Choose your favorite!

[Clairitek]

I mentioned yesterday that FF and I made a trip to Tiffany and that I fell hard for their classic solitaire. I went to bed last night certain that I would just love a sweet 3/4 carat solitaire from Tiff's but then when I woke up this morning I felt a little different. I just can't get over the mark-up!! I am now torn between the little blue box and all of the feelings that could come along with owning a Tiffany engagement ring OR getting a bigger stone, for the same price, and trying to find the best Tiffany knock-off or some other gorgeous mounting.

I took a little time to compile some images of Tiffany knock-offs. I won't tell you where they are from (and please resist the urge to go hunting around at our favorite PS vendor websites!!) and I would like you to tell me which ones you like the best.

Thanks for your input!

To save you from having to go back to my older thread I wanted to mention that in Tiffany we can afford about 3/4-0.8 ct I/VS2 and in the "outside" world we can afford about 1.25 ct I/VS2.

 

[Clairitek]

Wow thats a large image. Sorry for that guys! I''m sorta new and don''t know how to make it more manageable.

 

[Smurfysmiles]

I like the one right in the center the best

 

[Lauren8211]

Unless I get to carry that little blue box around with me, I don't think anyone will know/care that your ring is from Tiffany.

I'd feel better about getting the best value for the money, and that equates to a bigger diamond if you leave out the Tiffany portion of it.

If Tiffany means that much to you, or you feel it makes your ring more valuable, then I'd say go with the Tiffany.

Sounds like you want people to notice, and the average person will notice a bigger/sparklier stone over a Tiffany name, well, at least I would. (Unless, of course, you get to somehow carry the box around with you.

)

ETA: I liked the center right ring. Its probably the Tiff one and now I've jsut contrdicted myself! LOL

 

[tessari]

I second everything Elledizzy says. Personally, I think Tiffany is all about marketing and that inflates prices. And I love Tiffany--I have some stuff from there that''s their trademark stuff. But very few people would be able to tell that a diamond solitaire is from Tiffany in particular. But then again, I totally understand why someone would want the classic blue box engagement.

 

[Clairitek]

Date: 8/15/2008 12:18:15 PM
Author: elledizzy5
Unless I get to carry that little blue box around with me, I don''t think anyone will know/care that your ring is from Tiffany.


I''d feel better about getting the best value for the money, and that equates to a bigger diamond if you leave out the Tiffany portion of it.

...


***Sounds like you want people to notice, and the average person will notice a bigger/sparklier stone over a Tiffany name, well, at least I would. (Unless, of course, you get to somehow carry the box around with you.

)***


ETA: I liked the center right ring. Its probably the Tiff one and now I''ve jsut contrdicted myself! LOL

Thanks for your input. I agree with everything you said 100%. It takes a keen eye to be able to spot that specific setting without seeing the engraving on the inside of the shank. I am a very reasonable, thrifty person. I don''t let go of money easily and FF is the same way. I adore the fact that he is willing to spend his hard earned cash at Tiffany knowing full well he could get something bigger elsewhere and that he would be paying dearly for the name. I too notice size and sparkle first (which we both agreed were the important thing) so I intend on talking to him about this when I get home. I''m 85% sure he hasn''t already purchased a ring (now THAT would be shocking if he has) but our one year anniversary is coming up in a week so I''m worried that if I keep flip-flopping on this subject that I will discourage him. Maybe its time to keep my trap shut.

This being said I am reallllly interested to see which replica is everyones favorite! In the case he hasn''t purchased a ring yet this info could be useful!

 

[vita*dolce]

i think the bottom setting looks the most like a tiffany, the prongs are closer -- they''re a lot more fluid and less utilitarian than the other two. that''s actually want i really like about the tiffany, i think the lines are beautiful.

i vote for the bottom one!

 

[Clairitek]

Date: 8/15/2008 12:23:28 PM
Author: tessari
I second everything Elledizzy says. Personally, I think Tiffany is all about marketing and that inflates prices. And I love Tiffany--I have some stuff from there that''s their trademark stuff. But very few people would be able to tell that a diamond solitaire is from Tiffany in particular. But then again, I totally understand why someone would want the classic blue box engagement.

Any favorite out of the bunch Tessari? I value your input.

 

[katamari]

My favorites are the last pics in the first and second rows. However, the photo quality on the last in the second row blows the others away, so that may be influencing my decision there. But, I like all images in the second row.

For a solitaire, I would totally suggest a knock-off. I understand the desire for Tiffany if it is one of their signature styles that other vendors don''t mimic, but not as much for a solitaire.

Plus, you still have the option to rock a Tiffany wedding band!

(Would this be this a faux paux? Dreamgirl? Blondebunny?)

 

[Clairitek]

I want to know what Dreamgirl and blondbunny think too! I tried to ETA on my OP but it didn''t come through. Not sure why. I also realize that unless its one of their really unique styles (i.e. Legacy) that a replica will do just fine.

Keep those votes coming!

 

[ash313]

Top left, if it''s from where I think it is, is not too expensive, because I am getting the same one!

I wanted to find the most inexpensive band possible, and put most of our budget into a great diamond! Someday, I can replace the band if I want, but I want to keep that diamond forever, never want to upgrade.

Just my opinion!

 

[tessari]

My favorite is the first two, bottom row---I am not sure if the bottom row is all the same ring though...I like the more delicate "lighter" prongs.

 

[jcarlylew]

i like the two far right (but not the bottom far right) ones the best!

 

[wishful]

I like the top right and the one below it as well as the bottom right.
I guess I prefer the more refined prongs and a lower set stone.

 

[dreaming of the day]

Date: 8/15/2008 2:42:34 PM
Author: wishful
I like the top right and the one below it as well as the bottom right.
I guess I prefer the more refined prongs and a lower set stone.

I agree. I mean they are all gorgeous, and very similar, but that is just my taste

 

[Clairitek]

Date: 8/15/2008 2:18:04 PM
Author: leeNY
Top left, if it''s from where I think it is, is not too expensive, because I am getting the same one!


I wanted to find the most inexpensive band possible, and put most of our budget into a great diamond! Someday, I can replace the band if I want, but I want to keep that diamond forever, never want to upgrade.


Just my opinion!

After this evening is past I will post the vendors. I am on board with the "max out on the stone, go simple on the band" idea except I have decided that I definitely want platinum. I just love the feel of it. I don''t ever intend on upgrading on the diamond either. I am too much of a sentimental fool to let go of the stone I was proposed to with.

 

[Clairitek]

I posted this on the SMTR forum but here are the vendors from the images:

Blue Nile, Superbcert, Dimend Scaani
Whiteflash, Adiamor, Tiffany
Niceice

I like Dimend Scaani and Niceice the best. I think they did a wonderful job making their replicas. Someone on the SMTR forum eventually pointed out that I had put the Tiffany one in but what gave it away was their blue tinted rendering/photography which is pretty nice.

Thanks for taking part in my experiment/questionnaire. It helped me further realize that if all I want is the simple solitaire than I don''t need to shell out the big bucks for a really nice setting. Don''t get me wrong- still love the blue box! I am now thinking that getting my WB there might be nice.

And yes- I realize that I have managed to change my mind about 184757392027 times in the last few days about what I desire in an engagement ring. FF finally had to tell me to stop giving him "input" tonight that he already knows what hes doing and that hes positive I''ll like it.

 

[blondebunny]

Date: 8/15/2008 12:52:57 PM
Author: Clairitek
I want to know what Dreamgirl and blondbunny think too! I tried to ETA on my OP but it didn''t come through. Not sure why. I also realize that unless its one of their really unique styles (i.e. Legacy) that a replica will do just fine.


Keep those votes coming!

hehehehe I love that im mentioned in your thread I personally LOVE the tiff solitaire too, i just wanted the extra bling on the band It was the only solitaire that I liked too.. For us, Tiffanys had a special meaning, he was the first guy to ever buy me anything from there, and it was my first piece of jewelry from him too We actually found the markup to not be as high as people really think it is, they think its so high because youre looking at an F VVS1 which is silly...hehehe We also liked the fact that we didnt have to go back to the store every 6 months to get it checked, you never do.. (my FF wont buy online, he has a phobia of it) plus we like the fact that if we ever want something bigger, which we eventually will get one bigger, we get our full value of what we paid for it here, which is nice to us. I guess its what you want out of your ring. You KNOW for a fact that you are getting a very nice diamond. I started doing research and found out that if a diamond has a flaw, some places will drill in it to get it out and then fill it in with something, so we just decided our best bet was to get from Tiffanys as it was a safest choice, we liked that we didnt have to go back every 6 months to keep our warranty, and of course I personally love that little blue box. sorry i think i went offtopic haha...its been a long day......

BUT in conclusion, Id take the Tiff ring any day which I did, I coulda hang a bigger stone, but I wanted the Tiffanys and I could not be happier and would never second guess my decision

Plus you could get an awesome band from there, I LOVE their swing bang... its TDF... gahhh

 

[blondebunny]

oh and I found their platinum to be a bit nicer than other places, and it felt heavier than any of plat ring I tried on, which I liked, felt more sturdy, I feel that I''d never have to think, is one of my diamonds going to fall out.. (not putting anyones ring down or anything, I just felt it was really sturdy)