Cartier engraving service experiences

[KristinTech]

I’m almost ready to head to Cartier for my trinity ring! I’m deciding between the XS 1.9 mm band size and the size small 2.9 mm band size. I bought cheapy stainless steel knock-offs in both sizes to play around with, and I’ll see what the “real deal” is like at the boutique and decide then. I’m going with my sister, who is also a jewelry lover. I have read that engraving will be free up to 90 days post purchase. Can you please share engraving experiences at Cartier? Fonts, character length, etc.? I have heard that you can get a heart symbol and infinity symbol, but this is the only official info I’ve found:

http://www.cartier.com/en-us/servic...les-service-jewelry/what-shining-service.html

 

[hathalove]

I love the trinity and have both sizes. I would first say if you do the skinny don’t have it engraved. The 2.9 though is a good size to engrave.

Cartier does do an amazing job but I do think this depends on who is doing the engraving. My SA always sends out my things to be engraved. They have a jeweler who is local and a master. She knows how meticulous I can be and says he is the best. This of course takes a few days to a week depending on flow. They do have an engraver onsite but she said she only uses them for the rush jobs. That when someone needs a quick engraving on a bracelet or something as a gift and wants it right away that’s who does it and it is good in comparison to perfection.

I think I have had six things engraved by cartier and they are all perfect.

 

[KristinTech]

I love the trinity and have both sizes. I would first say if you do the skinny don’t have it engraved. The 2.9 though is a good size to engrave.

Cartier does do an amazing job but I do think this depends on who is doing the engraving. My SA always sends out my things to be engraved. They have a jeweler who is local and a master. She knows how meticulous I can be and says he is the best. This of course takes a few days to a week depending on flow. They do have an engraver onsite but she said she only uses them for the rush jobs. That when someone needs a quick engraving on a bracelet or something as a gift and wants it right away that’s who does it and it is good in comparison to perfection.

I think I have had six things engraved by cartier and they are all perfect.

That is good to know about sending it out versus in-store. I’d much rather have it sent out. I plan to take the train to Chicago in a couple of weeks for this purchase. But I do have choices in which boutique I go to— I have a trip planned with hubby to San Fran in late February. Do you have an opinion about either of those boutiques? I’m going on a girls trip with my mom and sister to Scottsdale in May, but I don’t want to wait that long to get the ring!

 

[hathalove]

I have a feeling every boutique is different. I have heard some always send out because they don’t have one onsite? I would call those boutiques and ask if the engraving is done onsite or sent out or both. It doesn’t necessarily mean they do both. My closest boutique is Rodeo in Beverly Hills. It’s a high traffic store with tons of tourists and I think that’s why it’s set up that way. A lot of out of towners getting that commemorative gift on their trip to LA. Other locations may not be like that. San Francisco is a lovely boutique. I actually purchased a Trinity there for my moms few years back. Great customer service. Don’t know about their engraving though. I’m sure you are fine going to Chicago. You should go and at least try them on. Do know that you can’t exchange at a different boutique than you purchase if you have a problem. I could be wrong but I feel like I remember reading that somewhere. They also don’t do returns. Only exchanges. Except for online maybe. Might be best to go to your local store?

 

[KristinTech]

Thank you for your input, @hathalove ! Yes, I think it’s best that I visit Chicago, which is the closest one to me. I used to work nearby the shop on Michigan Avenue, and it will be fun to walk right in this time instead of just gazing into the display windows.

 

[KristinTech]

That is good to know about sending it out versus in-store. I’d much rather have it sent out. I plan to take the train to Chicago in a couple of weeks for this purchase. But I do have choices in which boutique I go to— I have a trip planned with hubby to San Fran in late February. Do you have an opinion about either of those boutiques? I’m going on a girls trip with my mom and sister to Scottsdale in May, but I don’t want to wait that long to get the ring!

@hathalove So it seems that I’m going to wait until the Scottsdale trip, after all! I used my expendable funds earlier this year for an upgrade on studs.

I am much more leaning toward classic (maybe small). I bought the XS knock-off size, and I just don’t love the stacking options with my rings. I do love that look on others, but it the no I’m going to go big.

Do you think that if I buy there, that I should engrave there and have it mailed home? I’d prefer to wear it home, then head to the Chicago store to send it for engraving. But I’m not sure what is best etiquette-wise. I’d love your thoughts!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I'd have the store of purchase send the ring for engraving. If there was a problem with the engraving, you'd be dealing with a store where you didn't even buy the ring. So if you want to have it engraved at your local store, buy it there, too.

 

[Platinum-blonde]

When I bought my love ring in February, the SA said I could get it engraved whenever I wanted for free. She said I should wear it for awhile, and get it engaved when I want it polished. They will polish it for free when they engrave it.

 

[KristinTech]

I leave on Tuesday for my trip! This is a special trip for my mom and my sister and I—my parents used to vacation in Scottsdale every spring. My dad passed away five years ago from pancreatic cancer, and it’s been six years since my mom has been there. My sister and I gave her this trip as a surprise at Christmas. We are very excited to go relive some fun memories for Mom!

I’m still leaning toward the classic size trinity, but I will try on the small, as well. The plan is to get my three children’s names engraved on the bands. I finally got them to agree on their color. It was quite the negotiation process!

For engraving, I will see what the SA recommends when I’m there. It may be that I wear it for a day or two on vacation, then see when she’s in later in the week to turn it in for engraving (and shipped home). The mall is high on Mom’s list to visit, so it will be one of our first stops.

I’ll update here next week!

 

[Rubybrick]

When I bought my love ring in February, the SA said I could get it engraved whenever I wanted for free. She said I should wear it for awhile, and get it engaved when I want it polished. They will polish it for free when they engrave it.

this is what my SA told me too. Your trip Sounds super exciting, you will love whichever size you pick!

 

[acaw2015]

I love this idea, a trinity ring with your childrens names. Have you considered the trinity with pave? I love the regular one but am really curious about how the pave one looks/works!
Wishing you a happy travel!

 

[KristinTech]

Heading in! This mall is under major construction.

 

[KristinTech]

Small size, more later! Yay!!

 

[ac117]

Small size, more later! Yay!!

Yayyy looks beautiful! Can't wait to see more pics

 

[hathalove]

Yay congratulations! I thought you were going Classic? Small is fantastic though. It’s what I love. The classic was always uncomfortable for my neighboring fingers.

 

[KristinTech]

Here are some quick pics, I will update my full experience at the boutique in the days to come!

@hathalove I ultimately decided on the small because it was more comfortable on the underside of my finger (palm). The classic was gorgeous, but it will be primarily a RHR, and when I pretended to shake my sister’s hand it seemed as though the depth of the ring was not as comfortable as the small.

 

[KristinTech]

I included the gorgeous flower pics because they are so beautiful out here!

 

[Rubybrick]

I included the gorgeous flower pics because they are so beautiful out here!

love your new ring, looks lovely with your wedding band!

 

[KristinTech]

I thought I'd update with a couple of details from my experience. I'm home from the trip, and it was so special for my sister and I to take Mom back to the area where she and Dad loved to vacation! He used to take her to the mall and sit and just let her shop. So she had a good time there with me!

The SA was very sweet and showed me all the sizes I was interested in. I went in by myself at first. I was able to take my time and ended up deciding between the classic and the small. It didn't take me long. The classic really wasn't all that much wider, but the depth of the gold is more significant once it's worn. So the ring is "built out" a bit with the dome shape and how the rings overlap. It rolled on like butter and I enjoyed the more substantial weight/heft of the ring... but it felt more cumbersome under my finger when I bent it and did "everyday tasks" at the table (e.g., picked up a pen, flipped through their books and catalogues nearby. The small just felt much more comfortable when worn. At the point where I couldn't decide, I asked her to hold the two sizes and that I needed to get my mom and sister in to help me decide. So I hunted them down--they were at Dillard's nearby--and we went back in to make the decision!

I asked the SA about her thoughts on engraving. She said I could get it engraved anywhere, at any time. I talked to her a bit about their system at the Scottsdale boutique. She said they send it out, and it takes "about a week." She also said that the 16-character limit that the website touts is "a good guideline, but there can be wiggle room." I didn't need more characters than 16, but I thought I'd throw that in!

I decided to wear and enjoy it for a couple of days, then I went in to drop it back with the SA on the day before we flew out. The process for engraving was very efficient. I chose to put my children's first and middle names on each band, along with a heart after the names. You can choose between a heart, an infinity symbol, or a star. I chose a font that had a bit of shadowing (?) to it--I can't wait to see it!

I had hoped that I would have it for Mother's Day, but I knew that the timing would be tight. I didn't want to rush anything. I expect that I'll get a call from the SA this week to let me know that it will be sent out. I'll update when I get it back!

 

[Lorelei]

Sounds perfect and the engraving will make it all the more special.

 

[KristinTech]

Well, the wait continues! I received an email from Cartier letting me know that my ring was ready for pick up. That was Tuesday. So I waited to hear from my SA about shipping it. The days ticked by and I finally called yesterday. It turns out my SA is on vacation and will ship out her customers’ items on Monday. Really a bummer, but I have waited for months, so I can wait another few days.

 

[KristinTech]

It arrived!!

My kids’ middle names to show the engraving:



Each name has a heart after it—hard to photograph!

 

[TweetyBird23]

When I purchased my wedding ring, they did a trial engraving on a large brass band for my approval before engraving the actual ring. You might want to inquire if they will do this for your trinity. It’s also a pretty cool souvenir!

 

[TweetyBird23]

It arrived!!

My kids’ middle names to show the engraving:



Each name has a heart after it—hard to photograph!

What a lovely idea!!

 

[Platinum-blonde]

The engraving looks great! When I get my second love wedding band, I plan on getting each engraved with my kiddos’ names. Congratulations on your new mother’s ring!

 

[hkdom]

Hi, I recently got the thin love ring engraved at my local Cartier for my GF, they weren’t nearly as proactive or informative as some of the experiences I read here.

When I got it back i found the font to be very thin, super shallow and not centered across the middle of the ring. Also some of the curves on numbering jagged. I’m disappointed to say the least and didn’t think to expect this from a reputable brand.

I didn’t notice this until I got home, so will go back to the store when it opens and see what can be done.

Looking at the images of your wonderful engravings here, the one I received nowhere near on the same level.

Before I go back does anyone here have any thoughts or suggestions about what my options are ?

 

[Lykame]

Hi, I recently got the thin love ring engraved at my local Cartier for my GF, they weren’t nearly as proactive or informative as some of the experiences I read here.

When I got it back i found the font to be very thin, super shallow and not centered across the middle of the ring. Also some of the curves on numbering jagged. I’m disappointed to say the least and didn’t think to expect this from a reputable brand.

I didn’t notice this until I got home, so will go back to the store when it opens and see what can be done.

Looking at the images of your wonderful engravings here, the one I received nowhere near on the same level.

Before I go back does anyone here have any thoughts or suggestions about what my options are ?

Aww, shame you've had that experience whilst trying to do something so thoughtful.

I would recommend starting your own thread. Really the only thing I can suggest is taking it back asap and politely expressing how underwhelmed you are. What do YOU consider a good resolution to this issue? That may help you decide what you will expect from their response.

Best of luck! Start that new thread, maybe with some pictures if you can photograph it in a way that protects your privacy.