Alternatives to $6k Tacori setting (first time poster)

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Have you checked this site for Tacori? They have discounts and "last call" thumbnails...

https://www.mulloysjewelry.com/last-call.html

cheers--Sharon

 

[steveinsac2]

Great stuff! A few comments...

Tacori does not seem to allow retailers to "discount" - 1910.com has the same prices as what I was quoted; as E B noticed, they go up in price for larger center stones (because the side stones are proportionately larger too). I may go with 18k white gold instead of platinum which would save me about $1000. Anyone have comments on benefits of 18k vs platinum? I heard they used to "coat" gold to make it white but now they mix with Paladium instead so that's no longer an issue?

I also looked on eBay - my FF ring size is 4.5 - 4.75 so I need to make sure the 6.5 rings can be resized down that much without affecting the ring's design.

Finally, I also had an initial chat with Amy from DK, and going the custom option sounds very promising! I'm leaning towards this right now - I'll see what she comes up with in terms of a similar but unique design to this particular Tacori setting.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[Matthews1127]

Great stuff! A few comments...

Tacori does not seem to allow retailers to "discount" - 1910.com has the same prices as what I was quoted; as E B noticed, they go up in price for larger center stones (because the side stones are proportionately larger too). I may go with 18k white gold instead of platinum which would save me about $1000. Anyone have comments on benefits of 18k vs platinum? I heard they used to "coat" gold to make it white but now they mix with Paladium instead so that's no longer an issue?

I also looked on eBay - my FF ring size is 4.5 - 4.75 so I need to make sure the 6.5 rings can be resized down that much without affecting the ring's design.

Finally, I also had an initial chat with Amy from DK, and going the custom option sounds very promising! I'm leaning towards this right now - I'll see what she comes up with in terms of a similar but unique design to this particular Tacori setting.

Thanks again everyone!

Some white gold is rhodium coated, some, paladium. Either way, it's solid gold, and coated to protect the gold from discoloration. Platinum is more expensive, and 14k-18k gold achieves the same appearance for much less. Whatever you choose, make certain the designer stamps the inside of the shank, and that the 14k or 18k is also stamped on the inside of the shank.

 

[Dizzie]

Here is a Tacori on ebay - size 5.5 and made to hold 1 ct round.
Looks very similar to the one your Gf wanted

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tacori-NWT-...217441?hash=item58f471bfe1:g:Qy4AAOSwpjRZdrp7

 

[steveinsac2]

Here is a Tacori on ebay - size 5.5 and made to hold 1 ct round.
Looks very similar to the one your Gf wanted

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tacori-NWT-...217441?hash=item58f471bfe1:g:Qy4AAOSwpjRZdrp7

Wow, awesome find - thank you!

 

[rockysalamander]

Wow, awesome find - thank you!

I can't figure out what is on that ring. None of the photos are high res enough. I'd send them a convo to get them to send a picture with the orange gunk gone. It's on the tag, so it is likely just on the surface but at least one looks like white gold rubbed off.

 

[rockysalamander]

I call fake. These are the photos that really bother me. The upper one looks like rubbed off plating with base metal below. The font also feels off.

I just read the negative reviews on Ebay and the seller is being slammed for fake items, inaccurate descriptions, undisclosed damage.



Genuine Tacori

 

[rockysalamander]

Personally, I always choose platinum. I love the color and patina and do have to think about chemical reactivity as I not infrequently work in a lab and wash my hands frequently. But, here is a summary of the pros and cons.

Quoting @yssie with some additions of my own
platinum:
-lasts "forever" (negligible metal is lost during polishing and wear)
-heavier
-no plating required
-has been labelled the more "posh" and "upscale" metal by the mass media/market
-good for prongs b/c less metal memory and brittleness, so it bends on impact instead of going back to position or snapping off
-hypoallergenic; won't be damaged by most chemicals (salt and chlorine are still to be avoided)
-patinas over time to a soft matte finish
-pricey

gold:
-less dense that platinum so feel lighter
-if unplated, plating not required. There are many alloys, some need plating to be 'white' and some don't. Avoid nickel alloys unless you are positive recipient has not nickel allergy.
-palladium white gold is standard in UK due to regulations and a good way to avoid nickel, 14k is whiter than 18k
-alloys contribute to brittleness
-much more scratch resistant
-less pricey
-more metal lost during polishing
-if plated, plating required every so often
-over time, high wear areas will thin. May need to be re-shanked over time

palladium:
-shares most of the characteristics of platinum, but it is between gold and platinum in density
-it is just a tiny bit grayer than platinum if you stick with 95% palladium and it is quenched often during the forging process. (https://www.pricescope.com/forum/sh...-adwar-bezel-band-has-arrived-t100955-60.html)
-not all jewelers know how to work with palladium if need for local repairs
-scratches more easily than platinum; in this, it is more like gold. It scratches, but does not patina like platinum {but this will vary with alloy and cast vs. hand-forged}.

 

[Matthews1127]

^ Yes. And, you can use white gold for the shank, and use platinum for the head, in order to protect the stone, if you still want to cut cost. White Gold does tent to break, rather than bend. Platinum will bend, and likely save the stone from being lost or damaged. This is the exact reason my DH went with WG and Platinum.
Just make sure Nickel is not involved...even if she doesn't have an allergy, you don't want the metal to be compromised, down the line.

 

[Matthews1127]

This is a Tacori setting on sale (just the setting; center is CZ for display). Since we're giving suggestions from eBay, we might as well suggest Etsy, too...lol!
I hope you live in the US...this price is amazing for Tacori! It's not identical to the Tacori you posted, but very similar, and certainly not a solitaire! It's quite beautiful, and a diamond under 1ct would still be the centerpiece of this ring. However, because the cost of the ring is so much lower, you could get a larger center stone, snuggle it in to the prongs, and call it a day!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/530664183/new-tacori-pear-shape-and-pave-diamond

 

[Akalahab]

I agree with Rocky Salamander to get multiple quotes. Maytal Hannah or Brilliantly Engaged would be who I would call. You can get hand forged from both and there is a cheaper cast option from Brilliantly Engaged as well. If you're sentimental like me, finding the right setting the first time is a good idea!