Tiffany experience

[teobdl]

I went into Tiffany for a the first time as a "customer" rather than just a casual browser. It was best experience I've had at any jewelry store, and I 100% recommend any guy looking for an engagement ring (leave your wallet and possibly your gf) to make a visit. Here's why: amazing customer service and guilt free fact finding.

My sales person was fantastically welcoming, accommodating, and patient with me. I've felt welcomed at most jewelry stores in the city, but Tiffany's reps really do show customers another level of service that you only find at boutiques.

But beyond the service (who doesn't like to get treated well?), I liked that I didn't feel guilty about taking the sales people's time and using the store as a showroom rather than a sales floor. I honestly had little intention of buying from them at this visit (potentially wedding bands in the future), but I didn't feel as bad about using their time as I would at smaller diamond dealers. I think this is important. I was able to see everything I wanted to see without feeling like I was screwing a small business owner who is potentially losing a real customer because of me.

Regarding the diamonds:
The diamonds were all beautiful, but there wasn't much consistency in the character. After evaluating by sight alone, I picked out a few that looked different, but still beautiful: the reports showed some with 35.x/41, others low 34's/low 40's, 58 tables, 54 tables, typical PS ideal proportions, and down the line. Still, I was very surprised to see fingerprints all over the diamonds. It was really quite bad.
The big diamonds were obviously nice, but all of the smaller diamonds exploded with light. It was absolutely ridiculous. The proportions of those smaller ones were similarly inconsistent, and I'm thinking they were so blazing because no one had put their paws on them all day. Fresh diamonds are yummy.

Lighting:
Of course it was crazy light show, but the store lighting also made it super, super difficult for me to evaluate cut. I had to cup them in my hand to really get a feel. We went over to a window room, and it became a lot easier to see both the real beauty and differences in character of the diamonds I was looking at.

Prices:
Prices were outrageous, as expected. I'm pretty sure, they were quoting prices of diamonds set, though, so I consider it like taking on approx $2,000+ for a great solitaire setting. Taking that into account, I figure diamonds were about 40% more than a similar superior or premium cut diamond online.

Of course, I had to sort of leave my brain at the door to let certain phrases flow in one ear and out the other:
"This lighting isn't anything special." As the diamonds go dark and fire flies out of them.
"All GIA Excellents at Tiffany will pretty much look the same" --did I really hear that?? Because my eyes were telling me differently as he spoke those words

Overall, it was a great experience, and I really recommend going there to view diamonds for your fact finding rather than a small business.

 

[msop04]

Regarding the diamonds:
The diamonds were all beautiful, but there wasn't much consistency in the character. After evaluating by sight alone, I picked out a few that looked different, but still beautiful: the reports showed some with 35.x/41, others low 34's/low 40's, 58 tables, 54 tables, typical PS ideal proportions, and down the line. Still, I was very surprised to see fingerprints all over the diamonds. It was really quite bad.
The big diamonds were obviously nice, but all of the smaller diamonds exploded with light. It was absolutely ridiculous. The proportions of those smaller ones were similarly inconsistent, and I'm thinking they were so blazing because no one had put their paws on them all day. Fresh diamonds are yummy.

...and this is why. Not to say that they didn't have some nice stones, but pretty much any diamond will sparkle like crazy under "jewelry store lights", and T&Co has some of the best.

Lighting:
Of course it was crazy light show, but the store lighting also made it super, super difficult for me to evaluate cut. I had to cup them in my hand to really get a feel. We went over to a window room, and it became a lot easier to see both the real beauty and differences in character of the diamonds I was looking at.

Prices:
Prices were outrageous, as expected. I'm pretty sure, they were quoting prices of diamonds set, though, so I consider it like taking on approx $2,000+ for a great solitaire setting. Taking that into account, I figure diamonds were about 40% more than a similar superior or premium cut diamond online.

Of course, I had to sort of leave my brain at the door to let certain phrases flow in one ear and out the other:
"This lighting isn't anything special." As the diamonds go dark and fire flies out of them.
"All GIA Excellents at Tiffany will pretty much look the same" --did I really hear that?? Because my eyes were telling me differently as he spoke those words

Overall, it was a great experience, and I really recommend going there to view diamonds for your fact finding rather than a small business.

I'm glad you had a good experience, and thanks for sharing it! I had to laugh when you said the bolded above -- good thing you're an informed consumer!!

I have read a lot about the T&Co stones and the overall quality... it seems the SAs tend to focus on only color and clarity (not on cut, which is most important) and many of them are cut deeper than ideal, making them face up small and sacrifice light return/performance. Also, I don't like that they grade in-house -- seems to be a little conflict of interest there. Of course, I'm sure they have some absolute stunners... on the other hand, I've seen some dogs (posted on another forum, specifically).

 

[Lorelei]

Nice writeup Teo, what did you buy for me?????

I am glad you found that a useful exercise and your findings are most interesting, thanks for the details and your thoughts. For some, the Tiffany experience is part of their package and if that is important to them having ' The' Tiffany solitaire, then that's absolutely fine. Sure, you can get an equally well cut or better cut stone for less elsewhere but if the brand matters to you stick with that I would say. As an example, Hermes scarves are expensive items and one could find a silk scarf with a beautiful design for far less, but it wouldn't be Hermes and to some, that matters, if it does there is nothing wrong with going with Tiffany or Cartier, Harry W and so on.

 

[proto]

tiffanys grade harder than gia and guarantee the stone comes.back at least as.good as inhouse.

 

[AprilBaby]

tiffanys grade harder than gia and guarantee the stone comes.back at least as.good as inhouse.

Based on what? You have proof?

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Tiffany definitely has beautiful diamonds, but as you said, almost anything will look good in that lighting! Their diamonds likely would mostly fall into the excellent/ideal cut range, but it is not the place to find a superideal cut. That just isn't their thing (and you don't find them generally at most of the other high end jewelers, either).

I do have a wedding band from them and do think they have the best overall selection of wedding bands anywhere I have seen. The quality is there and the bands are always set low which makes them fit well with most e-rings. I wouldn't pay the mark-up on the e-rings, though, because we can get the same or better quality diamonds in similar settings for far less $$.

 

[MollyMalone]

I do have a wedding band from them and do think they have the best overall selection of wedding bands anywhere I have seen. The quality is there and the bands are always set low which makes them fit well with most e-rings. I wouldn't pay the mark-up on the e-rings, though, because we can get the same or better quality diamonds in similar settings for far less $$.

Yep, my father-in-law, who was in the trade & passionate about diamonds, did his best to dissuade anyone who asked from purchasing an engagement ring from Tiffany & Co. because of (a) the much higher mark-up than is the norm for even brick-and-mortar, retail jewelers, and (b) the refusal to supply independent lab reports, which means that prospective buyers can't do an apples-for-apples comparison (e.g., GIA-graded stone vs. GIA-graded stone).

 

[diamondseeker2006]

tiffanys grade harder than gia and guarantee the stone comes.back at least as.good as inhouse.

Based on what? You have proof?

I have also heard that Tiffany's is strict on color and clarity grading. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Tiffany stone with their own grading (if price was no object and I didn't care about superideal cut!).

 

[LoveLikeCrazy]

I absolutely love Tiffany's and my SA is INCREDIBLE. I can email her anytime and she will get whatever info I need or do a quick phone order and get what I want with 2 day shipping (and no charge! ) why would I buy online when I can do a phone order and pay no shipping?!

Ok back to my review. I originally wanted a Tiffany solitaire but I just couldn't stomach it. The closest thing to our budget when we looked (oct 2013) was a .96ct I VS2 which was the "bargain price" of 10,500! And that was the cheapest solitaire in our range lol. I ended up with a 1.01ct AGS 000 in vatche U113 in plat for 8800 total! Anywho, we did buy my FI wedding band there (men's 6mm double milgrain in plat) but I will sadly not buying a wb there either as I can not see spending 3800+ on a shared prong setting.

So yes, I love Tiffany's. My SA lets me try on everything under the sun. Now if only I could find that money tree

 

[Sunstorm]

Tiffany's is nice, in my past I often played with the idea of something from them. I feel that everything they have is well made and most are very nice albeit not extraordinary, neither the design not the style, perhaps that is the point, classic understatement and they are the best at that. That said if I had to choose I would pick a Cartier Panthere on any day, I saw one at a local boutique last fall and it was yellow gold, plain, no stones and me who does not like yellow gold at all and am all into stones fell in love. Ok, I would never buy one at the boutique but anyone can get me one as a gift.) In all honesty, no, if a client brought one in I would buy it if at a good price and keep it, maybe, but much more likely I would spend my money on some special stones I can buy at really good prices and make custom designs for them. I feel stupid wasting my money, does this make sense at all? I am not against brands either, I do like certain brands in clothing, shoes, etc. but I buy much less of those anymore too, I just feel that, ok I have better opportunities at savings as a trade person, the PS community as educated people really do not fall into the trap of brands but want the best for their money. My best friend is a real brand snob but she would much rather I made her a 1 carat diamond ring than her other friend who got a miniscule diamond from Tiffany's as an engagement ring. Not against people doing that and yes I do visit certain stores too from time to time and where I live I actually quite like Wempe and they have great service as well but why get less for our money? Tiffany diamonds are no better in fact not as good as many of the superideals some PS vendors sell and their fancy colors are not better either yet the markup is really steep. I hope you understand what I mean and I am really not trying to bash Tiffany's I respect them for what they are.

 

[MollyMalone]

tiffanys grade harder than gia and guarantee the stone comes.back at least as.good as inhouse.

Like AprilBaby, I'm curious as to your source for this, proto. I'm not seeing such a claim even on Tiffany's own web site, nor am I seeing as sweeping a guarantee as you describe. Looks to me -- based on the Important Note which keeps popping up on the site (and props to them for that) -- as if the Full Lifetime Warranty backs up the Diamond Certificate issued when the stone falls under "Tiffany gemological standards", which pertain "only to round brilliant diamonds from .18 to 2.99 carats set in certain ring styles".

GIA wouldn't accept your Tiffany diamond ring for analysis, the only D-Z diamonds they will grade are loose ones. So you won't be asking GIA for a post-purchase lab report, unless you are willing to have the Tiffany diamond pried from its setting.

Also, Tiffany & Co. isn't guaranteeing that a post-purchase lab report you paid GIA (or any other lab) to produce will automatically qualify you for compensation under the Lifetime Warranty:
If you make a claim under this Warranty, you must allow us to:
- examine the original copy of the Certificate;
- try and resolve your claim amicably;
- inspect the Jewelry and any gemological evaluation on which you base your claim;
- remove the Diamond from the Jewelry for gemological examination; and
- have the Diamond examined by an independent gemological laboratory, which isn't named.

So although I'd like to think that Tiffany & Co. wouldn't try to weasel out of the Warranty by sending the diamond off to, say, EGL-Israel, the wording is such that there's wiggle room for them to do so.

 

[proto]

yes we know gia only grades loose stones.

didnt know it was limited to rb within that size range though.

they cant rely in egl israel to support their grade. they cannot deny gia as an independent lab.

that provision is to protect them from spurious claims of D flawless grade from dans diamond shack grading facility.

 

[teobdl]

I simply wouldn't buy a diamond ring from tiffany unless my gf insisted because it's so darn overpriced. But it's great for fact finding and seeing what you like and don't like. Totally recommend it for that.

 

[Dancing Fire]

I thought Friday was Tiff &Co. bashing day, but now we have moved to Saturday?..

 

[MarionC]

I thought Friday was Tiff &Co. bashing day, but now we have moved to Saturday?..

There's a cure for that - get Tiffany's to join PS and offer a discount...40% minimum. I would buy one of their key chains in a heartbeat!

 

[Lorelei]

I have seen potential Tiffany buyers ask for help occasionally and my thoughts are as follows. There are buyers that absolutely want the Tiffany solitaire and don't want to settle for anything else as having a Tiffany engagement ring is something they have always dreamt of. As long as they are aware they could get a great diamond for less money elsewhere, that's fine and I hope we can help them find their dream stone from Tiffany, if that's what they want. For some, a hugely important part of their package is the brand name, same with watches, cars, anything at all. Personally, I do like some particular brands very much and will stick to those when shopping for specific items such as watches but for other jewellery I am not fussed.

 

[MollyMalone]

they cant rely in egl israel to support their grade. they cannot deny gia as an independent lab.
that provision is to protect them from spurious claims of D flawless grade from dans diamond shack grading facility.

Sure, I understand why Tiffany's lawyers want to protect their client (altho' I'm not seeing why a report from Dan's that gives the stone higher grades n all 4 C's than the Tiffany Certificate would prompt anyone to make a claim)

But there is nothing in that Warranty lingo that lets you, the consumer, decide which lab Tiffany & Co. will send the stone to, a right they have reserved for themselves, or be bound by:
you must allow us to... remove the Diamond...and have the Diamond examined by an independent gemological laboratory.

I'd also be interested in learning if/how much Tiffany charges to remove the diamond from its setting & to re-set when it comes back from Whatever Lab.

'm not a Tiffany basher; my silver flatware is their Flemish pattern. Plus, different people have different preferences and priorities. So the fact that none of their standard e-ring settings make my own heart sing so strongly that I'd be willing to pay the inflated price of their diamonds, in order to have the ring and any blue box cachet, doesn't mean I think everyone else should follow suit.

Putting Tiffany forward in a more favorable light than is objectively warranted, however, doesn't help people make informed decisions. And I don't think Tiffany should be exempt from some measure of the hooting catcalls given to the chains whose usual e-rings are accompanied by just an appraisal from the corporate in-house gemologists. Tiffany has higher standards for the diamonds offered, but the impediment to comparison shopping remains.

 

[Sunstorm]

I completely agree with that; not many could get away with just having their own in-house certificates and appraisals. Not saying that their grades are incorrect but there is absolutely nothing guaranteeing that they are not, yet people believe them. This is not objective grading; it cannot happen when there is conflict of interest anyhow. That said I am not bashing them either, they do have some nice designs and nice quality. I also have nothing against brands; I almost always favor Burberry coats. When it comes to diamonds though a Tiffany diamond is worth no more than a non-Tiffany diamond all other things made equal yet a Tiffany diamond costs a lot more.

 

[msop04]

I completely agree with that; not many could get away with just having their own in-house certificates and appraisals. Not saying that their grades are incorrect but there is absolutely nothing guaranteeing that they are not, yet people believe them. This is not objective grading; it cannot happen when there is conflict of interest anyhow...

When it comes to diamonds though a Tiffany diamond is worth no more than a non-Tiffany diamond all other things made equal yet a Tiffany diamond costs a lot more.

+1 This exactly. I'm sure T&Co has some amazing diamonds in stock, no doubt... But to claim that all of their diamonds are graded accurately and are of equal, much less superior quality to other non-Tiff diamonds is just not the case. Their "guarantee" is a joke as well.

Tiff's SA: "We'll guarantee your Tiffany diamond is graded accurately, but we have to unset it and we get to choose which lab will grade it..."

Consumer: "Ummmm, okay."

Yeaaaaaaahhhhhh.... no.

 

[denverappraiser]

I’m actually a Tiffany fan. They sell what they claim, and they offer a good customer experience in doing it. I've never seen the above discussed guarantee saying anything at all about what some other lab will grade their stones. Hardly anyone goes in there thinking they’re a cheap place to buy things and they’re ok with that. It might even be a feature. They make no claims at all that other stores don’t also offer good merchandise. Nearly everyone who buys there goes home happy, and nearly everyone who receives a gift purchased there is pleased with it, in part because it came from them. Overall that’s setting a darned good standard.

 

[msop04]

I’m actually a Tiffany fan. They sell what they claim, and they offer a good customer experience in doing it. I've never seen the above discussed guarantee saying anything at all about what some other lab will grade their stones. Hardly anyone goes in there thinking they’re a cheap place to buy things and they’re ok with that. It might even be a feature. They make no claims at all that other stores don’t also offer good merchandise. Nearly everyone who buys there goes home happy, and nearly everyone who receives a gift purchased there is pleased with it, in part because it came from them. Overall that’s setting a darned good standard.

I don't know that T&Co ever claimed other places didn't have quality diamonds. The main thing that I've found a little unnerving is that they don't focus on cut at all, but only on color and clarity. They tell the customer that they only sell the best of the best cut stones. I'm sure they do have some amazingly well cut diamonds, but I've also seen some that were "okay" and a few that were dogs.

It seems a good portion of their stones tend to be cut deep and face up smaller than they should for their weight. That said, I think Tiffany diamonds are beautiful, and the workmanship on the settings is impeccable. However, I don't think the educated consumer is their market... they market to someone who just wants "Tiffany" -- which is fine.

However, just because a diamond was purchased there in no way means that it is automatically superior to non-Tiffany stones, even though that is what is touted (by the SAs ---> then parroted by the customer...).

 

[Sunstorm]

That is again very true; a Tiffany diamond is simply not going to last you any longer than a great non-Tiffany diamond nor is it going to look any better; to the contrary if I wanted a unique stone with a superb cut I would go elsewhere but I think people here are educated customers not buying the brand. Again nothing against them, not bashing them; it is just facts and yes they have some very nice designs and nice workmanship as well but others do too. Also, the diamonds do seem to still focus more on brilliance than fire ( at least it used to be the case but correct me if I am wrong as I have not visited them in a while) and though a very brilliant diamond is very beautiful but perhaps a bit boring as compared to a fiery diamond; it is like a supermodel versus a woman with a character, well maybe this is not the best comparison but perhaps you get the idea.

OTOH, if I am buying a branded pair of shoes or a bag or coat I buy them for the style, the quality shows from far and many of them I have owned lasted years and years on end, took a beating, I simply do not need to replace them, there I do see a quality difference. Even in watches I can see a big difference in quality when it comes to certain brands but I still cannot say the same about Tiffany diamonds being superior in quality, durability, etc., to a carefully selected top diamond bought elsewhere, not to mention value.

 

[msop04]

... it is like a supermodel versus a woman with a character, well maybe this is not the best comparison but perhaps you get the idea.

HA!! I love this analogy!!

 

[Lorelei]

I’m actually a Tiffany fan. They sell what they claim, and they offer a good customer experience in doing it. I've never seen the above discussed guarantee saying anything at all about what some other lab will grade their stones. Hardly anyone goes in there thinking they’re a cheap place to buy things and they’re ok with that. It might even be a feature. They make no claims at all that other stores don’t also offer good merchandise. Nearly everyone who buys there goes home happy, and nearly everyone who receives a gift purchased there is pleased with it, in part because it came from them. Overall that’s setting a darned good standard.

Well said Neil.

 

[MollyMalone]

I've never seen the above discussed guarantee saying anything at all about what some other lab will grade their stones.

Here is the full text of the Lifetime Warranty:
http://www.tiffany.com/Expertise/Diamond/Warranty.aspx

Again, I don't have a problem with Tiffany & Co. per se; my comments were prompted by proto's declarations.

ETA: teo, it sounds as if 727 Fifth Ave. was a relatively serene scene on Friday -- the experience there is nicer when it's less of a madhouse, so congrats on the timing of your visit

 

[msop04]

I've never seen the above discussed guarantee saying anything at all about what some other lab will grade their stones.

Here is the full text of the Lifetime Warranty:
http://www.tiffany.com/Expertise/Diamond/Warranty.aspx

Again, I don't have a problem with Tiffany & Co. per se; my comments were prompted by proto's declarations.

ETA: teo, it sounds as if 727 Fifth Ave. was a relatively serene scene on Friday -- the experience there is nicer when it's less of a madhouse, so congrats on the timing of your visit

Thanks for posting this, Molly!

 

[msop04]

4. If you make a claim under this Warranty, you must allow us to:
- examine the original copy of the Certificate;
- try and resolve your claim amicably;
- inspect the Jewelry and any gemological evaluation on which you base your claim;
- remove the Diamond from the Jewelry for gemological examination; and
- have the Diamond examined by an independent gemological laboratory.

Is this to assume that Tiffany can choose the lab, or is it understood that GIA and AGS (maybe HRD) are the standard?? If it's sent to a "less strict" lab, then that defeats the purpose and doesn't tell anything (other than that maybe Tiffany's in-house cert graded it the same or more strict than EGL or other). ...duh.

That said, if you were to send the stone in question to GIA/AGS/HRD and have the cert, would T&Co. still "need" to send it to another "independent" lab?? What would be the basis of the comparison if so??

Does anyone have any experience with this type situation??

 

[msop04]

yes we know gia only grades loose stones.

didnt know it was limited to rb within that size range though.

they cant rely in egl israel to support their grade. they cannot deny gia as an independent lab.

that provision is to protect them from spurious claims of D flawless grade from dans diamond shack grading facility.

In the "Tiffany Guarantee", it didn't say which party was to choose the independent lab... it would seem that it would almost have to be GIA/AGS/HRD to apply. Do you have any info or a link with further explanation of this, proto??

 

[WinkHPD]

When ever I go on a trip, I try to walk into as many classy looking jewelry stores as I can and enjoy the experiences that this offers.

I remember going into a store in San Francisco that I had heard about since I was a child and being so disappointed that they had so much schlock in their cases. I have always since wondered why it was that people once thought them special?

I have been in Cartiers and Tiffanys in many different cities including New York, Chicago, Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

Always I have enjoyed the designs and the people in them, although I usually just tell the people who greet me that I am just a jeweler on a bus man's holiday and that I just want to browse and enjoy. If there is no one else in the store and they express a desire to converse then it just ads to the pleasure of the experience. (I actually carried the Les Must de Cartier when I opened my first store. It did not do well in Boise, but I always treasured their fine watches and leather and suede purses and brief cases.)

While it is always nice to wander into these "Big Name" stores, my greatest memories have been with the unexpected treasures found in some of the smaller independent jewelers. Finding and enjoying a one-of-a-kind treasure in a small house of treasures is always more exciting to me than seeing something special in a big name store, simply because it is so delightfully unexpected.

Whether or not you have any interest in buying from Tiffany I recommend (highly) that you feast your eyes and enjoy the experience. It really is about so much more than just the price.

Wink

 

[Tourmaline]

Wink, I wish Pricescope had a Like button! Your posts are so delightful. And thank you for the chocolate (which was in my house for all of 30 seconds)!

I have shopped at Tiffany, though never for diamonds, and have really enjoyed it.