HARRY WINSTON OR TIFFANY???

[sbear]

btw, here''s the 1.35ct on her hand. Sorry for the bad
picture, it''s the best one we have (we had to do it
quickly because we felt uncomfortable taking the pic)

 

[vespergirl]

Harry Winston, hands down.

 

[kjt]

If you''re open to go with a custom from LM or Whiteflash, I suggest you go try that out first before plopping down the serious $$$$ for a HW or Tiffany. I think they could do just as good of a job, AND get you a bigger diamond for your fiance.

Nothing''s stopping you from getting the HW or TIFF if you''re not pleased with the workmanship of the vendors or you''re uncomfortable going for something online. Many people on this site have bought pieces from them, and they seem to reputable vendors.

 

[nicoleleigh]

love the harry winston!

 

[BlackIsland]

Oh my!

I also loved the Tiffany Lucida when were looking.

But the HW - OH MY!

Given a choice, I would go HW all the way.

BI

 

[vintagelover229]

Date: 4/17/2009 3:25:36 PM
Author: sbear
wow you guys, we really appreciate your time and your opinions!

We almost called HW to order the ring! but we have an appointment on
monday to look at lose diamonds and tiffany is getting more lucidas
for us to look at.

We love the craftsmanship of Leon but we are nervous ordering a
diamond online, how does that work? Do they send you the diamond
and then you have to send it to Leon? What if we don''t like the
diamond? How do we know if they''ll swap the diamond or not?
So these are our concerns and since we''ve never bought a diamond
online and don''t know anyone in our family or friends who have
done this, we thought it would be too stressful even though we
can get a bigger diamond and the same look of the HW.

Some of you asked what the dream ring is. Well, I think it''s
the BIGGER HW she tried on. The one pictured is a 1.35ct and the
1.56ct stood out more obviously. BUT more $$$$.

Here''s the thing, the 1.35ct HW is about the same price as a lower
clarity and lower color Lucida, can you believe that? The reason
why we''re so confused is because the look of the Lucida is growing
on us but then we''re getting a better diamond with HW. BUT THEN with
Leon, you get a bigger diamond, quality craftsmanship (which is very,
very important to her), just no name.

Can you see how confused we are?
I want to get over this process already. We had no idea it was going
to be this hard.

If you want size...I''d go for H or I in color and VS2 or eyeclean SI1 or SI2. Contact Jonathan at www.goodoldgold.com
He will find you a diamond, he has a great upgrade policy, a 70% buy back policy, and a great return policy. He will take picture of the stones you like, compare them side-by-side in videos for you to view, and then will ship the stone to you. If you dont like it, (which I highly doubt you wont) he''ll source another one for you.

Goodoldgold is actually a store that also does things online. They are in long island, NY.

I bought my stone from Jonathan without ever seeing it first. He made videos of it for me, and its beautiful. In fact, I''m upgrading now, and he''s doing it for me again! He wont let you buy a dud stone...and I PROMISE it will be beautiful!

Contact him...call him and talk to him and see how you feel. Your going to get more bang for your buck with the same policies as any jewlery store, without the huge pricetag or mark-up.

Before you order anything from Tiffany or HW...do check out this link and read the GOG reviews....you wont be sorry!

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-good-old-gold-experience.17955/

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/high-praises-for-good-old-gold.11689/

those are just a few...here is a link to the search I did for you!
http://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/search.asp

 

[sbear]

thanks Stephanie for all the info! I''ll ask my gf if she wants
to go that route

 

[LadyBlue]

HR HR HR, thats looks like a win win win ring

 

[sbear]

gaby06:
seriously, looks like HW got the most votes. It''s #1 on out list.
Then the Lucida and we''re waiting for a lady to call us back for
the loose diamonds. If she can find something as nice as the HW
and bigger, I think we might just get it and call Leon. We live
in CA and he''s in NY, how do we determine the look we want? Do
any of you know?

thanks a bunch you guys!!

 

[Kay]

Between the HW and the Lucida, I would take the HW. Those double claw prong make me swoon. Based on what you posted, it sounds like your dream ring is the HW design, just with a larger stone than you can afford at the HW mark up.

Personally, I would buy a loose radiant elsewhere and then have Leon set it with double claw prongs and either tapered baguette or arrow side stones. Jonathon at GOG has a good reputation for radiants.


http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=2
http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=279

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Drena and I secret shopped several top brands in a major European city recently and I was appalled at the consistency and quality of the diamond cut in all of them.

If major brands are serious about their current market position they really need to pull their sox up.

The brands we visited where I examined diamonds for cut quality with an ideal-scope: Graff, Harry Winston, Cartier and Gueblin.
We visited several other stores too.

Service was often pushy, store lighting over desks and the surrounding environments were rarley good.

In one case I said "this diamond looks like a very low colour" the sales person looked it up and said "it is E sir, what color is your wifes ring?" Drena''s is F and it too looked yellow - like J/K - and she explained "all diamond look lower in color in our store". d''oh

 

[vintagelover229]

Date: 4/17/2009 6:33:07 PM
Author: sbear
gaby06:
seriously, looks like HW got the most votes. It''s #1 on out list.
Then the Lucida and we''re waiting for a lady to call us back for
the loose diamonds. If she can find something as nice as the HW
and bigger, I think we might just get it and call Leon. We live
in CA and he''s in NY, how do we determine the look we want? Do
any of you know?

thanks a bunch you guys!!

Well so far I''ve gotten the fact she''d like a 1.5 carat radient stone in a beautiful setting. I suggest having her take a look online and find inspiration pictures to put together an image of what she wants in her head into an image that can be worked with.

What you do is you give him gudielines and let Leon work his magic. For example :do you want side stones? If so...what shape? Do you want engraving or pave or milgrain? Etc. etc.

I highly suggest finding a a few rings that have the elements she wants and letting him work from those.
Its all about what look SHE wants. Have her check out artofplatinum.com

Have her check out he SMTR forum on this thread to get inspiration ideas as well!

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

I''m also in favor of checking out loose radiants and/or cushions, and going to Leon. If she likes the look of the radiant with sidestones, and the double claws, I have no doubt Leon could do that beautifully. Same if she decides she prefers the look of the Lucida. There are some very reputable vendors here who work primarily with online sales, and plenty of good reviews on Pricescope. Just take a look and see what''s out there

If you do decide to buy from HW or Tiffs, I saw go with HW

 

[icekid]

Date: 4/17/2009 11:31:40 AM
Author: steph72276
Leon!!! Same quality workmanship for less and you can get a bigger diamond! But out of the other two I would saw HW.

yes yes yes!

 

[marcy]

Love the HW ring. It''s lovely.

 

[asforhim]

I seriously considered buying loose and having a highly skilled craftsman set the stone (like leon) instead of going retail. THE PROBLEM is that it is very difficult to assess the quality of fancy cut stones, particularly raidants, without seeing several in person.

Online purchasing for fancy cuts is difficult and takes certain amount of faith in the retailer. So called brick and mortar "wholesalers" (chi-town row or NY jewelers row) generally don''t have much inventory on hand in the fancy shapes, or the quality is suspect.

It is certainly possible to replicate a HW or tiffany as good as they can do it, but it is alot of work and takes perseverance.

Seeing as HW''s north american retail sales are down over 60% (according to dimex.com), I''m sure they will be willing to work with you on price.

 

[Imdanny]

Have you considered the Harry Winston Micropave? The diamond and the setting are breathtaking.

If I were going to spend Harry Winston money, I would consider this ring too.

I am not in the school of thought that Harry Winston can be replicated. To me, a Leon Mege looks like a Leon Mege. And I think that that is a compliment to Leon Mege.

I concur with the poster who said that radiants are not easy to pick out without seeing many in person. Many diamonds can be "radiants" just like many diamonds can be "cushions" while looking very different to the discerning eye.

Thank you for posting the picture of the Harry Winston radiant. Personally, I think that it is a perfect size, but only she can know this for sure. I do think that there is a reason that so many people are voting for the Harry Winston, and, no, I do not think it is because of the "name." I think that most people who post here are very open to all kinds of companies, certainly not only to the biggest names. To me it would not be hard choice, but that is just me! Please remember to post once you make a decision and get a ring. It sounds like your ring is going to be extraordinary, whichever one you choose.

 

[Imdanny]

BTW, in case you didn't see it, here is a thread about the Harry Winston Micropave.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/harry-winston-pave-halo-what-about-pink-micropave-diamond-band.110982/

 

[sbear]

Thank you guys SO much for your opinions. It makes us feel less
stressed.

We got a call back from a local jeweler and she''s going to show
us some radiants and cushions on monday. And on wednesday we''re
taking a look at more lucidas. I think we''ll make our final
decision then. We have to let the HW sales agent first bc she''s
going nuts waiting for our answer. It''s been about 3 weeks, is
that too long? We felt she was very pushy last time we spoke...

Imdanny:
She tried that ring at the store and said it was too much for her.
She prefers classy looks (better for me bc the ring you''re talking
about was more expensive for the same carat weight).

If we go with the loose diamond and give Leon a call, what do you guys
think about this style? (with out the shield stones, just the moon
side stones)

http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=268

 

[arjunajane]

Neither - get GOG or ERD to source you a diamond and go to Leon - than you can get yout girl the larger size she desires.

 

[Rhea]

If it needs to be one of those names, Harry Winston. The Tiffany name doesn''t hold the same prestige that HW does. I also like the HW setting better than the Tiffany one.

 

[vintagelover229]

Date: 4/18/2009 3:32:15 AM
Author: sbear
Thank you guys SO much for your opinions. It makes us feel less
stressed.

We got a call back from a local jeweler and she''s going to show
us some radiants and cushions on monday. And on wednesday we''re
taking a look at more lucidas. I think we''ll make our final
decision then. We have to let the HW sales agent first bc she''s
going nuts waiting for our answer. It''s been about 3 weeks, is
that too long? We felt she was very pushy last time we spoke...

Imdanny:
She tried that ring at the store and said it was too much for her.
She prefers classy looks (better for me bc the ring you''re talking
about was more expensive for the same carat weight).

If we go with the loose diamond and give Leon a call, what do you guys
think about this style? (with out the shield stones, just the moon
side stones)

http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=268

I LOVE THAT LEON! I say go for that one! It will be very beautiful with just the moon side stones! I say do it!
Also, I know your trying to source a loose stone local...but Jonathan is in NYC (GOG) and so is Mark at ERD. They have sourced many beautfiul cushion cut stones and radient stones. I trust their eyes better than my own! Just give them a budget, specs, and size and they''ll work magic!

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 4/18/2009 3:32:15 AM
Author: sbear


If we go with the loose diamond and give Leon a call, what do you guys
think about this style? (with out the shield stones, just the moon
side stones)

http://www.artofplatinum.com/4images/details.php?image_id=268

GORGEOUS

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 4/17/2009 8:47:07 PM
Author: Garry H (Cut Nut)
Drena and I secret shopped several top brands in a major European city recently and I was appalled at the consistency and quality of the diamond cut in all of them.

If major brands are serious about their current market position they really need to pull their sox up.

The brands we visited where I examined diamonds for cut quality with an ideal-scope: Graff, Harry Winston, Cartier and Gueblin.
We visited several other stores too.

Service was often pushy, store lighting over desks and the surrounding environments were rarley good.

In one case I said ''this diamond looks like a very low colour'' the sales person looked it up and said ''it is E sir, what color is your wifes ring?'' Drena''s is F and it too looked yellow - like J/K - and she explained ''all diamond look lower in color in our store''. d''oh

Wow, that is good to know about the high end branded jewelry stores, yikes to making their own stones looking like lower color

 

[MMT]

Date: 4/17/2009 3:39:13 PM
Author: vespergirl
Harry Winston, hands down.

DITTO

 

[RubyCharm]

Date: 4/17/2009 3:25:36 PM
Author: sbear
wow you guys, we really appreciate your time and your opinions!


We almost called HW to order the ring! but we have an appointment on

monday to look at lose diamonds and tiffany is getting more lucidas

for us to look at.


We love the craftsmanship of Leon but we are nervous ordering a

diamond online, how does that work? Do they send you the diamond

and then you have to send it to Leon? What if we don''t like the

diamond? How do we know if they''ll swap the diamond or not?

So these are our concerns and since we''ve never bought a diamond

online and don''t know anyone in our family or friends who have

done this, we thought it would be too stressful even though we

can get a bigger diamond and the same look of the HW.


Some of you asked what the dream ring is. Well, I think it''s

the BIGGER HW she tried on. The one pictured is a 1.35ct and the

1.56ct stood out more obviously. BUT more $$$$.


Here''s the thing, the 1.35ct HW is about the same price as a lower

clarity and lower color Lucida, can you believe that? The reason

why we''re so confused is because the look of the Lucida is growing

on us but then we''re getting a better diamond with HW. BUT THEN with

Leon, you get a bigger diamond, quality craftsmanship (which is very,

very important to her), just no name.


Can you see how confused we are?

I want to get over this process already. We had no idea it was going

to be this hard.

Both rings are gorgeous, but I like the Lucida better, so I would pick that one.

However, never underestimate your feelings when it comes to diamond size. Your feelings tell you that your dream ring is the BIGGER HW. So, first, you need to decide which part (whether the "BIGGER" part or the "HW" part) of your dream ring is more meaningful to you and your fiancee. Otherwise, you might regret getting the brand when, in fact, you would have been happier with a larger diamond.

Check out this thread to get an idea of what I mean.

 

[bee*]

Well I''m totally biased as I have a lucida so I''ll go for that one. It was and still is my dream ring and I just adore them. Plus it''s patent cut so you can''t get it elsewhere.

 

[sbear]

Thanks again everyone, you guys are so helpful!
So far HW is our #1 pick. The local jeweler called
and found a radiant. Please let me know if you
think it''s a good one:

1.71ct
F
vs1
Table: 68%
Depth: 67.7%
7.15x6.29x4.27
symmetry and polysh: very good
$11,973

bee: I think the Lucida is gorgeous, and we like
it that it''s very unique. However, the quality of
the stone we''re getting is much lower than the HW
for the same price. And we don''t know if they offer
any kind of discounts?

Thanks again for your help everyone and please
advice me on that loose stone

 

[vintagelover229]

Date: 4/18/2009 5:07:08 PM
Author: sbear
Thanks again everyone, you guys are so helpful!
So far HW is our #1 pick. The local jeweler called
and found a radiant. Please let me know if you
think it''s a good one:

1.71ct
F
vs1
Table: 68%
Depth: 67.7%
7.15x6.29x4.27
symmetry and polysh: very good
$11,973

bee: I think the Lucida is gorgeous, and we like
it that it''s very unique. However, the quality of
the stone we''re getting is much lower than the HW
for the same price. And we don''t know if they offer
any kind of discounts?

Thanks again for your help everyone and please
advice me on that loose stone

There is no way to judge either a radient or a cushion cut stone on numbers along...I''m sorry but we need pictures.
Again I encourage you to concact Jonathan at GOG or mark at ERD to source a stone for you.


If you are only choosing a setting based on the "value" of what your paying for the quality of the stone you may need to rethink a few things. I''m going to point out that 1) Diamonds are not an investment. You are going to grossly overpay for the name of either Tiffany or HW. If you are okay with paying for the name you need to decide which you like better not because of the price, but because of the style. The quality of the stone at this point IMO doesnt matter if your getting a brand name for the same price if you like the style. If you like one better than the other...and one is a VVS1 and the other is a VS1 or H color to a I color...just pick the one you like if the price is the same. Your probably not going to visually see a difference in much besides the size of the stone, if there is a size difference between the two.

If you are going the "loose" stone route, please do not post just numbers are they are useless without pictures and ASET images. Ask for those and please post those if you get them. Also, it makes a difference who the stone was graded by, if its GIA or AGS the report is probably accurate...but other grading reports are dont have the same strick standards when grading a stone. For example: A EGL report could say a stone is G in color where if the GIA graded it, the stone may be H or I in color.



Good luck in your search.

 

[Imdanny]

Date: 4/18/2009 2:42:32 PM
Author: RubyCharm

Date: 4/17/2009 3:25:36 PM

Author: sbear

wow you guys, we really appreciate your time and your opinions!



We almost called HW to order the ring! but we have an appointment on


monday to look at lose diamonds and tiffany is getting more lucidas


for us to look at.



We love the craftsmanship of Leon but we are nervous ordering a


diamond online, how does that work? Do they send you the diamond


and then you have to send it to Leon? What if we don't like the


diamond? How do we know if they'll swap the diamond or not?


So these are our concerns and since we've never bought a diamond


online and don't know anyone in our family or friends who have


done this, we thought it would be too stressful even though we


can get a bigger diamond and the same look of the HW.



Some of you asked what the dream ring is. Well, I think it's


the BIGGER HW she tried on. The one pictured is a 1.35ct and the


1.56ct stood out more obviously. BUT more $$$$.



Here's the thing, the 1.35ct HW is about the same price as a lower


clarity and lower color Lucida, can you believe that? The reason


why we're so confused is because the look of the Lucida is growing


on us but then we're getting a better diamond with HW. BUT THEN with


Leon, you get a bigger diamond, quality craftsmanship (which is very,


very important to her), just no name.



Can you see how confused we are?


I want to get over this process already. We had no idea it was going


to be this hard.

Both rings are gorgeous, but I like the Lucida better, so I would pick that one.


However, never underestimate your feelings when it comes to diamond size. Your feelings tell you that your dream ring is the BIGGER HW. So, first, you need to decide which part (whether the 'BIGGER' part or the 'HW' part) of your dream ring is more meaningful to you and your fiancee. Otherwise, you might regret getting the brand when, in fact, you would have been happier with a larger diamond.

Or vice versa.