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- Jan 9, 2008
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I appreciate what everyone is saying, and I may be in minority here, but, I can see getting the genuine Tiffany ER - especially at the price point you're looking at vs tens of thousands.
Tiffany doesn’t use GIA, but their in-house grading.
I wanted to buy stock in their company
Hahaha That was actually a compromise my boyfriend suggested. You can get just 1 share and have the stock certificate framed at some stores online! That's too bad the company is doing worse. I can imagine it. It's good to realize they are not the same company since the sale in the 70s. But the design is mostly the same. I just skimmed the last few posts but I'm curious to read the defenders of Tiffany. One thing that makes me lean away from the WF or other ideals is they don't have fluorescence. I called Tiffany's 800 number today and asked about more .27 carat with fluorescence. At first they said they could only find the one I have the deposit on. Then after going through some other options I asked for the details on the one with faint fluorescence, and she described a completely different diamond that has a much better HCA score of 1.9. I got her to confirm it was still a .27 w/faint fluorescence, and the price was only $40 more than the one on hold. She said she'd send these details to my SA. I found it strange that ring is also located in Florida... They really need to fix their inventory searchability...
I'd like to write more later, but I have to go for now!
This is not true. Many (or maybe even all) superideal vendors carry diamonds with fluorescence. Fluorescence is not exclusive to Tiffany.
I received both a GIA report and the Tiffany grading report when I purchased my ring. And before I purchased it, I asked them to fax me the reports so I could decide which to bring in.
Hi Miki, how long ago was this? Every sales professional I have interacted with in the past year or two has told me they no longer use GIA, and now it is just the Tiffany (Laurelton Diamonds) in-house grading lab. Just wanted to clarify! Thanks
. IIRC, Maybe more like 10 yrs ago?Hi! I think like 5 years ago or so. But my stone was on the larger side so maybe they do it for bigger stones of a certain size? All the three stones I looked at had the reports. I got the GIA report in the GIA envelope and then the Tiffany report in the leather bound book they normally give out.
And my diamond has the number inscribed.
AGS is an independent lab that grades stones using objective technology. They don’t sell diamonds. Tiffany sells diamonds which they grade themselves and their brand.@mk206 On your ETA comment about GIA... hmm... I wonder if AGS is the same with inconsistencies. As in honestly, my HOF earrings were 1ct each, they were loose stones, AGS 000 certified, blah blah blah and they were less sparkly than the Tiffany ones. So now I wonder if AGS pumps up their reports whereas Tiffany is more truthful? Who knows.
I have looked at some antique rings, (and they really are cool!) but most of them are more expensive than new that I saw and were pretty well worn. I'm more interested in the historical setting than diamonds. Also because of below:If history is important to you...why not buy an antique diamond? At the time of that history you so admire, the diamonds would have been old european cut,
Though a lot of people still associate diamonds with "blood diamonds" I can be more sure the modern ones are following the Kimberly process.There is lots of dirt on diamond sellers from this time period.
They've been in touch by email and seem very accommodating!Ask WF if they can buff the carat weigh engraving off the inside of the ring.
I didn't really get into why the store visit was odd! The SA who contacted us about the appointment request was very polite, but I snooped his name on LinkedIn and if that was accurate he just finished work at a jeweler in NY at the beginning of this year. So he would have moved to PA and been at Tiffany for only a couple months. Maybe that's why he wasn't able to easily check out a computer to look at inventory and had to keep going to the manager? Also it looked like he had just been in a car accident, or was attacked by a large dog. The healing scars on his face just looked so painful and I didn't want to be a bother to him. Maybe it was also too busy on a Saturday, because other customers I assume he talked to before were coming in and saying hi.You already said you went in and "had the Tiffany experience" and that it was meh.
That's something I've seen on other threads here too! They do offer their setting at pretty low prices if you go with a small diamond. I'm also not against buying used for even better value.especially at the price point you're looking at
Yes, I don't anticipate going around bragging about it, but it'd make me feel better knowing it's not a replica.at least think it) on a daily basis
I really do like the style of this setting, but if I couldn't have the original I'd rather get something completely different and that'd mean I have to get used to the idea of a different setting.Tiffany created the Tiffany setting which is often copied, but never exactly replicated.
I did read your story! I wish I had a better trained eye to tell the difference like that. And I agree the HCA scale and perhaps the AGS rating don't take into account everything. If Tiffany was using some alternate secret criteria to sell super sparkly diamonds I wish they'd explain exactly what it was! hahamaybe have read my story, but for the OP...
In response to the people saying they don't use GIA: A few years ago I was hoping my BF would think about proposing soon and checked out some rings at the store. They said they include GIA reports with all diamonds over 1ct, and I think I asked about that on Saturday and they said that was still correct.I received both a GIA report and the Tiffany grading report when I purchased my ring.
I know it's not exclusive to Tiffany, in fact I think they try not to have fluors in their inventory. But the one I was looking at had it, and the ones on WF that are "A Cut Above" don't include fluors. I suppose I could look at other WF diamonds but I haven't had time! haha I looked at the Brian Gavin Blue a while ago but I thought they were all much more expensive. I might be mistaken, I should probably look at some more!Fluorescence is not exclusive to Tiffany. In fact "Brian Gavin Blue" is a line of diamonds that ALL have strong blue fluorescence.
Well, mostly I think it's a cool novelty. I have a UV light for gel nails and think it's cool to see the hidden properties of my jewelry. Plus there is some hype about it "whitening up" a stone less than D color, but some people say it's unnoticeable in sunlight.Also, may I ask why you desire fluorescence?
What do you mean by "ES"? I'm too tired, I'm sure it'll come to me laterThe WF ES that I just bought (w/MB fluoro)
I'm overwhelmed by all the responses here! But I really appreciate all the advice from all sides. I guess I'm considering still finding an ideal small stone from Tiffany, buying a used setting and putting a WF diamond in it, or buying a WF diamond with a setting that would be replaced later, though it would be nice to have a finalized ring for the engagement. Also.. just saw an amazing price for one on Craigslist listed last month, but it's either sold or is a scam. I should narrow down my choices already, but this is exciting!
I completely agree with @SimoneDi that seperating the Tiffany diamond from the setting is unusual. I would tend to keep that diamond in a safe if you go with another diamond, so that you can have it re-set if you end up wanting to upgrade or sell the setting.
On the math... as I mentioned, I think my ring sparkles like crazy. Angle-wise I recall it being like 1% off to get to a super ideal or something. It was so long ago I did all this. But I did not care. It sparkles like mad, and it was better than the HOF comparison.
My recommendation is to not rely solely on math and angles. Diamonds each have their own life. The “one” will sparkle and speak to you. I hope it’s the Tiffany!
But in all seriousness, look at the stone. In the end, it is what you think is beautiful, not some numbers or any PSer like me.
Good luck to you and congrats to you and your boyfriend on your pending wedding!
Signed,
Defender-of-Tiffany
AGS is an independent lab that grades stones using objective technology. They don’t sell diamonds. Tiffany sells diamonds which they grade themselves and their brand.
I think I know who I would trust more.
If you want to be able to see the flour, you should be looking at strong and very strong. You will barely if at all see faint and even medium. BG Blue line is specially selected and screened for strong flour with no impact on transparency. If you go with Tiffany, they will need to have their gemologist clear the diamond from any impact from the flour.
I'd also like to suggest one more thing. Why don't you buy an inexpensive CZ ring of this side in a simple soli (there are tons on Amazon). Wear it around at home and on weekends. Really think about if that is what you want in terms of size and setting.
I would recommend you go see antique diamonds in person. There are many good vendors. If you are comfortable telling us the nearest larges cities to you, we may be able to recommend a store worth visiting before you make a decision.
I completely agree with @SimoneDi that seperating the Tiffany diamond from the setting is unusual. I would tend to keep that diamond in a safe if you go with another diamond, so that you can have it re-set if you end up wanting to upgrade or sell the setting. Hard to imagine, but it is a real thing. Also, knife edge settings are beloved by some, but I and others find them very uncomfortable. So, its good to give it a try in your normal life it you can.
Yes, it seems really strange to me too! I asked Whiteflash about it, and they seem like they would do it. It kinda makes me think about Frankenstein. It's ALIVE! I would be happy with a Frankenring though! I wouldn't be going with a much bigger diamond, so hopefully they wouldn't have to change the prongs completely. That's a good idea to be able to put the old stone back should something drastic happen.
I got a call from the Tiffany SA a few minutes ago and he said something about getting the 2nd ring to look at. What should I do about this guilt I have for making him do all this work if I end up going with the Frankenring? Would a ring with these specs be a better choice?
It would certainly be a simpler choice my BF would be happier with! He (lovingly) says talking with you diamond nerds has warped my brain and I should just go with Tiffany. No offenses meant!! Everyone is a diamond nerd compared to him...