Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Engagment in NY - Tiffany

Z

zenif444

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 31, 2010
Messages
6
Hello

First time poster here - I''ve tried searching specifically for the information I require however can''t get all of it so thought I''d post.

I''m heading to NY for 6 nights with my girlfriend in August - we''re from Ireland. I want to take her to Tiffany and buy her the ring. I''m aware of the premium
I''ll be paying and am happy with that.

My questions are:

- my budget is about us$9,000 -> what kind of specification ring would I get (incl sales tax)? for a simple example - a 0.5 lucida G VS1 on platinum? their website isn''t much help
- i could ring ahead and make an appointment the week before -> if i tell them my budget will they have a good selection for us?
- what kind of range do they have in stock for that price range normally? would it be feasible for them to have 20 rings for me to chose from? For the example spec above would they have the exact same rings but one at 0.5c and another at 0.7c, same cut, clarity etc - in stock?
- what about re-sizing? Say i plan to take her in on a Wednesday, we''d be flying home on Saturday -> can they re-size in 24hours? As a last resort there''s a small Tiffany outlet in Dublin we could take it to, but I''d prefer to have it done in NY

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
Date: 5/31/2010 6:36:57 AM
Author:zenif444
Hello


First time poster here - I''ve tried searching specifically for the information I require however can''t get all of it so thought I''d post.


I''m heading to NY for 6 nights with my girlfriend in August - we''re from Ireland. I want to take her to Tiffany and buy her the ring. I''m aware of the premium

I''ll be paying and am happy with that.


My questions are:


- my budget is about us$9,000 -> what kind of specification ring would I get (incl sales tax)? for a simple example - a 0.5 lucida G VS1 on platinum? their website isn''t much help

- i could ring ahead and make an appointment the week before -> if i tell them my budget will they have a good selection for us?

- what kind of range do they have in stock for that price range normally? would it be feasible for them to have 20 rings for me to chose from? For the example spec above would they have the exact same rings but one at 0.5c and another at 0.7c, same cut, clarity etc - in stock?

- what about re-sizing? Say i plan to take her in on a Wednesday, we''d be flying home on Saturday -> can they re-size in 24hours? As a last resort there''s a small Tiffany outlet in Dublin we could take it to, but I''d prefer to have it done in NY


Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

Congrats! I think the best thing to do is to call Tiffany and speak to someone in engagement rings. Make sure whomever it is you have good rapport over the phone. They can pull in different rings from their other stores so that should not be too much of an issue. They probably can get an extensive selection for you - I think they go as low as I color, so make sure you have them pull something that''s an I, VS1 or VS2 so you can judge it (will give you biggest stone for your budget). If you can be more specific on your preferred cut/clarity combo, they probably can call in the inventory.

Where are you planning on proposing? In the store???
31.gif
You''ll be ruining the day for a lot of men!!!
 
congratulations - that is VERY exciting!!!
36.gif


I know you have said you are aware of the premium and are happy to pay it - however, just throwing this out there, but is your GF happy with that too? I mean would she, if given the choice, prefer to have a ring twice the size without the Tiffany branding? Whilst I personally love the Tiffany store (particularly the one in NYC!) and Tiffany pieces, I would always choose to have something made up in a Tiffany style rather than purchase in store so I could get the most fabulous stone around for my budget.

If you are both in agreement on Tiffany, then I''ll just zip it.

(perhaps you could propose outside the store - aka Breakfast at Tiffany style, and give her the option??)

Again, zipping it now..
19.gif


Looking forward to reading the story of how you go!!
 
Hey

Thanks for the replies so far - yes we''re happy to pay the tiffany premium no problem there.

Haven''t decided fully where im proposing yet but if definitely won''t be in the store, it will be more private somewhere else in NY.

Anyone else have any ideas to my questions? With work and the time difference it''s difficult to phone them myself and when i e-mailed them they just said they wanted to ring me, which is more difficult because of work at the moment. I''d love to get some answers to these questions just to make sure im on the right track...
 
do you have Skype? I''m in Holland and have been calling and working with a coupla vendors in NY. I have a good window in my evening which is their mid morning/early afternoon. Just a couple of calls would do it for you and Skype is easy and next to nothing.I know you''re asking for some general advice, but if your clear you want to buy from Tiffany''s, you''re gonna hafta call them
2.gif


Hey, I think it''s a beautiful idea, byw, super romantic!
 
yeah you definitely have to call them.. i was considering getting a ring from tiff, but i could only get something tiny for my budget
7.gif
but i called the customer service to see what they had in my range and they were very nice and helpful.. they can discuss with you what you want and then email the info to you too after your call.. as long as you are pretty clear on the style/s and specs you''re interested in the call shouldn''t take too long! then they can transfer the ones you want to look at to the NY store..

good luck!
 
Hello, I read your query on the Irish site
35.gif


I gave Tiffany's NY a call and priced a few of their current rings, some results (before tax):

Lucida in platinum

0.71ct G VVS1 $8200
0.68ct G VVS1 $7700
0.94ct G VVS1 $12100
0.86ct G VS1 $8900


Round in Tiffany setting

0.85ct G VS1 $8050
1 ct G VS Approx. $12000
1ct I VS2 Approx. $8000

It didn't sound like they had many G VS Lucidas in stock, but the situation could be very different when you're ready to go out (i.e. call them closer to your visit time and check again). Good luck
1.gif
 
I am not sure what shape you want, but if I was going to buy a Tiffany I would opt for a patented cut so the diamond at least look unique! I love the lucinda and its setting too. The etoile is not a patented cut but the rins in divine in the .50ct size rance in my opinion.

As to the others, you will have to call. The time difference works in your favour, just call in the evening.
 
I love the Lucinda! If I could afford the size I would like I would definitely own one. I love love love them. I would go for that because if you want the tiffany brand get something that screams
Tiffany! You can get a round look-a-like anywhere.
 
I''m from Ireland as well and we bought my lucida ring in Tiffanys three years ago. Definitely email prior to taking your trip as they will order in a couple of different rings for you and you can choose from a few. We emailed them a few weeks before our trip and they managed to get six/seven rings in my price range in different sizes/clarity/colour. Try and order two to three weeks in advance and make an appointment. For resizing, we bought ours on a Monday and collected it on a Thursday so you should be ok if you order it on the Wednesday. If you go to the Dublin Tiffany store, they have to send the ring to NY for all repairs/cleanings so try and get it done before you fly home if you can as otherwise you''ll be waiting about two weeks for it to be returned to you if you do it through Dublin.
 
while I have no help for you with the Tiffany''s issue....
are you planning on proposing while in NYC?

I live in NYC... and if i was from out of town... i would suggest as one option if you go to the top of the empire state building late night....

the lines are short as the tourists tend to go during the day... but night up their totally surpasses the daytime view on a clear night with all the lights twinkling....

also walking again at night.... daytime ton of tourists... but night time is fantastic walking on the brooklyn bridge.... i would just be careful with the ring as there are slats it could fall thru if someone was super excited... but that would be very memorable as from it you can see the city... statue of liberty.....
 
I do not think you can get around calling if you want to ensure a good selection.

I have not been to store in NYC but have been to a couple others. They do have a lot of rings...but of many budgets, sizes, and so on. Best bet is call and get a personal raport with someone too.

Good luck! If your GF is very into Tiffany, it will be a wonderful experience! They do make some very pretty and elegant rings!
 
Lucida = A+
 
What I would suggest is to call, speak to someone in their department, make sure that the person will be there during the day you want to be there, and then get that person''s e-mail. Then you can coordinate via e-mail from then on.
 
Date: 5/31/2010 5:43:29 PM
Author: sunseeker101
Hello, I read your query on the Irish site
35.gif



I gave Tiffany's NY a call and priced a few of their current rings, some results (before tax):


Lucida in platinum


0.71ct G VVS1 $8200

0.68ct G VVS1 $7700

0.94ct G VVS1 $12100

0.86ct G VS1 $8900



Round in Tiffany setting


0.85ct G VS1 $8050

1 ct G VS Approx. $12000

1ct I VS2 Approx. $8000


It didn't sound like they had many G VS Lucidas in stock, but the situation could be very different when you're ready to go out (i.e. call them closer to your visit time and check again). Good luck
1.gif
Click to expand...

That was very kind and helpful of you sunseeker!

zenif444, hopefully this info gives you an idea, but I do agree with the others that phoning will be your best bet.
Good luck!
1.gif
 
Definitely call to insure that they have - I would say at least 8 rings in your price range. See if they can put them all on one tray and tell your girlfriend ''pick one.'' I would die, that would be so awesome.
30.gif
36.gif
 
Hi Zen, how wonderful!

My husband and I worked with a fantastic Tiffany''s sales associate when we got the ring, but she was out of Chicago. We drove from Detroit to pick thie perfect one and she worked magic to get us about 3x as many of the specific rings we were looking for to chose from as what our local Sales associates could pull off. I am guessing she knows a like minded NY sales person who would be sure to help. I would be happy to call her and get you the name of someone to start with... I am sure that in the meantime Connie could send you specs and prices on rings that fit your specs in the system at the moment
 
Hello

Thank you all for being so helpful, you guys are great! If anyone else can send me prices & specs, or a suggested sales assistant in NY I would be most grateful!

From those prices off the top of my head I''d go for something like the lucida in platinum 0.86c G VS1. what do you guys think of that? or would a smaller diamond but better clarity and colour be better?

Again you have been most helpful and I appreciate it greatly. My GF is the least ostentatious and materialistic person in the world and would be happy with a 0.3c $1k ring however because she is this way i really want to treat her and spoil her. I know we''d both be happy with the tiffany premium as she''d really enjoy the experience there, the cut of the diamond etc. And thank you for not trying to deter me from Tiffany - it''s part of the reason im going to NY.

Also in relation to the proposal - I haven''t really decided yet, but somewhere private and romantic would be nice. I did see the river cafe overlooking the bridge and NY skyline which initially i was thinking of taking her that night, and then proposing after somewhere.

Also we''re in NY for 6 days: arrive monday and leave sunday. I was thinking of proposing Wed night and then having Thurs for tiffanys and that would give them Friday to size it, and possibly Saturday if they need that too. I believe for non-decorative bands like the lucida it only takes 24hrs and bands with diamonds on it would take 3 working days, which could be a problem...not sure if they can fast-track that.

Anyway thanks a million for your great comments and help!
 
I agree with the other posters that you should call and speak to a specific sales rep that you can meet with on that specific day. Let them know what your budget is and what you are looking for that way they have time to bring rings into the store if needed. When I was looking, they didn''t have a big variety in the range I was looking at so I spoke to a s.a., they checked their inventory, called me back with a list and asked which ones I wanted to look at so they could bring them into the store. I would also check with them about how long it takes for sizing, their busy season is starting. I have the novo and it took about two weeks but I live in California so I''m sure most of it was travel time to NYC.
 
i was going t suggest the river cafe... only reason i didn''t is i haven''t been their in years.... and i wasn''t sure it was still top notch. it has been a fantastic restaurant... The first time i was there many many years ago i saw a proposal...

i will try to find out if it''s still first class.... then that''s a great place.

also there is a really nice pier right there too... it''s where the water taxi stop is.....

the pier alone is a great view as it''s right near the river cafe... or the Brooklyn promanade....
 
Hi Zen,
So I followed up with finding a Nyc sales associate and tallked to Barbara McShane (seems like an irish omen...). She understands the issues caused by the time difference and is completely willing to do everything via email with you. Her email is her first name dot her last name at Tiffany dot com. Say you are Zen from pricescope and shell know who you are.

She also said that a plain band ring can be sized the same day on site in about 4 hours. A band with bead set diamonds can go up or down a half size on site, but more than that they have to send it to the white plains facility and a rush takes 4 days. All of their rings are size 6.

As to color/clarity...Psychologically I wanted a G but when I looked at the stones I couldn''t see the difference btwn g and h at all. I did see some warmth at I, but I was looking at legacy''s so they''ll show more color being half step cut, and if I wasn''t looking at a G for comparison I might not have seen a thing at I either. I would definitely give her some Hs and Is to look at in case she likes the bigger sizes they''ll allow. Same with clarity. One of the rings I looked at was a g vvs1 and in my head I wanted to like that one because it seemed so close to a perfect stone, but the stone that spoke to me was an H vs1 and I have never in any lighting condition seen anything in it. In any case you can work all the specifics out with Barbara :)

The great thing is that with a couple of months to plan, you can probably get the whole of what T&Co has in it''s American stock that meet your specs for your gf''s perusal.

So much fun! I can''t wait to hear your proposal story!
 
Just checked...
river cafe.. still top notch restaurant...

if you decide to do it - tell them you plan a marriage proposal there and really want a seat along the window.
 
Hello everyone

Thanks a million again for all your help and suggestions - I''ll definitely ring/e-mail them soon and order some in for when we''re there. I''ll be doing all of this in August so ill make sure to come back and let you all know how i got on!
 
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