Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

Help with pre-worn Tiffany e-ring

chappy said:
I'm no expert but I'd be wary of both these listings. In the first, the shank height looks wrong, and the engraving looks too deep. I get that it's an older model and also on gold, but compared to this example (also YG, older 1996 model):
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tiffany-Co...356288?hash=item4d512c8e40:g:lQcAAOSw241YUIfl

You can see the engraving doesn't have that 'halo' around it, and the shank height is much nicer.

The second listing has centered font in the Tiffany diamond certificate, but all the authentic certs I've seen have been left-aligned. Also note the diamond appears to be set crooked, and again the engraving is very deep.
Click to expand...
I'm definitely not an expert either!
 
Miki Moto said:
That is interesting to know for Australia as OP also posted above the lowest is VS2 when he spoke to them on the phone just earlier. Here is his quote:




Did you buy your ring at Tiffany Australia? I wonder why they would have different global standards as anyone can then resell a Tiffany Australia ring, say on e-Bay which would be inconsistent with say, the U.S. policy of lowest being I VS2.

@Athena10X If you GF really wants to get a Tiffany, maybe you can find a used SI1 Tiffany Australia on eBay. Reselling that ring in the U.S. would be tough though as Tiffany U.S. does not sell SI1 stones, so that may be something to think about.
Click to expand...

I’m certain my friend will want to upgrade in the future. Even though an eye-clean SI1 could be budget friendly right now, when it comes time to resell, I’m almost certain buyers will avoid because they will question authenticity, which is a shame if it meets all other parameters.
 
Starfacet said:
Is she open to other styles, like the Novo or Lucida?
Here's a classic 1.04 ct. solitaire for $8450 but it's tiny at size 4.5. Seller takes offers.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/TIFFANY-CO...429076?hash=item23a48b0314:g:z0QAAOSwSZFZyRua
A nice 3-stone. Nice finger coverage. Seller taking offers. Also tiny at 4.5.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tiffany-Co-Platinum-3Three-Stone-Round-Brilliant-Pear-Diamond-Engagement-Ring/362355903320?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649
Click to expand...

My friend is open to other styles, but has her heart set on a cushion cut. I think the Novo is better aligned with her tastes than the Lucida. I’ll open up the search to include the Novo. Thank you!
 
sledge said:
I've also used Parallels. Very cool program, especially on the newer platform and hardware. In the OS 8 & 9 years, it was a sluggish beast. Not so much anymore. At one point, I could access OS X GUI, Unix terminal command line via OS X, Windows via Parallels and also various Linux distros via Parallels.

My last MBP purchase was 2011. Retired it last year. Had a little over 6 years on the clock and was still going strong, but just time to upgrade and still managed to get about 45% of my initial price selling it on the used market. Throughout the years I had upgraded the RAM, hard drive, etc. as my needs expanded and at my leisure. The machine was a dream to own. When I decided to upgrade, I really wanted another MBP. Sadly, I learned everything is soldered and non-upgradeable and to get a machine I wanted cost me nearly $2k more than a Windows equivalent. There were more issues, but I'll spare the boring details to this diamond forum.

Sounds like your brother and I might have some things to discuss though. :mrgreen2:




I'm definitely not bashing Tiffany, I just don't understand her inability to listen to sound logic. I would better understand if she were getting a better product, or experience, for her money but the reality is she's not. Not to mention with BGD, WF and HPD she gets a great upgrade program that enables her to move up in size and not be limited to a 5 year window and 2x cost constraints.

Have you guys even discussed the idea of NOT buying Tiffany's, or are you just supporting her decisions because you feel that's what she wants?

Either way, it's her money to do with as she wishes. I fully support that. Just saddens me to think she's throwing away money on a "good" product, when she could have much better. But each to his or her own. Apparently I don't need the Tiffany experience to feel validated.
Click to expand...

The heart wants what it wants. Many times our emotionally driven desires are not logic based...otherwise we’d all be Vulcan and no one would be proposing with a diamond ring.
 
unsettled said:
Would she be willing to forego the Tiffany engagement ring and purchase her wedding band from Tiffany. I understand wanting a true Tiffany. But she could get more bang for her buck buying a similarly styled ring somewhere else and then going to Tiffany for her wedding band? Just a thought.
Click to expand...

I was thinking of doing something similar for myself...another thread for another time.
 
At this point I’m thinking that an “ideal” Tiffany diamond should exhibit an HCA score of 2 or under for optimal performance (applies to RB cut only). How would I evaluate potential light performance for a cushion based on proportions on cert without having to use my ASET scope?
 
Athena10X said:
My friend is open to other styles, but has her heart set on a cushion cut. I think the Novo is better aligned with her tastes than the Lucida. I’ll open up the search to include the Novo. Thank you!
Click to expand...
There are some pretty nice looking Novos on Ebay!
 
As comparison, I would like to show my friend potential ideal cushions with Tiffany-like solitaire settings (for my piece of mind). Turn over every stone basically.

I found the following on BGD:
https://www.briangavindiamonds.com/...918-g-vs1-cushion-diamond-active-104092669001

Another from GOG:
https://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond...S-E-VS1-diamond-stock-16643-cert-104051250008

CBI does not cut cushions. There weren’t any in-house cushions in Whiteflash inventory. Wasn’t fond of the crushed ice look of the ones on JA.

Any other recommendations from the wonderful experts here (including potential settings not exceeding $1200)? Thanks!
 
@Athena10X I just want to make a note that I had a BGD signature cushion and I absolutely loved that diamond. A friend of mine also received one from her fiancé and she loves it as well. I am including a pic:
3A1389F1-12D5-4B02-8E79-7CC4414C3748.jpeg
 
Athena10X said:
I just called Tiffany’s phone concierge line and spoke with a lovely SA. In any case, I advised the SA that I’m helping a GF, we visited a Tiffany store, that I personally own a super-ideal H&A, and knowing that Tiffany doesn’t cut to H&A or optical precision, I’d still like to find my friend the best performing diamond. She was very patient with me and looked at her ring inventory (since don’t sell loose stones). In general, she advised that ALL Tiffany diamonds are graded as Excellent because they only sell excellent cut. Although I forgot to ask for the lowest color grade, their lowest cut grade is VS2 (so eye-clean SI out of question :cry2:). Supposedly, they have very limited to almost no inventory of cushion cut solitaires, and small inventory of Celeste legacy rings. In any case, just to see what my GF could get for $8K, we looked at RB in their classic solitaire setting (speaking my language). Specifically, she pulled up a cert for a 3X .7 ct, G, VS1. I then proceeded to inquire on the various %s and angles listed below:

Table: 59
Depth: 62.8
Pavilion angle: 41.2
Crown angle: 35.3

HCA score: 4.6!!! :shock::eek2:

Needless to say, I’d be running away as fast as I could, but this was just an exercise in the SA being able to pull rings and confirm desired/undesired proportions by certs. I guess they don’t get frequent enough requests to create lookup fields for %s and angles.

For $8600, a Celeste legacy with a G, VVS2 (no inventory of lower clarity) would only yield .48 ct center and additional.10 ct melee. RB would be no brained for best value between these 2 options.

I also inquired about their upgrade policy. They did institute a limitation a few years ago, but the have since returned to a lifetime upgrade. I did mention updating their website to reflect thus. I also asked about valuation of original diamond. SA advised that original should receive 100% of original purchase toward new ring if just normal wear, but any major damage would reduce value. Regardless, still need to buy upgrade that is 2X original purchase price.

Hope this provides some clarification.
Click to expand...

“All our diamonds are excellent, because we grade them!” - honestly Tiffany starts to smell of scam when you think about it.
 
SimoneDi said:
@Athena10X I just want to make a note that I had a BGD signature cushion and I absolutely loved that diamond. A friend of mine also received one from her fiancé and she loves it as well. I am including a pic:
3A1389F1-12D5-4B02-8E79-7CC4414C3748.jpeg
Click to expand...

It is absolutely stunning! If you don’t mind me asking, what setting is the stone married to . Have any profile pics of head and gallery? Thanks!
 
Athena10X said:
It is absolutely stunning! If you don’t mind me asking, what setting is the stone married to . Have any profile pics of head and gallery? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Thank you! I need to dig more to find some of my old pics, but this was the cheapest setting that BGD offers. It was a great setting for the price and I never had any issues with it. BGD does a great job on the prongs as well.

Here are the glamour shots and the center stone was 1.5/J/SI2


8AE558F4-AD5D-4543-ACD5-DB13BF019832.jpeg
D790FB34-FFFA-4D73-A52D-64E069B944C6.jpeg
 

Attachments

  • BFB32029-2D2A-4439-A967-C03A7C5C7024.jpeg
    BFB32029-2D2A-4439-A967-C03A7C5C7024.jpeg
    107 KB · Views: 17
SimoneDi said:
Thank you! I need to dig more to find some of my old pics, but this was the cheapest setting that BGD offers. It was a great setting for the price and I never had any issues with it. BGD does a great job on the prongs as well.

Here are the glamour shots and the center stone was 1.5/J/SI2


8AE558F4-AD5D-4543-ACD5-DB13BF019832.jpeg
D790FB34-FFFA-4D73-A52D-64E069B944C6.jpeg
Click to expand...


That’s a lovely setting!
 
Athena10X said:
That’s a lovely setting!
Click to expand...

It was my “temp” setting and I still think that it’s a great setting for that, but for a “forever” setting, I might select something different. Depending on what your gf wants, BGD have a great bench.

Here is my friends BGD cushion in a custom handforged Steven Kirsch halo. She wanted a chunky halo and it came out great. Her center stone is just under 0.9ct center. (Shown here with the metro band from T&Co)
6EF3D022-13FF-4B11-9FF5-48B6B724931E.jpeg
 
Athena10X said:
Found a Triple-X G, VS2 novo. Not sure if it’s the lighting, but concerned that G looks “yellow” in some of the photos. Thoughts on color?
https://bloomsburymanor.com/collect...-g-vs2-novo-diamond-solitaire-engagement-ring
Click to expand...
I wouldn't buy -- or not buy --the ring because of an online photo, especially since Tiffany has graded the center stone as a G (while I am critical about much of Tiffany's current operations, I've not seen a Tiffany diamond whose color grade made my eyebrows shoot up). Even if you've recently color-calibrated your computer monitor or device screen (color calibration drifts over time), most of us haven't made the inve$ment in color calibration software that semi-pro and professional photographers use. Plus, assuming that the vendor is conscientious about posting pics that reflect what they see in real life, you have no way of knowing whether your monitor/device is synced, color-wise, the same as theirs.

Bloomsbury Manor enjoys a good reputation & has a generous 30-day return policy, but it is in London. Think your friend wants to hassle with an international return shipment, should she decide the ring doesn't make her heart sing?
Athena10X said:
Another Triple-X for what I think is amazing price. Too good to be true/authentic?
https://www.bluechipjewelry.com/catalog/pre-loved-jewelry/1420/#
Click to expand...
I wouldn't send them my money. This seems to be a mysterious outfit. No address given on website (so far as I can tell) so trying to verify their existence, true corporate identity & track record with consumers, is a dead end. And they've used GoDaddy as their domain registry proxy; ICANN records do not give any indication as to who they actually might be, where they are.

The Bloomsbury Manor ring is a 3, the BlueChip one is a 6.5, so I'm wondering what ring size your friend needs; if we know what size ring she wears, we PSers can avoid suggesting possibilities that aren't close to her size : - )
 
@MollyMalone Nice sleuth-work. We forgot to confirm her ring size while trying in different settings. I do know that a 6 slid on easily and if I’m not mistaken she probably tried mine on for comparison and I’m a 4.25-4.5 (depending on the day)
 
Athena10X said:
@MollyMalone Nice sleuth-work. We forgot to confirm her ring size while trying in different settings. I do know that a 6 slid on easily and if I’m not mistaken she probably tried mine on for comparison and I’m a 4.25-4.5 (depending on the day)
Click to expand...
Size is really important. When buying pre-owned, if the shank is solid - resizing is pretty easy up and down, but you may lose the Tiffany markings if they need to re-shank the ring.

If there are diamonds on the shank, resizing is hard. Sizing pave down is risky and up only a bit less so.
 
Starfacet said:
Would your friend like something like these August Vintage cushions? The first one is 1 ct.

https://www.augustvintageinc.com/co...1-august-vintage-cushion-brilliant-4270-0049a

https://www.augustvintageinc.com/co...vs2-august-vintage-cushion-brilliant-74095862

https://www.augustvintageinc.com/co...vs2-august-vintage-cushion-brilliant-74073792

https://www.augustvintageinc.com/co...vs1-august-vintage-cushion-brilliant-74091395
Click to expand...

@Starfacet, great find. I really like the first one. Are there “super-Ideal” proportions for cushions (at least on paper) that I should stick to? Or does it run the gamut for non RB/fancy cuts? Obviously, my friend will need to request an Aset and Ideal scope image, especially since can’t plug parameters into HCA. Also, is the AV branded or is it a common type of cushion sold by other vendors?
 
Athena10X said:
@Starfacet, great find. I really like the first one. Are there “super-Ideal” proportions for cushions (at least on paper) that I should stick to? Or does it run the gamut for non RB/fancy cuts? Obviously, my friend will need to request an Aset and Ideal scope image, especially since can’t plug parameters into HCA. Also, is the AV branded or is it a common type of cushion sold by other vendors?
Click to expand...
Once you leave a round, there are not special proportions for cushions. Its all about the facets and light-play. Cushions come in three flavors...crushed ice (lots of tiny sparkles), crisp (strong, clear facets), or vintage (antique or modern cut antique style). AVC and Victor Canera cushions are modercut antique that have ideal light return.

if she like old cuts, have a look at OECs too. With old cuts, you often can lower color as they hide body color better.

Nice semi-crushed ice. http://www.diamondsbylauren.com/ind...ond-101ct-g-si2-cushion-cut-diamond-gia-r7647

For save from PS member.
https://loupetroop.com/listings/rings/2-dot-25ctw-cushion-brilliant-in-rose-gold-halo
 
Athena10X said:
@Starfacet, great find. I really like the first one. Are there “super-Ideal” proportions for cushions (at least on paper) that I should stick to? Or does it run the gamut for non RB/fancy cuts? Obviously, my friend will need to request an Aset and Ideal scope image, especially since can’t plug parameters into HCA. Also, is the AV branded or is it a common type of cushion sold by other vendors?
Click to expand...
Hi @Athena10X, August Vintage stones are a branded cut and Jonathan's main goal in life is to create diamonds with optimal light return. The upper diamond in my avatar is an N color August Vintage cushion. I think proportions are all over the map with regards to cushions. Also, Jonathan can provide you with ASET and IS images no problem.

I missed another nice one:
https://www.augustvintageinc.com/co...vs2-august-vintage-cushion-brilliant-74184533
 
These are not listed on the GOG site, probably why I wasn’t aware of them. Is AV still a GOG branded cut?
 
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