Poll: Tiffany Engagement Ring or Not?

[Mara]

This poll thing is addictive. Since work holds no luster for me today....here is another poll (though if you have not responded to the first one and are female, please do!).




Both men and women can answer this one and I am probably opening up a HUGE can of worms with this post...WOO HOO....we haven''t had our requisite Tiffany post this week so....




Note that poll responses are anonymous to the viewers...so be honest!

Enjoy!

 

[NY SPARKLE]

I personally would rather have a beautiful cut stone from ANYWHERE and a custom made setting. While Tiffany settings are classic, they are very typical. I like when women wear rings that really show off their personality. It's not to say they are not beautiful, but I'd rather have a setting that is "mine". (thats why we went custom/idealbb/images/smilies/1.gif)

 

[Hest88]

I haven't voted yet, but you've missed the reason *I* wouldn't buy from Tiffany. If money were no object (and I were in the market for a RB), why would I settle for anything less than the most perfect H&A stone? If money were no object I'd prefer to throw it away on a HoF (or buy an Eightstar) than a Tiffany so I know I'm getting a near-perfect cut (and let's not get into the semantics of the word "perfect") without pestering a Tiffany salesperson to bring in more stones.

 

[Mara]

Good point Hest but this post is specific to Tiffany! We can do another poll where if money was no object, what would you buy (men or women) and have it be all the brands and unbranded... hmmm . Ahh possibilities are endless.

 

[glitterata]

I'm with Hest here. I'm too snobby for Tiffany's. (Sorry Hest--I don't mean to call YOU a snob!)

My (now) husband and I went into their Fifth Avenue shop when we were shopping for wedding rings, but we turned around and went back out. We thought almost everything there was charmless and vulgar; though I do like the original 6-prong solitaire.

 

[fuffi]

Tiffany holds no cache for me. If I had the cash I'd shop at Cartier.

 

[Hest88]

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On 9/18/2003 6:07:18 PM glitterata wrote:




(Sorry Hest--I don't mean to call YOU a snob!)
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Hey, I'm proud to be called a snob!

 

[mike04456]

Wow, 32-3 as I type this. I knew PS was a hotbed of anti-Tiffany sentiment, but I had no idea it was this bad.

[edited repeatedly to fix the math--it's been a long day.

]

 

[Mara]

LG what I find interesting is the men's responses! So left to their own devices, without a woman's influence saying 'oooh Tiffany is pretty'...they would rather build their own than buy a Tiffany! GO Boys!

 

[derekinla]

For the type of consumer who wants to get a great diamond engagement ring without much effort or thought, I think Tiffany's a great choice. For the more advanced consumer, such as those found on this forum, BETTER diamonds can be had for much better prices. The poll results, are therefore not suprising to me. We're too enthusiastic to go the Tiffany route. I have nothing against Tiffany's, it's just that the non-Tiffany route is more exciting and ultimately, more rewarding

 

[NewYorker]

I agree with Derek somewhat - that the effort just isn't there when you pick a Tiffany ring. It's more meaningful to really shop around to find "the setting" that your love would love and then shop around for the diamonds too. JMHO

 

[stewie]

BULL!

To say that for a man to buy Tiffany is the easy way out is ridiculous.

My fiancee wanted a Lucida. I looked at the copies, and they were, without exception, either inferior or overpriced. So I did the math and decided to go all out and get her what she wanted. Spent a weekend in NYC, picked up the ring on 5th ave, had a great time and lots of memories.

It cost MORE for me to do this, so I don't see how that's "lazy." I would say it's quite the opposite. It is also EXACTLY what she wanted, and then some.

I know I'm going to get flak for this, but it can just as easily be said that someone trying to save cash by buying from an internet vendor is "cheap," though most of us have too much class to say it. Once and for all, can we cut this "lazy" crap?

 

[Mara]

Stewie I'm curious. Did you find that the Lucida had excellent light return for a fancy, like the Regent or the Queen of Hearts or similar?




I find it interesting that you note that you found all 'copies' to be inferior...when from what I have heard, the Lucida cut from a light-return perspective is just mediocre. Maybe the SETTING itself that makes up the Lucida e-ring was not the same, but I highly doubt the stone itself could stand up to some of the impressive similar cuts that are on the market now....?




I don't necessarily agree with the cost as related to productivity note. Cost has nothing to do with how much work you put into something. Sounds like you went the extra mile to be sure your girl got what she wanted. Excellent....the term lazy would not apply to you then! But it has nothing to do with how much you spent.... just to clarify.




In the end if you are happy with what you got, that is all that matters.

Our weekly Tiffany post requirement has now been satisfied. Hee Hee.

 

[stewie]

This distinction is important: I'm not just talking about the stone, I'm talking about the whole package, setting included.

I looked at a Lucere, for example, and the damn thing was pretty much the same price as the Lucida, all things considered.

 

[derekinla]

Can't comment about the Lucida cut.... BUT for round brilliants, it's no contest. There are definitely BETTER cuts at better prices. Call me "cheap" but to find something better for less money is why I like to shop around. If the Lucida is in fact the best of the best of that squared look, than it's worth every penny and I'll addend my former post.

 

[Mara]

I agree that its important to take the RB from Tiffany and a Lucida separately. Personally I think that there are better cuts out there than the Lucida, esp from what I have seen with my own eyes. It's iffy though, and any other cuts like the Lucida are going to be branded so you will pay a markup regardless. In that sense, why not Tiffany? Maybe...I could give you that.

Though the markup is still steeper on the Tiff.




But for a RB...the whole scene changes. In the past it's been discussed that 'the setting' makes the Tiffany ring what it is...some agree, some disagree. But the stone, hands down, is not the issue here...a Tiffany RB stone is just a regular stone mined from the same earth that other Costco diamond came from, and maybe were even cut by the same people. Just sent to different sellers. That's what I could never stomach. You don't have anything special there. Just a brand and a name and a setting that is made by some random manufacturer who probably sells the same setting elsewhere under their own name (*coughVatchecough*)

 

[coarchitect]

mara-
this is an intresting poll b/c before i discovered pricesope (thank goodnessi did!) i was convinced that:
1. tiffany was the best
2. tiffany was the most expensive
AMAZING what marketing will do!!! (and breakfast at tiffanys!)

 

[Heyjud]

I'd want it to be my dream ring


Don't care for the box of blue


Just give me the very best diamond


To wear my whole life through!

 

[valeria101]

I have read a couple of times the questions of the poll and had a hard time to pick up one. I like Tiffany, for the simple elegance of the designs and the quality of the work in their better rings. It is hard to find a maker of custom jewelry who could turn the same precise detail out for signifficantly less money. But the lesser pieces at Tiffany do seem not all that special and paying for the brand... is not really my thing. My impression is that a 4ct at Tiffany is not made at all at the same standard as a 1ct ring, and way better than most things out of the league.

I think polls are great though!

 

[valeria101]

This might be one thing to look for at those famous makers:

. The thing below is Mauboussin's fault!

 

[lenore80]

I'll admit it, I voted yes. Please don't flame me!!

This is my reasoning: my boyfriend and i shopped around at a brick and mortar store (local, has been open since the 1800's) and our saleswoman could NOT provide us with a certificate (this store is part of AGS). She also could not provide us with a better quality then an SI2. She said that it would take 2 weeks+ to order a diamond of the quality we would want.

Why should I waste my time there, when i could just drive down to Tiffany's (two hour drive) and look/buy a ring right away? I would want it now, and i wouldnt want to wait for the b & m to find the diamond, pay to have it certified, and wait for the setting. Plus, i would be getting the beautiful, original 6 prong RB.

Alas, since in reality, money is tight, I am looking for the diamond on-line. The b & m quoted us $3,600 for a .68, SI2, F color, ideal cut (not H & A), and a platnium tiffany setting. Tiffany's (we called) quoted us an ideal, G, VS2, .57 carat, platinum setting-$4600. Either way, we are getting hosed...so I am looking elsewhere.

BTW, the local b & m is a "mini tiffany's". They giftwrap their rings in little cute silver box with a white bow. Everyone in the city can recognize the wrapping paper.

 

[jenibear]

I want to respond to stewie's comment that people who buy online are cheap. That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Who wants to pay more for something that's not worth the price? I call it smart shopping. It's a quality I picked up from my lovely mother - who by the way is not CHEAP. Would you like to see all the diamonds and jewels in her jewelry box? Some people - like my mother - don't understand people's fascination with brand names. I am guilty of it myself. But there's nothing cheap about shopping around to get the best bang for your buck.
Jenibear

 

[NewYorker]

I agree, I would shop around online and buy a diamond from a reputable site online in a heartbeat - just give me the cash!!!

 

[Mara]

Lenore...it will be interesting to find your thoughts at the end of your online diamond purchasing journey.....I think many people who started out really wishing for Tiffany's ended up just as pleased if not more with their final result. While I would probably choose a marked up Tiffany ring over a similarly priced B&M 'questionable-cut' ring if those were the last two rings in the world...I would still definitely rather shop online and do the 'build your own' thing to end up with the best possible stone for the best possible price. You may find that your online journey ends up being so interesting and fun that you would have had it no other way.




Good luck and let us know how things turn out...

 

[caratgirl]

I find that the Tiffany settings are a bit too mainstream for me. I am a custom girl at heart. I wanted to pick out the very best & biggest for my budget. That doesn't mean that I don't like browsing Tiffany's, but I get a real headrush going to the LA Jewelry Mart, all by myself. Nothing like hours of fondling pretty baubles to brighten the spirits.

 

[fire&ice]

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On 9/21/2003 7:38:31 PM caratgirl wrote:

I find that the Tiffany settings are a bit too mainstream for me. I am a custom girl at heart. ---

I ditto that sentiment. I know I may sound like a snob - BUT - real cache is in higher end stores such as Harry Winston. Tiffany is *so* middle America.

That said, I'll shop anywhere legit to attain *exactly* what I want. From the finest auction houses to yard sales.

 

[lenore80]

Mara,

at first we thought about going to Tiffany's over the local B & M. For $1000 more, I would have a Tiffany ring, over a no-name ring, it would be a great family heirloom, yadda, yadda, yadda. There is also a local Levare Kaplan dealer, and his prices are VERY competitive with Tiffanys. In fact, I would go with Tiffany's over the Levare or no name.

However, I've been eyeing this diamond on GOG for about a month...and I know I won't be happy w/o getting the AGS/GIA report...which the B & M, and Tiffany's will not provide, because I am looking for a 1/2 carat.

I also found out last night that the 6 prong Tiffany shank is knife-edged! I HATE knifed edged bands, so Tiffany is definately out!!! Plus, with the money we are going to save NOT buying the Tiffany, I can get a nice necklace from them.

Now, we just have to get the money, and find a local B & M that will set a diamond thats not theirs. Im hoping this isnt impossible...

Anyways, I think Tiffany's is great if you dont want to waste your time at a B & M who do not supply good clarity stones.

 

[Mara]

I actually agree about going custom now...after making our ring which was so much fun...I would definitely love to do that again with other jewelry pieces. It's a great way to incorporate elements of design that you appreciate from one piece to another and create a real masterpiece. Plus it really was not that much more expensive (and was CHEAPER than buying a branded setting!) than a typical setting at any B&M.




We may end up making Greg's ring custom for the wedding...we'll see if we can find anything like the tension rings we wanted or else we'll just go custom.

 

[mike04456]

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On 9/22/2003 9:17:29 AM fire&ice wrote:






I ditto that sentiment. I know I may sound like a snob - BUT - real cache is in higher end stores such as Harry Winston. Tiffany is *so* middle America.


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Tiffany's is definitely at the "low end of high end." There are plenty of much snootier jewelers such as Boucheron, Mouawad, Bulgari, etc., but if you want the absolute pinnacle, the place to go is JAR Paris. They are so exclusive that few people have even heard of them, but those who know serious jewelry grovel at their feet. Generally, finding a JAR piece is all but impossible, but as it happens, Christie's New York is about to auction off a little pair of pave-set diamond earrings:

A MAGNIFICENT PAIR OF DIAMOND EAR CLIPS, BY JAR

Yours for a mere (estimated) $125,000.

 

[Mara]

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On 9/22/2003 8:02:54 PM LawGem wrote:

A MAGNIFICENT PAIR OF DIAMOND EAR CLIPS, BY JAR

Yours for a mere (estimated) $125,000.

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Petty cash!!