Tiffany Excellent Cut

[scjd]

Hi,

I''ve been reading this forum for a while now and found it to be a wealth of information. I was wondering if I could get some input on my current situation. I''m contemplating buying a 1.25 E/VVS2 RB diamond from Tiffany in the classic setting. Unfortunately, Tiffany''s cert doesn''t provide much data on the stone. Instead, it merely classifies the cut as "excellent."

I''ve read previously that the Tiffany "excellent" cut can range anywhere between AGS0 and AGS2. Does anyone know whether Tiffany''s excellent cut generally falls within AGS0 parameters? Or is it common place for it to drop down to AGS2? Also, is there a noticeable difference to the naked eye between a AGS0 and AGS2 stone?

Thanks in advance.

PS. I''m a cheapskate and cannot stand overpaying; however, my girlfriend absolutely loves Tiffany. I hate to disappoint her, so I''m kind of stuck.

 

[Ellen]

Hi sc,

I can''t answer your questions, but if you''d drop to a G, (which will still show no color), and at least go to a VS2 (which should be totally eyeclean), you could save a whole lot/buy a bigger stone.

 

[JulieN]

is it used?

 

[Kissmark]

is excellent cut the highest that tiffany offers? do they have ideal cut?

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

When you say it shows no color you should stipulate you mean specifically from the top down. As to the sides he needs to go look at that difference himself. I sure wouldn't want to pay a premium for a tiffany VVS2 and then see yellow on my diamond from diamond anywhere. And it is def possible hat he will notice a yellow hue going from E-G--just not from the top down.

Also, My friend recently purchased a Tiffany ring, I called tiffany and asked for the information on the cert, they gave me all of the angles and percentages, star and LGF numbers. So just demand the information before you make a purchase, nicely though.

Hers was a nice cut, and according to the numbers it fell into the Ideal proportions, but it had 62.2 % depth and a few other numbers I would have preferred to be a little nicer. Also, I would imagine that the AGS 1 o 2 element is probably largely based on symmetry or polish not being quite ideal--but they should have those ratings available as well. I think it would be a good question though to ask what requirements are necessary for an excellent cut. They surely have a specific range of numbers, and other certain allowable characteristics--like less than perfect symmetry, etc. and I am sure if you call around and talk to the right person you will get all the information you want.

 

[scjd]

Thanks for the input thus far.

As for the questions posed:

1. The ring is new.

2. "Excellent" is the highest cut grade Tiffany offers.

3. Unfortunately, I''m pretty adamant on the color/clarity parameters. You have no idea how much I wish I could purchase a better stone from somewhere like union diamond or JA for far less. Oh well.

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

Why did you write the color/clarity parameters in the same line as your need to buy from tiffany's?

you mean that you are set on color and clarity, but you can't buy elsewhere because your gf demands tiffany?

(I understand the desire to buy from tiffany's though...the only way I could rationalize not doing it was bc I could get twice the ct and 1mm larger than I would get if I spent the same money at tiffany's--plus higher color and equivalent clarity. but thats my poor self's experience. If I could, I would get her Tiffany's for the sake all of her friends would be amazed.)

 

[JulieN]

Your GF wants Tiffany, you want E VVS2, and you're a cheapskate.

Anyway. Look around their inventory for stones with newer Sarin type data (crown angle, pav depth, table.)

 

[scjd]

Oh, I meant that my girlfriend wants a ring from Tiffany. The color/clarity/cut parameters that I mentioned are my own personal preferences, and the lowest I''m willing to go. Ideally, I''d get a D/VVS1, but it would cost me a small fortune to get a stone like that at the store she wants.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I''d insist on one that met AGS0 standards considering the price. Most people buying from Tiffany wouldn''t even think to ask that, but surely they can identify some for you that would fall into those parameters. But if the E VVS2 is more important to you than the cut, you may have to take what you can get in that color and clarity.

 

[scjd]

Sorry for being unclear

. Cut is the most important characteristic for me. That''s why I wanted to make sure that a Tiffany "excellent" would fall into AGS0 parameters.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

That''s good...you''ll just have to examine the certs carefully to be sure you get as close to AGS0 as possible. I just meant that Tiffany may not have 10 E VVS2 1.25 carat rings available at one time to choose from, so you might not be able to get the cut you want if there is no flexibility on the color and clarity. I think E and VVS2 are lovely, don''t get me wrong. But you also cannot see inclusions in a VS1.

 

[Ellen]

Date: 6/21/2007 9:41:20 PM
Author: WorkingHardforSmallRewards
When you say it shows no color you should stipulate you mean specifically from the top down. As to the sides he needs to go look at that difference himself. I sure wouldn''t want to pay a premium for a tiffany VVS2 and then see yellow on my diamond from diamond anywhere. And it is def possible hat he will notice a yellow hue going from E-G--just not from the top down.

I was assuming he would do that anyway.

As for seeing color from the side, unless he is extrememely color sensitive (and he may be), it''s very likely he still wouldn''t see any, UNLESS he has the two stones side by side. And even then, many people wouldn''t see much of a difference. But that is not a true assessment, as it''s not how he will view it in real life. It will be alone (which is how it should be assessed), in a setting. G''s are at the top of near colorless, they''re not going to appear "yellow".

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/22/2007 7:47:29 AM
Author: Ellen

Date: 6/21/2007 9:41:20 PM
Author: WorkingHardforSmallRewards
When you say it shows no color you should stipulate you mean specifically from the top down. As to the sides he needs to go look at that difference himself. I sure wouldn''t want to pay a premium for a tiffany VVS2 and then see yellow on my diamond from diamond anywhere. And it is def possible hat he will notice a yellow hue going from E-G--just not from the top down.

I was assuming he would do that anyway.

As for seeing color from the side, unless he is extrememely color sensitive (and he may be), it''s very likely he still wouldn''t see any, UNLESS he has the two stones side by side. And even then, many people wouldn''t see much of a difference. But that is not a true assessment, as it''s not how he will view it in real life. It will be alone (which is how it should be assessed), in a setting. G''s are at the top of near colorless, they''re not going to appear ''yellow''.

Ditto.

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

I agree completely, but it is a topic often left unmentioned when talking color but is important in a four prong, and if you have ever been new to the Diamond shopping--sometimes it is difficult to remember/think of everything you need to look out for when you are actually in the store. But just because you don''t think about it at the time doesn''t mean you won''t later

Not that I think it will matter, but I just wanted to help him have one more thing to add to his list to reduce the possibility of surprise later.