Tiffany and Tiffany-esque

[Propter Hoc]

Pricescopes,

You and yours have already been invaluable in my quest for the perfect (for us) stone. I''ve added one member''s suggestion to my list of top contenders and have now narrowed the list down to three. As all the stones I am still considering are very similar (and my retinas are feeling the "kiss" of brilliance and ideal scope images) I''ve set that mission aside for a moment and have turned my eyes to the setting. Despite a lot of chatter to the contrary, I haven''t found anything that matches the one image of a classic Tiffany Solitaire I could find at Tiffany.com. That image is referenced below. Recognizing that this could just be the product of a six-figure salaried photographer, I''m looking for as much of the following info as I can glean from you fine folks (the thought of having to call Portland Tiffany and ask these questions makes me cringe):

-Is every Tiffany setting sold with the stone "it was designed for" or will they set a stone I''ll soon purchase elsewhere?

-Many have suggested that near-perfect Tiffany "style" rings are out there. Can you match the one pictured? Particularly, I am having trouble matching the prongs and "low-profile" of the setting in knock-offs.

-Tiffany rings "start from" about 1k per their website. Anyone know where I could come by a better estimate for this classic solitaire style assuming I am providing the 1ct? I''m sure the "end from" 50k

Thanks in advance for everything y''all do. Hundreds of happy fiances and wives owe their "sparkle" to your expertise. I very nearly got suckered bad by a mall/chain store "step right up" carnie salesman.

James

 

[neatfreak]

Unfortunately Tiff''s won''t sell their settings without the stone. So you''re out of luck.

Whiteflash makes a pretty nice replica as does SuperbCert. Good luck!

 

[mrssalvo]

yes, tiffany's is a whole package ring so you can't buy just the setting. also, the tiffany setting in real life doesn't really look like the picture you posted. that pic looks like a stone was squished into the setting and IMO the real tiffany rings don't look like that unless they are holding a 3 carat diamond. you might also try to find a real deal version on www.signedpieces.com but it would be secondhand, but also a lot lower price than buying at tiffany's. Mark Morrell makes a sunburst setting that is similar to the tiffany but not a reproduction. also, quest jewelers makes a really beautiful repro that you might consider, here's a picture of the quest one..

 

[milton333]

No, Tiffany will not just sell you the setting. FWIW, I find the Tiffany setting to be a bit blah anyway.

Mark Morrell has some lovely solitaire settings with a similar look, which are also sold by Good Old Gold.

Vatche has some very pretty settings, as well. Many jewelers can get you a Vatche setting, they''re at GOG, and you can get just the settings cheap at exceldiamonds.com Exceldiamonds also has what is supposed to be a very good Tiffany replica, from people posting on the board.

Personally, I prefer a 4-prong over a 6-prong setting (I don''t like the diamond to be caged in metal), and I really like the setting I have, the Legato sleek lines, which is very fluid, classic, but with interesting details, and (most importantly for me) it does not spin on my finger.

 

[Propter Hoc]

Unfortunately, the only WF replica I can find that is anywhere near has a similar "This ring will not be shipped without a diamond set in it" policy. I am looking at SuperbCert now, at least one of them looks promising. Terrible news about the Tiff. It is perfect imho.

James

 

[milton333]

On the Whiteflash - you can have your diamond shipped to them for them to set it, they''ll do it for a fee. If you want to get the setting from them and have your diamond set elsewhere, contact them about whether they will sell you just the setting. I remember some kerfluffle about that "won''t sell without a diamond" statement, and I believe there is room for flexibility. I''ve dealt with them, and they''re great people, so it''s worth giving them a call to see if you can get something worked out. Or drop them an email.

The Excel Diamonds Tiffany replica that a lot of people seem to like is here, starting at $525, and I believe they have no problem shipping just the setting to you. I will say that customer service can be a bit hit and miss with them (better to deal with the son than the father), but many people think it''s a great Tiff replica. If you click on the tab for "more pictures," there are about 3 million additional pictures to check out.

 

[Kissmark]

Date: 1/22/2008 10:03:37 PM
Author:Propter Hoc
Pricescopes,

You and yours have already been invaluable in my quest for the perfect (for us) stone. I''ve added one member''s suggestion to my list of top contenders and have now narrowed the list down to three. As all the stones I am still considering are very similar (and my retinas are feeling the ''kiss'' of brilliance and ideal scope images) I''ve set that mission aside for a moment and have turned my eyes to the setting. Despite a lot of chatter to the contrary, I haven''t found anything that matches the one image of a classic Tiffany Solitaire I could find at Tiffany.com. That image is referenced below. Recognizing that this could just be the product of a six-figure salaried photographer, I''m looking for as much of the following info as I can glean from you fine folks (the thought of having to call Portland Tiffany and ask these questions makes me cringe):

-Is every Tiffany setting sold with the stone ''it was designed for'' or will they set a stone I''ll soon purchase elsewhere?

-Many have suggested that near-perfect Tiffany ''style'' rings are out there. Can you match the one pictured? Particularly, I am having trouble matching the prongs and ''low-profile'' of the setting in knock-offs.

-Tiffany rings ''start from'' about 1k per their website. Anyone know where I could come by a better estimate for this classic solitaire style assuming I am providing the 1ct? I''m sure the ''end from'' 50k

Thanks in advance for everything y''all do. Hundreds of happy fiances and wives owe their ''sparkle'' to your expertise. I very nearly got suckered bad by a mall/chain store ''step right up'' carnie salesman.

James

Others have answered your other questions, for your last question, you can just email Tiffany''s (email address is on their website) with your specific requirement, for exmaple 1ct, F, VS2, and ask them to see if they any inventories. They usually respond within a couple of days and they will quote you a price.

 

[Propter Hoc]

Thank you all so much for your feedback. I''m currently looking at the SuperbCert replica and have to say it is the best I''ve seen tonight. I am sure it would have taken me considerably more time to stumble around looking for it if I didn''t have all of you to back me up. I am also going to take a genuine look at the Morrel, Quest, SignedPieces and other options mentioned before I buy (and I appreciate all those suggestions as well). In terms of answering the question I originally asked ''where can I find this'' SuperbCert seems to be the answer. The new question appears to be "is that really what I wanted anyway?" I am still leaning heavily toward to Tiffany replica. I will keep you posted. Thanks again!

James

 

[Diamond Confused]

I just got a quote oon an F VS1 1.44 carat at Tiffany'' - 23,000

 

[Propter Hoc]

"Lovely" I think I''m going with a .93ct F VVS2 H&A with Str BL Fluor (I prefer) and a SuperbCert (aka Excel?) Tiffany 6-prong Classic Solitaire Replica for about $8k total. Price was not the major limiting factor, but $23k could certainly slow the honeymoon down a touch. I do really like the looks of the genuine Tiffany. I have read many positive reviews and hope the SuperbCert measures up.

James

 

[bee*]

Signed pieces actually have a Tiffany solitaire on it at the moment for $6250 and it has the box and papers with it. It might be worth emailing them to see tiffany soliatire

 

[sna77]

I bought my fiancé the SuperbCert Tiffany replica. IMHO its the closest match to the Tiffany setting. Here are some pics, and a comparison pic I made when I was searching 1 year ago...

 

[sna77]

another....

 

[sna77]

from below....

 

[sna77]

side detail

 

[sna77]

finally, a comparison between Tiffany, SuperbCert and Whiteflash''s...

 

[sna77]

BTW, I also really like the Mark Morrell Petite Sunburst:
http://www.mwmjewelry.com/

 

[sna77]

more MM Petite Sunburst:

 

[Propter Hoc]

Gah! I just about had this settled (SuperbCert) and now Mark Morrell''s work has caught my eye. I''ve reviewed his site and found the turnaround time to be the biggest concern to me at the moment. I''ve put this off for too long, I''m not sure 6-8 weeks more is in the cards for us - we would like to be married this summer. I do love what I''ve seen of Mark Morrell, but for now I think SuperbCert may be the ticket due to the likeness to the genuine Tiffany, the Price Point (about half the cost of the Morrell Petite Sunburst), and deadline. I just wish I had the kind of disposable income it would take to bribe Morrell to get a ring out to be next week or so. At this point I may be going with a "place holder" ring while the SuperbCert is finished anyway. Is that a terrible thing to do to a girl? Give her a ring and then take it back?

James

 

[urseberry]

A place holder ring is a great idea if you are under time pressure. Many men propose with place holder rings so the recipient can choose her own setting. Maybe with more time to look at settings, your girlfriend will decide she wants sidestones or a different style, and you''ll be happy you went with the place holder for the proposal.

 

[secondhandnews]

At this point I may be going with a "place holder" ring while the SuperbCert is finished anyway. Is that a terrible thing to do to a girl? Give her a ring and then take it back?

Without knowing your GF, this is hard to answer. Does she like being surprised or does she like having more input in a major choice such as this one? Proposing with a temp setting has been done countless times. How do you think she would feel about being surprised with the temp setting and then being involved in obtaining the perfect setting for your diamond? You could tell her that we will be making joint decisions in our married life and I thought we start with your e-ring setting. Too cheesy?

 

[sna77]

Date: 1/23/2008 5:14:41 PM
Author: Propter Hoc
Gah! I just about had this settled (SuperbCert) and now Mark Morrell''s work has caught my eye. I''ve reviewed his site and found the turnaround time to be the biggest concern to me at the moment. I''ve put this off for too long, I''m not sure 6-8 weeks more is in the cards for us - we would like to be married this summer. I do love what I''ve seen of Mark Morrell, but for now I think SuperbCert may be the ticket due to the likeness to the genuine Tiffany, the Price Point (about half the cost of the Morrell Petite Sunburst), and deadline. I just wish I had the kind of disposable income it would take to bribe Morrell to get a ring out to be next week or so. At this point I may be going with a ''place holder'' ring while the SuperbCert is finished anyway. Is that a terrible thing to do to a girl? Give her a ring and then take it back?

James

SuperbCert took about a month to do my ring also... They are all custom, made to order, as the MM ones are...

 

[sna77]

BTW, one thing to consider when choosing a setting is the matching wedding band. If you go with a Tiffany replica, you have 2 optons for a wedding band:

1. plain platinum knife-edge band
2. shared prong diamond eternity band. (mmm)

Check out my thread today on the eternity badn process. It has a pic of the two rings side by side.
https://www.pricescope.com/forum/rockytalky/need-help-picking-sizing-an-eternity-band-to-match-sc-tiffany-setting-t77020.html

 

[honey22]

Wow, you have done your research. Can you please tell me if any of these designs allow a wedding band to sit flush (approx 2mm band)

Thanks

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 1/23/2008 6:19:48 PM
Author: honey22
Wow, you have done your research. Can you please tell me if any of these designs allow a wedding band to sit flush (approx 2mm band)


Thanks

a wedding band will not sit completely flush with these designs but the gap is very tiny, not really noticable at all.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

The SuperbCert is not going to be half of the price of the Sunburst unless you are going with white gold over platinum. I would get times estimates from both before making a final decision. I''d also ask for the prong tips on the Sunburst to be smaller.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Sorry...that should be "time estimates".

 

[Propter Hoc]

I''ve made a final decision to select a temporary ring to meet our engagement time constraints and investigate the SuperbCert/MM rings more before making a final selection. A no-exceptions criteria is that the ring must be completed before our wedding this summer, however I feel like both offer that potential.

With regard to requesting the prongs to be smaller on the top of the diamond, does that mean "shorter" in that they wouldn''t protrude as far above the diamond or smaller in that they would not cover as much of the crown of the diamond?

So far I like everything I have seen from Morrell and tend to trust his professional judgment. I won''t deny that it appears to be a superior product to the SuperbCert. I hope that is not simply a product of a superior photographer. I wonder why SuperbCert accepts such mediocre photos to represent their product.

Either way, the "temporary" takes the time crunch off. I would ideally like to be engaged the weekend following this weekend. I feel my plan is the only way to accomplish this and have an engagement ring we are completely satisfied with in the end. I let you know how she takes it.

James

 

[sna77]

Date: 1/24/2008 2:27:28 PM
Author: Propter Hoc
I''ve made a final decision to select a temporary ring to meet our engagement time constraints and investigate the SuperbCert/MM rings more before making a final selection. A no-exceptions criteria is that the ring must be completed before our wedding this summer, however I feel like both offer that potential.

With regard to requesting the prongs to be smaller on the top of the diamond, does that mean ''shorter'' in that they wouldn''t protrude as far above the diamond or smaller in that they would not cover as much of the crown of the diamond?

So far I like everything I have seen from Morrell and tend to trust his professional judgment. I won''t deny that it appears to be a superior product to the SuperbCert. I hope that is not simply a product of a superior photographer. I wonder why SuperbCert accepts such mediocre photos to represent their product.

Either way, the ''temporary'' takes the time crunch off. I would ideally like to be engaged the weekend following this weekend. I feel my plan is the only way to accomplish this and have an engagement ring we are completely satisfied with in the end. I let you know how she takes it.

James

just out of curiosity... where did you get the stone from?

the only thing I don’t like about your plan is... The first few days after you get engaged, your FI will want to show EVERYONE her ring, and everyone will ask to see it non-stop. That will never again happen in her life... even once she has the new ring... You only get one chance...

Not sure what SC gave you for a time line, but owning their ring, I can say its of impeccable craftsmanship... and any differences you see are probably more of a fault of the photographer (jewelry is veeeery hard to photograph)

 

[milton333]

I believe PH is going with Good Old Gold for the stone - PH, have you asked them about basic solitaire settings? Let them know you''re interested in the Morrell, see if they can suggest something in the same vein that might be available sooner?