Advice on my Tiffany ring?

[Brunette]

Hi everyone,

I’m pretty embarrassed to post this since maybe I’m just making a big deal out of nothing, so feel free to let me know if you think I should just shut up and be happy with my ring as it is.

I had repairs done to my Tiffany ring last year when the diamond came loose and started rattling around. I haven’t been entirely happy with it since but I’ve kept brushing it off and telling myself that I’m just being way too nitpicky. But part of me thinks that I should have a ring that I 100% love and do what I can to try to get fixed. I love everything about my diamond and wouldn’t change a thing about it, but 2 things about the setting bother me:

1. I feel like the head/basket is too “squat” (for lack of a better term). Here are some pics of other people’s Tiffany rings to compare (including @Miki Moto's). I love them and would be thrilled if my ring looked like any of theirs, they all seem so much taller and more elegant. The pics are of rings with diamonds both bigger and smaller than mine (which is 2 carats). But I’m afraid if I bring this up, I’ll get answers along the lines of “each ring is different / it depends on the diamond.”

Side note: I'm also not sure why, but the prong on the right seems to stick out more for some reason.

Mine:


Others:


2. This is reeeally hard to capture in photos because of angles, but I feel like at least one of the center prongs is slightly off center. In the first side pic, I see it as slightly to the left. In the second front pic, the top arrow isn't directly lined up with the prong, so I think the prong isn't placed right. Don’t know if you can see it well though, so I’m also afraid that Tiffany will just say I’m imagining it.



If it matters at all, I baby my ring and don't wear it with a wedding band or any other ring.

What do you guys think...? Like I said, feel free to let me know if you think I’m being too nitpicky and should just learn to live with this. But if you do think I should ask Tiffany about it, how should I go about it? I’m so worried that they’ll just brush me off or make me feel like I’m insane.

Thanks for any advice, this has been bugging me for awhile so I really appreciate your time helping me figure it out!

 

[scarsmum]

Yes, the 6 o’clock prong is set left of center and to me the top prong looks bent to the left. The diamond does not appear centered. If it bugs you, insist.

 

[tkyasx78]

I dont think it will cause any issues with the security of the stone, but if the off angled prong is driving you nuts, have it fixed! Years ago I ordered a vs quality eternity ring. When I got the ring one of the diamonds had a visible inclusion when I looked at it up close. It DROVE ME NUTS. Every time I wore it that white spot was all I could see! I finally had them replace the stone with one that was MY definition of eye clean. It fixed the problem and I could finally wear it without obsessing over it.

 

[Matthews1127]

Hi everyone,

I’m pretty embarrassed to post this since maybe I’m just making a big deal out of nothing, so feel free to let me know if you think I should just shut up and be happy with my ring as it is.

I had repairs done to my Tiffany ring last year when the diamond came loose and started rattling around. I haven’t been entirely happy with it since but I’ve kept brushing it off and telling myself that I’m just being way too nitpicky. But part of me thinks that I should have a ring that I 100% love and do what I can to try to get fixed. I love everything about my diamond and wouldn’t change a thing about it, but 2 things about the setting bother me:

1. I feel like the head/basket is too “squat” (for lack of a better term). Here are some pics of other people’s Tiffany rings to compare (including @Miki Moto's). I love them and would be thrilled if my ring looked like any of theirs, they all seem so much taller and more elegant. The pics are of rings with diamonds both bigger and smaller than mine (which is 2 carats). But I’m afraid if I bring this up, I’ll get answers along the lines of “each ring is different / it depends on the diamond.”

Side note: I'm also not sure why, but the prong on the right seems to stick out more for some reason.

Mine:


Others:


2. This is reeeally hard to capture in photos because of angles, but I feel like at least one of the center prongs is slightly off center. In the first side pic, I see it as slightly to the left. In the second front pic, the top arrow isn't directly lined up with the prong, so I think the prong isn't placed right. Don’t know if you can see it well though, so I’m also afraid that Tiffany will just say I’m imagining it.



If it matters at all, I baby my ring and don't wear it with a wedding band or any other ring.

What do you guys think...? Like I said, feel free to let me know if you think I’m being too nitpicky and should just learn to live with this. But if you do think I should ask Tiffany about it, how should I go about it? I’m so worried that they’ll just brush me off or make me feel like I’m insane.

Thanks for any advice, this has been bugging me for awhile so I really appreciate your time helping me figure it out!

The stone is set a tad off center. It appears secure, and should not compromise the safety of the diamond. If it bothers you, demand it is set accordingly. It’s T & Co. They should take pride in their products & ensure 100% customer satisfaction. It’s not like you don’t pay a premium for the Name. Make them set it right.

 

[denverappraiser]

Tiffany is a very cooperative company if you bought it from them and they're the ones who did the repairs. Have you talked to them about it?

 

[Brunette]

Thanks, everyone! I'm relieved to know it's not just me seeing things (even if it is a relatively minor thing).
@denverappraiser - Yes, my husband was the original purchaser and they did the repair last year. I haven't spoken with them yet about these issues because, quite frankly, they were pretty rude when I brought the ring in for repair. I did not think the diamond should have come loose so easily since I baby my ring and it was only about 2 years old at the time, but they insisted it was from normal wear and tear and charged me $240 to fix it. Not exactly looking forward to having to explain this to them...

 

[denverappraiser]

It may just be that salesperson. They do tend to display a bit of 'attitude', which I think is trained into them as part of their brand image, but I've found them to be pretty supportive of their clients. (not cheap, but supportive)

 

[Miki Moto]

@Brunette Hi! Your ring is lovely, but in my opinion, yes, I do think your ring is squatty. You can ask them to reset it higher. My ring was initially set low and the SA said many prefer a lower setting for a larger stone to avoid whacking it but they are happy to set it higher. I told the SA I don’t mind whacking it and would prefer the higher setting. Like you, I also think it looks more elegant set higher.

On your ring, the prongs don’t bother me. What bothers me is that it is squatty, so I would fix the squat and as a side effect, the prong will be straight. My guess is they will make you a new head as they did with mine.

It was easy. Since you are sending in your ring.... do you need anything else done? I recently had my ring re-sized and I did not think about getting an updated appraisal. So now I need to send it back in for a new appraisal and I also want the new Tiffany certificate format to keep things fresh. Just a thought in case you want other things done.

 

[Miki Moto]

@Brunette By the way, go to the back to customer service. The SAs are not paid to help with a repair. They help with a repair if you are also buying something. I have done it both ways. I was buying something and after I bought it, the SA was walking me out, but I mentioned I need to go to the back to customer service. The SA then did all of it for me so I didn’t have to wait. If you are not buying anything though, just go to the back. I have done that too. It’s easy either way.


UPDATE: And no, you are not being picky at all. I believe jewelry needs to be tailored as it is not one size fits all. For example, with all my necklaces, I have the length adjusted to fit me. I just purchased a short necklace that was 16” and I had them shorten it to 14” as I wanted it to hit at an exact spot (the hollow of my neck). It was easy.

 

[Brunette]

Thanks so much for your input, @Miki Moto !

Update is that I brought the ring in to my local store today and -- as I expected, when I explained that my setting was more "squat" than other Tiffany rings I've seen, I was first told that each ring is made slightly differently, so variations in settings is to be expected. Then, I was told that my diamond's specific dimensions could have also resulted in the variation (BS, IMO). But, they'll send my ring to NYC to get me a quote for remounting it into a new setting with a taller head.

As for the issue with the diamond being off-center, they'll also send me a quote for fixing that. I'm a bit irritated that I'll have to pay to get that fixed when I paid to get the loose diamond fixed last year and they're the ones who set it off-center, but I guess that's on me for not speaking up sooner.

So now just waiting to see how much these repairs will be...

 

[Miki Moto]

Excellent! So wonderful to hear you took it in. I don’t know how long you’ve had your ring, but the ring boxes have changed a few years ago and now they are Tiffany blue instead of black so I expect you will get a new box too.

 

[Brunette]

Excellent! So wonderful to hear you took it in. I don’t know how long you’ve had your ring, but the ring boxes have changed a few years ago and now they are Tiffany blue instead of black so I expect you will get a new box too.

I'd love one of the new boxes, so I hope so! Fingers crossed

 

[Tophat1]

Thanks so much for your input, @Miki Moto !

Update is that I brought the ring in to my local store today and -- as I expected, when I explained that my setting was more "squat" than other Tiffany rings I've seen, I was first told that each ring is made slightly differently, so variations in settings is to be expected. Then, I was told that my diamond's specific dimensions could have also resulted in the variation (BS, IMO). But, they'll send my ring to NYC to get me a quote for remounting it into a new setting with a taller head.

As for the issue with the diamond being off-center, they'll also send me a quote for fixing that. I'm a bit irritated that I'll have to pay to get that fixed when I paid to get the loose diamond fixed last year and they're the ones who set it off-center, but I guess that's on me for not speaking up sooner.

So now just waiting to see how much these repairs will be...

Ask to speak to a manager and explain the situation. I had a similar experience with a necklace and she waived the charge

 

[JDDN]

Thanks so much for your input, @Miki Moto !

Update is that I brought the ring in to my local store today and -- as I expected, when I explained that my setting was more "squat" than other Tiffany rings I've seen, I was first told that each ring is made slightly differently, so variations in settings is to be expected. Then, I was told that my diamond's specific dimensions could have also resulted in the variation (BS, IMO). But, they'll send my ring to NYC to get me a quote for remounting it into a new setting with a taller head.

As for the issue with the diamond being off-center, they'll also send me a quote for fixing that. I'm a bit irritated that I'll have to pay to get that fixed when I paid to get the loose diamond fixed last year and they're the ones who set it off-center, but I guess that's on me for not speaking up sooner.

So now just waiting to see how much these repairs will be...

If you opt to have a new head made, make sure you specify how you want your diamond set (where you'd like the prongs to be) so it's not off center again.

If you don't go for a new head and you want the diamond to be centered, I would let them know that the diamond was slightly rotated after you got it back from being serviced for the loose diamond and that you simply would like them to rotate it back the way it was. You tried living with it but it's just bothering you too much and you'd like it fixed. Hopefully they would be kind enough to waive that particular fee.

Good luck, I hope you find a satisfactory resolution .

 

[sledge]

You seem like a modest person that doesn't like confrontation. Unfortunately, I think this is a time you need to push and be firm with your expectations. You can do so in a polite and diplomatic manner, but by no means do you need to take what a rude SA tells you as gospel. Politely smile, and let them understand you heard them but would like to speak to a manager as you feel differently. Re-explain to the manager and stand your ground that the prongs came back this way AFTER it was (poorly) repaired and you will not pay to fix their mistake a second time.

Also, I would show pictures of other Tiffany settings that are higher with similar and larger sized stones, and advise you never requested a low squatty setting; therefore, you are uncertain why you should have to pay to have the Tiffany look you thought was standard and already paid to have, but haven't yet received.

Remind them, you are the customer and paid good money for their product and you realize that you had many other choices that may have yielded you a better quality stone or setting, but you wanted an entire package including superb customer service. Ask them why they are not wanting to give you what you felt you paid for as a valued customer and what loyalty do you have to return for future upgrades or to send your children there when the time is right if they can't meet your simple expectations on a repair that is truly a fraction of the cost of the entire ring.

Short version, put the burden on them to make you happy and feel valued. You deserve this. You paid a premium to receive super customer service, and they need to deliver.

 

[Brunette]

Hi everyone, thanks so much for all your advice so far. I'm still going back and forth with customer service about this and wanted your thoughts.

They told me today that after speaking with management, if I got the diamond remounted to have that "taller" look, then they would no longer provide a warranty for it because in their opinion, it is not secure given my diamond's size. In fact, they said that if they were to remount it, they would remount it even LOWER. I'm speaking with a manager over the phone on Monday and just left her a voicemail. I do not understand why they have produced and made (and warrant) Tiffany rings for other customers with that "taller" look (some of which have much, much larger diamonds than mine, like @Miki Moto ) and then for whatever reason, think mine needs this low, squat setting to be adequately secure.

I'm really frustrated. I'm willing to pay for the remount if it would give me that "taller" look, but it sounds like they'll void my warranty it I go forward with that. So I'm either stuck with my squat setting that has been bothering me since I got my ring, or get the taller look, but no warranty. Neither option is good.

I've told them that I do not understand their reasoning when there are plenty of Tiffany rings out there that have the look I want and are NOT considered to be set in an unsecure way, but it seems like I keep hitting brick walls. I don't think what I'm asking for is all that ridiculous -- to me, it's clear that mine is set lower than many other of their rings and all I'm asking is for mine to look more like those.

I'm speaking with a manager on Monday, any advice as to what else I can say?

Thanks again.

 

[scarsmum]

All I can think of is that I believe they’ve had some problems with unhappy customers following lost diamonds or even lost heads of settings.

 

[ringo865]

Instead of having them reconfigure the head, pick a new setting that they will warranty.

 

[Brunette]

All I can think of is that I believe they’ve had some problems with unhappy customers following lost diamonds or even lost heads of settings.

Interesting, I didn't realize that's a problem they've been having.

Instead of having them reconfigure the head, pick a new setting that they will warranty.

Yeah, I've considered it, the problem with that is that I don't like their other settings as much as the solitaire. We'll see, I'll have to noodle over everything.

 

[Yimmers]

If the management were in YOUR shoes, would they want/expect this treatment from a luxury brand? I think not. Your husband has dropped a premium for this ring, and they've charged you for a shoddy repair - I can tell that the diamond is not centered as well. I would have a much higher expectation given the Tiffany name. At the very least, they should waive the repair for resetting your diamond correctly. It SHOULD have been done correctly in the first place.

As for the height, how high would they be willing to raise it before claiming that the "warranty" is void?
Additionally, are you able to pop into a Tiffany's store and look at their settings? Are all the diamonds set squatty or something that is more flattering to the stone and setting? If they aren't squatty, I'd take pictures and be prepared to argue with management that asking to raise the diamond a little would "void" the warranty.

Then again, if I get super steamed about something, I'm willing to take the gloves off, hehe.

 

[Brunette]

Thanks, @Yimmers , I agree. I haven't even spoken to them yet about the option of just recentering the diamond in my current setting (they provided me an estimate for that) because I was preferring the remount. If it comes down to me just keeping my current setting, I am going to ask them why I need to pay for them to recenter it when, well, it should have been centered to begin with. I'm guessing they'll blame me for it being off-center.

As to your question "As for the height, how high would they be willing to raise it before claiming that the "warranty" is void?" -- they aren't willing to raise it at all. In fact, they said they would be setting it even lower if they were to remount it. For "security."

 

[Crazie4Cuts]

Hi, I am so sorry to hear about this and your Tiffany ring. I am not sure what the warranty will cover or provide. I am sure you went back to the same store that you originally purchased? Is it possible to speak with the district manager or send him/her an email on what transpired with the store manager? I think you should be definitely pleased with your ring. I looked at the pictures you originally posted and I for sure think there is a difference in what Tiffany advertise and your ring. Here’s where I circle in red the difference (see above). Did you want to see your diamond cutlet? Then I would be sure you talk to the DM about this and ask politely that you did not receive the proper help you hoped at the xxx store. And then asked if there is someway you and your husband can meet with him at the xxx store so your situation can be addressed together with the SA. The District Manager or Regional manager has to at some point visit the local stores so be sure to arrange and meet together. I don’t know how difficult it is to find out the name of that person, but maybe a PSer may know? So please let us know which Tiffany location you visited.

 

[Yimmers]

Thanks, @Yimmers , I agree. I haven't even spoken to them yet about the option of just recentering the diamond in my current setting (they provided me an estimate for that) because I was preferring the remount. If it comes down to me just keeping my current setting, I am going to ask them why I need to pay for them to recenter it when, well, it should have been centered to begin with. I'm guessing they'll blame me for it being off-center.

As to your question "As for the height, how high would they be willing to raise it before claiming that the "warranty" is void?" -- they aren't willing to raise it at all. In fact, they said they would be setting it even lower if they were to remount it. For "security."

Hence my thought to take picture of other Tiffany settings to see if that is just a bunch of BS they're giving you. And I would still negotiate. And if the manager says no, talk to their superior. Escalate this b*tch (not saying at all you're one, just referring to this fiasco they're putting you through)

 

[Brunette]

Thanks, @Crazie4Cuts -- I'm always glad to know I'm not just making things up or seeing things. I brought the ring to my local store (Palo Alto CA). They had to send it to NY for the estimates. They sent it in with all the comparison pictures that I provided.

After I received the estimate, I asked them to confirm that if I went ahead with the remount, that it would be remounted to look similar to the pictures that I sent in (because I didn't want to pay for the remount only to have it come back looking exactly the same!). The customer service rep from NY that I spoke to over the phone today said she had consulted her manager and that manager determined that it needs to be set even lower (or, if set higher, would no longer be warranted). That manager is the one I left a voicemail with today and who I will be speaking with on Monday. Her name is Melissa Berry and I just Googled her and she's an Assistant Manager in NYC.

 

[Brunette]

Hence my thought to take picture of other Tiffany settings to see if that is just a bunch of BS they're giving you. And I would still negotiate. And if the manager says no, talk to their superior. Escalate this b*tch (not saying at all you're one, just referring to this fiasco they're putting you through)

Ha! I submitted all the pictures above (most of which I found on Instagram accounts run by Tiffany sales reps), but clearly they didn't put much stock in that. It's not easy for me to swing by the actual store, but if I do in the near future, I'll definitely be asking to see rings with diamonds of my size and see how they compare.

 

[Crazie4Cuts]

Ugh! I’m sorry to hear about all of this! The only thing I can think of prior to talking to Melissa Berry is to arm yourself with more info and perhaps consider talking with another jeweler/designer. I personally loved working with Mia at Joe Escobar in Campbell...and she has quite an eye for designing jewelry....any way..
Is there a local jeweler who can discuss with you on how you want your diamond set AND how it should look? The reason why I’m asking is that a jeweler/designer should be able to let you know how high you should have the diamond set and having the cutlet shown (barely, you don’t want it too high) in the setting. I also am wondering if they are replacing the head and if so will this make the setting structurally weaker. If so, perhaps the jewelry designer will recommend that you get a whole new setting...I replaced my yellow gold setting after 10 years to platinum, but my original setting was a cathedral one and my jeweler just swapped out the head to platinum and set my diamond lower. So I was able to easily do this. If Tiffany will set it higher for you for a fee, but won’t warranty this, then at least you can decide if the cost is worth it to you and know exactly the specs you want. Now on the other hand if they don’t warranty this ask if they will provide a warranty if you get a whole new mounting and to the specs you want.( I think this will be at a considerable cost because you are purchasing a whole new setting)

A 2 ct diamond should be shown off and loved, so see what you can do and don’t settle! I am so sorry that now you have to go back and have this done again...honestly a 2 ct diamond is really a treasure and you should love your ring!

 

[Brunette]

Thanks so much for all the tips, @Crazie4Cuts !

The "remounting" option that I've been discussing with them is in fact them remaking the entire ring. That is what they say they cannot warrant if they remade it to have the "taller" look that I prefer, and they'd actually have my diamond set even lower when remade if it were to still be under warranty.

Appreciate all your kind words!

 

[atp223]

Hi everyone, thanks so much for all your advice so far. I'm still going back and forth with customer service about this and wanted your thoughts.

They told me today that after speaking with management, if I got the diamond remounted to have that "taller" look, then they would no longer provide a warranty for it because in their opinion, it is not secure given my diamond's size. In fact, they said that if they were to remount it, they would remount it even LOWER. I'm speaking with a manager over the phone on Monday and just left her a voicemail. I do not understand why they have produced and made (and warrant) Tiffany rings for other customers with that "taller" look (some of which have much, much larger diamonds than mine, like @Miki Moto ) and then for whatever reason, think mine needs this low, squat setting to be adequately secure.

I'm really frustrated. I'm willing to pay for the remount if it would give me that "taller" look, but it sounds like they'll void my warranty it I go forward with that. So I'm either stuck with my squat setting that has been bothering me since I got my ring, or get the taller look, but no warranty. Neither option is good.

I've told them that I do not understand their reasoning when there are plenty of Tiffany rings out there that have the look I want and are NOT considered to be set in an unsecure way, but it seems like I keep hitting brick walls. I don't think what I'm asking for is all that ridiculous -- to me, it's clear that mine is set lower than many other of their rings and all I'm asking is for mine to look more like those.

I'm speaking with a manager on Monday, any advice as to what else I can say?

Thanks again.

What is this so-called “warranty” from Tiffany? You had to pay them to fix a loose stone after two years. You are going to have to pay them to fix the off-centeredness of that repair job. And you are going to have to pay them to set it higher. Presumably you have insurance if the stone were to get damaged or fall out. It’s unclear to me what this Tiffany warranty is doing for you.

 

[MissGotRocks]

I am sorry to hear this and don't think it bodes well for their customer service. It sounds like they have boxed you in between a rock and a hard place giving you virtually no alternative.

What exactly does the warranty cover that your own insurance doesn't? They certainly can't warranty against loss of the stone - only the integrity of the setting I would imagine.

At any rate, I would continue this discussion up the line of management. For the premium they charge for their merchandise, they should bend over backward to have happy customers. I just think their response this far has been very poor.

 

[HDer]

Crazy. We also had a terrible experience with the woman in charge of repairs at Palo Alto Tiffany. So bad that my wife actually called to place a complaint, something she's never done before or since. Maybe you should point corporate to this thread. Definitely not what we expected when we got something from Tiffany!