Question about ring selection

[vanman1013]

I know you get a much smaller ring from Tiffany''s, just wondering what they cost? I don''t think Tiffany''s is within my parents budget, so I''m not really thinking I''m getting one, just curious.

 

[Oleander]

Date: 9/6/2006 11:26:57 PM
Author: vanman1013
I know you get a much smaller ring from Tiffany''s, just wondering what they cost? I don''t think Tiffany''s is within my parents budget, so I''m not really thinking I''m getting one, just curious.

The classic Tiffany solitaire currently starts at $1,090 and goes up from there, but I don''t know what carat size that starting price is. For reference, eight years ago $10,000 bought you a 1 carat H color Internally Flawless stone set in 18K gold and the 2 carat D flawless was $50,000. Those are the only two 1998 prices I remember.

When we looked, Tiffany rings were running about 10% more than other jewelers for equal/similar quality (carat, color, and clarity) stone, but we could not find many stones _cut_ as well as Tiffany''s. The other jewelry stores just didn''t have the inventory available because that was simply not their niche. They might have one stone for us to see, or even nothing. We saw lots of poorly cut stones! I imagine it would have been different in a small town jeweler where they would bend over backwards to order you what you wanted.

Some people will tell you Tiffany''s cut is not so great, but in my limited experience, Tiffany stones blew the other stores'' stones out of the water. And when I see my stone sparkle, I don''t understand the put-down of Tiffany''s inventory of diamonds. Maybe I just like mine because it''s mine.

We did not, however, look online. That was unheard of in my experience, back then. Hope this helps you a little. You are definitely getting a larger stone for your money from another store or business.

 

[vanman1013]

Thanks for the info. I knew it would be more, but depending on the size of the diamond that''s not that out of line, especially for the name. I don''t plan on going there, I''ll find a better deal which is more important to me right now. Thanks for the info.

Another question: I''ve heard whiteflash on this site a couple of times, our they a good place to do business? I found this one:



Item Code: 9376407
Price: $708.00
Report: EGL
Shape: Round
Carat: 0.40
Color: G
Clarity: SI2
Depth: 62.4
Table: 58
Girdle: TN-M
Polish: Very Good
Symmetry: Good
Culet: None
Fluorescence:
Measurements: 4.72-4.74X2.95


It''s less expensive then what I was looking for, which is good, and it seems to be a good diamond for the price. Or am I just falling for a low price tag?

 

[Siamese Kitty]

Hi Vanman,

For what it''s worth, I looked at an H VS2 .54ish etoile ring (which may be more expensive than the classic solitaire?) at Tiffany''s last month and it was around $4600-$4700 if I remember correctly.
I think it''s great, too, that your parents are being so supportive-I''m sure you will find the perfect ring.

Best of luck!

 

[vanman1013]

Thanks for the info, i would think that the solitaire would be much cheaper or is that just wishful thinking of giving her a little blue box?

 

[Siamese Kitty]

Not sure-the ring is a lot thicker, so I would think it would take more platinum to make it. I think it also has a higher starting price if you look at the website. Their diamond rings are absolutely beautiful despite the high mark-up. That''s not to say you couldn''t find something as nice, if not nicer, online with the help from the people here from what I''ve seen.

 

[vanman1013]

Really, more expensive? shows what I know. Thanks again. What do you think of the diamond I listed above?

 

[diamondfan]

Are you also paying for some of it? Maybe if you both contribute, you could get her something from Tiffany''s, or buy online or locally and get a bit more for your money. The most important thing is to be a smart consumer, know what the numbers mean and also let the stone speak to you. A perfect stone on paper may not look that great! So, be educated but look at different things with an open mind!

 

[vanman1013]

I''m planning on paying for it all and anything they contribute is extra. I don''t really plan on buying from Tiffany''s, I''d much prefer a different color box and a nicer diamonds. Her sister says and I agree with her, she doesn''t know much about diamonds. So a nice size (1/2 for her is plenty big I''ve determined) that doesn''t have many problems, so we can proud of it for a long time to come.

 

[Siamese Kitty]

Vanman-

Sorry-I wasn''t clear (I''m a student myself "burning the midnight oil" hehe) Anyway, I meant I think the etoile ring is more expensive than the solitaire because it is thicker.
As for the stone above, I''m by no means an expert, but I think a few here would chime in to say that an EGL report would be less desirable than GIA or AGS, both of which are more strict.

 

[vanman1013]

Ok, I thought it was wrong. I wasn''t sure of the certification, but we''ll see. What''s your opinion on me surprising her with a solitaire setting? I''m not sure what she likes, so I figured it''s the best way to start and then maybe upgrade later.

 

[Siamese Kitty]

Me personally, I think it is a great idea! (of course, I like solitaire settings, so...) But from my perspective, being on a budget I''m from the "buy the nicest stone one can afford and put it into a simple setting until one can upgrade later" camp.

Especially since you say she is a simple, basic (read:classic) girl.

 

[vanman1013]

I like hearing people say that. It reassures me.

 

[vanman1013]

Sorry for all the questions, but this board has been a lifesaver. What about this diamond:

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-1180496.htm#

can you compare this one:
http://www.bluenile.com/diamonds_details.asp?__fun_frm=i&pid=LD00320575&filter_id=1#grading_report

 

[Larissa]

Honestly, if you do have a bit more money to spend (I think you mentioned $2,000 earlier or maybe I''m thinking of another thread. If I''m thinking of another thread, sorry) I''d get a slightly larger stone. Keep the same specs (ideal cut, H, SI1) but go for closer to 1/2 carat or a bit above. You''d still probably spend around $1,500 with the same classic, tiffany-style setting.

Do you happen to know her ring size? There are some rings in the Under 1 Carat Thread that you might be able to look at to see what a .4 would look like on her finger size.

 

[vanman1013]

she's a 5.5, I think. After looking at that thread, a .4 should be just fine. She wouldn't want a big ring. As far as I can tell, she would be into a small, simple ring

 

[Larissa]

Good, I''m glad that you''ve made your mind up in regards to size. Hopefully someone will be able to weigh in on how the rounds you linked look. You decided on the plain tiff-style setting, right?

I was thinking about a bigger stone for you because I wish I had pushed for something a bit bigger (it was under budget). At the time I thought .47 would look huge on my finger...now shrinkage has set in

 

[vanman1013]

Yeah, .4-.5 good color, good clarity is about my budget. I''m thinking that the Tiffany Style is good for the way I''m doing it. I''m proposing when I go and visit her, she''s studying abroad for the semester, she''s in Budapest and when I go we are going to Italy and I plan on proposing there.