Signed Pieces, eternity bands and other issues...

[specialfx]

I'm looking to purchase an eternity band for my wife on our 10 year anniversary.

Signed Pieces is apparently one of the main players for eternity bands. They have beautiful stuff but seem to be quite pricey. Not at Tiffany's level but pretty close. I do understand they sell top quality stones.

Question--All things being relatively equal (comparable stones in size, cut clarity, etc.) can I get a better deal in the DD than at Signed Pieces or are their prices, in fact, competitive with others?

Question--My budget is approx. $5,000. Is it possible to get a ring with .25 stones - that are of decent quality?

Any info or insight would be helpful.

Thanks

 

[mercoledi]

I can't comment on what you can or can't find in the DD, but I'd like to recommend Memoire if you're looking at a full eternity band. They cost a little more but are (I believe) the only eternity band maker to offer resizing and upgrades. Pearlman's has started carrying their line. You can learn more about them here.

Good luck!

ETA: Are you looking for channel set or shared prong? I've seen a channel set SP band in person and it is very lovely, but I haven't priced these things out recently. Also Pearlman's has some Daniel K micropave bands, 0.3ct ish on clearance link.

 

[sparxs111]

That was a good point due to most people not knowing. It is very difficult to impossible to get an eternity band resized. Most poeple can''t do it.

 

[neatfreak]

Their prices are actually one of the most reasonable for high quality stones. I have one, and the stones are just superb. All ideal cuts, with no clouds or black inclusions. If you go to the DD without knowing what you are doing, you can certainly find something for less $, but most likely it will be lesser quality too. I think SP is actually in the DD, but I could be wrong. There are a LOT of bad vendors there though, so buyer beware.

You could also try Whiteflash, I don't know how much their eternities are running these days but they are another "high quality at good prices" player.

If you compare a SP eternity band to a cheaper/less well cut one in person the difference will astound you. Just something to think about.

 

[neatfreak]

Wait, you want .25 STONES? Unfortunately your budget is a bit unrealistic for a quality band with stones that big. For 5 grand you can get about .12-.15 stones probably.

You could always do a half eternity...

 

[October2008bride]

I would recommend calling Mark at ERD - I had an eternity band from him and it was beautiful! Unfortunately, the setting wasn''t right for my hand (my fault, not his) and when I went back to pick a new setting, I ultimately decided on something totally different!

However, his prices were excellent (better than SP for sure) and the quality was also excellent.

A friend of mine also just got one from him and hers is beautiful aswell and the setting is perfect.

Good luck!

 

[D2B]

Well, I have a Signed Pieces diamond half eternity 15 pointers and love it. Great stones, great colour and great clarity for the price. I would do a search and look at some of the stunning rings on PS from SP.

As with all eternity rings be careful that the eternity will go well with the e-ring. Some people have had issues with prongs regardless of maker.

good luck

d2B

 

[specialfx]

Well, I''m just back from the DD. This is the deal from one particular vendor, Joseph Blank, Inc.: An eternity band size 6 with approx. 17 stones at .18 to .20 ct''s each for a total weight of 3.5 ct''s. The stones will be G-H in color and S1-2 in clarity. Price is approx. $4,500.

Good deal? Can I do better elsewhere?

 

[ImpatientOne]

Signed Pieces has beautiful rings. The quality is exactly as stated - my rings appraised out at VVS quality F-G color.

 

[mercoledi]

Date: 8/20/2008 4:02:31 PM
Author: specialfx
Well, I''m just back from the DD. This is the deal from one particular vendor, Joseph Blank, Inc.: An eternity band size 6 with approx. 17 stones at .18 to .20 ct''s each for a total weight of 3.5 ct''s. The stones will be G-H in color and S1-2 in clarity. Price is approx. $4,500.


Good deal? Can I do better elsewhere?

That depends on the cut of the stones. Well cut stones, even when small will have a larger visual impact than poorly cut stones. The advantage to using SP, MM or WF is that they use high quality, excellently cut diamonds. Were you able to see the ring in person?

 

[specialfx]

Yes. I saw the ring in person and quite honestly, the ring had no life to it. I''m the furthest thing from an expert but I''ve seen rings where the diamonds sparkle and radiate light tremendously. Even after polishing the ring, no WOW factor whatsoever.

I walked out ambivalent. I thought financially it sounded like a decent price but the ring itself was a bit of a dud.

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 8/20/2008 4:56:15 PM
Author: specialfx
Yes. I saw the ring in person and quite honestly, the ring had no life to it. I''m the furthest thing from an expert but I''ve seen rings where the diamonds sparkle and radiate light tremendously. Even after polishing the ring, no WOW factor whatsoever.


I walked out ambivalent. I thought financially it sounded like a decent price but the ring itself was a bit of a dud.

Then a big NO NO NO. Diamonds should sparkle and well cut diamonds will look like little disco balls. Do yourself a favor and go check out the eternity bands at Signed Pieces. I believe that they will make appointments with customers. You won''t be disappointed...I promise, I have one!

 

[fige]

I’ve recently been looking for a similar thing, and from my experience it will be hard to get something in that price range. To me eternity bands with ‘larger’ TCWs seem to have inflated prices. I’d love to here why...

I’m no expert, but here are my simple calculations:

Blue Nile eternity band, average colour is H, average clarity is VS2. TCW is 3.95 with 16 stones. Cost is $10,150.

http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-eternity-ring_6049?oid1=6048&oid2=6049&oid3=4955&filter_id=0&nav1=band_channel.asp&catid=8&set_shape=

The individual stones work out to be around 24 or 25 points.

Similar loose stones are selling on their site for around the $370 mark

http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-1-carat-or-less-very-good-cut-h-color-vs2-clarity_LD01231802?__fun_frm=i&filter_id=0

That’s $5920 (retail value) worth of stones, so around $4000 for the setting?

 

[swingirl]

I think Signed Pieces only sells platinum eternity bands. So if you are on a tight budget and want to consider most of the money going towards the stones, consider white gold.

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 8/19/2008 10:53:06 AM
Author: neatfreak
Wait, you want .25 STONES? Unfortunately your budget is a bit unrealistic for a quality band with stones that big. For 5 grand you can get about .12-.15 stones probably.

You could always do a half eternity...

Ditto.

I have a few bands from SP. Great quality, very well priced IMHO. The DD is really not a place to go unless you are very well educated in diamonds. Best of luck!!