Second-hand Tiffany & Co Solitaire- a good deal??

[babycush]

Hey everyone- this is my first post to Pricescope! I have been reading the forums for a little while trying to do a little research. My boyfriend told me to pick out EXACTLY what ring I want so he doesn''t disappoint me when the time comes Unfortunately, we have a very limited budget (probably less than $1000) to work with and since I don''t want a complete piece of junk, we have started looking into purchasing a second-hand ring. I found this Tiffany & Co. RB solitaire and I am wondering if it is a good deal for $500... here are the stats:

0.20 ct
Color F
Clarity VVS2
Fluorescence NONE
Cut EXCELLENT
Symmetry VERY GOOD
Depth 59.9%
Table 60%
Crown angle 33.6 degrees
Pavilion depth 43.8%
Girdle thickness THIN TO MEDIUM
Cutlet NONE

Thoughts??

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

the proportions work well - especially for that sized stone.

 

[lingpanda01]

I think for about $500 you can get a pretty good 1/3 ct diamond and $250 get a brand new Tiffany replica setting. I think I''d rather get something brand new rather than used. Also, you will have a warranty on it, I think.

 

[babycush]

Thanks Garry, that was my impression.

Lingpanda- where do you propose (ha!) that I find such a deal?

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Is this from a private seller wth documents? Estate department B & M? Can you have the ring sent or viewed by an independent appraiser prior to the sale to ensure the stone is undamaged/as represented?

cheers--Sharon

 

[CharmyPoo]

I thought I saw this one on ebay and linked it to other thread. If it is what I think it is, it looked pretty to me.

 

[babycush]

It''s actually from ebay... yes, could potentially be a little sketchy, however the seller has an excellent record, the ring comes with documentation, and we live quite close to a Tiffany store so I could bring it there as soon as it arrived to verify everything. Then if it turned out to be other than what was advertised, the seller has a ''no questions asked'' return policy within a week of receipt.

 

[canuk-gal]

Date: 10/19/2009 10:09:00 PM
Author: babycush
It's actually from ebay... yes, could potentially be a little sketchy, however the seller has an excellent record, the ring comes with documentation, and we live quite close to a Tiffany store so I could bring it there as soon as it arrived to verify everything. Then if it turned out to be other than what was advertised, the seller has a 'no questions asked' return policy within a week of receipt.

HI:

Tiffany charges for verification/authentification; not inexpensive and the process would take longer than your return vendors policy me thinks.

Here is a combo from JA--lots to choose from, I just pciked out of the blue....

http://www.jamesallen.com/engagement-rings/solitaire/solitaire-ring.html

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1247461.asp

Less than 1k.

cheers--Sharon

 

[glitterata]

Are you talking about the classic 6-prong Tiffany setting, or one of their other styles?

Any generic 6-prong tiffany-style setting you can get for $250 will not look much like the actual 6-prong Tiffany setting. It won''t have the graceful proportions and beautiful prong work. If I had your budget and had a choice between a second-hand genuine Tiffany ring in their classic setting with a .20 ct diamond or a brand-new generic tiffany-esque ring with a slightly bigger diamond, I would go for the real Tiffany hands down.

In general, for a budget that size your money will go far, far farther if you buy second hand. New is expensive.

Just be careful to make sure your second-hand deal is the real thing. Budget for an appraisal and make sure whoever you buy from will let you return it if it doesn''t turn out to be what you expected.

 

[exoticisabella]

Date: 10/19/2009 9:34:44 PM
Author: lingpanda01
I think for about $500 you can get a pretty good 1/3 ct diamond and $250 get a brand new Tiffany replica setting. I think I''d rather get something brand new rather than used. Also, you will have a warranty on it, I think.

James Allen has several true hearts diamonds, for under this price (though not as high of color and clarity that the tiffany has).

Example:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1241725.asp

Also, I see nothing wrong with not having brand new! Get what you like

 

[babycush]

Yes, I actually quite like the idea of a second-hand ring... not only are we getting much more for our money, but the ring also has kind of a mystery to it. Who had it before? Where does it come from? That''s just me though

I am by no means completely sold on this exact ring, thanks for the links to the James Allen, I''ll have to look around there a bit more.

 

[CharmyPoo]

I do agree that the seller looks legit and I think it is a good buy.

 

[lingpanda01]

Date: 10/19/2009 10:00:41 PM
Author: babycush
Thanks Garry, that was my impression.


Lingpanda- where do you propose (ha!) that I find such a deal?

www.whiteflash.com and www.bluenile.com has some cheap settings and diamonds for the price I quoted. A bunch of the PS vendors seem to have pretty good, standard pricing.

But like Glitterata said, those inexpensive settings might not look that good? I don''t know since I''ve never seen them except in pictures. But you should like at some of those sites including that James Allen one so you can get a good idea of what you can get within your budget. For the past two weeks, all I''ve been doing was browsing those sites and play around with my budget. It''s really addicting.