Should I get a Tiffany platinum band?

[lovinsparkles]

I''m looking for a platinum band of about 2mm. I tried on a perfect one at Tiffany''s today: http://www.tiffany.com/shopping/Item.aspx?sku=GRP00368&mcat=148203&cid=288152&search_params=s+5-p+3-c+288152-r+-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+

I know people have said when you buy from Tiffany''s, you''re paying for the blue box. Is that the case here? I have no idea what a reasonable price is for something like this. If so, any other suggestions for a vendor? It''s pretty basic, so I''m guessing it should be easy to find something like this from a number of online vendors??

Thanks!! (And sorry if this has been discussed before, I tried to search for threads about plain platinum bands, but didn''t find an answer)

 

[SoontobeMrsB]

I don''t think thats a bad price for a plain platinum band. I got a plain platinum band from Windsor Jewelers for $590, which was also 2mm. For an extra $100 they curved it to fit around my e-ring. We looked a few other places and found $700-$800 to be the norm for a plain band. Hope it helps!

 

[solitairegirl]

LS, I''m in the process of looking for exactly the same thing! I found cheaper ones at Blue Nile ($335) and e-weddingbands.com (a range of prices depending on style, starting at $199). Here are the links:

http://www.bluenile.com/wedding-ring-platinum_22?oid1=350&oid2=2379&oid3=22&filter_id=0&nav1=band_channel.asp&catid=126&set_shape=
http://www.e-weddingbands.com/store/platinum_wedding_bands.html

I''ve heard that you should take into account the weight of the band when considering price - heavier bands require more platinum and therefore cost more. Anyway, I''m probably going to go with BN, just because that''s where my FI got my ering, which entitles him to a discount on their wbands.

 

[neatfreak]

Yes you are paying for the name. You can certainly do quite a bit better if price is your major factor.

 

[mommy2iz]

ditto neatfreak.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Well, be sure you are comparing apples to apples. Tiffany usually makes their platinum rings out of a very durable platinum/ruthenium mix, and it seems to resist scratches and turning gray better than some I have seen. So to me, it might be worth it unless you know you are getting the same alloy.

 

[MMT]

I''m looking to buy one also. I will probably buy from e-weddingrings.com. I have never bought from Tiffany but it seems your paying more for the name.

 

[lovinsparkles]

Thanks for the info! Yes, that was I guess the heart of my question -- whether there would be a quality difference between the Tiffany v. for example, one from e-weddingbands.com. It will be the wedding band that I wear 24/7 so I want to get one that stands up well over time. But I don't *need* one from Tiffany just for the name. It's just that's the only one I've tried on so far and it looked perfect. So I'd like to find something similar. So the problem is that if I get the BN one for example, they might use a different, less durable alloy as the 5% alloy than Tiffanys does?

Is that why the alternatives are less expensive, because of a less expensive alloy? Or do they use less platinum. For example, perhaps the e-weddingband.com version sits lower, even though it's also 2mm wide? It's hard to figure out via pictures.

Maybe I will order one of the less expensive ones online and just return it if it doesn't sit right...

 

[Diamond*Dana]

E-weddingbands will not only tell you the mm widrh, but also how thick the band is. Maybe you can find the same thing out from Tiffany's or another vendor and that might help you in deciding. Their website also states that their bands are made of 95% platinum and 5% ruthenium.

 

[lovinsparkles]

Thanks DiamondDana! You''re right, e-weddingbands says they use the same platinum/ruthenium mix. That makes me feel more comfortable trying them I think...


"Your platinum is 95% pure. What is the other 5%?
All e-Wedding Bands platinum bands are 95% pure platinum and 5% ruthenium. This particular platinum/ruthenium alloy combination -- generally referred to as PLAT or PT950 -- is the highest purity available in platinum bands. Platinum wedding bands made with ruthenium are harder and more durable than platinum wedding bands made with iridium. In addition, all of our platinum bands are made from the highest quality seamless tubing with the exception of a few of our Unique and hand-woven or braided styles. "
http://www.e-weddingbands.com/store/faq.html

 

[gemgirl]

You can get a 2mm platinum band in a medium weight for $322.- on this site:
http://www.bridaldiamond.com/jewelry/wedding_bands/classic_bands.cfm?metal=Platinum

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 10/12/2008 8:12:17 PM
Author: lovinsparkles

Thanks DiamondDana! You''re right, e-weddingbands says they use the same platinum/ruthenium mix. That makes me feel more comfortable trying them I think...


''Your platinum is 95% pure. What is the other 5%?

All e-Wedding Bands platinum bands are 95% pure platinum and 5% ruthenium. This particular platinum/ruthenium alloy combination -- generally referred to as PLAT or PT950 -- is the highest purity available in platinum bands. Platinum wedding bands made with ruthenium are harder and more durable than platinum wedding bands made with iridium. In addition, all of our platinum bands are made from the highest quality seamless tubing with the exception of a few of our Unique and hand-woven or braided styles. ''
http://www.e-weddingbands.com/store/faq.html

That is great to know!!! One of my relatives has the 95/5 with iridium, and it was dark gray after a year. That''s why I pointed that out!