Need Help on Tiffany Diamond

[2000CBR600]

Hi,

After lots of consideration on getting a Tiffany engagement ring vs. a higher quality and bigger diamond from someone like Blue Nile or Whiteflash, I''ve decided to stick with Tiffany. My gf really likes their style and didn''t like the idea of wearing a replica.

Signed pieces was a good value option, but for sentimental reasons, I''ve decided to go with a new ring. So the only thing left to do is select the cut from Tiffany''s inventory of diamonds.

I''ve been working with Tiffany''s to find a the right engagement ring. This is the diamond that I''ve narrowed down. It fits the AGS ideal cut parameters and scores high on the HCA. I would appreciate some feedback on the quality of the cut and whether there''s anything I''m overlooking.

0.84 F VS1 Round Brilliant, classic tiffany 6 prong
Excellent symmetry, polish and no fluorescence
Depth %: 60.8%
Table %: 58%
Crown Angle: 33.8 deg
Pavilion Angle: 40.8 deg
Star Length %: 50%
Lower Half Length %: 80%
Girdle: M - ST
Culet: None

$8,850

Thanks!

 

[Skippy123]

Well it sounds pretty. Enjoy.

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

well, dont forget that it is ultimately what she will be happier with. For most people .84ct is enough, but I dont know where you live or what her friends have. If a lot of people she associates with have larger diamonds you might find someway to mention to her how having a Tiffany diamond sacrifices so much in way of ct weight. I know my gf first said she would like Tiffany best, then later on I mentioned how a friend of mine had gotten tiffany and how it had sacrificed so much ct weight, and she pretty quickly joined into the larger diamond bandwagon. So, while Tiffanys is certainly a very viable option, I would still suggest just putting in a little bit of effort to make sure that is what she would be happiest with, without letting the cat out of the bag. And of course she will be happy with it either way, but I think its best just to go that extra leg and make sure it would be her preference as well

and remember, not all settings outside of tiff are replica tiffany settings. Plenty of beautiful, some custom designed? that have many of the same positive style elements in settings that do a marvelous job of winning a womans heart without copying tiffany.

And of course you didn't want to hear any of that, but other than all of that it looks pretty solid. From looking at diamonds I personally like a higher crown angle myself. It looks nice coming up over the prongs, but its not really a major element I dont think.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

It probably wouldn''t fall into the ACA category or top ideal cut. Generally around here, the crown angle is expected to be between 34 and 35. Maybe one of the experts can tell you how that low crown angle would affect performance.

 

[2000CBR600]

Thanks for the responses. Regarding the first point, we have looked at all sorts of settings from other retail stores, custom jewelers, and online. We’ve analyzed the loose diamond vs. Tiffany question to death. The classic Tiffany setting is still our favorite and we’re ok with the premium to get a Tiffany.

We’ve talked about the size vs. quality. Before looking at a diamond under the microscope and learning about diamonds on forms like this, she was obsessed with size too. But now she cares more about Cut, Color, Clarity, and Brand.For some, the Tiffany route is an easy way out. For us, it was a very long drawn out decision making process that’s taken months of thinking.

The only thing I’m concerned about now is the cut on the diamond since Tiffany pricing seems to not change with the cut parameters. After all, all Tiffany diamonds are “excellent cut”.With this being the case, I want the best cut possible for my money.

Diamondseeker2006, your point about the crown angle being outside the 34-35 deg was my concern too. Could a diamond expert tell me how much this will impact the brilliance of the diamond?

 

[mrssalvo]

there was a recent thread about a gal who questioned the cut of her tiffany diamond although it was a gorgeous performing stone to her eyes...you might find it interesting reading:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-tiffany-ring-need-help.68380/

Nicrez said the following in that thread which I think is a wonderful summery:

Many people here prefer certain parameters to achieve what they will measure as optimal light return. That is not to say that people who do not use these test will not achieve a greater appreciation for their jewlery. FYI: this is not a measure used in most the largest diamond transactions in the industry. On 47th Street alone, where these people sell and buy for a living, you will find that very few will have the same ideal numbers as some on this forum, and even fewer use these units of measure and tools. I believe every company determines their threshold, and if Tiffany''s stone were so improperly cut, they would not outsell and be considered one of the foremost leaders in engagement ring sellers, based on quality. No one will ever claim your Tiffany ring is porrly made or badly cut.

This forum advocates a level of descrimination that is only applied to about 2% of the diamonds on the market, likely requested by at most 2-3% of the total diamond purchasers. Tiffany''s grades and sells the top about 10% of the world''s diamonds, in higher color and clarity than other regular retailers. So you can strive for that top 2% of the diamonds, or you can enjoy the lovely ring you first knew and loved as something of a piece of an ancient process, fashioned by craftsman, and set by artisans. What you have does not have to fit anyone''s standards but your own. You were NOT ripped off, you just stumbled onto the market''s choosiest and most precise group of diamond people.

Then you have those who find precision cut RBs to be "not their style". Too much symmetry to some makes them seem as if they came off an assembly line, when each diamond was created under very unique circumstances millions of years ago. Others will want exacting perfection (or close) to be able to measure the light return to the optimal degree...

It''s like building your dream house that you and your familt love to pieces, just to have I.M. Pei or Frank Gehry come in and tell you that the airflow in the living room is not conducive to ventilating wind currents. Different needs have different extents of work involved and different levels of detail.

Good luck and I hope you enjoy your purchase, either way!

 

[angeline]

wow. mrsS, I''m bookmarking that quote from Nicrez. Something to read when I get all hung-up on infinitesimal percentages of numbers.

a

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I felt bad about the person questioning her diamond after the return period...although it sounded like Tiffany was willing to work with her.

But honestly, if I were shopping for a round at Tiffany tomorrow, I''d be looking at certs and choosing between stones with GIA Excellent or AGS0 certs. I feel like if I were paying the premium for the Tiffany product, I''d expect an Excellent on that GIA cert instead of very good. It would be no different than shopping in the WF or GOG inventory...I''d still want excellent or ideal cut on the cert.

To the original poster...did you see a GIA cert for this ring? Did it list cut?

 

[Ty Cobb]

Tiffany''s comes with its own certs. They don''t offer AGS ideal and all of that. But they also cut their diamonds to their own specifications not others.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 9/12/2007 11:04:28 PM
Author: Ty Cobb
Tiffany''s comes with its own certs. They don''t offer AGS ideal and all of that. But they also cut their diamonds to their own specifications not others.

Apparently some also have GIA certs since that other person was upset that the GIA cert said very good. But regardless, you can still use the ideal cut criteria and the HCA and determine if the cut would meet ideal standards even with just the Tiffany specs.

 

[clanalois]

At risk of sounding cliche, the feeling of wearing a Tiffany & Co. diamond is absolutely priceless. Forget about price premiums and attitudes of others. What matters most is what your significant considers the best, the most beautiful. I suspect it is the Tiffany.

The exclusivity, history, and brilliance of a Tiffany diamond is difficult to match. It is highly coveted. The premium of a Tiffany solitaire is repaid every time your wife steps into a Tiffany store and recieves personal attention, even if she is just window shopping or cleaning her ring. Every time she looks at that ring, she thinks, "My husband made my dreams come true. I have a Tiffany diamond." Her girlfriends will stare in disbelief and awe at her "real" Tiffany engagement ring while thinking back to their girlhoods (and adulthoods) wishing for their own Tiffany diamond. Then of course, she will stare at her stone a million times over and think, "Tiffany...my husband picked the best for me."

All subjective matters aside, Tiffany does select excellent diamonds; a majority of the diamonds offered to us were well within HCA ideals (score less than ~2). My own T&Co. RB has an HCA score of 1.2, but its beauty, fire, and sparkle in my eyes cannot be measured objectively. Tiffany does offer both its own report and GIA report contrary to what others may have said.

I won''t even get into the platinum 6-prong setting. You simply cannot find a real T&Co. unless you go to T&Co.! The knife-edge is so spectacularly comfortable despite its weight. It also gleams brilliantly.

This is not to say that I''m gung-ho about Tiffany. I just wanted the Tiffany setting and diamond over 1 carat for so many years it became a part of my very being. I am still enchanted by my Tiffany and everything it has to offer me that I could not find elsewhere.


All this being said; I am now taking time to educate myself and learn all about diamonds for my next ring and we''re not going Tiffany! It is not an upgrade, but rather an exercise in diamond education and pure fun (ie, how big and intricate can we get?). I even have a large Legacy aquamarine that I wear as a RHR. Keep this idea as an option for your honey -- if she wants a mega stone or fancy shape, it is probably much easier on your bankbook to go elsewhere. If she wants a classic ~1 ct Tiffany RB, get the Tiffany. You can always get a bigger, less classic ring later.

GOOD LUCK! You have a beautiful stone there!

 

[2000CBR600]

Clanalois,

Everything you said pretty much sums up why we narrowed the choice to Tiffany’s. I’m a numbers person and strongly believe in quality over brand. We did all the education about what makes a diamond brilliant and valuable. Looked at all the loose diamond options, yet there was always the intangible about the Tiffany engagement ring.

Something about the childhood of owning a Tiffany, being able to go back to the store annually for cleaning & polishing, something about the classic 6 prong setting. Everyone has their preference for what important, and for us, the whole package from Tiffany’s out weighted the size of the diamond. I’m looking to get a 0.85 carat with smaller table depth (most of the ones that I’ve been shown seem to be 62% or higher) to give the illusion of a larger size diamond.

I called the Tiffany store about my concern regarding the crown angle not being 34-35. They were supper nice and said it wouldn’t be a problem at all. They’ll search their inventory until they find the one that I want. I’ll post pictures when I make the purchase.

 

[InlovewithJHK]

I know you said you have already ruled out signed pieces but just for a heads up, they have some more Tiffany''s rings for sale now that look stunning and are completely the real deal!

I''m sure whatever stone you end up with, it will be beautiful!

 

[FireGoddess]

Date: 9/13/2007 1:01:00 PM
Author: 2000CBR600

Looked at all the loose diamond options, yet there was always the intangible about the Tiffany engagement ring.

Yes, that''s what we call ''good marketing.''

I''m not trying to dissuade you from buying there - I have an eternity band from Tiffany''s and their customer service is very good. And you recognize you are paying a premium for the name.

Quoting clanalois:
Then of course, she will stare at her stone a million times over and think, "Tiffany...my husband picked the best for me."

See, now that''s good marketing.