Engagement ring help.

[shoejohn]

Hello Ladies... (That is an assumption)

I'm just getting started in my research and have found this forum extremely helpful. I have a couple of things on my mind.

1. Why should I not just buy the largest Tiffany & Co. ring I can afford? I realize I'd be paying a premium for the "blue box". However, it is appealing to just go with a trusted name and have the peace of mind that I'm getting a high quality, heirloom type piece that can be passed down through generations.

2. I have an idea that I think would be brilliant and I wondered if you have ever seen it..... I was thinking of getting a pave setting and replacing the two furthest diamonds from the center stone with the birth stones of her children. I think it would be a very subtle personalization that would only be detected by others upon close inspection. What do you think? I'm thinking it would be a nice touch on a Tiffany Legacy type setting.

 

[slg47]

1. Why should I not just buy the largest Tiffany & Co. ring I can afford? I realize I'd be paying a premium for the "blue box". However, it is appealing to just go with a trusted name and have the peace of mind that I'm getting a high quality, heirloom type piece that can be passed down through generations.

Do a price comparison. Also, as far as I know, Tiffany's will not do the customization option you talked about with adding the birth stones. I think you can get the same or better quality from some of the PS vendors at a fraction of the price, but ultimately it is up to you to decide whether or not the blue box is worth it.

2. I have an idea that I think would be brilliant and I wondered if you have ever seen it..... I was thinking of getting a pave setting and replacing the two furthest diamonds from the center stone with the birth stones of her children. I think it would be a very subtle personalization that would only be detected by others upon close inspection. What do you think? I'm thinking it would be a nice touch on a Tiffany Legacy type setting.

I think this is a lovely idea. Another way to incorporate birth stones is 'surprise' stones on the basket or on the inside of the ring. I think this would be a really nice touch

 

[Dreamer_D]

Hello Ladies... (That is an assumption)

I'm just getting started in my research and have found this forum extremely helpful. I have a couple of things on my mind.

1. Why should I not just buy the largest Tiffany & Co. ring I can afford? I realize I'd be paying a premium for the "blue box". However, it is appealing to just go with a trusted name and have the peace of mind that I'm getting a high quality, heirloom type piece that can be passed down through generations.

2. I have an idea that I think would be brilliant and I wondered if you have ever seen it..... I was thinking of getting a pave setting and replacing the two furthest diamonds from the center stone with the birth stones of her children. I think it would be a very subtle personalization that would only be detected by others upon close inspection. What do you think? I'm thinking it would be a nice touch on a Tiffany Legacy type setting.

1. You pay about double or more for the name. If that is worth it to you, then it is your money to spend. But it is a big premium.

2. Sounds like a very nice idea. Many others will instead have a very small gemstone flush set on the inside of the ring as a secret suprise. I like this latter idea better because I want the outside of my ring to be perfect and consistent, but others may like being able to see the stones while wearing the ring, as in your idea.

 

[purplesilk]

1)Every luxury item has double values: one value is the mere monetary value of goods you’re buying (rapaport/ market value in diamonds’ purchase) and one value is the emotional value (some brands do wonderful jobs with advertising , so you feel somehow blessed if you can buy their things).
So, there’s nothing wrong to go with Tiffany’s rings, but be a conscious consumer, do a list of your/ HER priorities before buying .
2)Nice idea, but I ‘d prefer them inside of the ring.

 

[Lula]

1. Ditto the others. You do pay a premium for the name. Before you decide to go with Tiffany's do a comparison with other stores/online vendors, so you know what you can get elsewhere for the same money. However, if what your gf wants is a patented Tiffany cut diamond, such as the Lucida, then you're probably better off getting the real thing.

2. Customization is not something that Tiffany's does -- I could be wrong, but I think you'd be happier using a local custom design jeweler, or one of the online vendors here, several of whom offer variations of popular Tiffany settings. Whiteflash, High Performance Diamonds (HPD), Brian Gavin Diamonds, Engagement Rings Direct, ERD, are just a few of the online vendors who could work with you to create a customized setting that would be similar to a Tiffany design.

3. If the "blue box" is important, consider buying your wedding bands from Tiffany's. You don't have to buy your engagement ring and wedding bands from the same place, and Tiffany's has lovely wedding bands that are surprisingly well-priced. I have a Tiffany wedding band that I wear with a custom-designed engagement ring setting purchased from an online vendor.

 

[beesha77]

1. I agree with PP's. You can get much better value from other vendors at a much better price. And surely still heirloom quality!

2. I love the idea of the stones hidden in the basket! I would love that! Not so much on the ring if that makes sense.

 

[antelope1]

1. You pay about double or more for the name. If that is worth it to you, then it is your money to spend. But it is a big premium.

DD, I once went into a Tiffany's just to browse and saw a nice 1ct Lucida in a YG setting (PT head) -- it turned out to be a D IF, and they were asking $72k. That would be about three times the market value for the name. Or $50k. <sets condo downpayment on fire>!!

OP, my budget was $9k and the "biggest / best" diamond we could get at T&Co was about 0.8 ct (Lucida again). At a PS vendor, we got 1.50 ct in a really unique setting, and I will be able to change both the diamond and the setting when my tastes change (which I know they will).

Just one note on the surprise stones (awesome idea): If you have 3/4 eternity pave, the birthstones will be on her palm side. Diamonds are hard, so they can stand the abuse, but birthstones are softer and so might scratch. If you want the birthstone idea, I'd go for 1/2 pave so the birthstones are protected between the fingers.

 

[geckodani]

1. If the Tiffany name is important you or the lady in question than by all means go for it. They make beautiful pieces. You can, however, get more bang for your buck elsewhere if you're not set on Tiffany.

2. This is something that I would be hesitant about. As Dreamer mentioned, she may prefer that the setting be uniform (I would). You might be better off putting them inside the shank if you decide to include them.

 

[luckygirl333]

I agree with what everybody has said about Tiffany rings. For me it is Harry Winston that I want though. I would rather have the size than the name though when it comes right down to it. BUT at a certain size (probably 3 carats for me) MY desire would start to shift toward brand rather than an even bigger stone. Of course if you start thinking about whether I would prefer a 3 carat no brand plus a Cartier watch plus a tennis bracelet or just a 3 carat Harry Winston, things start to get murky again.... (in reality, The only 3 carats in my budget are L's and I'm not sure I'm ready to embrace warmth....)

As for the birthstones, I think it is a WONDERFUL idea. Here's a link to a ring that does it the way I, personally, would do it.
http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.c...-Modified-205/14113210_k9RGa#1060009269_Dkcrp

 

[Amys Bling]

Hello Ladies... (That is an assumption)

I'm just getting started in my research and have found this forum extremely helpful. I have a couple of things on my mind.

1. Why should I not just buy the largest Tiffany & Co. ring I can afford? I realize I'd be paying a premium for the "blue box". However, it is appealing to just go with a trusted name and have the peace of mind that I'm getting a high quality, heirloom type piece that can be passed down through generations.

You certainly could....would this make your GF happy? Also, there are other designers/vendors that are considered to be "high quality heirloom" i.e. Harry Winston... or why not create your own heirloom piece. Search down the ideal diamond in you opinion... and go custom with Leon Mege in platnium. Design it yourself and then it's a special - one of a kind- heirloom piece...

2. I have an idea that I think would be brilliant and I wondered if you have ever seen it..... I was thinking of getting a pave setting and replacing the two furthest diamonds from the center stone with the birth stones of her children. I think it would be a very subtle personalization that would only be detected by others upon close inspection. What do you think? I'm thinking it would be a nice touch on a Tiffany Legacy type setting.

I think the personalizing idea is great.... will Tiffany do this? Will they alter the ring? If not, do you have to then go somewhere else to do it? Will another jewelr alter a Tiffany brand ring? Again- why not design and create your own custo heirloom piece, design exactly what you want with a trusted jeweler.... find the perfect diamond, etc.