Tiffany Grading

[mc2003]

Am in the market for a diamond ring and me gf wants a tiffany ring.

However, I have heard from a friend that the grading of tiffany diamonds which is done by their internally operated "Tiffany Gemological Laboratory" is a standard below those done by the GIA. Does anyone know if this is correct? I suppose what i am also asking is whether a GIA certificate is better or a certificate provided by the Tiffany Gemological Laboratory.

I know that there is a premium for tiffany diamonds, but is it just because of the brandname or are tiffany diamonds special and different to diamonds you get from other jewellers which only offer a GIA certificate?

Many thanks!

 

[peonygirl]

Tiffany''s says that their labs are stricter than GIA, and a second step after the GIA cert process. That is, they don''t change the grading given by GIA, but they won''t sell a VS2 that has black inclusions, for example.

This is just what I heard directly from a sales person, dunno if it''s true.

 

[Kaleigh]

My ring came from Tiff''s and has the Tiffany grading certificate as well as a GIA cert.

 

[mc2003]

Date: 10/24/2005 11:44:17 PM
Author: peonygirl
Tiffany''s says that their labs are stricter than GIA, and a second step after the GIA cert process. That is, they don''t change the grading given by GIA, but they won''t sell a VS2 that has black inclusions, for example.

This is just what I heard directly from a sales person, dunno if it''s true.

Thanks! What do you mean by "a second step after the GIA cert"?

 

[mc2003]

Date: 10/24/2005 11:46:21 PM
Author: kaleigh
My ring came from Tiff''s and has the Tiffany grading certificate as well as a GIA cert.

You mean you bought a diamond from Tiffany and they gave you 2 certs???

Were there any differences in the gradings between the two certs? which one had the "stricter" grades if i can put it that way.

 

[peonygirl]

After the rings are GIA certified, they go to the Tiffany labs for a second inspection.

 

[mc2003]

So i take it that is why when you buy a tiffany ring you get 2 certs, both the GIA and the Tiffany certificate (funny that it doesnt say so on their website)? Do they have this policy for all their Tiffany stores? the reason i ask is because i''ll be purchasing from their Hong Kong stores.

Wonder why that is so if they have their own grading facilities.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Most stores reject GIA report stones they disagree with.
Some stores specialize in dogs because they cost less.

What Tiffany does is very normal practice since GIA employs many trainee''s - Tiffany, my business and many others choose to protect their good names.

 

[mc2003]

Thanks Garry.

So what you are saying is that if you had to choose btw 2 diamonds one with a GIA certificate and the other with a Tiffany certificate (and assuming the certificates are identical in its grading), it would be "safer" to choose the Tiffany certificate?

Is that the reason for the premium (20% or so higher than other stores) on Tiffany diamonds (ie that you know what you think are getting is indeed what you are getting)?????

Many thanks, I am a newbie at this!!!!

 

[Mara]

Date: 10/26/2005 2:38:26 AM
Author: mc2003
Thanks Garry.

So what you are saying is that if you had to choose btw 2 diamonds one with a GIA certificate and the other with a Tiffany certificate (and assuming the certificates are identical in its grading), it would be 'safer' to choose the Tiffany certificate?

Is that the reason for the premium (20% or so higher than other stores) on Tiffany diamonds (ie that you know what you think are getting is indeed what you are getting)?????

Many thanks, I am a newbie at this!!!!

It sounds more like he is saying is that the Tiffany stores will reject the GIA cert/grade if it's not what they want it to be, aka if the GIA grade comes back stricter than they would like it to be. So the Tiffany cert may be more lenient than a GIA grade would be. Definitely would not consider that 'safer'.

The reason for the premium on the Tiffany diamonds (which is more like 40% over other jewelers) is because you are paying for a 'quality' brand name and for an illusion of perfection in a stone or a shopping experience. aka go into Tiffany, get a beautiful diamond in the famous setting, no need for double checking anything, they wrap it in the blue box and you are set to propose. Oh and then you can say it's from Tiffany. Really that is what the steep premium is for...in actuality you are not necessarily getting a better diamond than you could find elsewhere.

 

[MissAva]

I do not think Tiffanys is any less strict on color and clarity then GIA. I also think saying so is pretty off.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Date: 10/26/2005 2:38:26 AM
Author: mc2003
Thanks Garry.

So what you are saying is that if you had to choose btw 2 diamonds one with a GIA certificate and the other with a Tiffany certificate (and assuming the certificates are identical in its grading), it would be ''safer'' to choose the Tiffany certificate? Yes MC, thats what I mean

Is that the reason for the premium (20% or so higher than other stores) on Tiffany diamonds (ie that you know what you think are getting is indeed what you are getting)????? Mara has explained why tiffany cost more, but I think she is wrong about tiffany GIA / grading. Tiffany charge more because they can -wouldnt you?

Many thanks, I am a newbie at this!!!!