Tiffany''s doesn''t disclose details of diamond until you buy?

[Kissmark]

Hi I went to a Tiffany''s in Tokyo, and since I''ve leared so much from PS, I specifically asked for more information about the diamond other than just the cut and color. I ask about the pavillion, table, crown etc. But the salesperson told me that they don''t really show this kind of information until you purchase the ring. When I insisted, she showed me a copy of the certificate, but didn''t let me keep it. I find if very hard to get them to show me the details. Is this typical? or just in Japan because consumers here don''t really ask for it? thanks

 

[JulieN]

I guess it''s just like that in that store? Lots of people posts numbers on PS about Tiff stones.

 

[neatfreak]

Well just write down the specs while you''re at the store and plug them in here to the HCA if you''re interested.

But really, no Tiffany diamond is that bad. Their standards are pretty high so if you''re buying there I assume you''re buying more for the blue box than to hand select your diamond. Because there are PLENTY of places that are easier for people to hand select their stones otherwise!

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 7/3/2007 11:45:54 PM
Author:Kissmark
Hi I went to a Tiffany's in Tokyo, and since I've leared so much from PS, I specifically asked for more information about the diamond other than just the cut and color. I ask about the pavillion, table, crown etc. But the salesperson told me that they don't really show this kind of information until you purchase the ring. When I insisted, she showed me a copy of the certificate, but didn't let me keep it. I find if very hard to get them to show me the details. Is this typical? or just in Japan because consumers here don't really ask for it? thanks

That is really odd. In the US, that info is given upfront, at least in my experience. How could you buy without it. Guess things are different in Japan.

 

[Kissmark]

cool thanks for your inputs guys. I did see Tiffany''s details on PS before, that''s why I asked them at the store and was really surprised when I heard that. I guess most people here don''t really ask for it.

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

Yea, I am positive that a Japanese manager will oblige you anyway, even if they didn't normally do that. Though I know the tiffany's over in Charlotte, NC was willing to give out the info.

Also, because my girlfriend is Japanese and you are in Japan, (if you want to meet up in a few weeks let me know

) but what are the prices for normal diamonds in Japan? say .5ct and 1ct FVS2 (0cut of course!

). I was wondering and would like to compare it to American prices. I assume that it would be a bit more over their, but I don't know for sure. Not at Tiffany's though, just a regular old good deal. If you happen to know or could find out. I would be interested in the unlikely event they were cheaper

 

[Kissmark]

Date: 7/4/2007 12:28:35 AM
Author: WorkingHardforSmallRewards
Yea, I am positive that a Japanese manager will oblige you anyway, even if they didn''t normally do that. Though I know the tiffany''s over in Charlotte, NC was willing to give out the info.

Also, because my girlfriend is Japanese and you are in Japan, (if you want to meet up in a few weeks let me know

) but what are the prices for normal diamonds in Japan? say .5ct and 1ct FVS2 (0cut of course!

). I was wondering and would like to compare it to American prices. I assume that it would be a bit more over their, but I don''t know for sure. Not at Tiffany''s though, just a regular old good deal. If you happen to know or could find out. I would be interested in the unlikely event they were cheaper

Hi, actually I don''t know how much it would cost at a regular jewelry store in Japan, but my guess would be that it''s not going to be too much cheaper than the US. Japanese consumption tax is 5% though, so it might be lower than where you are. However, I found that people here don''t really refer to AGS or things like that, so it''s hard for me to compare. Hope this helps and please let me know if you have other questions about Japan.

 

[Cehrabehra]

here in portland at tiffany''s they printed out all the info for a stone I was just looking at having already bought a stone elsewhere. I didn''t even ask for it - she offered.

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

Hum, I hope I don''t come to Japan and find out I could have gotten it cheaper there! that would be devastating. I had just been operating under the assumption that it would be more expensive, but I would hate to pay for a .61ct here and find out I could have gotten a .75-.80ct after the 20% increase in changing from USA dollars to Yen over there. Dang, now I have something else to find out real quick! somehow!

Other than that I just need a translator in Fukuoka to talk to her dad about marriage, but I am sure I can find something!

 

[Kissmark]

Date: 7/4/2007 2:56:55 AM
Author: WorkingHardforSmallRewards
Hum, I hope I don''t come to Japan and find out I could have gotten it cheaper there! that would be devastating. I had just been operating under the assumption that it would be more expensive, but I would hate to pay for a .61ct here and find out I could have gotten a .75-.80ct after the 20% increase in changing from USA dollars to Yen over there. Dang, now I have something else to find out real quick! somehow!

Other than that I just need a translator in Fukuoka to talk to her dad about marriage, but I am sure I can find something!

I''m not expert but I would think that most vendors import their diamonds, so the weakness in yen would''ve increased the retail prices anyway

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

Yea, you are right. I am just imagining how frustrating it would be to get there in three weeks and find out I made a mistake

I haven't looked much at jewelry in the past, but I have done some research that indicates that Tiffany's is much more expensive in Japan than in America? is that the case, I don't remember seeing the price you are looking at listed? And if you don't want to share, of course that is understandable.

But just from living in Japan, maybe my gf just likes expensive things, but everything cost SO much more, so I just assumed diamonds would be significantly higher...lol, but I guess they are probably about the same for the jewelers to get huh?

But then their would be so much overhead involved in having a store in such a big city as Fukuoka. So I guess it is probably much more expensive anyway.

And

Whatever you choose, you def seem to be doing it right in many more ways than one! Size, color, clarity, and Name! Its going to be one to impress the friends with I believe!

 

[Kissmark]

Workinghard,

No way I''m buying in Tokyo, it''s SO much more expensive than the US. I''m gonna get it when I go back to the US in a couple of months, not here. Fukuoka is a really nice city, not sure if you''ve been there before but I think you''ll like it. It''s not too big like Tokyo but still big enough to have fun. And Kyushuu food is awsome! Enjoy

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

OH yea, I have been there before. lol, we have been dating long distance for 3 years now, this will be my 8th trip. Hence why I am going to be down to 0 dollars with 20,000 dollars of student loans at the middle October! Hooray! its very stressful...lol.

but you are right, the food is AMAZING and I am really glad to hear you will buy it in the USA! I was sure you were getting a really bad deal! But put up prices though, I know we would all like to hear.

Also, after you put up Japanese Yen prices, the diamond specs you posted above, you are not actually considering purchasing that one then? just using it as an educational tool?

 

[init4thecake]

Shopped tiffany in NYC. Would not let us see the certificate, but insisted that tiffany was "the standard" by which all other diamonds are judged. Laughed at the mention of a GIA report, because again.. they are "the standard" by which the industry strives. When we were finally able to get them to let us LOOK at their report the diamond in question was not Excellent polish or Excellent symmatry as the salseman assured us before. We bought the stone independently and are looking for someone to reproduce the setting.

I also thought that tiffany salespeople made the same cheesy joke.. three different men in their 40-50s range telling us they were married 20+ years. This line came after mentioning shopping for an engagement ring every time. After the third time it did seem like a company line. Weird.

 

[Nicrez]

I know the sales people in NYC. The men ARE married for 20+. The two women on the floor, are married as well. There are no single sales people on the engagement floor. Not a company line, just the plain old truth.

As for the pricing I can''t imainge it being cheaper in Tokyo or any place else. They strive generally for equality in pricing, but actually overseas would be MORE if anything, based on the shipping there and higher costs of operation.

Tiffany diamonds are not often subject to PS-like scrutiny, so many people will not give out the details freely, as most people don''t want them or care for them. That''s why they go to Tiffany''s and not 47th Street. People come to TCo to NOT compare numbers, or worry about quality issues, that''s WHY the TCo diamond is more expensive. It''s the luxury buying experience where they take the guesswork and stress out of it. It''s a shopping experience based on look of the stone. No one I know has ever walked into a Van Cleef or Cartier, HW, or the like and asked for crown angles. It''s simply not done. That''s why they pay their diamond experts the big bucks...

But if you want a super performer, I suggest looking around the vendors on PS. They sell many ideal cuts with numbers all visible. At TCo, it may be harder, but the reason is that most people don''t know, don''t care, and don''t ask for them...

Good luck!

 

[init4thecake]

Date: 7/7/2007 2:06:40 AM
Author: Nicrez
I know the sales people in NYC. The men ARE married for 20+. The two women on the floor, are married as well. There are no single sales people on the engagement floor. Not a company line, just the plain old truth.


I''m relieved to hear it wasn''t some kind of sales routine..