Thoughts on WF or BGD Tiffany style classic solitaire

[idealw2boys]

Hello everyone,
Long time lurker here thinking about resetting my original engagement ring.

It was an 1.0 + F VS2 from GOG in a platinum Vatche Royal Crown and now I am thinking about resetting it in one of these classic Tiffany replicas.

What I didn’t like about the RC was that the width of the ring was way too wide and thick and because it had 6 prongs, I felt like all you could see was the band and not the stone. It also didn’t flatter my fingers, I want the illusion of slender fingers like you fellow PS ers that have model like slender fingers. I’m a petite person with surprisingly larger fingers that don’t seem proportionate.

Now, I just want your thoughts from you experts on if I want a classic look with either the WF 3/4 diamonds for an eternity or the BGD Dream 3/4 band.

I’m thinking I will customize and do either a 4 claw prongs because I want the stone, rather small for PS standards to pop since I didn’t feel like you could see it before. But, when I went to Tiffany, they told me that a 6 prong was the way to go for security and protection of the stone.

The WF ring is slightly thicker and the prongs seem a little bit wider: spread out than the BGD one. I believe WF width is 2.4 mm and BGD is 2 mm. If you were to pick BGD, would you go for the classic or the tapered classic?

What are your thoughts? Which one would you pair up? I really want to accentuate the stone and let it be noticed and want it to be comfortable.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[HappyNewLife]

Just to let you know that you can customize WF or BG's stock Tiffany settings. It costs a little more, but that way you can taper it or get claw prongs or soften the knife edge - whatever it is you're looking for. You'll have to customize anyway if you want 4 prongs.

I have a customized WF knife-edge Tiffany style solitaire and LOVE IT

 

[idealw2boys]

Just to let you know that you can customize WF or BG's stock Tiffany settings. It costs a little more, but that way you can taper it or get claw prongs or soften the knife edge - whatever it is you're looking for. You'll have to customize anyway if you want 4 prongs.

I have a customized WF knife-edge Tiffany style solitaire and LOVE IT

I looked at your post of your debut, and it is perfection!!! Did you make any modifications or did you just bury the stock version. I love the prongs. Did you ask them to set it high or low or is that how it comes? Love love

 

[HappyNewLife]

I looked at your post of your debut, and it is perfection!!! Did you make any modifications or did you just bury the stock version. I love the prongs. Did you ask them to set it high or low or is that how it comes? Love love

Thank you!

I asked them for:

thinner shank (it's probably 1.8mm)
softening the knife edge
setting the diamond at medium height
and delicate claw prongs

it's exactly what I wanted! It cost an additional $250, but it was worth it

 

[chappy]

The make of prongs is more important than the number of prongs. 6 delicate prongs will 'float' the diamond more than 4 thick prongs! And you can get away with thinner prongs with 6, and still be secure.

Case in point:

Tiffany's 6 prongs are super delicate from the top view, while the 4 prong sticks out quite a bit (heart shapes, cute though). However, from a distance the bigger prongs actually give an illusion of a bigger diamond, so something to keep in mind. I still prefer smaller prongs for a clearer sparkle.

 

[unsettled]

going to 4 prongs will also make the stone appear more cushion-ish shaped. I have always wanted to reset my round into 6 prongs to really accentuate the round shape, but all the styles I have liked have 4 prongs. I think WF or BGD can execute a beautiful Tiffany replica. And once you get rid of the wider band, you may be surprised at how delicate the prongs look.

 

[diamondsareagirls]

Have you looked at the Vatche U 113 that WF sells? It's probably closer to the Tiffany replica than the WF one...or at least you don't have to make any modifications.

 

[Ilovecarbon]

I haven't tried the BGD one, but I tried on ALL of the WF ones, the Vatche U113, and an actual T&C one. My opinion is that the WF one tends to look "squatty" especially in the smaller sizes. The base of the diamond setting itself is wider than some of the others and can look a bit boxy instead of more v shaped. It is set lower also, but you can really see it if you look at this thread:

https://www.pricescope.com/communit...ty-band-is-eating-my-solitaire-prongs.241176/

They have other similar rings that you can swap the head onto the knife edge (semi custom) which avoid the squattyness and aren't set too high. I think I still have some profile pics of them from when I went, I can dig them out if you'd like to see them. My ring size is under 5, and I was looking at diamonds around the 1 ct mark so it's closer to what you have (as opposed to some of the gorgeous but giant stones we have floating around)

 

[idealw2boys]

Ok thanks for all your input. I think Happy New Life’s customized WF version is perfection.

Depending on what size stone I end up with, I likely will be using Happy NewLife’s ring as an inspiration.

IloveCarbon, I will have to check out the Vatche version. I want a shank that is no more than 2 mm, with that I’m will to go with a 6 prong, it’s just that I have the Vatche Royal Crown as my original engagement ring, and other than the stone, Vatche doesn’t conjure up exciting feelings for me when I go to put that ring on, hence my quest to get a “replacement “.

I do know that I will likely go for a medium to high setting for future pairing with a 3/4 eternity band, that my prongs don’t get eaten up.

Does anyone know if the Vatche is a knife edge or is it more like a half round?

 

[KirstLWA]

If you end up going with BGD for the dream band, my solitaire from BGD could possibly be what you are looking for as it has a soft knife edge/half round look - best of both worlds. BGD can make modifications to their settings so just ask and I am sure they will come up with a fantastic solution for your wants.

You can see more pics in my other threads

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-bgd-beauty.242083/

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-bgd-glamour-shots-are-in.241861/

Good luck with your search. I'm sure your set will be fabulous.

 

[Ilovecarbon]

The Vatche is a knife edge, but it’s softer than WF. I love knife edges, but WFs was super sharp (which is why everyone on here has theirs softened). There is a pic floating around comparing WF to the Vatche from the side, I’ll see if I can dig it up for you.

 

[Ilovecarbon]

https://www.pricescope.com/communit...tche-u113-vs-tiffany-co-classic.236719/page-2 This thread has those comparison pics as well as so many other dreamy photos- try not to get lost in the very sparkly sauce...

There is also a ring on there that belongs to Lore, check it out for sure because it’s a slightly altered WF

 

[PintoBean]

Hello everyone,
Long time lurker here thinking about resetting my original engagement ring.

It was an 1.0 + F VS2 from GOG in a platinum Vatche Royal Crown and now I am thinking about resetting it in one of these classic Tiffany replicas.

What I didn’t like about the RC was that the width of the ring was way too wide and thick and because it had 6 prongs, I felt like all you could see was the band and not the stone. It also didn’t flatter my fingers, I want the illusion of slender fingers like you fellow PS ers that have model like slender fingers. I’m a petite person with surprisingly larger fingers that don’t seem proportionate.

Now, I just want your thoughts from you experts on if I want a classic look with either the WF 3/4 diamonds for an eternity or the BGD Dream 3/4 band.

I’m thinking I will customize and do either a 4 claw prongs because I want the stone, rather small for PS standards to pop since I didn’t feel like you could see it before. But, when I went to Tiffany, they told me that a 6 prong was the way to go for security and protection of the stone.

The WF ring is slightly thicker and the prongs seem a little bit wider: spread out than the BGD one. I believe WF width is 2.4 mm and BGD is 2 mm. If you were to pick BGD, would you go for the classic or the tapered classic?

What are your thoughts? Which one would you pair up? I really want to accentuate the stone and let it be noticed and want it to be comfortable.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Besides getting a quotes for new settings, consider asking one of the vendors that sell vatche, like GOG, WF, IDJ, BEor HPD for starters, how much it would be to polish it to a thinner mm for the shank, etc. so that it is as thin as you'd like it to be.

 

[idealw2boys]

Thank you all for your replies and links.
I will check out Kirst’s BGD link on her ring.

I read through CharlotteYork ‘s and Happy New Life’s journey, seems like there’s somewhat different outcomes, but in the end, they seemed happy with their choices.

I’m wondering why there are fewer BGD Tiffany classic solitaire feedback to find. I heard their quality is top notch as well as their prices, but for the solitaire at least, they’re the same.

I really want a delicate setting that will showcase the stone, since I will likely get something between a 1-1.5 ct RBC.

The reason why I was leaning towards a 4 prong setting was because I just felt like when I had the Vatche Royal Crown, the stone was completely lost in the setting.

Seeing Happy New Life’s and Vesper Girl’s solitaire has convinced me that a 6 prong solitaire can be delicate and showcase the stone with the added security of a 6 prong.

I visited BGD many years ago in person, on my trip home (used to live in Houston many years ago) and spoke to Brian. He is a master craftsman and an expert at fitting and knowing what works design wise paired with everyday practicality.

I know there have been countless ladies who have had great experiences with WF, but part of me is still wondering if I will have that same great experience and outcome.

Also, here’s another question that most people may or may not think much about... your ring size.

Two years ago, I had a custom 3 stone ring from IDJ, while the stones are nice, and I was happy with the overall setting, the ring size is what surprised me.

I went to a local Tiffany and was clearly measured at a size 6.5, but when my IDJ ring came, the 6.5 was too tight, so I had to send it back for a resize, even though Yekutiel sent me a pic of the ring on the mandrel that it was a 6.5, he sized it to 6 3/4. Even today, when I went to Tiffany again, I am still a 6.5.

Have any of you ever had this sizing issue? Have any of you noticed if a 6.5 on a mandrel is not universal? Is this like clothing sizes varying between brands? I talked to BGD about this, and they told me it does vary, and that their sizing is on par with Tiffany.

Call me paranoid, but I just want my ring to be right in all respects the first time around, and not have to send back for tweaking, that just unnerves me to send it back and have it reworked.

Thanks again ladies for your help and info on my journey to find the perfect ring ! I just want to this ring!!!

 

[HappyNewLife]

WF sent me this pic, comparing their knife-edge solitaire to the Vatche U113. You can see why I decided to go with a softer knife-edge. I have to say though, they make beautiful modifications. the delicate claws are perfection! The U113 is on the LEFT in the pic on the hand

 

[HappyNewLife]

Thank you all for your replies and links.
I will check out Kirst’s BGD link on her ring.

I read through CharlotteYork ‘s and Happy New Life’s journey, seems like there’s somewhat different outcomes, but in the end, they seemed happy with their choices.

I’m wondering why there are fewer BGD Tiffany classic solitaire feedback to find. I heard their quality is top notch as well as their prices, but for the solitaire at least, they’re the same.

I really want a delicate setting that will showcase the stone, since I will likely get something between a 1-1.5 ct RBC.

The reason why I was leaning towards a 4 prong setting was because I just felt like when I had the Vatche Royal Crown, the stone was completely lost in the setting.

Seeing Happy New Life’s and Vesper Girl’s solitaire has convinced me that a 6 prong solitaire can be delicate and showcase the stone with the added security of a 6 prong.

I visited BGD many years ago in person, on my trip home (used to live in Houston many years ago) and spoke to Brian. He is a master craftsman and an expert at fitting and knowing what works design wise paired with everyday practicality.

I know there have been countless ladies who have had great experiences with WF, but part of me is still wondering if I will have that same great experience and outcome.

Also, here’s another question that most people may or may not think much about... your ring size.

Two years ago, I had a custom 3 stone ring from IDJ, while the stones are nice, and I was happy with the overall setting, the ring size is what surprised me.

I went to a local Tiffany and was clearly measured at a size 6.5, but when my IDJ ring came, the 6.5 was too tight, so I had to send it back for a resize, even though Yekutiel sent me a pic of the ring on the mandrel that it was a 6.5, he sized it to 6 3/4. Even today, when I went to Tiffany again, I am still a 6.5.

Have any of you ever had this sizing issue? Have any of you noticed if a 6.5 on a mandrel is not universal? Is this like clothing sizes varying between brands? I talked to BGD about this, and they told me it does vary, and that their sizing is on par with Tiffany.

Call me paranoid, but I just want my ring to be right in all respects the first time around, and not have to send back for tweaking, that just unnerves me to send it back and have it reworked.

Thanks again ladies for your help and info on my journey to find the perfect ring ! I just want to this ring!!!

regarding sizing, yes, I've had this experience. I'm a (what I thought was) 4.75 on my right hand, so I recently had rings made for me by DK in that size. They're SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO tight, which is so weird, since I know other rings in a Tiffany size 5 were MUCH too big. I think there is a bit of a variation among mandrels (cool word, lol). In your case, I'd probably ask for a size between 6.5 and 6.75 - they could probably do that!

and, to answer your BGD Q. I'm sure they can make you the ring of your dreams. I've worked with them in the past and they're great

 

[WillyDiamond]

OP
I have found the easiest way to deal with BGD is to call Lesley.
If she needs to get Brian on the phone, she will.
Good luck.