Poll: Tiffany Engagement Ring or Not?

[diagem]

well, I think most of you are only halfway right, you might find some?! (better certified cut grade round brilliant diamonds) in different places, maybe even on some of the internet vendors on PS

And yes, The price of the diamond material will be lower than the diamond material you would get at Tiffany''s or any other 100+/- year old high quality jewelry Company.

BUT, dont forget the diamond jewelry you will find on all these internet vendors do not go through the same quality control that Tiffany or H.W., Cartier etc. etc. After all these Companies didnt build their reputation of soooo many years on high price alone!!!

If you would go into the catalogues of the serious auction houses you will notice that

A) no one is offering jewelry manufactured by internet vendors!!!!

B) They (the auction houses) make their numbers mostly on Classic jewelry mainly manufactured by the jewelry Companies that this thread is doing a bad job of bad naming them!!!!

I am sorry, but whomever wants to purchase a diamond or diamond jewelry from any other jewelry firm is welcome, but they should understand the fact that it doesnt make the Tiffany piece a bad piece, or the Tiffany name just a highprice $$$

I notice that so many of you consumers on this site are spending loads of time and energy trying to get information on where, how, etc, etc, to obtain jewelry that is copied from Tiffany like the Lucida or Legacy (only two examples), but there are plenty more...

Please dont forget that copying these pieces of jewelry manufactured by these Companies that this thread is putting down is NOT LEGAL, and not ethic!!!!

So please have some respect!!! (for yourselves!!!!), The Jewelry Companies proved they earned their respect allready.

 

[Nicrez]

Date: 6/17/2005 10:53:16 AM
Author: fire&ice

Date: 6/17/2005 10:37:18 AM
Author: carrot
In the end, I expect Tiffany & Co. will be around long after this website has become history.

So what? So will McDonald's. Doesn't mean they serve the best hamburger.

Again, one does get a certain quality with Tiffany's - but they don't manufacture nor design their stuff. And, if you do a search here, there are PLENTY of Tiffany horror stories. I received a glass vase in the blue box. As a collector of Art Glass & Art Pottery, there is NO ART in this vase. It's pretty poorly made and boring. Tiffany & Co. rests on their laurels of the past.

tee hee Mara - It IS Friday! Gotta love the classics!

Sorry this is a bit long but I just think the responses on this topic tend to be one-sided.

Tiffany & Co indeed does both manufacture and design their own pieces and the diamonds that are used for their store are actually set to a strict standard so even a perfectly good stone to us may not be up to Tiffany's standard. The average diamond buyer does not know even what a crown angle is, and shopping at Tiffany's where clarity, color and cut are already preselected to a higher standard than other similar high volume stores, makes them a viable alternative.

This is probably the most biased group of people to ask this question to. Ask the same question of the general public and I suspect you would have a very different reaction. Tiffany's sales and stock prices obviously reflect they are successful, so that's not an issue. Compartively it is a handful of people who are into bargain diamond shopping and don't agree, so I think the store is just a higher end of a Zales or Whitehall.

As Carrot said, their longevity IS a testament to their success and quality. If they were not good or sound, they would not likely have been around for so long. They are THE most replicated jewelery in the market. Go to any costume jewelry shop and you will see the heart necklaces, the mesh bracelets and rings, everywhere (or maybe just all over Canal Street and midtown corner shantys in NYC). They consistantly sell at a higher price because the market will pay it. If it didn't have quality fewer people would want it, and the prices would go down. The name guarantees a certain quality, whether is is agreed here or not.

I agree with Solange that their pieces are not what they used to be, but the Schlumberger lines is still crafted by old artisans who trained with the masters. Their high end lines are not mass produced with lower artisans, but perhaps their lower-end items (probably silver) are. (Even those items are well done!) They did what the other major jewelery didn't. They began to sell to the masses and bolstered up their name in the circles of people who generally would not have been able to afford them. Chaumet and other exclusive jewelers would NEVER sell silver, but then again, Tiffany's is a publically traded company with a Board to contend with. After all they are still considered a luxury brand store, despite their reputation here.

Every item has it's market. PS is not a market for Tiffany's engagement rings as people here don't generally consider brand, image, preselected quality and brand prestige to be their priorities in e-rings. Like I said, if you want a "deal", then go to a store that will sell you an J SI1, do your research, study your stones, and you will find a stone that fits your needs. If someone knows generally what they want, and if they can afford to have a well cut, high quality stone at a premium and they don't want to reaseach and hunt, why should they?

If I could root through a bargain bin at a discount store for a pair of shoes versus going into a store, finding the SAME shoes for a bit more, but getting to see the shoes in a box, sitting down, and enjoy my experience, instead of being pushed or mauled, then I would rather pay extra for somethings. One reason I can't stand a sample sale. Sometimes if I feel up to it, I will research and bargain shop. If I didn't have to worry about getting a "bigger, cheaper deal", would I do that everytime, not likely. I buy Tropicana and nothing else, because that's what I like. Could I get cheaper OJ, Yup. Will I? Nope. I like my brands, because they deliver the same CONSISTENT quality time and time again. You know what to expect and you like what you get. That's why I come back to buying J&J Band-Aids, or Kraft Mac & Cheese, Bounty paper towels and HATE the generics. Everyone is different.

Also, the experience of jewelry buying is also something people look forward to, and everyone has a right to enjoy feeling special when they buy an engagement ring. If sitting at Tiffany's with a consultant does that for you, fine. If you feel more special getting a "deal" with no frills, then don't pay for them.

 

[diagem]

Nicrez,

Looking at your picture, you seem to be a fan of the Legacy Engagement rings from Tiffany?

 

[fire&ice]

Date: 6/18/2005 2:51:52 AM
Author: Nicrez

Sorry this is a bit long but I just think the responses on this topic tend to be one-sided.

Tiffany & Co indeed does both manufacture and design their own pieces and the diamonds that are used for their store are actually set to a strict standard so even a perfectly good stone to us may not be up to Tiffany''s standard.

Simply put, save the unusual designed for special show, you are incorrect. Tiffany sources nearly ALL of their jewelry & again, save some original designs, they don''t design. Quite frankly, hardly ever did. Source codes are a norm on even their "fine" silver, china & jewlery. Their line of Special Hand Work are about the only line made at Tiffany''s; and, the design VERY BORING and doesn''t command the prices that some of the Boston Society of Arts and Crafts people or the Chicago silver does. Tiffany & Co. isn''t Tiffany Studios. Tiffany & Co. sells to the masses. They are a jewelry retailer. Just because a company has been in business for 100 years means nothing except they are good at marketing & have a moniker of quality consistency.

My view of Tiffany & Co. isn''t one of stamp out the blue box as in value. My experience comes from handling hundreds, if not thousands, of Tiffany items, including Schlumberger prieces. They aren''t all that and a bag of chips.

In the end, Tiffany & Co. is just a jewelry store.

 

[fire&ice]

Date: 6/18/2005 2:21:47 AM
Author: DiaGem


BUT, dont forget the diamond jewelry you will find on all these internet vendors do not go through the same quality control that Tiffany or H.W., Cartier etc. etc. After all these Companies didnt build their reputation of soooo many years on high price alone!!!

..............And you know that how?........................

If you would go into the catalogues of the serious auction houses you will notice that

A) no one is offering jewelry manufactured by internet vendors!!!!

.......The internet is in it''s infancy. How do you know they won''t be offering manufactured items by internet vendors in the future?..........

B) They (the auction houses) make their numbers mostly on Classic jewelry mainly manufactured by the jewelry Companies that this thread is doing a bad job of bad naming them!!!!

.......Huh?.....................

I am sorry, but whomever wants to purchase a diamond or diamond jewelry from any other jewelry firm is welcome, but they should understand the fact that it doesnt make the Tiffany piece a bad piece, or the Tiffany name just a highprice $$$

.....I don''t think anybody said such. What most people are saying is that quality can be found elsewhere for less. The Tiffany & Co. name isn''t worth the PREMIUM charged. ........

I notice that so many of you consumers on this site are spending loads of time and energy trying to get information on where, how, etc, etc, to obtain jewelry that is copied from Tiffany like the Lucida or Legacy (only two examples), but there are plenty more...

Please dont forget that copying these pieces of jewelry manufactured by these Companies that this thread is putting down is NOT LEGAL, and not ethic!!!!

So please have some respect!!! (for yourselves!!!!), The Jewelry Companies proved they earned their respect allready.

Most of my answers appear in text. Ethical is debatable. Legal is quite another thing. Sure, it''s illegal to stamp something "tiffany & co."; but, one would be REALLY hard pressed to win suit of "copying" a tiffany style engagement ring.

Respect for myselff???????????? What the heck does that mean? Maybe the "jewlery companies" have earned their respect with other people - just not me. Sorry, don''t buy into the hype to worship Tiffany & co. I''ll take it one design at a time.

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 6/18/2005 2:51:52 AM
Author: Nicrez

This is probably the most biased group of people to ask this question to. Ask the same question of the general public and I suspect you would have a very different reaction.

Perhaps so, but no one was suggesting that the general consensus of folks here is supposed to be interpreted as mirroring the sentiments of the general public.

The question was "if money were no object, would you be an e-ring from Tiff's." I presume that the OP is familiar enough with the demographic here to know that the PS group isn't an accurate reflector of the general public.

As Carrot said, their longevity IS a testament to their success and quality. If they were not good or sound, they would not likely have been around for so long. They are THE most replicated jewelery in the market. Go to any costume jewelry shop and you will see the heart necklaces, the mesh bracelets and rings, everywhere (or maybe just all over Canal Street and midtown corner shantys in NYC). They consistantly sell at a higher price because the market will pay it. If it didn't have quality fewer people would want it, and the prices would go down.

Fully agree.....there is a market for Tiffany's shoppers, and no one here is saying there isn't. The question, as I understood it, was "would YOU (meaning the participants here) buy a Tiff e-ring if money was no object." Just because I'd answer no and just because I personally don't place a lot of weight of their name doesn't mean others shouldn't. There is a difference between saying "Tiffany's premium isn't worth it" and saying "Tiffany's premium isn't worth it TO ME." Folks here are saying the latter, not the former, from what I see.

The question was "what do WE here at PS think". That's what's being reflected. If the answers seem one-sided, it's likely because most folks here define value differently. It's not wrong that opinions are running one-sided; it's how people here feel. If someone were seeking a more balanced set of responses, I'm sure they could get them by asking in a less skewed venue.

 

[Mara]

" They are THE most replicated jewelery in the market. Go to any costume jewelry shop and you will see the heart necklaces, the mesh bracelets and rings, everywhere (or maybe just all over Canal Street and midtown corner shantys in NYC). They consistantly sell at a higher price because the market will pay it. If it didn't have quality fewer people would want it, and the prices would go down. The name guarantees a certain quality, whether is is agreed here or not."

_______________

As people have pointed out here before, Tiffany's items have become somewhat mainstream. For all their marked up prices, the reason that Tiffany designs are so replicated is because they are the most well-known name-brand jewelry store around that does actual designs. Yes they got that way by being a smart business...no one is denying that. Yes, some of the designs are cool, and that is why they are replicated. Celebrities wedding rings and jewelry is also very much replicated, there are CZ sites that have tons of Tiffany and celebrity knockoffs. Does that mean anything other than the masses want to feel special by having something that costs out of their range normally? In my opinion, no. Some may argue that having so many knockoffs around devalues the brand as well. Tiffany is more synonymous with 'is that real' than it used to be.

If Tiffany is such a luxury brand to people who are actually in the market, then why don't celebrities wear their jewels on the red carpet? Why are names like Fred Leighton or Cartier or Harry Winston all over celebrities and in the magazines and not Tiffany? I don't know the last time I saw US Weekly report that someone's e-ring was from Tiffany.


"Like I said, if you want a "deal", then go to a store that will sell you an J SI1, do your research, study your stones, and you will find a stone that fits your needs. If someone knows generally what they want, and if they can afford to have a well cut, high quality stone at a premium and they don't want to reaseach and hunt, why should they? "

__________________

I am sure you didn't mean that to sound like it does, but what is wrong with a J SI?

I'd love if someone would sell me a J SI as a deal. But to get a 'deal' you don't have to buy a J SI as you well know.

Al pointed it out quite well..this is a poll and people are giving their opinion. It doesn't have to be a balanced opinion.

We all know well enough from the countless Tiff posts that if someone does go and buy Tiffany, we all tell them, FABULOUS where are the pictures. If someone wants to do that, fine!

But on PS of course it's biased, of course it's a different market for engagement items. That's the nature of the beast and yes this is a poll on PS, a diamond consumer information forum where most do not think Tiffany is the creme de la creme esp when it comes to mass produced e-rings and the like.

 

[diagem]

Sorry Fire&Ice,

I forgot, only you know..., waw, really thousands of pieces he??!!,

I guess Tiffany is really only for the masses, I appologize for opinionating!!!

 

[Nicrez]

Date: 6/18/2005 9:33:47 AM
Author: fire&ice

Date: 6/18/2005 2:51:52 AM
Author: Nicrez


Sorry this is a bit long but I just think the responses on this topic tend to be one-sided.

Tiffany & Co indeed does both manufacture and design their own pieces and the diamonds that are used for their store are actually set to a strict standard so even a perfectly good stone to us may not be up to Tiffany''s standard.

Simply put, save the unusual designed for special show, you are incorrect. Tiffany sources nearly ALL of their jewelry & again, save some original designs, they don''t design. Quite frankly, hardly ever did. Source codes are a norm on even their ''fine'' silver, china & jewlery. Their line of Special Hand Work are about the only line made at Tiffany''s; and, the design VERY BORING and doesn''t command the prices that some of the Boston Society of Arts and Crafts people or the Chicago silver does. Tiffany & Co. isn''t Tiffany Studios. Tiffany & Co. sells to the masses. They are a jewelry retailer. Just because a company has been in business for 100 years means nothing except they are good at marketing & have a moniker of quality consistency.

My view of Tiffany & Co. isn''t one of stamp out the blue box as in value. My experience comes from handling hundreds, if not thousands, of Tiffany items, including Schlumberger prieces. They aren''t all that and a bag of chips.

In the end, Tiffany & Co. is just a jewelry store.

F&I, not sure where you get that they source their items. I know for a fact that there are NJ and NY manufacturing plants, so whatever they source would need to be a PART of the item, and not the whole item, because the whole concept of Tiffany''s would be to have a very strict standard of equality amoung their pieces when sold in NY or Texas. Same item, same quality, same everything you expect. If you source items in their entirety, you no longer have that control, and that is something that would kill a business'' image. Just wondering if you have had such contact with so many of their items, I assume you have worked for them at one point?

Diagem, you are very keen indeed. That IS a legacy ring. Good call!

As for the deals out there, like I said, there are times when you feel like bargain shopping and times or instances where you don''t. When buying wedding gowns, some women buy from sample sales and discount stores where there are thousands of items on a rack and each can be tried on in multiple fitting rooms. They get a great dress at a great price, but there may be a totally different experience associated with that purchase. They made a conscious decision to give up any sort of "frills" to buy that dress at a better price. Some women go to get their gown at a store that is an upscale authorized retailer (like a Barneys or Saks Fifth Ave or boutique) and enjoy the personal attention, the details of the experience. That doesn''t make them evil, or a bad shopper, that just makes them have different priorities, and possibly that they can afford to give up the deal for the experience.

Celebrities wear the jewelry of Fred Leighton, HW, Cartier, etc because those pieces are actuallt LENT to them for the red carpet. Tiffany & Co does not lend out their jewelry as readily, as they feel they already a segment in the market they are happy with, and do not feel the need to compete with such successful design houses as the Graffs, the Leightons, etc. They are a different market, but still luxury branded, just not for the UBER rich, and more like the people below that. Consider their store. They have items from $100 to millions of dollars. Fred Leighton, HW, Cartier have NOTHING at $100. They have different markets and different people they advertise to. And as F&I said, they ARE "just a jewelry store", so I don''t get why people talk about them many times as a "rip off". They satisfy a market segment, provide high end jewelery to people who are willing to spend more money on an item that has their name, and the experience, customer service and all the nice details that come with a little blue box.

As for knockoffs, I don''t like them. If you want the silver mesh collection, buy it from the place that created the design. If you want the LV bag, buy it from the place that created the design. If you can''t afford to buy it, then buy something you CAN afford without ripping off the designer. The sad thing is that so many people want the APPEARANCE of something and when they figure out that their image they try to project will cost them, they go for the less expensive knock-off version to LOOK like they can afford such things. What''s wrong with getting the Nine West bag or a simple leather bag?

As for a J SI, I used that as the outlier purchase. Tiffany sells only I an above stones, in VS2 clarity or higher. In other words, if you are looking for a stone that is J SI1, you won''t find it at Tiffany''s. Can you find a deal anywhere else, sure, but if you wanted the Tiffany name and experience, then there is no deal outside getting a T&Co. on your ring, and sitting in the store being helped by their staff. And that is just a personal preference.

Just my $.02, and since PS is a mixed bag of people I guess I will just be one of those people who agrees to disagree. Tiffany many not work for you, but if I could afford thier Diamonds By the Yard, I would buy it from them.

 

[fire&ice]

Date: 6/18/2005 11:47:36 AM
Author: DiaGem
Sorry Fire&Ice,

I forgot, only you know..., waw, really thousands of pieces he??!!,

I guess Tiffany is really only for the masses, I appologize for opinionating!!!

Yes, why is that hard to believe? They have been in business well over 100 hundred years selling probably MILLIONS AND MILLIONS of items. There isn''t a show that goes by where I don''t see at least 20 pieces. Even at one show a month 20 x 12 = 240 x 15 years = 3,600 conservatively. The stuff is ALL over the place. Dont'' forget, they are a full service jewelry company of the old fashion ilk (which is nice).

Sorry for you, your post came across that NO ONE has the experience to judge Tiffany & Co. That YOU only knew. There are tons of savvy picky buyers on pricescope as well as VERY quality conscious retailers. Quite frankly, I''ve seen a few "internet creations" quite worthy of coming on the block some day. Everyone has to start somewhere. To me, Tiffany is nothing more than a Corporate jewelry store.

And, Mara, has a very good point. I don''t see the stars wearing Tiffany & Co. stuff. Doesn''t carry the same cache. I never said they weren''t a good jewelry store - I am of the opinion that the name doesn''t justified the price.

 

[fire&ice]

Date: 6/18/2005 1:20:50 PM
Author: Nicrez

a jewelry store.

F&I, not sure where you get that they source their items. I know for a fact that there are NJ and NY manufacturing plants, so whatever they source would need to be a PART of the item, and not the whole item, because the whole concept of Tiffany''s would be to have a very strict standard of equality amoung their pieces when sold in NY or Texas. Same item, same quality, same everything you expect. If you source items in their entirety, you no longer have that control, and that is something that would kill a business'' image. Just wondering if you have had such contact with so many of their items, I assume you have worked for them at one point?

Diagem, you are very keen indeed. That IS a legacy ring. Good call!

As for the deals out there, like I said, there are times when you feel like bargain shopping and times or instances where you don''t. When buying wedding gowns, some women buy from sample sales and discount stores where there are thousands of items on a rack and each can be tried on in multiple fitting rooms. They get a great dress at a great price, but there may be a totally different experience associated with that purchase. They made a conscious decision to give up any sort of ''frills'' to buy that dress at a better price. Some women go to get their gown at a store that is an upscale authorized retailer (like a Barneys or Saks Fifth Ave or boutique) and enjoy the personal attention, the details of the experience. That doesn''t make them evil, or a bad shopper, that just makes them have different priorities, and possibly that they can afford to give up the deal for the experience.

Celebrities wear the jewelry of Fred Leighton, HW, Cartier, etc because those pieces are actuallt LENT to them for the red carpet. Tiffany & Co does not lend out their jewelry as readily, as they feel they already a segment in the market they are happy with, and do not feel the need to compete with such successful design houses as the Graffs, the Leightons, etc. They are a different market, but still luxury branded, just not for the UBER rich, and more like the people below that. Consider their store. They have items from $100 to millions of dollars. Fred Leighton, HW, Cartier have NOTHING at $100. They have different markets and different people they advertise to. And as F&I said, they ARE ''just a jewelry store'', so I don''t get why people talk about them many times as a ''rip off''. They satisfy a market segment, provide high end jewelery to people who are willing to spend more money on an item that has their name, and the experience, customer service and all the nice details that come with a little blue box.

As for knockoffs, I don''t like them. If you want the silver mesh collection, buy it from the place that created the design. If you want the LV bag, buy it from the place that created the design. If you can''t afford to buy it, then buy something you CAN afford without ripping off the designer. The sad thing is that so many people want the APPEARANCE of something and when they figure out that their image they try to project will cost them, they go for the less expensive knock-off version to LOOK like they can afford such things. What''s wrong with getting the Nine West bag or a simple leather bag?

As for a J SI, I used that as the outlier purchase. Tiffany sells only I an above stones, in VS2 clarity or higher. In other words, if you are looking for a stone that is J SI1, you won''t find it at Tiffany''s. Can you find a deal anywhere else, sure, but if you wanted the Tiffany name and experience, then there is no deal outside getting a T&Co. on your ring, and sitting in the store being helped by their staff. And that is just a personal preference.

Just my $.02, and since PS is a mixed bag of people I guess I will just be one of those people who agrees to disagree. Tiffany many not work for you, but if I could afford thier Diamonds By the Yard, I would buy it from them.

Dang, I can''t get the hang of this new quoting. Anyway, I''m sure they have some plants that may produce some of their items & certainly service & shipping centers. My Elsa belt has Italian hallmarks. I''ve seen some other silver with mexican registry marks & spanish hallmarks. They can control the quality when they are using VERY good quality sources - i.e. the legendary rumored Vatche. You can source & control the operation. You are the client & can reject ANYTHING. I''ve done it myself on construction sites. In the past they have used "code" numbers & letters. Those code numbers real identity was the likes of Gorham, ONC, etc - pretty good quality stuff - and if you are supplying a MAJOR client like Tiffany, you didn''t screw up. I am unsure what they produce; but, of this you can be sure, the ratio isn''t in favor of Tiffany & Co. Thing is Nic, the one time they tried to NOT source, it wasn''t a commercial success. Schlumberger actually came to our local Museum (we have a collection, had it on display - it''s now in storage). This isn''t any fact I know - so word of caution - I found him to be a "marketer".

Thing is THEY DO CARRY $100.00 items. I''m not knocking it. This makes them approachable for the middle class. No one is saying they aren''t a BRAND. The debate lies in the fact that "would you spend the premium?" I think many can make that decision & I think many ARE informed about their "stuff". I do find truth that if Johnny off the street wanted an engagement ring that WILL BE of very good quality - both in diamond & setting, if he can afford it, Tiffany could be a venue for him. We, at pricescope, are researchers IN SEARCH OF VALUE. That value being a great diamond - whether coming from Tiffany in the form of paying for the box (as some have proudly done).

Honestly, they are a retailer. I don''t think they would ever suggest otherwise. And, are you sure the "plants" aren''t service centers? Like the one Cartier has in DFW - It''s huge!

All that being said, I will try to take a picture of one of the most breath taking jewelry pieces I have ever seen. It''s from the 20''s & it''s Tiffany & Co..

When you look at it, you will see why Solange & I think "those days are gone".

 

[Nicrez]

I agree with the fact that the golden days of Tiffany jewelery are NOT the same as the period pieces. At the auction houses they sell Tiffany & Co. and those period pieces sell much over the estimated cost. A bracelet I saw a dealer just all over himself to own as his stock actually went for about $40K OVER it's estimated price. That says something about the quality back then.

Quality now is basically because it is a public company. It has shareholders to deal with bureacracy to support, etc. In a place with so many divisons and departments, there is always a bit of precision sloughed off at every juncture of the custody chain. That's natural.

As for the stars wearing T&C, again the stars are not BUYING their red carpet items, they are lent. And the major houses are using this as their form of marketing, versus T&C who use mass marketing unlike the others. They use ads on bustops and magazines, but you won't see a Chaumet ad on anything as "low" as a bus stop wall.

They are not merely service centers in NY and NJ but actually production. I have seen the ads for diamond setter and mechanical designers, bench jewelers, and even have a friend working in production where they are making the e-rings.

Schlumberger, Piscasso, and Peretti are all designers, and so I am not sure they would be crafting the items they design, so being a marketer is what they do. If they were bench jewelers as well, I don't think they would really want to work with T&C, and could just work on their own.

And I know that their settings are made in their own manufacturing and Vatche is NOT their supplier. If they were, the legal contract which they would have signed as a former distributor to Tiffany's would preclude them from infringing on the name and design of a former commission. A bech jeweler is precluded from doing so, why would Vatche be allowed to copy a design they supposedly used to sell to Tiffany and not get sued? I am sure someone as large as T&C has a voracious legal team...

 

[Slykat12]

So far I from what I have seen would not buy a ring from tiffany''s. I don''t even like their selection and think their prices are ridiculous.

 

[fire&ice]

Of course they would have their own setters, mechanical people, etc as would any corporate jeweler. These are service items. Perhaps they manufacture their e-rings. How do you know for a FACT that Vatche didn''t do their settings for them? When Gorham, et al, would make things for Tiffany, many times (not all) the design would be exclusive. But, by changing the design slightly, they could easily do their own line. In fact the cart came before the horse. Tiffany would see a line & want their *own* version. I''ve held pieces marked Gorham & pieces make Tiffany. No reasonable person would argue who made the Tiffany & Co. one. Oh, and that dopey vase I got for a wedding gift was stamped "made in Poland". The import hallmarks tell the story as those can''t be fluffed. This really has comes from experience. I''ve seen invoices from Gorham. This is no secret & is in their archives. Heck, they even sold Tiffany Studios lamps, etc.

Also, I don''t think any reasonable person would say that the Tiffany & Co. of old wasn''t magical (but even then they were more mainstream- having a variety of price points). They just haven''t kept up with the likes of HW, Boucheron (sp - too early in the morning stream of consciousness) - even Cartier. I think this trinket selling has puts them in a different catagory. All I''m saying is that *in my opinion* (coming from an historical overview) Tiffany & Co. is resting on it''s laurels. And should not be put into the catagory of the great houses.

Yes, they are a corporation. A retail one at that.

Why wouldn''t Tiffany lend it''s pieces? There is a current precedence in Sweet Home Alabama. I''ve never heard they don''t lend.

As far as their legal team, they are too busy chasing the fakes. Even there, they are having a LOT of trouble. They tried to sue Ebay recently. I''m unsure how successful they were; but, things didn''t look good.

Honestly, I''ve seen more inspiring designs and better quality on some PS sites than what is being thrown into the market today. I know several estate jewelers who won''t deal with any Yurman because the quality is so poor - by the time it comes on the secondary market it''s so beat to heck - or they get complaints from customer later. Piece by Piece. Design by Design. Brand, in it''s true sense, is secondary IMHO.