Visited Tiffany''s with WF stone

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I took this stone with me to Tiffany''s the other day, to see the difference, if any, with my own eyes. I will honestly tell you I went in half expecting the Tiffany''s diamond to look better. I have heard they cut their stones to be a bit more on the firey side, and since their lights are LED''s, I was thinking they might have the edge, and I would also want to see how they performed in indirect lighting environment.

So I pulled a 1ct G VS2, same basic specs as the WF stone. Classic Tiffany setting. I placed it in the black velvet ring holder tray, and placed the WF stone next to it. I was amazed. I was expecting maybe the Tiffany would be better, or maybe indiscernable. The WF stone simply outperformed the Tiffany stone, fairly clearly. I mean, it wasn''t like a world of difference, but if they were the same price, or even the WF stone was a little more, you''d definitely pick the WF stone. I even picked the ring up and asked for a polishing cloth because I thought there was something wrong with the Tiffany stone. It was dirty, and probably would''ve performed better if it had just been steam cleaned, but I don''t think it would''ve outperformed the WF stone.

The most compelling thing, I thought, was that the WF stone was also whiter in appearance than the Tiffany''s stone. This may just have been a coincidence, it may have been that my G was close to an F, and their G was close to an H. Maybe a different Tiffany''s Classic ring would''ve performed better. But, since I randomly picked one ring, I think it was a pretty interesting finding.

I lied, the most compelling thing was the price. $13,900 + tax, or $15,046. Compare that to non-taxed online + Mark Morrell custom setting, I could literally get two for the price of one! Crazy!

I still haven''t decided whether to stick with this stone, but it is comforting to know that all this cut craze can be backed up with performance against one of the world''s most respected.

Thanks for your help so far!

^

 

[kenny]

What did the Tiffany salesperson say?

And did you mention it was half their price?

 

[codex57]

It''s not surprising. Least not to the more senior members on this board. Many of us have done our own personal comparisons. I''ve done it for fun to boost the egos of my wife and I. If you''ve got a HOF, or even an ideal cut, you''re almost certainly going to out perform a Tiffany diamond. Tiffany diamonds are a very good cut. They''re just not the best. You won''t get screwed, but if you take the time and effort to learn about diamonds, you can easily find better diamonds out there. You just won''t be getting the name. To some people, they don''t have the time and still want something nice, or they want the name. So, they''ll pay the Tiffany premium cuz they know they''ll get a good product for sure.

Also, your diamond might look whiter cuz it''s a better cut. That''s another benefit of getting a great cut.

 

[MissGotRocks]

It's always nice to hear about these taste tests. Thanks for sharing.

BTW, why aren't you sure you are keeping this stone? It sounds like it is a keeper!

 

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Date: 7/3/2006 4:36:41 PM
Author: kenny
What did the Tiffany salesperson say?


And did you mention it was half their price?

The salesperson was very eager to help me when I walked in. Then I explained what I was looking for, and he happily grabbed a ring matching those specs. Then I explained that I wanted to compare to a stone that I already had and asked if it would be ok if I placed my stone on the mat next to the ring. He said that was fine. After that, he literally didn''t say one word. I stood there for a few minutes, rocking the tray, moving my head in and out of the light. I asked for a cloth, and he produced one. I don''t think he thought I was a serious prospect at that point. I don''t think he was even really looking closely at the difference between the two stones. Then I thanked him and went on my way. He was pleasant, but I''m sure he wasn''t really excited to have me doing that, as others probably have, and I doubt they end up buying them after that.

I did not share with him how much it was. He didn''t seem interested. This is not to knock Tiffany''s, I think they make beautiful stuff, and I have bought non-diamond jewelery there. They have always been top notch service and quality.

^

 

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Date: 7/3/2006 4:53:13 PM
Author: codex57
Also, your diamond might look whiter cuz it''s a better cut. That''s another benefit of getting a great cut.

Yeah, that''s what I was trying to see when I went there. Seemed to hold true. I don''t know if it''s possible, but even from the side it looked whiter. I thought only face-up whiteness was a factor. Then again, I don''t think they grade color the same way AGS does, so that might be part of it too.

Author:MissGotRocks
BTW, why aren''t you sure you are keeping this stone? It sounds like it is a keeper!

Well this is the first stone I''ve examined this carefully, and haven''t really even looked extensively at other stones in stores, and I think until you''re really experienced, most stones look pretty darn good, especially in the right lighting. This stone doesn''t defy physics, and from all the hoopla on PS, I admit my hopes were probably unreasonable. It looks wonderful under most conditions, but again, w/o experience, I don''t know what type of performance I should be expecting, and where this stacks up against other Super Ideals. I know it beat one Tiffany''s RB so far, but I think most Super Ideals would.

Also, this was more than I wanted to spend. I was hoping to get something in the $5XXX range, but if you look at the search by cut tool, you''ll see there''s very little in that range. Plenty above and below, but not right at that range. I''m ok with a shy carat, but they''re rare. Jonathan at GOG seems to think he can get me in that range at some point, with a super ideal cut stone. I''m sure WF could too, if I was patient enough. I like to have the extra info of BS, ISEE, and other info that GOG provides with their stones, too. I could get that from an appraiser, but there''s another few hundred dollars as well. Not that I need that info to show me what my eyes can see, but since I can''t really go to a place like WF or GOG repeatedly until I learn what''s what, it''s nice to have tools to backup my novice eyes. This can be an intimidating purchase for a newbie. Most of us only get one chance to get it right.

Oh, and the Solasfera also looks nice, so I''m not even sure if I''m 100% sold on H&A.

^

 

[Lynn B]

Yes, very interesting. I had a similar experience in San Diego. My diamond knocked the socks off of every single diamond I looked at there, and the (snooty) sales person had to admit it, in spite of herself!

Her reply, "Our diamonds get smudged from so much handling." Which IS probably TRUE... but...

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 7/3/2006 10:02:39 PM
Author: Lynn B
Yes, very interesting. I had a similar experience in San Diego. My diamond knocked the socks off of every single diamond I looked at there, and the (snooty) sales person had to admit it, in spite of herself!

Her reply, ''Our diamonds get smudged from so much handling.'' Which IS probably TRUE... but...

then...you should ask her to steam it and compare again.

 

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Even though I was purchasing a relatively inexpensive item, the salesperson I had at Tiffany''s during my purchases was really wonderful. She took the time to give me advice without being pushy. She was very patient and pleasant, and I was convinced to come back and give them a chance to earn my business for this purchase thanks to that.

This was a different salesperson than my usual. I think it would''ve changed the experience had it been my usual. However, I don''t blame him for not doing much. I would assume he wasn''t as well trained in diamonds as half the people on PS, so he probably didn''t have much confidence speaking about a loose stone, which I don''t think they even sell there. Moreover, he probably felt I was some deluded internet buyer who just came to see how his bargain stone, which might have even been a CZ, would stack up against a Tiffany, with no intention of buying one.

Maybe I''m just assuming, but I would not expect to get the reaction that would''ve made this an even more interesting study. It would have taken some real guts to say, "What is it that you''re noticing?" and to really challenge my observations in a non-aggressive way. And to try to prove how Tiffany''s stones excel in comparison, offering to steam clean the stone, etc. In the end, I feel the Tiffany''s stone still would''ve done worse, but like codex said, for some people, they don''t have the time or desire, and can be assured of getting something nice there.

To me, the difference I saw which is impossible to quantify, is the difference summarized by ideal vs. super ideal. Ain''t nothing wrong with ideal. But if you''ve got the time, why not go super ideal. Of course, when the price is 1/2 ideal, well then it''s a really good question.

I will continue to make purchases from my regular salesperson at Tiffany''s in the future, based on the quality and design of the pieces as well as the service.

^

 

[genette]

I too have been to the Tiffanys here in Hawaii and must say that with all that fancy lighting my GOG stone looked way better than theirs. My coworker and I just laughed about how ridiculous their prices are and we are so not impressed with their stuff. They can''t take anything out of their cases that''s over $50,000 unless you go into a special room they have. I actually tried on a classic tiffany ring that was about $150,000 and wasn''t really wowed by it. I mean the look was nice but not for the price. I think the stone may have been a little over 2 carats or near 3. I can''t remember. The salespeople there are the worse. It took us awhile to get any help and the store was empty. I live in a place where the workers flock to the Japanese touris first. The only people who said hi to us were the security guys at the door. Oh well. I went to Harry Winston which just opened up right next to Tiffanys and they were really friendly. They even offered to let us try on anything we wanted. I was in awe and didn''t take them up on their offer but maybe one day. I just didn''t want to get any fingerprints on the diamonds. It was very impressive. The jewelry in there was so beautiful and their designs were massive. I liked their diamond pieces better than Tiffanys and their workers were by far the nicest between the two.

 

[egs1]

Hi everyone,

First of all thanks for your help in choosing a diamond. Hope many others find this site before they make the purchase.

We recently bought a Tiffany classic setting and really like it. It is true that Tiffany doesnt necessarily have the best cut diamonds, but the thing is that you have access to their inventory of thousands of rings. So to be fair you have to compare your diamond to a similar cut Tiffany diamond, because I''m sure if we compared our Tiffany stone to online diamonds it would be better (and worse) than many of those. We ordered a few diamonds in to compare and chose the following:

1.07 F VS1
TDP 60.8%
CA 34.7
PD 43.0%
Table 57%
Girdle medium
Polish Excellent
Symmetry Excellent
Culet None

We know we paid a lot more than we had to, but it was worth it to us. We also didnt have Sarin reports or pavillion angle measurements and all that stuff, but it looked great to us and it was our favorite setting, so we were happy with that.

Obviously when you know as much about diamonds as you guys you dont need to pay more because you know what you are getting, but many people dont. I must admit that if I hadn''t found this board first I may have ended up with a much worse cut diamond for the same price we paid (The salesperson told us that Tiffany doesnt factor price into cut - dont know if it true or not).

 

[sillyboy]

I came very close to purchasing a ring at Tiffany. Here was the ring I almost bought. It was in their classic Tiffany solitaire setting.
1.74
I
VS1

I do not know the angles, but it was a beuatiful setting, and looked like a very well cut diamond. I could not see the difference between the I and an F under their lights. I had previously looked at Isee2, Solasfera, 8 star, Lumiere.

The ring I bought.
Isee2 branded with a score 9.8, 3 VH on brilliance scope
H
VVS1
1.84ct
Depth 61.3
Table 55.8%
Crown angle 34.1 dev 0.2
Pavilion angle 41 dev .06
It is being set in the Mark Morrell Sunburst Solitaire all for the same price as the Tiffany Stone before taxes. Now Tiffany said they will ship out of state, but if they have a store in that state they have to charge sales tax. The Tiffany stones are well cut, but no way are they as well cut as the stone I purchased. The Tiffany stone is smaller, 2 grades of clarity below, A color grade lower. Now the Tiffany setting is beautiful, and I do not yet have the completed ring, but I would be willing do bet some pretty big dollars MM outdoes the Tiffany.

 

[RockDoc]

Date: 7/4/2006 9:19:45 PM
Author: sillyboy
I came very close to purchasing a ring at Tiffany. Here was the ring I almost bought. It was in their classic Tiffany solitaire setting.
1.74
I
VS1

I do not know the angles, but it was a beuatiful setting, and looked like a very well cut diamond. I could not see the difference between the I and an F under their lights. I had previously looked at Isee2, Solasfera, 8 star, Lumiere.

The ring I bought.
Isee2 branded with a score 9.8, 3 VH on brilliance scope
H
VVS1
1.84ct
Depth 61.3
Table 55.8%
Crown angle 34.1 dev 0.2
Pavilion angle 41 dev .06
It is being set in the Mark Morrell Sunburst Solitaire all for the same price as the Tiffany Stone before taxes. Now Tiffany said they will ship out of state, but if they have a store in that state they have to charge sales tax. The Tiffany stones are well cut, but no way are they as well cut as the stone I purchased. The Tiffany stone is smaller, 2 grades of clarity below, A color grade lower. Now the Tiffany setting is beautiful, and I do not yet have the completed ring, but I would be willing do bet some pretty big dollars MM outdoes the Tiffany.

Just because Tiffany has a prestigious "reputation", you should consider the differences in the jewelry portion of your purchase.

Mark Morrell, and those who make custom designs engineering strictly for YOUR stone, are quite different from a store who is going to supply a "production line" type product. Tiffany does have a lot of designers who do have critical acclaim, but if you are comparing their mounting which is a "line produced" item to a Leon Mege or Mark Morrell type jewelry artisan, you are comparing "apples vs. bananas".

I get to see a lot of Mark''s finished rings, and the level of quality in them is quite outstanding. But I don''t want to pump up Mark''s work, since anyone who is a fine craftsman who works at that mode of design and workmanship is going to produce a better made product.

Rockdoc

 

[egs1]

Date: 7/4/2006 9:19:45 PM
Author: sillyboy
I came very close to purchasing a ring at Tiffany. Here was the ring I almost bought. It was in their classic Tiffany solitaire setting.
1.74
I
VS1

I do not know the angles, but it was a beuatiful setting, and looked like a very well cut diamond. I could not see the difference between the I and an F under their lights. I had previously looked at Isee2, Solasfera, 8 star, Lumiere.

The ring I bought.
Isee2 branded with a score 9.8, 3 VH on brilliance scope
H
VVS1
1.84ct
Depth 61.3
Table 55.8%
Crown angle 34.1 dev 0.2
Pavilion angle 41 dev .06
It is being set in the Mark Morrell Sunburst Solitaire all for the same price as the Tiffany Stone before taxes. Now Tiffany said they will ship out of state, but if they have a store in that state they have to charge sales tax. The Tiffany stones are well cut, but no way are they as well cut as the stone I purchased. The Tiffany stone is smaller, 2 grades of clarity below, A color grade lower. Now the Tiffany setting is beautiful, and I do not yet have the completed ring, but I would be willing do bet some pretty big dollars MM outdoes the Tiffany.

Mark Morrell may produce a far better quality setting than the classic Tiffany, and the cut of your diamond may be 100x better than the one we purchased, but I bet there is at least one stone at Tiffany''s as well cut as yours and probably better. Okay the price may be more, however to some people it is worth it, and thats what counts most.