

 

[madelise]

That is probably about what Cartier Chicago is, I don't remember off hang now without pulling up emails.i do remember that to get the 1 carat in the 1895 or the Ballerine it was around 20k up to 25k. I ended up buying from Graff they took a diamond from one ring and put it into another band that i wanted...and they gave me almost 30% off. I proposed yesterday and we are very happy

pictures!! you should do a SMTB thread!

 

[Gypsy]

I've always been impressed by Cartier's customer service and completely unimpressed by Harry Winston's so I'm surprised by your experience. If I was paying that much for a brand name and customer service the tone, presentation and professionalism would play a pretty big role in my decision.

I think the soleste is from Tiffany is too bling bling for an engagement ring too.

I haven't been to Graff, but from your experience and in your place I would be interested in visiting them again and seeing what happens.

Looking forward to your journey.

 

[khangeee]

congratulations on your engagement! how exciting! i'm planning to propose in a month as well

I'm glad to hear that the prices of Cartier is pretty similar over in the US as I know for a fact that Tiffany in Australia charges about 30% more than the US even though the AUD is higher than the USD at the moment. We don't have too many high end jewellers in Australia to choose from so I'm going to buy the Cartier 1895 ring. Would have loved to check out HW and Graff!

 

[Amys Bling]

Thanks for sharing!