Would a Tiffany or Cartier level ring be worth more down the road?

[Joane]

Just wondering if the higher prices of diamond rings bought at these elite stores are reflected in their value down the road. For instance, if you wanted to sell or evaluate a Tiffany ring ten or twenty years later, would the name add anything to the value vs. a non-branded ring or one of a less pricey reputable brand? In other words, would an equivalent quality Tiffany caliber ring bring more on the secondary market later on as it does at the original price? If so, would that difference be enough to justify the high original price?

 

[MrsFrk]

Yes, they will be worth more on the secondhand market, but not enough to justify the higher initial purchase price.

I have a friend who sold a bunch of Tiffany stuff after her divorce, and while she got decent prices for them, they were not as high as you would think. Especially for engagment rings, many people are not okay with a ''used'' ring.

 

[jcrow]

hum- but i wonder about a "used" tiffany diamond...

 

[finerthings]

I definitely think the answer to both your questions is Yes.

 

[MrsFrk]

I''m sure that there are individuals who both want the brand, and are pragmatic enough to be fine with it. But it can be difficult to find such buyers.

At my local Tiff''s a 1 carat solitaire is about twice the price of what you could put together on your own. Anyone willing to pay say 75% of the initial price for a ''used'' ring is most likely going to just go get a new one.

 

[laney]

No. I don't think it's worth it.

Would you buy a used e-ring if it said tiffany's vs not?

And if it commanded a higher price as a previously worn piece - and you could by that - or new, would you buy new?

I think it's different for other jewlery - such as necklaces, bracelets or other rings. But in general it seems people are pretty sentimental about an e-ring - and there are few buyers in the market for that type of previously worn jewelery at high prices for an engagement.

just my .02

 

[LadyluvsLuxury]

I agree with the previous posters, no I do not believe it''s worth spending more on simply because you will not make back the difference between a non-branded set vs. a Tiffany''s or Cartier. Let''s say you and I both buy the same quality diamond, same size, same simple Tiffany style setting. I pay $10K for a non-branded version and you pay $16K for the Tiffany''s version, in six years we both decide to sell and upgrade, I do not think a buyer would offer me say $5K for my ring but $11K for your ring just because you have the Tiffany''s name, you may say get $6.5K but you definitely will not make back the whole difference between what you paid and I paid. Oversimplistic but IMO true.

 

[fire&ice]

Date: 8/18/2005 4:44:04 PM
Author: MrsFrk
Yes, they will be worth more on the secondhand market, but not enough to justify the higher initial purchase price.

Yes, simple economics. It could sell quicker because of the name recognition.

 

[diagem]

YES!!!! 100%,

Especialy if you have the vision of a great piece of jewelry, as far as craftsmanship, and gem stones cutting styles, (some of them are going to be worth much more in the future!!!)

Take a look at some of the pieces that fetch top $$$ at auctions, you don''t see a lot of pieces get $$$ as used or vintage.

 

[valeria101]

Date: 8/19/2005 4:24:44 AM
Author: DiaGem

YES!!!! 100%,

Especialy if you have the vision of a great piece of jewelry.... Take a look at some of the pieces that fetch top $$$ at auctions

Those are by no means 1 carat e-rings though.

As much as I can tell, with or without the name it is still the remarcable pieces that 'hold value'. Among signed jewelry 'remarcable' gets to be quite a bit over the top.

Actually, I do not know what the poster means by 'Tiffany or Cartier level' ! And with that confusion to deal with, I would vote for the first answer on this thread - that the initial markup makes a great deal of difference for any product that can be easily substituted with in-kind. Perhaps there is some following for the name only, but the sellers already exploit that so there isn't much room left to benefit from it down the road.

 

[Madam Bijoux]

Hi. I would always prefer a signed piece (especially estate) by a world-renowned jeweler because of the superior craftsmanship, quality and color matching of the stones.

 

[denverappraiser]

Joane,

There are quite a few things beyond the gemological properties of the components that cause one item to bring a higher price than another on the secondary market. Brand names are high on the list. These brands usually charge a pretty good premium for their new versions as well and the resale premium us usually quite a bit less than the purchase premium. The simple rule is that jewelry is not an investment. Buy it because you love it, buy it because it makes you or someone else feel special to wear it, buy it because you want a memento of a great occasion, buy it because you want to impress your friends, buy it because you want to create a family heirloom. These are all fine reasons but if you want an investment, talk to your accountant, not your jeweler.
Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ISA NAJA
Independent Appraisals in Denver

 

[widget]

I believe that original signed pieces always command more on the secondary market than their generic equivalents....and are easier to sell as well.

So while they are obviously not ''investments'', I suppose they could be considered more "liquid", asset-wise...


JMO
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[strmrdr]

Date: 8/19/2005 9:09:35 AM
Author: denverappraiser
Joane,


There are quite a few things beyond the gemological properties of the components that cause one item to bring a higher price than another on the secondary market. Brand names are high on the list. These brands usually charge a pretty good premium for their new versions as well and the resale premium us usually quite a bit less than the purchase premium. The simple rule is that jewelry is not an investment. Buy it because you love it, buy it because it makes you or someone else feel special to wear it, buy it because you want a memento of a great occasion, buy it because you want to impress your friends, buy it because you want to create a family heirloom. These are all fine reasons but if you want an investment, talk to your accountant, not your jeweler.

Neil Beaty

GG(GIA) ISA NAJA

Independent Appraisals in Denver

Well said.
and the truth.

 

[Joane]

Date: 8/19/2005 8:24:33 AM
Author: valeria101

Date: 8/19/2005 4:24:44 AM

Actually, I do not know what the poster means by ''Tiffany or Cartier level'' ! And with that confusion to deal with, I would vote for the first answer on this thread - that the initial markup makes a great deal of difference for any product that can be easily substituted with in-kind. Perhaps there is some following for the name only, but the sellers already exploit that so there isn''t much room left to benefit from it down the road.

Thanks, all, for the great input! What I mean by a "Tiffany or Cartier level ring" is one of the high-end world-class name-brand jewelers--Tiffany, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, etc., which often sell at auction for premium prices. I was just wondering if over time the mystique filters down to the more "ordinary" jewelry by these makers (which is pretty pricy nevertheless!). Thanks for the many opinions on this.

For myself, I agree that a diamond ring should be purchased for the enjoyment and use you get out of it. Where this is coming from in case you''re wondering is I''m older than most people getting married or engaged and sometimes I take to musing on the future value in case I should decide to sell some of my jewelry.

 

[widget]

I''m older than most people getting married or engaged and sometimes I take to musing on the future value in case I should decide to sell some of my jewelry.

I hear you, Joane....I''m sure I''m even older than you...and I''ve discovered that in the last few years I''m much more interested in the "marketability" of my jewelry pieces.

I''m something of a compulsive jewelry collector (age has NOT mellowed me

) and it has occurred to me that my kids will very probably want to dispose of some of my stuff after I''m gone.

While I don''t have any signed "big name" pieces, I do look for classic vintage pieces and certified untreated gemstones, in the hopes that my kids will get more than "pennies on the dollar" should they decide to sell them someday...

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[Starbob48]

Hi RockyTalky et al.,
I am hoping that I might be able to tap into your collective expertise on this subject. I am trying to determine how much an e-ring loses in value after it is purchased.
For example, an 1 Ct, VVS2, F, Lucida Cut purchased from Tiffany''s for $15K and is now being resold 3 years after purchase. Any idea how much it''s worth today or how to figure this out? If I have left out other important pieces of info feel free to just adlib the details as this just an example.
I ask, not because I am selling an e-ring but because my wife and I are looking to buy a Tiffany E-ring. She sees no issue with buying second hand but as I mentioned above I have no idea what a second hand ring should go for. Any help much appreciated. Best wishes- Mike