I should have never set foot at T&Co. ... HELP ME!

[jenniegirlm]

HELP!! Help me!!! I''ve fallen into the Tiffany trap!

I posted this at one of the thread''s I''ve started but I wanted to make a new one so I could get more replies from everyone.

I''ve been shopping for a diamond wedding band to match my e-ring for a while. I only dragged my DH (I''m updating my set) to T&Co because I wanted to try out a ring before I ordered the similar one from SP. The SP ring is a 7-stone, .093 ctw (0.133 ct each) while the T&Co ring is 7-stone, 0.91 ctw (0.13 ct each). But when I tried on the T&Co band, my husband and I BOTH fell absolutely IN LOVE with it! It''s the perect ring. Actually, it''s THE ring. It''s the only ring we both agreed on. The thing is, it of course costs $5,500. Although the stones are .13''s, they really matched my e-ring and didn''t seem to overpower it at all. And it looks pretty on it''s own! The diamonds also go all the way down to the sides of my finger, just how I like it - no metal sticking out from the side! It also didn''t help that the lady said, "It comes with a Tiffany ring box and a pouch" - just really emphasizing that it''s from Tiffany''s!

The SP ring only costs $1700. The only thing is that when I had T&Co measure the thickness and width of the ring, they said it was 2.0 mm in thickness and 2.0 mm in width. It came just under the surprise diamond of my e-ring. SP measures at a 3.8 width and 2.6 thickness. It sounds like a big difference! Could T&Co have measured it incorrectly? I didn''t see them measure it as the sales associate brought it back to Costumer Service to do it. I checked the Tiffany website and it said that it was 3.5 mm (in width, I suppose). What should I do?!?! Will other vendors such as Quest (I saw sevensone''s band at an old thread) make an EXACT or near-EXACT copy of the T&Co ring? Will Memoire have a similar one?


E-ring specs and pics:

0.504 ct AGS000 G SI2 in a 2.5-3mm shank with 2 .05 ctw surprise diamonds, one on each side. HCA - 1.8. Size 4.5.

 

[diamondfan]

They could have measured wrong, that is easily double checked.

To me, the wedding band is so vital, you might wear it alone when you do not want to wear you e ring, so I would get the one I LOVE. Yes, it is a lot more money, but if you saw the difference to the point and really loved it over the other, that speaks for itself...

 

[gailrmv]

I would order the SP (HUGE PRICE DIFFERENCE!), try it, and if you don''t like it return it and get the Tiffany!

 

[sandymonet]

Ditto try the sp and if you don''t like it go and get the tiff''s.............but you could get a pic of the tiffs and take it to a jeweler and have them make it........

 

[widget]

Jenniegirlm....

As I was reading your post, and saw you say that it was THE RING my first thought was: go for it! It''s for the rest of your life! Part of me still thinks that.

Then when I got to the price comparison with the SP ring, I thought: Whoa. That is a crazy price difference, isn''t it?

I guess I still go with my first inclination...if it''s Tiffany you love, then Tiffany it should be.

Second thought: I wonder how much Leon Mege would charge to hand craft a similar band of similar quality? More than SP, I''m sure, but I bet quite a bit less than the Tiff....might be worth checking out, anyhoo...

widget

 

[flutterby]

So what exactly is the difference between SP and Tiffany''s? Is it the box and pouch? The SP is basically the same and you can buy yourself several pair of earrings from tiffanys that come with the box.

I guess what I''m saying is, Tiffany''s is only worth it to me, when it is uniquely Tiffanys. No one will know your ring is tiffanys, but if you wear a mesh ring, or bean necklace they will know. When it comes to paying too much for not much difference, it really is a waste....Just my 2 cents

 

[JulieN]

.13 each, ring shouldn't come under 3 mm. 3.5-3.8 sounds right.

 

[Kaleigh]

I have the band you tried on at Tiff''s. It''s lovely. Bought it before I found PS. Once I found PS I have bought 3 times from SP. The stones they use are excellent and you can''t beat their prices. I was skeptical at first, even went to their booth in NYC. But now I am sold on them. So just my 0.2.

I agree you have nothing to loose by ordering the one from SP, if you don''t love it return it and get the band from Tiff''s.

 

[Mara]

yes with both rings having .13c stones, then they should be of similar width...i bet tiff measured wrong. 2mm for .13's sounds WAY off. i think that a few gals here have 2mm shared prong rings and they are with 2 or 3 pointers in them.

i say go for what you love BUT first i'd get the SP ring and test it out first! if you don't absolutely adore it, then get the tiff ring. but you may be surprised by the SP ring and with that price difference, it's worth a peek in person!

the one other thing i would say is that it's nice to hear someone say 'it comes with the tiffany box and the pouch' but you don't wear that on your finger. so i wouldn't get my head turned too much with the tiff brand or packaging...focus on the ring itself! hehee.

good luck!

 

[Cehrabehra]

Date: 10/6/2006 12:47:37 AM
Author: Mara
yes with both rings having .13c stones, then they should be of similar width...i bet tiff measured wrong. 2mm for .13''s sounds WAY off. i think that a few gals here have 2mm shared prong rings and they are with 2 or 3 pointers in them.

I bet they measured incorrectly too - a lot of those little measurererer thingies (lol dunno how to spell that) have like a little 1.5 mm gap or whatever and if you use one side you''ll be off unless you use the slide rule part which is trickier. It took me a bit to figure that out and since they''re off like the same amount both ways from what would be logical, I''d go back and find out for sure - choose the one that clears your diamond surprise! (for less money lol)

 

[jenniegirlm]

Thanks, everyone! I think I might go the "try the SP first" route. I''m really praying that it''ll be really close to the T&Co. ring. I really want to know if it''ll sit as low. I want to do my own measuring of the T&Co band - do you think it''s tacky to pull out a regular ruler (say, the ruler in my Day Planner that happens to be in my purse that day

) in the Tiff''s store and just measure it on my own?

About the ring - I like it not because it''s T&Co., but the the fact that it''s soo perfect for both DH and I - and my e-ring. And I hate it that I found the "perfect" ring at T&Co where it costs too much! I really don''t want to spend $5500 on a wedding band, Tiffany''s or not. I could''ve just gotten a 1.0 ct rock and then some! I agree with msflutter, that you should only get T&Co stuff that are uniquely T&Co designs that everyone will notice. The box and the pouch thing isn''t much of a big deal - it will not be the main decision-making factor. I just hate it that the salesperson said that because it just really pushed the thought of having a T&Co wedding band from my rational thinking into this little emotional T&Co-loving heart of mine! Haha, did that make sense? I guess I''m trying to say, it''s messing with my emotions and is making me think irrationally!

Now someone put me back to my senses!

 

[jenniegirlm]

Date: 10/6/2006 12:47:37 AM
Author: Mara
yes with both rings having .13c stones, then they should be of similar width...i bet tiff measured wrong. 2mm for .13''s sounds WAY off. i think that a few gals here have 2mm shared prong rings and they are with 2 or 3 pointers in them.

i say go for what you love BUT first i''d get the SP ring and test it out first! if you don''t absolutely adore it, then get the tiff ring. but you may be surprised by the SP ring and with that price difference, it''s worth a peek in person!

the one other thing i would say is that it''s nice to hear someone say ''it comes with the tiffany box and the pouch'' but you don''t wear that on your finger. so i wouldn''t get my head turned too much with the tiff brand or packaging...focus on the ring itself! hehee.

good luck!

Thanks, Mara! That''s just what I needed. I have a new mantra: "Focus on the ring... Focus."

BTW, it''s nice to hear from you. I''ve read so many threads with your posts when I was a lurker... you replying to my post makes me feel like we''ve "officially" met here on PS! LOL.

Errr...That might''ve sounded creepy.

 

[Mara]

haha jennie...no worries, i know what you mean!! i figure with the price difference between the SP and the Tiff that it''s worth it to pay the shipping to test it out in person. from what i have heard, the SP rings are very close to the Tiff rings...so you might be pleasantly surprised.

i also agree that if i were to buy tiff it would be unique designs that i have not seen elsewhere or cannot get elsewhere. i love their voile collection and the swing rings are divine as well. but something like a 7 stone shared prong or similar? i''d totally get it elsewhere. you could even have it made custom to the height you want for your e-ring with ACA melee for probably 1/2 the cost as well! hehe. it''s good to have options anyway.

keep us posted...!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Jennie, I know just what you mean! I also fell in love with the Tiffany 7 stone band! And yes, it is a little over 3mm, not 2. Even the one with smaller stones (.56) is around 2.5mm. I knew the Tiffany sat lower than the SP bands. And really, when I look at the magnified pictures, the differences in the settings is noticeable to me. But it wouldn''t be to anyone else. I think I showed you how the SP 7 stone band looked from the side. The diamonds ARE set up higher. There is a girl on here somewhere who had tried that ring on and did not buy it because it sat higher than the Tiffany.

So, I was prepared to have to buy the Tiffany until.....I tried on Memoire! I felt the quality matched Tiffany, and while it is a brand name, it wasn''t as high as Tiffany. It falls in between SP and Tiffany. And it is set low like the Tiffany. You have nothing to lose by trying the SP ring, as long as you don''t care if it sits higher. I wouldn''t mind having a band with larger stones to wear alone, and I would likely get that at SP.

 

[mrssalvo]

I agree with everyone else you might as well try the SP''s band at least first. If you don''t love it as much then go for the Tiffany''s. I must say that I do adore the basket setting/side view of the Tiffany''s much more than the normal scalloped looked like most eternity bands.

 

[oldminer]

A round diamond of 3.4mm usually weighs about .17ct
A 3.7mm diamond usually weighs about .20ct.

.13ct is going to be 3.1-3.2mm most of the time.

 

[Bunnifer]

Hi Jennie -

I know and feel your concern about seeing the perfect ring and being *shocked* at the price tag. I am having the same debate with a Vera Wang e-ring. On the one hand, if you *LOVE* the Tiffany, get the Tiffany. It IS for the rest of your life, and you don''t want to be disappointed.

On the other hand, if you trust a jeweler, you can have it custom made for a fraction of the price. BUT, a custom-made ring is only as good as you (and your jeweler) make it. If you know you want an EXACT replica of the ring (copyright issues aside), you need to make SURE you supply your jeweler with exact specifications (i.e., width of the ring, no metal sticking out from the side, size of the stones, etc.) and communicate with him every step of the way. A good jeweler will be more than willing to listen to you and incorporate your instructions to make the perfect ring. If you have a local jeweler that you trust, see what they quote you. If you don''t have a local jeweler, try and speak with Pete or Timmy at Quest. They have been very accomodating (and reasonable) thus far in my quest for the "perfect ring."

I know, this sounds overbearing but "A deal is only a deal if you get what you want." (Thanks, mrssalvo!)

 

[jenniegirlm]

Okay, our trip to San Diego has been fruitful: I found some contending rings (all with 7 stones)

The first one was at Robbins Brothers. It is .98 ctw (~14 pts), 14 K, G/SI for $2600. We really liked it a lot! My DH picked it out from the case because he saw that it was the one most clsoely resembing the T&Co ring, although this had bigger stones (T&Co was 13 pts) and it is not an open gallery (basket setting) style. I didn't mind because I'm more concerned about the "llok" of the stones and the fact that it sits right under my surprise side diamond (see pictures below). It also has the "idents" on each side that T&Co has. We looked at the ring under a scope and I noticed inclusions that are similar to the inclusions in my e-ring (SI-2) which was eye clean. It sparkled the same way my e-ring does (an AGS000) even under normal lighting.

The second one was at Charles Koll, an excellent jeweler, in my opinion. They are AGS members and the person who helped us was very knowledgeable. Most of them are GG's and GIA educated. They make their jewelry on site. I inspected their custom rings and the workmanship was excellent. I was quoted a .91 ctw (.13 pts), I/SI for $2763 in 18k wg. The only thing is that this had a knife-edge setting as opposed to T&Co's rings which had "indents" on each side. Also, they are special ordering this and the ring that we tried on was a 1.00 ctw. I also noticed that their stones are set look more "rounded " and kind of spaced apart (like the look of Memoire's single prong rings). I'd like a "continuous" look of the band. However, their diamonds are of excellent quality as they order from a vendor that specializes in ideal cut melees. I could tell their melees were of superb quality. If G/VS melees are used, the price of the band would be bringing it up to $3381 (too much for us). The good thing is that even though this is a special order ring, I could return it if I decided I din't like it.

Link to Scott Kay ring similar to this ring: http://www.scottkay.com/bridal/products.aspx?categoryid=96&productId=1650&page=1&view=2

Link to the Charles Kooll website with their in-house design similar to the ring: http://www.charleskoll.com/aniv2.html It is on page two, the lower right-most side, it yellow gold.

Robbins Brothers also has Memoire rings, and we tried on the .75 ct (~11 pts) for $3060 and the 1.00 (~15 pts) for $4000. My husband liked the 1.00 ctw better, but that's almost the same price as T&Co (yes, it's a $1500 difference, but if we're spending 4k I would rather spend an extra 1500 to get what I really wanted). Comparing the unbranded band I described earlier to the Memoire bands, the unbranded one sparkeld the same way Memoire did, although Memoire did sit lower than this band.

Pictures of the Robbins Bros ring:

I love it on it's own!

Side view:

My DH and I love the "chunky" look of the stones. Someday the band will flank a 1.5 to 2 ct stone.

Any advice?

 

[jenniegirlm]

I couldn''t post pics of whatmeworry''s SP ring and diamondseeker2006''s T&Co profile picture but here is the lilnk to the thread they posted on, for comparison: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/half-eternity-owners-are-07-pointers-too-big-for-a-50-ct-solitaire.51125/page-2

Scroll down to the bottom to see the pics.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

HI, Jennie, was that .75 Memoire band in platinum or 18k wg? I was wondering because mine was less than that. Here are some pictures:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-good-old-gold-solitaire-and-memoire-band-at-last.51990/

I just got it on Friday!

 

[jenniegirlm]

Date: 10/15/2006 7:00:13 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
HI, Jennie, was that .75 Memoire band in platinum or 18k wg? I was wondering because mine was less than that. Here are some pictures:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-good-old-gold-solitaire-and-memoire-band-at-last.51990/

I just got it on Friday!

Yeah, the .75 ctw in platinum was $3060 - maybe overpriced? How much and where did you order yours? Is yours wg or platinum? Do you know how much the 1.00 ctw was? I'm sorry about all the questions...Your set looks sooo pretty by the way!

What do you think of this unbranded ring judging from the pictures? Should I go with Memoire if I find a similarly priced one?

 

[just_looking!]

A friend of mine has the tiffany & co ring and it''s gorgeous. Do you prefer the basket setting? Many of the similar bands have the solid sides which look ok in smaller weights, but I think I like the basket setting for 10 pointers and above.

However, I do think that you would be able to have a 7 stone basket setting made and still have the savings for something like a pair of very nice earring studs?

I just got a beautiful pair for my wedding anniversary from Whiteflash so I''m obsessed at the moment..........

 

[susi]

Jennie, I just saw your comment about someday upgrading your beautiful ering and just wanted to say that I think it is beautiful! When I first clicked on the picture of it I went.....awwwwww.

No way would I upgrade it ( maybe get a different stone someday...but )

It is just lovely and combined with whichever band you choose will be perfectly beautiful!

I have a Tiffany ring....( not a band ) so I'm a little biased on Tiffany...but, I feel you're getting great advice.

 

[jenniegirlm]

Date: 10/16/2006 9:28:51 AM
Author: susi
Jennie, I just saw your comment about someday upgrading your beautiful ering and just wanted to say that I think it is beautiful! When I first clicked on the picture of it I went.....awwwwww.

No way would I upgrade it ( maybe get a different stone someday...but )

It is just lovely and combined with whichever band you choose will be perfectly beautiful!

I have a Tiffany ring....( not a band ) so I''m a little biased on Tiffany...but, I feel you''re getting great advice.

Awww, Susi, thanks for the kind words! I really love my ring... until diamond shrinkage set in! LOL. I''ll keep it for a long time but someday I believe my solitaire will make a beautiful pendant.

I''ve seen your T&Co ring on SMTR and it is lovely as ever!

just-looking - i rally don''t mind whether or not it''s a basket setting... still looking around so we''ll see.... thanks!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 10/16/2006 1:09:15 AM
Author: jenniegirlm

Date: 10/15/2006 7:00:13 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006
HI, Jennie, was that .75 Memoire band in platinum or 18k wg? I was wondering because mine was less than that. Here are some pictures:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-good-old-gold-solitaire-and-memoire-band-at-last.51990/

I just got it on Friday!

Yeah, the .75 ctw in platinum was $3060 - maybe overpriced? How much and where did you order yours? Is yours wg or platinum? Do you know how much the 1.00 ctw was? I''m sorry about all the questions...Your set looks sooo pretty by the way!

What do you think of this unbranded ring judging from the pictures? Should I go with Memoire if I find a similarly priced one?

Jennie, $3000 is right for platinum .75. I wasn''t sure whether your e-ring was platinum or 18K wg. I got the 18K mainly because my jeweler said the price of the platinum really wasn''t worth it. The 18k would be $2150 with VS2 to SI1 stones and add $300 for VVS-VS stones.

I do adore the Tiffany, but since the .56 Tiffany was more than the .75 platinum Memoire, I just decided to go with Memoire. The Memoire is set as low as the Tiffany. I did ask my jeweler if I should consider one of the other brands, but he said that Memoire was clearly the best and if I wanted the best quality, I should stick with it. And it is set lower than the others, which was important to me. I don''t think I priced the 1 ct. one because I was pretty set on the .75 one.

So basically, I went with high quality without paying the premium for the Tiffany name, but I think my setting is lower than those at Signed Pieces. And the Memoire is priced in between the SP and Tiffany which was a good compromise for me.

 

[jenniegirlm]

ds2006, would you mind emailing/posting the company and phone number where you ordered your Memoire band from? I called Robbins Bros. and they gave me a quote of $3900 for the 18k WG 1.00 ctw in G/SI quality. The same ring in plat was $4050. I''m not sure why there''s such a small difference? From what you''ve posted it seems like there is a ~$800 difference bet WG and Plat. I''m still waiting to hear from Pearlman''s and will try the local jeweler here. But I prefer to order out-of-state to save on taxes.

Thanks,
Jennie