Tiffany's is the Devil - Help me!

[firebirdgold]

Date: 4/18/2006 8:53:10 PM
Author: aljdewey

Most people know there is premium to a Tiffany ring.

Yes, that''s true......but most also mistakenly think that the premium is partly do to *superior* stone quality not available elsewhere, and that''s not true.


I''m all in favor of folks buying wherever they want, including Tiffany''s. I''d just hate for people to mistakenly think that the Tiffany premium covers 1) the Tiffany experience, 2) the ''brand'', and 3) superior stone quality.

You forgot something... Superior craftsmanship. I''ll admit that they don''t have superior diamonds, they do have very good diamonds. But what''s most important to me about Tiffany is that you will never have to worry about the setting being crooked or all the other things that PSers have had go wrong with their rings. And that''s part of what you''re paying for! Yes it''s a rather hefty premium, but for many people the combination of brand, lovely diamond, lovely classic style, and perfect craftsmanship is worth that premium.

I think it''s easy for Psers to sometimes get so involved with picking the perfect diamond for the perfect price, that they occasionally forget the other half of the e-ring equation. (no offense meant)

 

[windowshopper]

Date: 4/18/2006 10:46:01 PM
Author: IndieJones

Date: 4/18/2006 8:53:10 PM
Author: aljdewey

Most people know there is premium to a Tiffany ring.

Yes, that''s true......but most also mistakenly think that the premium is partly do to *superior* stone quality not available elsewhere, and that''s not true.


I''m all in favor of folks buying wherever they want, including Tiffany''s. I''d just hate for people to mistakenly think that the Tiffany premium covers 1) the Tiffany experience, 2) the ''brand'', and 3) superior stone quality.

You forgot something... Superior craftsmanship. I''ll admit that they don''t have superior diamonds, they do have very good diamonds. But what''s most important to me about Tiffany is that you will never have to worry about the setting being crooked or all the other things that PSers have had go wrong with their rings. And that''s part of what you''re paying for! Yes it''s a rather hefty premium, but for many people the combination of brand, lovely diamond, lovely classic style, and perfect craftsmanship is worth that premium.

I think it''s easy for Psers to sometimes get so involved with picking the perfect diamond for the perfect price, that they occasionally forget the other half of the e-ring equation. (no offense meant)

this is very much along the lines of what i was saying at the beginning: there is more to this than the stone and the price

 

[Mara]

Date: 4/18/2006 10:46:01 PM
Author: IndieJones

Date: 4/18/2006 8:53:10 PM
Author: aljdewey

Most people know there is premium to a Tiffany ring.

Yes, that's true......but most also mistakenly think that the premium is partly do to *superior* stone quality not available elsewhere, and that's not true.


I'm all in favor of folks buying wherever they want, including Tiffany's. I'd just hate for people to mistakenly think that the Tiffany premium covers 1) the Tiffany experience, 2) the 'brand', and 3) superior stone quality.

You forgot something... Superior craftsmanship. I'll admit that they don't have superior diamonds, they do have very good diamonds. But what's most important to me about Tiffany is that you will never have to worry about the setting being crooked or all the other things that PSers have had go wrong with their rings. And that's part of what you're paying for! Yes it's a rather hefty premium, but for many people the combination of brand, lovely diamond, lovely classic style, and perfect craftsmanship is worth that premium.

I think it's easy for Psers to sometimes get so involved with picking the perfect diamond for the perfect price, that they occasionally forget the other half of the e-ring equation. (no offense meant)

Saying that someone who owns a Tiffany will never have to worry about the setting being crooked or having problems is incorrect. In the past, we have had people who own Tiffany rings come on here and list problems they have had with them and their craftsmanship. Also their customer service is not always the best either. Big deal....problems can happen with anyone or anything, it has nothing to do with the brand name or how much you spend. So I'd say don't pay for the blue box on the assumption you are getting a perfect nothingwillevergowrongwithit ring---but if you must have it, get it because you love it and nothing else will even remotely compare.

And yes it is about more than just the price sometimes. There is no one right answer for all. But having varying options is lovely too.

 

[squarediamondlove]

Date: 4/18/2006 11:13:04 PM
Author: windowshopper

Date: 4/18/2006 10:46:01 PM

Author: IndieJones

Date: 4/18/2006 8:53:10 PM

Author: aljdewey

Most people know there is premium to a Tiffany ring.

Yes, that''s true......but most also mistakenly think that the premium is partly do to *superior* stone quality not available elsewhere, and that''s not true.



I''m all in favor of folks buying wherever they want, including Tiffany''s. I''d just hate for people to mistakenly think that the Tiffany premium covers 1) the Tiffany experience, 2) the ''brand'', and 3) superior stone quality.

You forgot something... Superior craftsmanship. I''ll admit that they don''t have superior diamonds, they do have very good diamonds. But what''s most important to me about Tiffany is that you will never have to worry about the setting being crooked or all the other things that PSers have had go wrong with their rings. And that''s part of what you''re paying for! Yes it''s a rather hefty premium, but for many people the combination of brand, lovely diamond, lovely classic style, and perfect craftsmanship is worth that premium.


I think it''s easy for Psers to sometimes get so involved with picking the perfect diamond for the perfect price, that they occasionally forget the other half of the e-ring equation. (no offense meant)

this is very much along the lines of what i was saying at the beginning: there is more to this than the stone and the price

I agree to the extent that buying form Tiffany provides you with "mind ease," if that makes sense. I puts your mind at ease, knowing that you got a good quality cut and a well designed and crafted setting, knwoing that if somthing goes wrong you will probably blame it on the circumstances rather than the craftmanship, knowing that it IS "Tiffany" and that some may find it impressive. However I think you also HAVE to be comfortable paying the premium for it! Otherwise, you may end up second guessing whether you made the correct decision and whether the premium was worth sacrificing substantially on size and/or color.

 

[windowshopper]

Isnt it funny how much interest this post garnered?

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 4/19/2006 9:09:09 AM
Author: windowshopper
Isnt it funny how much interest this post garnered?

hehe, I just was telling this to kaleigh last night. No matter what you think of Tiffany, those threads always end up with tons more views and lots of comments. Same thing with the Tiffany items on ebay. There is something about "Tiffany."

What Denverappraiser said in this tiffany thread sums it perfectly to me. Most people buying Tiffanys care about buying "tiffanys" and don''t necessarily care about the best light return/performance etc..You all have raised very good points about the presenting all the options for the lurkers though

Here''s Neil''s quote:

Date: 11/25/2005 9:44:58 AM
Author: denverappraiser

Date: 11/24/2005 4:10:03 PM

Author: Garry H (Cut Nut)


Neil please try this experiment: take your ideal-scope into a Tiffany store and tell us what % of the stones you see would be in a high light return range.

Garry,

I’ve seen a fair number of Tiffany stones through an Idealscope and I''m happy to look at more but I doubt I would be cheerfully welcomed at the local showroom if I went in to do a more thorough test. For now, I’ll stick with my existing limited dataset.

You’re missing my point. The reason most people choose to shop at Tiffany is not a matter of maximizing the optical performance of the stone. They are selling a package deal that revolves around their own notoriety and buying a piece of jewelry there is buying into that program. The fact that a ring was purchased at Tiffany’s is a very important value characteristic for their customers and by shopping there they are assured that every attribute of their ring has been inspected and approved by Tiffany personnel and it’s going to meet their standards.

A majority of the posters here would argue that there are better diamonds, better rings and better prices available elsewhere and I don’t dispute this although I would be careful about defining what constitutes ‘better’. I don’t shop at Tiffany’s for the same reasons that you don’t shop there, but this doesn’t make their customers wrong in that decision. For those who want the Tiffany shopping experience and who want to own a genuine Tiffany ring registered in their name, it’s only available at Tiffany’s. “Breakfast at Pearlmans” isn’t the same, even with an Idealscope in hand.

Neil Beaty

GG(GIA) ISA NAJA

Professional Appraisals in Denver

I do believe though that most of us would rather have breakfast at Pearlmans

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 4/18/2006 10:46:01 PM
Author: IndieJones

You forgot something... Superior craftsmanship. I''ll admit that they don''t have superior diamonds, they do have very good diamonds. But what''s most important to me about Tiffany is that you will never have to worry about the setting being crooked or all the other things that PSers have had go wrong with their rings. And that''s part of what you''re paying for! Yes it''s a rather hefty premium, but for many people the combination of brand, lovely diamond, lovely classic style, and perfect craftsmanship is worth that premium.

I think it''s easy for Psers to sometimes get so involved with picking the perfect diamond for the perfect price, that they occasionally forget the other half of the e-ring equation. (no offense meant)

I can respect that''s your viewpoint, but it''s one I don''t share.

I''ve been here more than 3 years, and in that time, there have been several posters who''ve complained about workmanship issues with their pieces from Tiffany. Some of them tried 2 and 3 times to resolve them before getting frustrated beyond belief.

I suspect the percentage of problems with Tiffany''s pieces is no higher than problems with any other vendors'' pieces. However, even Tiffany pieces are crafted by human beings, and human beings are not error free.

I personally don''t believe they offer superior craftsmanship. What I do believe they offer is unique craftsmanship.....as in proprietary designs. They offer proprietary designs, the brand, and the ''Tiffany experience'', and those are the things the premium is tied to in my opinion.

 

[tracys126]

Hi,

Just to let you know, when my boyfriend and I started looking we began at Tiffanys. I instantly fell in love with the Etoile and teared up when I put it on. He was just about to purchase it when I said "Wait!" because when I thought about it more, I thought I could find a better deal, and was a little worried about the size of the band.

From there I began doing my homework. I have looked and looked. Nothing made me feel like I did that day at Tiffany's. I scoured Pricescope, went to all sorts of jewelers, dragged my boyfriend to look at rings I'd had sent from here and there, looked at certificates, dimensions, idealscopes, H&A, found perfect diamonds online, you know, really did my due diligence. But to no avail.

So this weekend, while visiting him in Chicago, we went back to Tiffany's and that's when I looked at the Lucida. Not only did I fall in love AGAIN, but he was like "Wow, that is beautiful." I mean he was mesmerized by it. It was his favorite, and mine too. I argued a bit with the sales person about quality and lighting and markup, but still, I loved the ring. It was simple, but elegant.

I think that is the one he will go with. I feel a bit guilty because Tiffanys is so expensive, but what can I do? Nothing has called to me more than the rings they have there.

I am excited you have decided to go with the Lucida. I hope my BF does tooooooooo!

Tracy

PS. They do offer financing with 6 months no interest.

 

[Mara]

Tiffany threads always get the replies!!!

For me it''s because I feel like alot of people have misconceptions about them. Sure like Neil said they are a package deal, I can get behind that. Or maybe the guy just wants to buy a brand name everyone recognizes and doesn''t feel like doing extra work. Sure I can see that. Or people just LOVE their stuff even after viewing 10000 rings elsewhere. I can get behind that.

But the whole misconception of their exceptional diamonds or their great craftsmanship or their excellent customer service or that you won''t have any problems or that they are sooo upscale (they are mainstream) or how everyone wishes they could buy there, etc etc. That is when alot of people go WHOA wait don''t buy that ring because of ''XYZ''. And when it gets interesting.

In general, people can and should do what they want, we are always happy to see beautiful rings on here!! There are more than enough diamonds out there to go around.

 

[squarediamondlove]

Date: 4/19/2006 9:09:09 AM
Author: windowshopper
Isnt it funny how much interest this post garnered?

I just think its because its a controversial issue. I would think that there are similar number of responses to threads that deal with color grade issues in purchasing diamonds (whether to sacrifice the size for the color) or whether a round is better than a princess. People like to talk about it b/c its interesting and everyone has a different opinion.

 

[Allisonfaye]

I kind of think it is the same as the fact that there are people who need a flawless or a VVS diamond versus those that will take an SI all day long (like many of the regular PSers). Now we know we can get an eye clean SI with a little work and save a ton of money doing so but some people just need to believe their diamond is flawless. (Probably most people get real about the flawless thing the first time clarity is explained to them in some detail and they end up going lower). But there is something in their minds that bugs them knowing their diamond has a flaw. When I was at Neiman Marcus today, the saleslady was telling me about some of her..ahem...regular customers. She said some of them will only buy the highest color grades and VVS stuff. I just don''t see why. But some of these people have more money than they know what to do with. But when you start talking about people who don''t have more money than they know what to do with, you have to decide what is important to you. For me, the name Tiffany means nothing. I also agree with the posters who said sometimes it is the first place you go but when you do further research and are presented with similar options for less money, you realize Tiffany''s name doesn''t mean anything to you either. And then there are those that it still means something to.

Sorry if this sounds convoluted. I have a two year old hanging on me, literally pulling my fingers off the keyboard.

 

[Small]

Date: 4/19/2006 12:51:53 PM
Author: tracys126

Hi,

Just to let you know, when my boyfriend and I started looking we began at Tiffanys. I instantly fell in love with the Etoile and teared up when I put it on. He was just about to purchase it when I said ''Wait!'' because when I thought about it more, I thought I could find a better deal, and was a little worried about the size of the band.

From there I began doing my homework. I have looked and looked. Nothing made me feel like I did that day at Tiffany''s. I scoured Pricescope, went to all sorts of jewelers, dragged my boyfriend to look at rings I''d had sent from here and there, looked at certificates, dimensions, idealscopes, H&A, found perfect diamonds online, you know, really did my due diligence. But to no avail.

So this weekend, while visiting him in Chicago, we went back to Tiffany''s and that''s when I looked at the Lucida. Not only did I fall in love AGAIN, but he was like ''Wow, that is beautiful.'' I mean he was mesmerized by it. It was his favorite, and mine too. I argued a bit with the sales person about quality and lighting and markup, but still, I loved the ring. It was simple, but elegant.

I think that is the one he will go with. I feel a bit guilty because Tiffanys is so expensive, but what can I do? Nothing has called to me more than the rings they have there.

I am excited you have decided to go with the Lucida. I hope my BF does tooooooooo!

Tracy

PS. They do offer financing with 6 months no interest.

At least you looked around and did your homework. If it speaks to you then no matter what (unless ofcourse its not in your budget

) then you should get it. I think that''s what alot of people are telling the original poster...if she''s looked at other options and keeps coming back to Tiffany Lucida then that should be the choice!

 

[windowshopper]

Date: 4/19/2006 6:56:40 PM
Author: Small

Date: 4/19/2006 12:51:53 PM
Author: tracys126

Hi,

Just to let you know, when my boyfriend and I started looking we began at Tiffanys. I instantly fell in love with the Etoile and teared up when I put it on. He was just about to purchase it when I said ''Wait!'' because when I thought about it more, I thought I could find a better deal, and was a little worried about the size of the band.

From there I began doing my homework. I have looked and looked. Nothing made me feel like I did that day at Tiffany''s. I scoured Pricescope, went to all sorts of jewelers, dragged my boyfriend to look at rings I''d had sent from here and there, looked at certificates, dimensions, idealscopes, H&A, found perfect diamonds online, you know, really did my due diligence. But to no avail.

So this weekend, while visiting him in Chicago, we went back to Tiffany''s and that''s when I looked at the Lucida. Not only did I fall in love AGAIN, but he was like ''Wow, that is beautiful.'' I mean he was mesmerized by it. It was his favorite, and mine too. I argued a bit with the sales person about quality and lighting and markup, but still, I loved the ring. It was simple, but elegant.

I think that is the one he will go with. I feel a bit guilty because Tiffanys is so expensive, but what can I do? Nothing has called to me more than the rings they have there.

I am excited you have decided to go with the Lucida. I hope my BF does tooooooooo!

Tracy

PS. They do offer financing with 6 months no interest.

At least you looked around and did your homework. If it speaks to you then no matter what (unless ofcourse its not in your budget

) then you should get it. I think that''s what alot of people are telling the original poster...if she''s looked at other options and keeps coming back to Tiffany Lucida then that should be the choice!

anyone know if their six months financing thing is for anything: my girlfiriend wants a mega eternity band and said she was going to do the financing but i thought it was just for E-rings

 

[princessv]

windowshopper: I believe it just depends on how good your credit is and dependent on how much you are willing to put down. I''ve had a Tiffany''s salesperson tell me that once you''re a good repeat customer...they''ll even let you walk out of the store with the item with nothing down and still qualify for the 6 months interest free.

 

[windowshopper]

Date: 4/19/2006 8:43:00 PM
Author: Princess V
windowshopper: I believe it just depends on how good your credit is and dependent on how much you are willing to put down. I''ve had a Tiffany''s salesperson tell me that once you''re a good repeat customer...they''ll even let you walk out of the store with the item with nothing down and still qualify for the 6 months interest free.

well i told her before she got too excited she should ask them for sure. its one of those eternity bands that has all rounds of about .25 each or so...I may not be remembering correctly but i think it was 20,000 or 24,000

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 4/19/2006 8:56:25 PM
Author: windowshopper

Date: 4/19/2006 8:43:00 PM

well i told her before she got too excited she should ask them for sure. its one of those eternity bands that has all rounds of about .25 each or so...I may not be remembering correctly but i think it was 20,000 or 24,000

ok, who are you and where is the real windowshopper

 

[windowshopper]

Date: 4/19/2006 10:01:22 PM
Author: mrssalvo

Date: 4/19/2006 8:56:25 PM
Author: windowshopper

Date: 4/19/2006 8:43:00 PM

well i told her before she got too excited she should ask them for sure. its one of those eternity bands that has all rounds of about .25 each or so...I may not be remembering correctly but i think it was 20,000 or 24,000

ok, who are you and where is the real windowshopper

WHAT??? I dont understand...

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 4/19/2006 10:09:54 PM
Author: windowshopper

Date: 4/19/2006 10:01:22 PM

Author: mrssalvo

Date: 4/19/2006 8:56:25 PM

Author: windowshopper

Date: 4/19/2006 8:43:00 PM

well i told her before she got too excited she should ask them for sure. its one of those eternity bands that has all rounds of about .25 each or so...I may not be remembering correctly but i think it was 20,000 or 24,000

ok, who are you and where is the real windowshopper

WHAT??? I dont understand...

hehe, know it's ME that really is confused. I misunderstood your post and read it as if you were a guy looking for a ring for his girlfriend

all the drama of Alias and AI and the flipping back and forth has caused me to lose a few brain cells

Sorry, WS...I get it now..

thanks kaleigh for helping me

 

[windowshopper]

whoa nelly! i was reading my posts thinking what did i say that was so weird or "UN" windowshopper-ish?/?

 

[mrssalvo]

this is what you said that threw me and it was probably only me who misread it

anyone know if their six months financing thing is for anything: my girlfiriend wants a mega eternity band and said she was going to do the financing but i thought it was just for E-rings

nothing un-WS like, I just read it like you were a guy looking for his GF which is how I became confused. I think I spent too many hours on PS today

 

[windowshopper]

gotcha--now i see.

 

[bstraszheim]

Hey Salmon,

I was browsing on Signed Pieces and thought of you : ) If you are still on the lookout for a Lucida, Signed Pieces has another for sale, about your budget with a 1.18 F VS1 : )

1.18 Lucida engagement ring.

Good luck!

I wish you well,

Bridget

 

[Poposhka]

Hey salmon.

I just wanted you to know that i registered for this site specifically to reply to your post, because i recognized myself in your post SO much!

I too wanted my g/f to be involved in the ring buying for the exact same reasons you had, and we wanted to use TiffCo as the ultimate golden standard when we went elsewhere. And the same thing happened...she saw the damn lucida stones and she was bedazzled, she saw the ring design and was amazed. We then balked at the price and went elsewhere... but lo, every ring she tried on now had to be similar to lucida settings, but everything came up short. it has just been a week of frustration for her, and for me.

And same deal as with you, she is not an "ohmygawd gucci" type of personality, quite the opposite, but SOMETHING with this damn ring and stone tweaked her head! She noticed it herself as well, and we both laughed when we read your original post this afternoon. We will get in the stone size she wanted tomorrow, and will go see them then, and i have a strong suspicion that its what we will end up with..

To quote my lovely fiancee-to-be "one ring to bind them all".

cheers

--pops

 

[solange]

I don't know if this is related to the subject but i recently heard on TV that Tiffany is heavily invested in diamond mines in northern Canada and has even opened their own cutting operation. These stones will only be sold at Tiffany. I wonder if this new venture wiill utimately have an effect on the quality and cut of their stones as well as prices.