Tiffany engagement ring questions?

[c-note17]

I have been looking at some rings to get for my girlfriend. I decided that I will probably go with Tiffany an Co. I really like the 6 prong solitaire "Tiffany Setting." This is going to be a total surprise, so I don''t want to bring her shopping with me. So here is my dilemma, if the cut and clarity are the same, Excellent and vs2, which ring would you prefer?

These are all in my price range:

1.0 Ct F color

1.05 ct G color

1.20 Ct H color

1.31 ct I color

Thanks!

 

[gwendolyn]

Depends. How big is her finger (the smaller the finger, the bigger the stone will look)? I''m guessing you don''t know her colour sensitivity, but if you do, I''d obviously take that into account. Do you know if size is hugely important to her? If it is, a well-cut I will be gorgeous. If you''re not sure, I''d say the H would be a safe bet--good colour and size. But without knowing more about your lady, it''s hard to say.

 

[c-note17]

Her ring size is about a 6.5. I don''t think she would be real picky about the color. I guess I''m just asking because I want to get her the best that I can without sacrificing quality, and at what point is bigger not better when you start going down the color scale.

thanks

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 4/23/2008 4:51:45 PM
Author: c-note17
Her ring size is about a 6.5. I don''t think she would be real picky about the color. I guess I''m just asking because I want to get her the best that I can without sacrificing quality, and at what point is bigger not better when you start going down the color scale.


thanks

''Excellent'' is the highest cut grade for Tiff''s, right? If you''ve got the best cut they offer, the stone will look whiter than an I. However, to completely ease your mind about what''s best, you should find the closest Tiffany''s to you, call ahead and have them show you these stones in these sizes in person (if you haven''t done so already), and check them out, one at a time (don''t sit them next to each other to compare), under all sorts of lighting, being sure to take them to the window to the natural light. If you compare the stones side by side, you''ll see a colour difference between a colourless diamond (the F) and the I, definitely, but if you can''t tell the difference when you look at them individually, why spend the money on the higher colour?

If you really have no preference for colour, the I will be beautiful and give her a fabulous amount of finger coverage and look lovely, I''m sure.

 

[UCLABelle]

It depends on a lot, but personally, with a round, I would do the 1.2 H color. You probably won''t notice any color, especially if the cut is good, but the 1.0 to 1.2 difference on her finger will be noticeable to many (or me at least

).

 

[icekid]

Date: 4/23/2008 5:10:44 PM
Author: UCLABelle
It depends on a lot, but personally, with a round, I would do the 1.2 H color. You probably won''t notice any color, especially if the cut is good, but the 1.0 to 1.2 difference on her finger will be noticeable to many (or me at least

).

I agree... H in a round stone is pretty safe at that size. Not knowing her color preferences, I think I would be reluctant to go to I.

 

[honey22]

Date: 4/23/2008 4:51:45 PM
Author: c-note17
Her ring size is about a 6.5. I don''t think she would be real picky about the color. I guess I''m just asking because I want to get her the best that I can without sacrificing quality, and at what point is bigger not better when you start going down the color scale.


thanks

If you are wanting to get her the best stone without sacrificing quality, I would suggest you purchase an ideal cut stone from WF or GOG and have it set in their tiffany setting. You will save lots of $$$$ and won''t have to sacrifice colour or size that way. Unless your girlfriend has her heart set on the ''little blue box'' I would say this is the way to go. Not all Tiff''s stones are ideal cut - yes, they are all lovely, but you can even get a better stone (ie. sparklier) from one of the PS vendors. If you let us know your budget, we can recommend some stones if you like.

Don''t worry about it not looking like the real deal - many PSers have got into Tiffs with their replica rings on and the SA have offered to clean them etc as they thought there were real Tiffs.

 

[IronMikey]

Honestly I''d go either with the F or the H. The G should be out b/c you''re gaining only .05 cts and dropping into the "near colorless" range. The H seems to be the most bang for your buck.

I looked at an I and a G when I was in very recently. Face up under their lights they looked similar (i''m not very color sensitive) but from the side view you could really see the I color. I wonder what they''d look like in real world lighting.

Whatever you do I''d certainly look at the rings under real life lighting conditions to see if you can discern a difference b/w the stones.

Best of luck, bro!

 

[JulieN]

H

 

[c-note17]

I went in there last week and compared the rings side to side, and from the side view it was real hard to tell the differance between the I and the H but from G to I it was pretty noticable and even more so with the F to I. I felt like sales person was trying to sell me an "I" She kept on telling me that no matter what color it was the stones all had an excellent cut, therefore they would all have the same brilliance, and face up they would all appear white. I know that a lot of other factors come into play, stuff that I just learned on these forums, thanks PS btw. She really had me thinking "I" when I left there but now im thinking of going smaller to get a better color. All of rings I mentioned were about the same price so the money is not really the factor. I guess Im between the 1.2h and the 1.0 F I kind of uneasy about the "i" now because my gut is telling me that Im lowering my standards just to get "BIGGER."

thanks everyone your really helping me out, this decision is HARD.

 

[c-note17]

Date: 4/23/2008 5:32:13 PM
Author: honey22

Date: 4/23/2008 4:51:45 PM
Author: c-note17
Her ring size is about a 6.5. I don''t think she would be real picky about the color. I guess I''m just asking because I want to get her the best that I can without sacrificing quality, and at what point is bigger not better when you start going down the color scale.


thanks

If you are wanting to get her the best stone without sacrificing quality, I would suggest you purchase an ideal cut stone from WF or GOG and have it set in their tiffany setting. You will save lots of $$$$ and won''t have to sacrifice colour or size that way. Unless your girlfriend has her heart set on the ''little blue box'' I would say this is the way to go. Not all Tiff''s stones are ideal cut - yes, they are all lovely, but you can even get a better stone (ie. sparklier) from one of the PS vendors. If you let us know your budget, we can recommend some stones if you like.

Don''t worry about it not looking like the real deal - many PSers have got into Tiffs with their replica rings on and the SA have offered to clean them etc as they thought there were real Tiffs.

i was looking at WF last night and it didnt seem to be that big of a price differance from WF to Tiffs, all the rings I mentioned were under or at 14k w/o taxes. But I guess I could be open to the WF option I''ll just have to get past that replica thing.

 

[UCLABelle]

Just to add----This is really a personal question, as some prefer having a "colorless" diamond (I can''t say that I do not love my "E" Tiffany) but for me, size does matter too, and you may really be able to tell between a 1.0 and 1.2 on her finger size, and that is why I would go with the "H" (I cannot almost ever tell between D, E,F,G, and well-cut H s....but when it hits "I" I do notice a little warmth.

 

[Kissmark]

Date: 4/23/2008 5:33:56 PM
Author: IronMikey
Honestly I''d go either with the F or the H. The G should be out b/c you''re gaining only .05 cts and dropping into the ''near colorless'' range. The H seems to be the most bang for your buck.

I looked at an I and a G when I was in very recently. Face up under their lights they looked similar (i''m not very color sensitive) but from the side view you could really see the I color. I wonder what they''d look like in real world lighting.

Whatever you do I''d certainly look at the rings under real life lighting conditions to see if you can discern a difference b/w the stones.

Best of luck, bro!

I agree with this. I have an F and it looks very white. However if your g/f is not so color sensitive, I''d say go with the H.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I''d buy the H if it was for me. But I bought a diamond from Good Old Gold instead and had a platinum setting made! sna77 bought a diamond from WhiteFlash and then had a Tiffany reproduction setting made at Excel (SuperbCert).

If she dreams of a Tiffany ring and nothing else will please her, then get the Tiffany. If she is not into the brand name itself, you''ll get more for your money at WhiteFlash or Good Old Gold.

http://www.whiteflash.com/round_ideal_cut/Round-Ideal-Cut-cut-diamond-55176.htm# 1.22 H VS1 $8198 (w/discounts)

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4308/ 1.32 G VS2 $10,022

Add $1500 for the platinum setting and you''re set!

 

[Dreamgirl]

I''d prefer the 1.20 or the 1.31, depending on the price difference between the two. If you think the color is not noticeably different and if the 1.31 isn''t much more, go with that one, you wont regret it.

 

[lisa1.01fvs1]

I''m really color sensitive and holding the F next to the G there was noticeable difference.

However w/ a size 6.5 finger I would go with a larger stone to be proportionate - say 1.2 but F/VS2.

My SSIL has size 8 and 1.35 looked just right!

 

[sna77]

Date: 4/23/2008 10:23:06 PM
Author: lisa1.01fvs1
I''m really color sensitive and holding the F next to the G there was noticeable difference.

However w/ a size 6.5 finger I would go with a larger stone to be proportionate - say 1.2 but F/VS2.

My SSIL has size 8 and 1.35 looked just right!

Me 2... When I see H diamonds in person, no matter how well they are cut... I think they just look yellow... Personal thing, but i think diamonds should be icy white... others disagree with me, its just my opinion, that after ct size its the most noticeable thing you see when looking at someone''s ring...

Personally i see diamonds this way:

1. ct
2. color
3. cut
4. clarity


That is not to belittle cut at all... I''m just saying that 95% of the time, I''m too far away to notice anything but 1 & 2... Also, as a guy I think it is less accecptable for me to be staring at some girl''s ear or ring... Girls can get away with that stuff... for me, they''d just think its creepy. hah

 

[c-note17]

Date: 4/23/2008 10:23:06 PM
Author: lisa1.01fvs1
I''m really color sensitive and holding the F next to the G there was noticeable difference.

However w/ a size 6.5 finger I would go with a larger stone to be proportionate - say 1.2 but F/VS2.

My SSIL has size 8 and 1.35 looked just right!

I would love to get a 1.2 f but I think that would out of my price range

So to go with color or size is the issue on this one.

 

[UCLABelle]

The average person would not be able to see color in H or perhaps even I stones...SNA-77 (and others) may be color sensitive...and obviously this is a personal preference.

So you really need to know what your girlfriend prefers 1) size, or 2) color....or if she is as color sensitive as some, such as SNA-77.

I notice color in certain cuts (like emeralds or asschers) and typically only notice "warmth" (never lots of "yellow") with "I", "J" or below. In rounds, color is typically more easily hidden....and that is why many PSrs have "Js" such as Mara''s beauty!!!!

So the bottom line is: This is a preference, and only your girlfriend would know what is best for her....

I know, bummer

 

[UCLABelle]

Also, how often will your girlfriend be taking her ring off and holding it up next to a diamond of "D, E, F" color?

 

[Isabelle]

I find it almost impossible to believe actually, (having myself chosen an H over a D of comparable carat weight), that any person could look at a true GIA H (which is what a Tiffany "H" is), and think it looks yellow. I would suggest that the I would be a great choice b/c a 6.5 finger would look great with a 1.3 size stone. I would take the H and the I over to the window, (and they will let you do that), and if you can''t see a difference, get the larger one. I would definitely pick between those two b/c in fact, no, a true H does not look "yellow" and I doubt the I would either. Since you are buying from Tiffany, you already know you are buying great quality, not junk. And a well cut diamond sparkles more than a poorly cut diamond, so cut matters the most. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

 

[bee*]

I have an I stone from Tiffany and it''s so white. I''d go with the H or the I.

 

[rainydaze]

this is a tough one! of all my friends, the two erings that never fail to catch my attention for their beauty are D color solitaires - one is a 3/4 ct the other a 1 ct (i believe they are well cut). i can pick up on color/warmth pretty easily, though it doesn't bother me.... yet it's those Ds that always take my breath away! on the other hand, i have a 6.25 size finger and i lovelovelove how a 1.5 ct size looks on it and i secretly jones for that size.

really, it is as everyone is saying, it's going to be a matter of your girlfriend's preference. tiffany makes a beautiful ring... how is their upgrade/tradein policy? that is one additional benefit to going with GOG or whiteflash, if you go with size only to find out she prefers higher color (or vice versa), you'll have an easy way to accomodate that without having to spend double.
good luck! i can't wait to see what you decide!

 

[sna77]

Date: 4/24/2008 10:05:34 PM
Author: Isabelle
I find it almost impossible to believe actually, (having myself chosen an H over a D of comparable carat weight), that any person could look at a true GIA H (which is what a Tiffany ''H'' is), and think it looks yellow. I would suggest that the I would be a great choice b/c a 6.5 finger would look great with a 1.3 size stone. I would take the H and the I over to the window, (and they will let you do that), and if you can''t see a difference, get the larger one. I would definitely pick between those two b/c in fact, no, a true H does not look ''yellow'' and I doubt the I would either. Since you are buying from Tiffany, you already know you are buying great quality, not junk. And a well cut diamond sparkles more than a poorly cut diamond, so cut matters the most. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

I respectfully disagre... Check out this Tiffany H on Signed Pieces.
http://www.signedpieces.com/item.cfm?item_id=7818

IMHO it looks yellow... Color is the first thing I notice...

 

[UCLABelle]

SNA77- That SP ring does not look yellow to me, but it does look a little warm (I think that style is a bad example though too, my ring is identical, but "E" color for all diamonds...the trilliant cut diamonds actually make the center stone in mine appear like a lower color by a grade or so)....

Also, I could be wrong, but I think Isabelle may have been talking about round diamonds (which tend to mask color a bit more than step-cuts).

Obviously, you are a bit more color sensitive, because I still think if you took that ring out in public to a general audience, most would never think of the center diamond as "yellow"....

 

[mrssalvo]

you can''t really judge color from a computer monitar, everyone''s settings are different. also a fancy shape will show more color than an ideal cut round.

tiffany''s has a 30 day return so i''d go with the 1.3 I and if she''s bothered by the color you can return it.

 

[WestSideStory]

Hey C-Note, congrats on your upcoming engagement!

I have a Tiffany 1.21 H solitaire. In my experience, the Tiffany H is pretty white and a nice size. My second choice for a vendor was Cartier. There I did not want to go below a G because the Cartier diamond (which is GIA certified) started to show tone below a G. Maybe its because Tiffany has higher standards regarding cut than Cartier does (they go down to very good on the GIA scale and showed me a diamond that scored 6.7 on the HCA which is very poor). Or it could be because Tiffany''s standards on color are stricter than GIA (Tiffany''s lab will always grade a diamond the lower color if it is borderline), but I found the Tiffany H to be above the point where the color gets distracting. And that extra 20% gives it a nice "umph", especially once shrinkage syndrome sets in.

The 1 carat F would be beautiful too and my second choice on your list.

 

[Anastasia]

Date: 4/23/2008 6:11:18 PM
Author: c-note17
I went in there last week and compared the rings side to side, and from the side view it was real hard to tell the differance between the I and the H but from G to I it was pretty noticable and even more so with the F to I. I felt like sales person was trying to sell me an ''I'' She kept on telling me that no matter what color it was the stones all had an excellent cut, therefore they would all have the same brilliance, and face up they would all appear white. I know that a lot of other factors come into play, stuff that I just learned on these forums, thanks PS btw. She really had me thinking ''I'' when I left there but now im thinking of going smaller to get a better color. All of rings I mentioned were about the same price so the money is not really the factor. I guess Im between the 1.2h and the 1.0 F I kind of uneasy about the ''i'' now because my gut is telling me that Im lowering my standards just to get ''BIGGER.''

thanks everyone your really helping me out, this decision is HARD.

I don''t think you are lowering your standards just to get bigger. I think you are weighing all of your options and finding a balance between the four c''s that is acceptable to you.

My diamond is an H. It does not look at all yellow. I agree with previous posters that she will not be comparing her diamond to higher colored diamonds on a regular basis. If I was buying a diamond today, I would go at least as low as an h, and maybe lower.

Without knowing your girlfriend''s desires, it is kind of hard to make a judgment call. Does the Tiffany name mean something to you? Does it mean something to her? You can''t go wrong with a Tiffany ring, they are beautiful, but if the name doesn''t mean anything to you or her, I would either spend the same amount and get a bigger diamond from one of the PS vendors, or save yourself some money and get a comparable diamond from a PS vendor.

 

[Isabelle]

Date: 4/27/2008 9:59:09 AM
Author: sna77

Date: 4/24/2008 10:05:34 PM

Author: Isabelle

I find it almost impossible to believe actually, (having myself chosen an H over a D of comparable carat weight), that any person could look at a true GIA H (which is what a Tiffany ''H'' is), and think it looks yellow. I would suggest that the I would be a great choice b/c a 6.5 finger would look great with a 1.3 size stone. I would take the H and the I over to the window, (and they will let you do that), and if you can''t see a difference, get the larger one. I would definitely pick between those two b/c in fact, no, a true H does not look ''yellow'' and I doubt the I would either. Since you are buying from Tiffany, you already know you are buying great quality, not junk. And a well cut diamond sparkles more than a poorly cut diamond, so cut matters the most. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

I respectfully disagre... Check out this Tiffany H on Signed Pieces.

http://www.signedpieces.com/item.cfm?item_id=7818

IMHO it looks yellow... Color is the first thing I notice...

Sorry but you are moving the goal post in order to prove up your assertion. The picture you attached is of an emerald cut. The OP is interested in a RB. If you are talking about an emerald cut or the like, it is more likely to show minor inclusions as well as color. If you are talking about a RB, it isn''t. I would defy you to take a true F RB and compare it to a true H RB, put each on white paper and look at them in natural sunlight, and come back and say the H looked "yellow". They will both look very white.

 

[coda72]

My input probably won''t be helpful, but I can detect some color in an I colored RB stone that is an AGS0. In fact I own one, and it''s a beautiful stone, but especially from the side view, it does show color. It doesn''t bother me at all, and in fact, I love the stone, but if you are color sensitive, go with H or higher color.