How do I go about getting this ring without paying Tiffany 35k?

[Digable]

Hi all, new member here.

I'd like to buy my gf a 2 carat emerald cut ring in this style:
Tiffany Setting

However, I went into Tiffany Las Vegas and they want 35k+ for it.
My budget is closer to 20k, perhaps a bit more.

There's a similar setting on Blue Nile, but it looks way too chunky in comparison:
Blue Nile Setting

James Allen has a nice one, but the sidestones aren't as flush with the ring as in the Tiffany setting:
James Allen Setting

Any ideas? I preume I can't buy a Tiffany setting without buying one of their overpriced diamonds as well, can I?
Thanks SO much for any and all help

 

[JulieN]

Can't buy emeralds from Blue Nile for lack of pictures.

I suggest you find the emerald first. Plenty of great craftsmen to make the setting.

 

[angeline]

I have two words for you. Maybe more..

Leon. Mege. (Artofplatinum.com) for the setting.

Pricescope vendor for the stone.

Voila! The ring you have seen in Tiffs, which is not very unusual in design, for probably within your budget. I do not know much about EC''s but I am sure more knowledgeable people will be along to help with the stone.

Seriously check out Leon''s website, I think you will be happy!

 

[Demelza]

Date: 6/18/2008 12:47:58 AM
Author:Digable
Hi all, new member here.


I'd like to buy my gf a 2 carat emerald cut ring in this style:

Tiffany Setting


However, I went into Tiffany Las Vegas and they want 35k+ for it.

My budget is closer to 20k, perhaps a bit more.


There's a similar setting on Blue Nile, but it looks way too chunky in comparison:

Blue Nile Setting


James Allen has a nice one, but the sidestones aren't as flush with the ring as in the Tiffany setting:

James Allen Setting


Any ideas? I preume I can't buy a Tiffany setting without buying one of their overpriced diamonds as well, can I?

Thanks SO much for any and all help

I'm actually in the process of having this exact ring custom made for my 1.5 ct emerald cut. I went back and forth between using Leon Mege and Maytal Hannah and ultimately decided on Maytal. With a budget of 20k, plan to spend about 16k on the stone and leave the rest for the setting. I would think you could certainly get a 2ct with your budget (depending on the color and clarity) and the setting will be just as (if not more) beautiful than the Tiffany's! Good luck!

 

[Cocosgirl]

Hi Digable! Welcome. I might overload you with options but no reason for you to pay the crazy Tiffany premium when you can get a great stone and setting for a significantly lower price!!!

Here''s an option for you: http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/em210gvs2/ -- this appears to be a nice emerald cut (call Jonathan at GOG and he''ll tell you what it really looks like) and it''s 2.10 cts at $20,648 at the bankwire price. A great price for a nice color and grade. You may want to inquire about their upgrade policy since this diamond seems to be only on their 30 day money back guarantee and not on their lifetime upgrade.

Then ask them to set it in a mounting like this which I think is in the range of what you are looking for: (this setting can''t be more than $2K)
http://www.goodoldgold.com/setting/I-47ET160/

Or this one which is a little more substantial:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/setting/I-20PLE801/

or,if you were looking for something a little more interesting maybe this:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/setting/RL-LDR227R/

or even this?
http://www.goodoldgold.com/setting/SS-863B/

or EVEN THIS!!!!
http://www.goodoldgold.com/setting/V-315/

Also James Allen has some lovely stones like these:
http://www.jamesallen.com/grading_report.asp?pic=1048791&type=2

http://www.jamesallen.com/grading_report.asp?pic=1048791&type=2

http://www.jamesallen.com/grading_report.asp?pic=1052451&type=2

http://www.jamesallen.com/grading_report.asp?pic=1059637&type=2

with a setting like this:

http://www.jamesallen.com/products/item_58-869_build.asp?module=setting
or this
http://www.jamesallen.com/products/item_58-777_build.asp?module=setting

I think you could EASILY (someone jump in here) get exactly what you are looking for closer to the $25K range with a wicked stone and an awesome setting. Let us know what you decide. . .

Good Luck!!!!

 

[Demelza]

If you're wanting the setting to look like the Tiffany's ring, I would be hesitant about going with a stock piece like those you're seeing on the Blue Nile or Good Old Gold website. With a nice budget like yours, I would definitely spend a bit more to get a custom made setting from someone like Leon, Maytal, or Mark Morrell (to name just a few). Stock settings from companies like Ingwer and Stuller tend to be bulkier and most come with peg heads -- this is not the fluid look you see with the Tiffany's design where the head is part of the ring.

As for the diamond, I would contact several PS vendors, tell them what you're looking for, and see what they come up with.

 

[Digable]

OMG you people are all so amazing!!!
This is so helpful!

 

[Cocosgirl]

Oh I agree with Demelza that a gorgeous custom setting would knock your FF socks off! I just wasn''t sure that you had the time or inclination to go the custom route. Having had 2 custom rings done I can attest to the fact that even the loveliest, simplest settings, in custom, are rocking!!! Go for it!!!

 

[bee*]

If you''re still looking for an original, I''d contact signedpieces.com also and they can keep an eye out for one.

 

[Digable]

Thanks for all the help everyone, I think I''ll go the custom route.
Ok in terms of buying a diamond, I want the ring to look identical to the one in the picture on tiffany''s website.
So, I''d like it to have the same proportions. I took that diamond and cropped it in photoshop.
It appears to be 139 by 96 pixels so basically its 1.44x length to width ratio.
So I''m going to look for an EC diamond with a 1.43-1.45x ratio.
Is there anything wrong with my approach? (using pixels to determine l/w ratio)

Thanks!

 

[LtlFirecracker]

I think that you can match the porportions up, but it is hard to get an "exact" copy of a designer ring. I think that the vendor you are working with may require a couple small changes for copyright purposes. I would start by figuring out if there are any improvements you think can be made from the design and go from there. I think you can get it pretty close to the original and save a lot of money.

 

[cara]

Digable, if you want a completely exact replica, you should really get the original Tiffany.

I agree that stock settings may look bulky or not perfectly fit your stones, and custom is the way to go with your budget if you want a comparably beautiful ring (but not an exact replica). The craftsmen recommended above (Leon Mege, Mark Morrell, Maytal) are designers and not benchmen. There talents are not best used by making exact replicas of other people''s work and then fighting off copyright lawsuits.

That said, you can get an absolutely beautiful ring made by one of them with exquisite proportions and similar to the Tiffany ring. The best way to determine if you would be happy with the outcome is to look at these artist''s other work and the stories other''s have posted about working with them.

But my knee-jerk reaction to your design project is that you should concentrate your efforts on finding a lovely EC stone for the center, and then send it off to Leon, and allow him to find the side stones and make the mounting. Leon has a wonderful eye for proportion, will consult you on the look you want, and will have an easier time sourcing and matching the sidestones than you will. Look at other 3-stone rings he has made for people and see if you like his eye.

Mark Morrell does absolutely lovely work, but I think Leon is a better match for this project. And I am interested in seeing how Demelza''s project goes with Maytal - I don''t recall as many Maytal three-stone rings posted on ps so I look forward to seeing what she does!

 

[WinkHPD]

Date: 6/18/2008 12:47:58 AM
Author:Digable
Hi all, new member here.

I'd like to buy my gf a 2 carat emerald cut ring in this style:
Tiffany Setting

However, I went into Tiffany Las Vegas and they want 35k+ for it.
My budget is closer to 20k, perhaps a bit more.

There's a similar setting on Blue Nile, but it looks way too chunky in comparison:
Blue Nile Setting

James Allen has a nice one, but the sidestones aren't as flush with the ring as in the Tiffany setting:
James Allen Setting

Any ideas? I preume I can't buy a Tiffany setting without buying one of their overpriced diamonds as well, can I?
Thanks SO much for any and all help

You can speak with several of the vendors here who can do that ring for you. You can also probably find a diamond here, although finding a well cut emerald cut is still a difficult task.

I have a couple of comments that I have put on the ring in the enclosed picture, regardless of who you use you want to make sure the cut outs are sharp and clean and even on both sides. I see many pieces, especially from casting houses where they are not even. Also, notice the nice thick comfort fit shank that this ring has, it will wear for many many years.

This ring is a classic, and it is made by thousands of jewelers and jewelry houses in this country alone. It is made well by only a few of them.

Wink

P.S. Is it my imagination that the diamond in this ring is slightly tilted with the right hand side ever so slightly lower than the left? I think it is, but it is so subtle. The diamonds are set by hand, and such things that are not visible to the eye in normal viewing can easily show in a photograph which can be as brutal to a piece of jewelry as to a lady's beautiful face.