Go designer?

[peterspixie]

Do you think it is best to go with a designer Ering or generic? by that I mean does having a name brand Ering make a big difference in the quality of the ring it self?

 

[yssie]

In a word, no.



Like most things, you can get poor custom work and pro custom work, you just have to find the right jeweller.



For some people the brand is important, which is a different case.

 

[LAG2010]

I found the setting I absolutely loved at a designer place, but there were a few things we didn''t like about it. By having my ring custom made through a jewler, we were able to add certain touches, like making the paves go further down the shank. (They stopped half way on the "name brand" version).

SO, in my opinion, if you find a great jeweler, doesn''t impact the quality at all.

 

[blackberry16]

Unlike other accessories no one has ever asked me where my ring was from. I agree that there are quality "non-namebrand" rings out there and when you buy a ring from some place like Tiffany or Cartier you are paying extra for the name.

 

[gardengloves]

Its all about the stone.... that''s my philosphy....get that squared away first...

 

[peterspixie]

I agree I just want something that will just make me go WOW! not something that will make me look at the reciept and go WOW!!

 

[Stone Hunter]

I think that it''s important for the setting to support and complement the stone. The stone is the STAR. That''s just my opinion thought and many folks spend a fortune on their setting and choose to spend less money on their stone.

Do what''s right for you.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I am a settings girl. It is all about the details for me. I think if you find a designer setting you love and can afford it you should go for it.

 

[Kelli]

While I do like to look at the designer rings and drool, for me it was all about the stone. My setting cost less than $300, and I like it better (on my hand) than the Tiffany and Tacori ones I tried on.

 

[Deactivated member 42515]

I think that it is your personal preference and how much your budget will allow you to spend. In my experience, I have noticed that the designer ones have the little extra details that they concentrate on and lets say you went to a generic mall jeweler, I feel like they do look just like settings and not like you had a diamond and the setting is just there to compliment your center stone.

Many might disagree with me, but there are reasons that designers are mor expensive, minus the "name" part. THe tiffany solitaire setting has the prongs set at a certain angle and degree to get the best illuminating light return for yor center stone. I cant say for sure but generic brands might not think of these things and thinks prongs are just prongs and it doesnt matter where they are set.

 

[NY Princess]

I think it''s personal, I know that for me I just kept going back to the setting (which happened to be a designer setting) and nothing else seemed to compare. It is soo different and even to this day I get compliments on it and I haven''t seen anyone else with something similar.

Perhaps you could get someone to duplicate the results but how could you know for sure?

 

[Liane]

I agree with yssie -- there''s a range.

A mass-produced setting is likely to be of lower quality than a designer ring (although even the designers have the occasional dud). A custom setting might be worse, equal, or (arguably) better, depending on the skill and care of the jeweler who makes it. So it depends what you mean by "generic" and whether you''re looking at the same price point or significantly higher/lower.

In general, you get what you pay for. With a name brand you can expect to pay a markup for the name and because it takes out some of the guesswork in going custom (you know that Tiffany is going to meet a certain standard of quality because it''s Tiffany; whether that standard is worth the markup depends on who you ask, but I think we can all agree it''s there).

That said, a setting can be absolutely lovely no matter where it comes from, if it''s carefully chosen and well-made.

 

[Deactivated member 42515]

Date: 12/4/2009 9:44:55 PM
Author: Liane
I agree with yssie -- there''s a range.

A mass-produced setting is likely to be of lower quality than a designer ring (although even the designers have the occasional dud). A custom setting might be worse, equal, or (arguably) better, depending on the skill and care of the jeweler who makes it. So it depends what you mean by ''generic'' and whether you''re looking at the same price point or significantly higher/lower.

In general, you get what you pay for. With a name brand you can expect to pay a markup for the name and because it takes out some of the guesswork in going custom (you know that Tiffany is going to meet a certain standard of quality because it''s Tiffany; whether that standard is worth the markup depends on who you ask, but I think we can all agree it''s there).

That said, a setting can be absolutely lovely no matter where it comes from, if it''s carefully chosen and well-made.

agreed!

 

[peterspixie]

You all have made such good points and after considering everything, I would rather have the diamond be the chunk of my budget. I figure in the future I could always upgrade the band and not have to worry about the stone if it is a good quality one!

Then again knowing me I would upgrade everything LOL!