Help! Tacori HT251012x or Cartier 1895 Pave

[Mikeyw1212]

It's funny how when the idea to propose entered my mind back in November, I thought $8k was going to be way more than enough for a huge rock. Five months of jewelry stores and a TON of diamond research later, I've learned that her taste will put me in the +15K range. While a LOT more than I expected, I'm more than willing to make sacrifices for her.

She and I seemed to like the Tacori HT251210x with a 1.5 EGL H VVS2 available at a local store. I was enjoying the idea of picking out the diamond myself and having it mounted- made it feel unique and special. However after a visit to a Cartier store in San Francisco, we BOTH fell in love with the 1895 Pave (1.3 H VS2).

Here's the issues I have:

(reproduction is not an option- neither of us is interested in that route)

Tacori with the diamond mentioned above is ~$14000. (The diamond is EGL Ideal Ex,Ex,Ex... a real nice stone)
The Cartier is ~$20000?!?!?!?!? The H VS2 is very nice looking and the ring flows much better IMO, but I'm not allowed to see or choose the diamond?? I just pay them 20K and I better like what they give me?? Furthermore, are their GIA diamonds even ideal (excellent) cuts? I've heard of Cartier using "very good" and even "goods" in their e-rings?!?!

I would be more than happy to buy a used 1895 pave if anyone knows where to find them!

Please help. I need to act soon. Hopefully someone out there has some insight or can talk some sense into me.
Thanks!

 

[MissGotRocks]

For reference, here is a very well cut 1.50 stone http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1436464.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131.. As you can see from the price, it makes the stone AND Tacori mounting you are considering a very good price but remember, the EGL H VVS2 stone would not be an H VVS2 stone graded by GIA or AGS. Even if it were, I would probably never consider paying for a VVS stone as it's overkill for clarity in my opinion. However, that may not be your opinion.

Secondly, as far as Cartier goes, their stones are probably graded in house just as the Tiffany stones are. I am sure they can verify this for you. I am also sure if requested that they can bring in several stones/rings for you to choose from in terms of color and clarity. They should be able to provide you with some specifications on cut as well.

If you are not willing to consider reproductions, then as far as the Cartier ring goes you will have to go with whatever stones they have to offer. You cannot purchase a mounting from them and then find a stone elsewhere and have it set. You are paying a premium for a branded ring and it will always be steeper than something you can put together for yourself. Same with Tacori - they make beautiful rings but they are branded and therefore very pricey! You can order the Tacori from many vendors though and choose the stone to go in it. You might consider a stone in the 1.3 - 1.4 range to save some money too. I frankly would be leary about purchasing an EGL stone that I couldn't have appraised as a loose stone.

There are other options for beautiful rings too - just depends on how flexible you might be with what the two of you want in a ring. The Cartier and Tacori rings you've mentioned are two totally different looks. If you can narrow down which setting you like best, you can move forward from there. One is bought set as is; the other leaves you more flexibility in choosing a stone you prefer.

It's a lot to take in all at once and I don't blame you for feeling overwhelmed. Good luck to you in your search and if we can be of assistance, please don't hesitate to ask!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I'd scratch the EGL diamond since as MGR said, that is not reliable grading, but I would go with Tacori and a GIA Excellent diamond that fits in your very generous $15,000 budget. $20k is too much to pay for the Cartier name and especially when you cannot pick out the diamond! It would have been best not to have gone there, which you have probably figured out!

Oh, and yes, we had some people visit Cartier and I think, Graff, one time, and they posted some diamond specs and the diamonds were not necessarily what we would consider top cut quality. There's just no way I'd pay that price and not have the best of the best in terms of diamond quality.

 

[slg47]

those two styles are very different! is there one she likes more? as far as it being a reproduction...there are many designers that make pave rings. Why not go with a pave ring from another designer so you can pick your stone?