Need advice please...re: Already purchased Tiffany!

[egs1]

Hey everybody!

Well I'll get straight to the point and hopefully you guys won't mind giving me your (honest) opinion.

My fiance and I purchased a 6-prong setting from T & Co several months back. We know that there are much better diamonds than Tiffany and that Tiffany are overpriced, but we bought it because we like the setting etc etc.

Anyway we went to another VERY reputable jeweller and he told us that our ring was very poorly cut and that it did not sparkle much. The main reason he gave us was that a well cut diamond would sparkle far more when dirty than ours (which hadnt been cleaned for 5 months BTW - we are newbies and had no idea how easy it was to clean, so go easy on us).

So he cleaned it for us and still said that he can tell just by looking at it that it is not a good diamond even though we thought it looks very good when clean.

He also said that specs dont mean anything and that he doesnt use them to select diamonds but just looks by eye. I researched a lot on Pricescope before buying and know that using your eyes and other tools are very important, and also that Tiffany certs dont show much info.

But what is the chance of our diamond with the following specs (tiffany cert) being as poor as he says?

TDP 60.8%
CA 34.7
PD 43.0%
Table 57%

1.07 carat
F, VS1
6.61-6.64, 4.03

Polish/Symmetry/Proportions - Ex/Ex/Ex
Girdle - medium
Culet - none
Flouro - none
HCA 1.1
AGA 1A (I think)

Nothing can be done now and still love the ring, but VERY interested to know.

Thanks!

 

[SpideyWeb]

I am a newbie but I just did some research for am e-ring that I just gave my fiancee. As far as I know (and heard), T & Co diamonds are performers. They may not be the TOP performer but they are good diamonds. From the specs you posted and running it in HCA, it indeed gives a score of 1.1. I would believe that your rock is a very nice diamond.

I am not sure if you can get an independent appraisal since the diamond is set but I am pretty sure you did not get a "poorly cut" diamond. Nevermind it being overpriced, since you have already gotten it. T & Co''s ring settings are very well made and I am sure they would not meddle with their reputation by giving you a poor rock.

Now if you would be so kind to provide pics for us! I am sure it is lovely on your hand!

 

[belle]

enjoy your beautiful diamond and don''t waste your time in this ''reputable'' jewelers store again.
and make sure to keep that ring clean!

(and maybe post some pics of your lovely tiff!

)

 

[Dee*Jay]

The "reputable jeweler" should be smacked in the head. You have a gorgeous stone--congratulations!

And a second vote for pictures please!

 

[Scintillating]

The numbers look good to me.
I don''t think I''ve ever hear of a Tiffany stone being "a dog", or bad performer.
I brought mine in, an unbranded H&As, to look at wedding rings and it seemed less firey than the T''s stones - my stone is more of an all round performer, with lots of brillance, and pit-fire, with some big broad flashes.

I''d take that "reputable" jewelers comments with a huge grain of salt.
Maybe he though he could get you to trade yours in for something at his shop.
I really distrust jewelers who speak negatively of other jewelers. (yes, tiffany''s is expensive, but lousy stones - nah, I don''t buy it.)

Shine yer ring up - and post some pics for us please.
Stay on your honey and make sure she keeps cleaning it, you spent a pretty penny on it - it should look nice.

Scintillating...

 

[firebirdgold]

Ultrasonic, ultrasonic, ultrasonic!

 

[february2003bride]

1) Tiffany does not have "poor" diamonds
2) The jeweler you went too sounds like he was trying to get your business
3) Enjoy that Tiffany e-ring! Not many people have an authentic Tiff so you and your FI should cherish it!
4) Ultrasonic!
5) Ahem- pictures???

 

[Lorelei]

Your diamond sounds wonderful going by everything you have said and the numbers - I wouldn't take any more notice of those negative opinions. Congrats - you did great and bought a superb diamond by the sound of it

But yes, - do keep it clean to keep it looking it's best.

 

[bae7]

I''m not good with numbers and figuring things out that way (I''m new here). But, I do have opinions about people''s motives when they do certain things. I am NEVER impressed when anyone bashes someone elses goods. Show me why yours is better, but don''t show your a$$ by bashing what someone has already purchased. Really crass behaviour. I can''t imagine anything from Tiffany''s being a "poor cut." Congrats on your engagement and enjoy your beautiful ring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[bling*diva*]

~~I''ve never heard of a Tiffany diamond being "poorly" cut...I doubt that they would sell you something (with their name on it) that didn''t sparkle a LOT. Enjoy that ring...it''s beautiful and don''t let anyone tell you otherwise!! I would also LOOOOOOOOOOVE to see some pics of that Tiffany rock!!!

 

[JohnQuixote]

With that depth/diameter, a 43% PD and medium girdle I wager your diamond has a near-40.7 pavilion angle. Keeping it clean will help of course, but those numbers are fabulous - even dirty.

 

[sanfranciscoellen]

Date: 10/3/2006 9:19:36 AM
Author:egs1
The main reason he gave us was that a well cut diamond would sparkle far more when dirty than ours (which hadnt been cleaned for 5 months BTW - we are newbies and had no idea how easy it was to clean, so go easy on us).

Admitting to that around here is like telling us your fiance hasn''t brushed her teeth since you got engaged

I''m only kidding of course, but ultrasonics are awesome. I keep mine in the bedroom and use most days. I''ve even taught my bling-hungry 5 year old to do it, which is her favorite "chore"! She even offers her jewelry cleaning services to guests, now...

Congratulations, and enjoy your beautiful Tiffany ring!

 

[egs1]

Thanks guys, you are too kind...and not even one anti-Tiffany post!

Unfortunately I do not currently have a camera since it''s on loan to someone overseas, and the photos I took before didnt turn out. Will post when I can though, especially since i have had the chance to see so many really nice rings on this forum.

Out of curiosity, what is the chance of a very well cut diamond (according to specs only) performing poorly?

 

[lumpkin]

If you are really concerned, take your ring to an independent appraiser.

The numbers look excellent. You bought the diamond at Tiffany and I would only take it back to Tiffany to have it cleaned or worked on. You paid for Tiffany service and you should reap the benefits. I''m not sure why you went somewhere else, but I''d stay out of that store from now on -- they guy sounds very dishonest. Tiffany does not sell poor diamonds. They just don''t.

 

[egs1]

Thanks Lumpkin.

Forgot to mention it, but actually went to buy some other diamond jewellery (which somehow got compared to the e-ring).

 

[Lynn B]

I am so sorry that jeweler planted doubts in your mind about your beautiful ring! That should NOT have happened.

I ditto what everyone said. I just KNOW it is beautiful, and I can't WAIT for photos!

Enjoy!

Lynn

ETA Lumpkin, is that ADORABLE photo in your avatar one that YOU took??!!!

 

[lumpkin]

Oh, definitely then, RUN, don't walk away from this guy!!! What kind of jeweler tells a couple that their new engagement ring is crap when they come looking for other jewelry? Like, it's a done deal already, dude! Sell them some earrings, for Pete's sake! Yep, RUN!!! This guy is the diamond sales equivalent to the "bad credit -- no problem" used car salesman, LOL!

Sorry, not usually so sarcastic, but geesh!!!

Lynn, no, it's not my kitty! He has the same markings as my grown kitty, but he's not mine. I just found the picture on-line and thought he was a real cutie. HOWEVER, I just uploaded a picture of my own kitty into my avatar. The one you see now is Eddie, the cat. He was 2 when we got him, I have no idea why they named him Eddie, but it fits, somehow, so we kept it. Sorry for the hijack!

 

[codex57]

Yeah, I''d run away from this guy. He''d prolly hand you a piece of charcoal and tell you it''s much better than anything else in the world.

Tiffany''s is "overpriced", but they don''t sell crap. If you can afford it and like the intangibles Tiffany''s offers, you won''t be disappointed. I kind of liken it to a Mercedes. If you''re rich and want a nice car, you can just buy a Merc. Sure there are other choices out there and some might offer more for the price, but it''s not like a Merc is a piece of crap.

The best judge, tho, is your own eyes. If the Tiffany ring is nice, are you gonna believe your own eyes or the words of someone trying to sell you something?

 

[Mara]

what a horrible jeweler...your diamond's specs sound divine to me!!! definitely not anything i'd toss out of a ring!

tiff in the past has also had some 60/60'ish kind of stones which in the past have not been typically 'ideal' (though now with GIA they probably are), so don't know that i'd just buy by eye from them, but we have heard they are good about giving you #'s on the stones so that's good, but it seems like most of their stuff is pretty well-cut if not mostly ideal.

just get an ultrasonic and clean the ring once every few days and it should be a blinding beacon of light!!!

 

[Beacon]

He cleaned it for you, huh? Did you keep a close eye on him while he did it? Considering the mis information he gave you, I would want to be sure he didn''t try a switch! (yes, I am, deeply paranoid).

You have a nice ring, but don''t go handing it around to these questionable jewelers!

 

[Julian]

Congrats on getting engaged! Nope, never heard of a Tiffany diamond being called "poorly cut."

I own Tiffany diamonds and diamonds from private jewelers and I have to say -- on average, Tiffany diamonds are cut better than most. But the diamonds I searched high and low for (or ahem, DH searched high and low for) blast my Tiffany girls out of the water hands down.

My Tiffanys have lots of brilliance/white light but my other diamond has crazy fire AND brilliance, which I prefer. Might be preference. Most Tiffanys have more brilliance than fire. I prefer both.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I agree. I would not do business with this jeweler. Tiffany does not sell bad diamonds and yours sounds excellent! If you need to buy other diamonds in the future, many of us have purchased from vendors featured on this site, and you can get outstanding quality for reasonable prices. But an e-ring from Tiffany is very special, and I hope you both can forget that unfortunate experience!

 

[MINE!!]

Humph... I just lllloooovvveee how reputable jewelers are so quick to tell you that they jewelry people have is crap... geez...

I am sure it is beautiful!

When I orginally got my stone set from a local jeweler... a "reputable" jeweler...

he treated me horrible because I did not purchase a diamond, and especailly one from him... I felt about ... oh.... {} this tall... I was mortified. UNTIL my husband dropped to him how much we paid for it.. then it was kiss MIne!!s butt land... he thought that meant I would buy some things from him...

Needless to say, I never deal this "reputable" jeweler anymore.

I get lots of lovely and wonderful comments from other "reputable" jewelers and people alike. So, if I were you, I would never deal with this man again...

 

[kcoursolle]

I think it''s pretty common for a jeweler to say bad things about other jeweler''s pieces...so if you want an unbiased opinion go to an independent appraiser.

 

[egs1]

Thanks guys!

Still glad we got the Tiffany for the e-ring (thanks to all the nice comments here), but may consider getting it appraised. Because of this forum we knew before purchasing the ring that Tiffany does not have the best diamonds, but still expected it to be above average with those specs. It also looked good compared to others at Tiffany''s too.

Will definitely consider using the internet vendors here for future purchases.

 

[lumpkin]

It is so easy to second guess what you have gotten. Most of the regular people on the board here have had second, third and sometimes more thoughts -- ignorance is bliss and when there are so many choices, it''s easier for the grass to look greener elsewhere.

If I had a Tiffany ring I would simply leave it. It''s beautiful, I''m sure. It''s special and very few people have a Tiffany bridal set. I would LOVE to own a Tiffany, regardless of how overpriced or whether something else as nice could be gotten on-line for less money. Hey, it''s Tiffany, LOL! Their solitaires are beautifully made and each head is crafted for the individual diamond. Be happy with what you have and don''t let anyone tell you it is second rate, because it isn''t.

 

[Julian]

Don''t you dare feel badly about your beautiful ring!

I''ll bet your ring is GORGEOUS. Really, I am sure it is SPECTACULAR and outshines/outsparkles most of your friends'' rings.

I promise you, it is not a poorly cut diamond. It is a gorgeous well-made piece!

Many girls would feel SO lucky to own a Tiffany diamond. I know many women who dream of it, even though they know their DHs would overspend. It''s for YOU! He splurged for you because he wanted you to have a special ring from a special store. Please don''t feel badly about it! You should be happy and feel very special. Many can recognize the Tiffany setting a mile away -- it is a beautiful setting that has yet to be copied exactly.

Don''t forget to show us pics so we can ooooh and aaaaah and admire this beauty.

Congratulations on getting a gorgeous ring!!!!!!

I would not spend the extra money on getting it appraised, however. The letter/certificate they gave you should be more than enough for your insurance agent. The appraisal will likely not match the sale price of the ring, so I hope that saves you some dough!

 

[yellowsparkles]

ditto ditto ditto.

Don''t let that "reputable" jeweler put doubts in your head. You have a VERY beautiful ring. You can trust Tiffany''s.

 

[Oleander]

Date: 10/4/2006 6:31:52 AM
Author: egs1
Thanks guys!


Still glad we got the Tiffany for the e-ring (thanks to all the nice comments here), but may consider getting it appraised. Because of this forum we knew before purchasing the ring that Tiffany does not have the best diamonds, but still expected it to be above average with those specs. It also looked good compared to others at Tiffany''s too.


Will definitely consider using the internet vendors here for future purchases.

The anti-Tiffany sentiment on this forum is enough to make one second guess a Tiffany ring choice, and start believing that Tiffany diamonds are junk. Please don''t let the bias here get to you--it will drive you insane, if you do. This board just has more internet vendor fans than B&M fans, and Tiffany carries the brunt of the negativity. Some is from jealousy, some is from differing viewpoints on how money should be spent, and some are just plain mean. And sometimes you encounter this same anti-Tiffany sentiment in other jewelry stores--they just don''t know how to promote their own product without insulting everyone elses.

I still believe the stones Tiffany sells are well above average, and perhaps there are even some "best" diamonds in their inventory. And I think they can stand up performance-wise to most stones out there, even some of the ideals pushed on this site. Tiffany''s craftmanship on their rings is very high--all surfaces polished, smooth elegant lines, well-fitting prongs--the proof is in the details. You have a very high quality item in your hands.

I''ve found Tiffany''s markup to be around 10-15% more than the internet vendor pricing, especially for the larger carat weights. The larger the stone, the closer the pricing seems to be. I doubt you will find that your stone is not what Tiffany claimed it was if you get it appraised and the value should be close to the price.

I think that the rings shown on this forum, purchased from internet vendors or from other jewelers, are also beautiful, high quality, and many contain very well-cut diamonds. I would never feel free to say bad things about their choice, but the freedom sure does fly in the other direction. It''s like reverse racism in a way. Posters can''t help but say something negative in regards to Tiffany. Me: I like almost all diamonds, and don''t understand the need to insult certain brands. By the way, I also own a Tiffany ring, so I felt like you did for many weeks after reading this forum.

Anyway, don''t second-guess yourself. Best wishes to you in your engagement.