I need your help in choosing from the following rings...

[lakerfreak]

Hi,

I've been shopping for an engagement ring, which I am planning to give when I propose to my girlfriend next weekend.

Specifically, I've found the following rings from Tiffany, Cartier, and Harry Winston, and wanted to ask you guys which one is the best one for my girlfriend.

She is about 5'7", slender, and likes simple things.

All of the rings below are round cut, solitaire on platinum band.

Tiffany
1.78 ct. E, VS1: $40700
1.75 ct. F, VVS2: $43600
1.78 ct. F, VVS2: $44400
2.06 ct. F, VS2: $46700

Cartier
1.81 ct. G, VS1, $37350

Harry Winston
1.82 ct. F, VVS2, $47000
1.76 ct. E, VS1, $44900

I know that I could get similar rings at cheaper price if I don't get one from these jewelers, but I would really like to get the ring from one of these jewelers.

I like Cartier's, except that the ring has color G, while the other rings have better ratings.

Is Color G visibly different from Color E or F in this size?

Also, when you buy a ring from Tiffany, Cartier, or Harry Winston, do you typically pay the full price written on the tag or are there room for negotiation?

Apologies for making you read this long post, and thank you in advance for helping this clueless soul

Brian

 

[AprilBaby]

Simply on the above choices, I would take the Cartier. I like a little color in my stone and the clarity is lovely.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Since you are buying it in part for the brand, I think you should go with the Cartier. There was a thread here a while ago and the concensus was the Cartier is a more cache name than Tiffs. Not sure how it compare to HW.

I love G color, my diamond is a G and it is a gorgeous, crisp white, but it has *just* enough color to look real, if you know what I mean.

If you line an E F G next to each other, you *might* be able to tell the E from the G. But on its own you would not detect warmth.

 

[LabRatPhD]

I think it depends on what your GF likes as far as the setting goes - I looked at all 3 vendors for a RB solitaire in a platinum setting and despite Tiffany being the "least prestigious" of the 3, I preferred their 6-prong, knife-edge setting over Cartier''s 1895 4-prong and HW''s 4 claw prongs. The number of prongs will give the stone a different look, IMHO (6 prongs makes the diamond look more round than 4 prongs, and the knife-edge thins out the band, both of which were very important to me). If you want what is perceived as the most upscale brand, I would go with HW.

In our experience, Tiffany does not negotiate price. My FI purchased a 2+ ct ring and they were not willing to budge on the listed price. I have heard they may be more willing if the price of the item is over $100K, but have no experience with that. Supposedly HW is more open to negotiating, but I don''t know for sure. My eternity band is most likely coming from HW and so far they have not budged on the price. Maybe we are just really bad with negotiating!

 

[lakerfreak]

Thank you all for your thoughtful input.

I just came back from Cartier.

The 1.8 ct. ring was gorgeous, but it was tad too yellowish for me, who doesn''t know much about jewelry.

Instead, they had a 1.70 ct. F color and IF clarity diamond stone, which has not been set yet, so I got that one and will have the ring by this Friday.

I negotiated for like an hour and got a 5% discount, a platinum wedding band, and some other free stuff.

I am not sure if I got a good discount ($44500 including tax for the ring, a wedding band, and free stuff), but I am glad that I got a gorgeous ring for my girlfriend.

Let''s just hope that she loves the ring as much as I do.

Thanks again for your help on this.

This could have been much more confusing and challenging without your help.

Brian

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 2/8/2010 5:19:26 PM
Author: lakerfreak
Thank you all for your thoughtful input.

I just came back from Cartier.
1.70 ct. F color and IF clarity diamond stone

Wow, an F IF stone. You''ll have to be sure to post photos of that!

If I were going to spend the amount you did, I too would have gone with Cartier.

Congrats.

 

[AmberGretchen]

Sounds like it will be stunning, and like you got a good deal for what you paid for (prestigious brand name as well as beautiful ring). Congratulations, and ditto MC - we''d love to see pics once its set