Lucida-like rings...

[mls21]

I''ve been looking online for a ring setting similar to the Tiffany Lucida, and found ones on Blue Nile and WhiteFlash (called "Trellis" on each). Any suggestions about using these sites? The prices seem to be pretty similar - any thoughts on one over the other? Also, WhiteFlash had "X-Factor" diamonds, similar to the princess cut. Any thoughts on this?

Also, here are some specs on diamonds to be used on each site. How do they sound?

Blue Nile:
Stock number: LD00531643
Price: $6,008
Carat weight: 1.12
Cut: Very Good
Color: F
Clarity: VS1
Depth %: 65.0%
Table %: 75%
Symmetry: Good
Polish: Very good
Girdle: Very thin to slightly thick
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Measurements: 6.16 x 5.86 x 3.81 mm
Length/width ratio: 1.05

White Flash:
Item Code: AGS-7514905
. Report: AGS
. Shape: X-Factor
. Carat: 1.020
. Depth %: 77.3
. Table %: 65.3
. Crown Angle: 35.7
. Crown %: 13.3
. Pavilion Angle: 58.5
. Pavilion %: 59.2
. Girdle: Ext Thin to Ext Thk
. Measurements: 5.55-5.42X4.19
. Polish: Excellent
. Symmetry: Very Good
. Culet: Pointed
. Fluorescence: Negligible
I''ve been looking for a little while, gathering info and all, and have pretty much settled to looking for Lucida-type rings, and it seems that I can get around 1-1.2 carats in my price range. So, really any additional info or advie anyone has would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

 

[erica k]

Hi
I can''t advise much on Lucida-like settings, but there''s a Lucida 1.16ct H-VS1 for sale on eBay right now for $9,500 or best offer. The seller looks legitimate to me and guarantees its authenticity. There is no return policy specified, which would have to be clarified before anyone with half a mind would think about bidding. I don''t know your exact budget, but maybe the seller would accept something like $8,500-9,000. Oh, and the ring size is 5, with sizing balls that could be removed.

good luck!

 

[Anna0499]

I don''t know what your price range is but I like Vatche has a X-prong setting similar to the Lucida...

 

[Kay]

I love the shape of the X-factor and think it would look great in the WF Trellis or the Vatche X-Prong.

If you want the real deal at a discount and don''t mind a pre-owned ring, check the Signed Pieces website. They get new inventory all the time so you have to check back regularly. They currently have at 1.55 carat Lucida for $18,050: http://www.signedpieces.com/item.cfm?item_id=5939 Signed Pieces has a good reputation here, and a clear return policy, so they are a much safer bet than ebay.

 

[mls21]

Thanks guys! I had checked out signedpieces.com as well, and they had 2 Lucida rings on there - the one you mentioned and one that was 0.6 carats for $4460. They''re kind of in between what I was looking for, but I''ll keep my eye on that sight though. Thanks!

And I was looking at ebay, but that makes me kinda wary.

And thanks for the info on the X-factor stone. Is WF a more respected site than a lot of the others?

 

[bee*]

definitely keep an eye on signed pieces or even give them an email and let them know what you are looking for and your budget. I got a lucida in July and they really are gorgeous. Best of luck finding your ring!

 

[susi]

We purchased from Signed Pieces and were treated with courtesy. And they do have a return policy as has already been stated. It''s a great place to start even if they do not have the specs listed that you are looking for. All you have to do is contact them and tell them what you want.....and let them do the work on finding a Lucida to your specifications.

 

[surfgirl]

From what I''ve heard, you cant really replicate a Lucida because it''s a proprietary cut isn''t it?

 

[mintve]

if you like the trellis setting, but would go for a Round Brilliant cetner stone, I''ve seen loads of them, that is what I am looking at

http://shop.baileybanksandbiddle.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2092065&cp=2536722.2536741.2845980&pg=1&cp=2536722.2536741&fbn=Stone+Shape|Round&f=PAD/Stone+Shape/Round&fbc=1&categoryId=2845980&parentPage=search&searchId=19638612493


http://www.shaneco.com/catalog/productdetail.asp?ProductID=23492&PageLevelID=1182&fromPage


http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Solitaire/-X-Prong--Trellis-Solitaire_977.htm


http://www.questjewelers.com/index.php?page=engagement&action=details&pID=328&category=19

http://shop.baileybanksandbiddle.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2610555&cp=2536722.2536741.2845980&pg=1&numResultsPerPage=31&cp=2536722.2536741&categoryId=2845980&parentPage=search&searchId=19637941243

 

[erica k]

check out signed pieces, they just added a bunch of new things, including a Lucida that might work for you.

 

[mls21]

Ok, as others have listed, signed pieces sounds like a great site to use. And they did add a .91 carat Lucida (http://www.signedpieces.com/item.cfm?item_id=4199) for $9500 (F, VS1). But on ebay, there''s the one listed for $9500 (http://cgi.ebay.com/TIFFANY-CO-PLATINUM-LUCIDA-DIAMOND-RING-1-16CT-H-VS1_W0QQitemZ230187657582QQihZ013QQcategoryZ110495QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) but I can get it for $8000. That one is 1.16 carats, H, VS1. The seller seems very reputable (no negative feedback in the past year, with 75 positives). I''m a little wary about ebay though, and would feel more comfortable with going through signed pieces. Any thoughts? I think the 0.91 would be plenty big enough, but it is more expensive for a smaller stone.

Also, it''s a size 8, and I''m looking for a size 4.75-5. Could that be resized without any problems?

Thanks!

 

[Ellen]

Date: 11/6/2007 3:35:58 PM
Author: mls21
Ok, as others have listed, signed pieces sounds like a great site to use. And they did add a .91 carat Lucida (http://www.signedpieces.com/item.cfm?item_id=4199) for $9500 (F, VS1). But on ebay, there''s the one listed for $9500 (http://cgi.ebay.com/TIFFANY-CO-PLATINUM-LUCIDA-DIAMOND-RING-1-16CT-H-VS1_W0QQitemZ230187657582QQihZ013QQcategoryZ110495QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) but I can get it for $8000. That one is 1.16 carats, H, VS1. The seller seems very reputable (no negative feedback in the past year, with 75 positives). I''m a little wary about ebay though, and would feel more comfortable with going through signed pieces. Any thoughts? I think the 0.91 would be plenty big enough, but it is more expensive for a smaller stone.

Also, it''s a size 8, and I''m looking for a size 4.75-5. Could that be resized without any problems?

Thanks!

Hmmm, that''s a big difference, I''d ask a jeweler.

And I personally wouldn''t buy off ebay, but that''s just me.

 

[Kay]

Date: 11/6/2007 3:35:58 PM
Author: mls21
Ok, as others have listed, signed pieces sounds like a great site to use. And they did add a .91 carat Lucida (http://www.signedpieces.com/item.cfm?item_id=4199) for $9500 (F, VS1). But on ebay, there''s the one listed for $9500 (http://cgi.ebay.com/TIFFANY-CO-PLATINUM-LUCIDA-DIAMOND-RING-1-16CT-H-VS1_W0QQitemZ230187657582QQihZ013QQcategoryZ110495QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) but I can get it for $8000. That one is 1.16 carats, H, VS1. The seller seems very reputable (no negative feedback in the past year, with 75 positives). I''m a little wary about ebay though, and would feel more comfortable with going through signed pieces. Any thoughts? I think the 0.91 would be plenty big enough, but it is more expensive for a smaller stone.

Also, it''s a size 8, and I''m looking for a size 4.75-5. Could that be resized without any problems?

Thanks!

I looked up the link you posted and it says the ring is a size 5. I would be very leary of buying something that expensive on ebay. They do accept credit card payments via paypal. The only way I would buy jewelry on ebay is to charge it to my AMEX card via paypal. I have found AMEX to be very good about reversing charges if the merchandise is not delivered, damaged, or not as described (aka "non-conforming tender" under the UCC). If you decide to buy, print out a copy of the listing. The listing says: "The ring is guaranteed to be 100% genuine and authentic Tiffany & Co." Once you get the ring, have it apraised ASAP. I would probably go to an independent appraiser to check the stats of the diamond and give you an appraisal for insurance and take it to Tiffany''s to be authenticated (and polished and sized if it checks out). If it is not authentic, or the stone is not as described, call AMEX and have them reverse the charge.

BTW, you mentioned you could get it for $8,000. I hope that is not by buying it outside of ebay.

It looks like the seller might be a pawn broker. http://www.jewelryloans.com/ You might want to look them up with the Costa Mesa BBB.

 

[bee*]

Date: 11/5/2007 1:06:09 PM
Author: surfgirl
From what I''ve heard, you cant really replicate a Lucida because it''s a proprietary cut isn''t it?

yeah it''s a patent cut.


I would go with the ring in signed pieces over the one on ebay. Check that they can resize it first and if they can, I think that''s your best bet. At least you''re guaranteed the real deal with them.

 

[Deelight]

Date: 11/2/2007 3:22:26 PM
Author: Anna0499
I don't know what your price range is but I like Vatche has a X-prong setting similar to the Lucida...

The vatche-x prong is the nicest replica for a Lucinda I have seen on the net also they make tiffany settings as well (correct me if I am wrong) It is what I would choose for the same effect

Date: 11/5/2007 1:06:09 PM
Author: surfgirl
From what I've heard, you cant really replicate a Lucinda because it's a proprietary cut isn't it?

Yes it is a proprietary cut it is a sq/rect shape but is designed to have the brilliance of a round (which is what I was told the Tiffany SA

The Whiteflash xfactor is fairly similar in look granted it wont be 100% the same it can't be but it will be a beautiful ring that has a similar feel to the Lucinda.

I would not buy a Diamond on Ebay

 

[mls21]

Thanks for all the responses, and it just confirms my concern on ebay. So, no go for that...

I started looking at the Vatche X-Prong for square cuts, and really like it (it is very similar to the Lucida). Quick question on that - I was looking at a local retailer that has that setting, and had a question about what type of stone to use. Should I go with a princess or the asscher? What really is the difference?

Thanks for all the help and info! Just figured I''d get as much as possible before I head on into a store...

 

[jfo]

Date: 11/7/2007 9:54:43 AM
Author: mls21
Thanks for all the responses, and it just confirms my concern on ebay. So, no go for that...

I started looking at the Vatche X-Prong for square cuts, and really like it (it is very similar to the Lucida). Quick question on that - I was looking at a local retailer that has that setting, and had a question about what type of stone to use. Should I go with a princess or the asscher? What really is the difference?

Thanks for all the help and info! Just figured I''d get as much as possible before I head on into a store...

Hi mls21,
I''m one of those people who wanted a similar look to the Lucida without having to pay the pricetag for a real one. This was before Pricescope and before I knew of Signed Pieces.

That said, I didn''t know about Vatche and settled for a generic x-prong (which I found out later was a lot cheaper). The quality is not nearly the same though and a Vatche X-prong is as close (if not the same) as you''re going to get to the Lucida setting from Tiffany''s. So you''re already off to a great start!

Now, it sounds like you''re looking for a diamond. There are several ways to go about this. There are several threads (if you do a search for Lucida in the forums), in which people have posted their real Lucida''s and also their Lucida look-alikes. Of the Lucida look-alikes that have a square shape stone, I''ve seen princesses, square radiants (what I have), squarish cushions, Flanders and Jubilee''s. They all look similar (some more than others) to a Lucida, but they will not look identical to a Lucida.

Gypsy''s old setting was an Asscher in an x-prong, and it was beautiful, but by no means would I consider it a Lucida look-alike and I''m sure that wasn''t her intention either. Asschers have a very different look than a Lucida stone and from any of the other diamond shapes that I mentioned above. If you do a search for Asscher or even go to the Show Me the Ring forum and look at a current thread "Show me your Asschers", you''ll see how different the faceting is for an Asscher versus a princess cut, for example.

I''m being a bit long-winded, but I guess my point is that it depends on how similar a look that you want to have to a real Lucida. I personally think that a non-branded stone such as a princess or square radiant is close enough, and will be less expensive than a Flanders or Lucere, for example. Just note that a princess has sharp corners and radiants, squarish cushions, Flanders, Jubilee''s, and Lucere''s (oh and Asschers) have clipped or rounded corners.

I hope this helps a bit. If you use the search functionality, there are lots of threads out there that people have with similar questions to you if you want to compare square diamond shapes. Good luck!

 

[mls21]

Thanks jfo! That''s some good info. What I (and my girlfriend) really liked about the Lucida was the setting, not necessarily the stone. She wanted something that didn''t stick out as far (like the standard "Tiffany" setting), and like the squarish shape. So I''ll take a look at those threads. And my plan right now is to probably head to that local store with the Vatche setting and see what they have in terms of stones. Then I''ll get a good idea of my options, what the differences are, and what I like.