First off, I've been reading the forums here for a while and decided to make an account and finally post.
Today I dropped off the certified check for my GF's engagement ring from Tiffany & Co. 1.3 ct H, VVS1 tiffany setting. It's the second most expensive purchase I have ever made in my life - the first being my education (short life - haven't been on this planet for too long). And no the 1.4 ct would not have been too much, simply - I couldn't afford a 1.4 ct.
Anywho, I have noticed a lot of anti-tiffany sentiment (generally) on most of the popular message boards - don't take my word for it - a simple google search for tiffany engagement ring will bring up more hits than you wish to read. None-the-less, I have come to realize that I understand the sentiment. Tiffany, like BMW, Apple, Bang & Olufsen, etc. etc. are all premium products within their respective domains. There is no reason why a 4 door sedan that goes from point A to B should be 50K when a Honda does the exact same thing and costs 15K. Or why an iPhone costs $200, when you can get an Android smartphone for free, or a home speaker system costs thousands when you can get a Sony or Samsung system for hundreds (or less). But then I get it - BMW is the "ultimate driving machine" - drive a Honda and then drive a BMW - it's like night and day. Use any Apple product - they just work! Listen to any Bang & Olufsen speaker - the sound is divine. But Tiffany just sells the same diamonds that anyone else sells. Aside from their trademark blue box, the product doesn't set itself apart from any other vender. An 1.3 ct diamond is a 1.3 ct diamond whether you get it from tiffany or not. So what is it? Why spend the 30+% extra for something that you can easily get somewhere else for much less? The only conclusion I can arrive at is - it's a personal decision - primarily driven by value. A combination of cost (aka what you can afford) and perceived gain.
I think the focus shouldn't be "you can get something that looks just like a tiffany ring, but costs less" - looking like a tiffany ring isn't the end goal - their diamonds are just the same as bluenile, cartier, etc. They sparkle just the same, they weigh just the same, they are graded just the same - so "looking" like something isn't the focus - or rather shouldn't be the focus. If it is the focus, it will always fall short - because it will never be a tiffany ring. It's like buying a Honda and putting BMW stickers on it - it doesn't work. Rather the focus should be on getting a product (ring) from a place you are comfortable with, that will provide you with the services you require for the lifetime of your ownership of your product.
In closing, Tiffany rings should not be the standard to which your purchase is measured. It's just another vendor - like bluenile, zales, kay, jared, cartier etc. So if someone asks "Should I buy my GF's engagement ring from Tiffany?" The correct response is something along the lines of "Do their services align with your needs - short and long term? Are you comfortable with their organization and services?", instead of "You can get something that looks just like a Tiffany ring but costs less by going to xxx". (and yes - I purposefully left out discussing price. I believe that if someone is looking to buy a particular product they have a general idea of how much it costs, and thus can afford to shop at that particular establishment)
Today I dropped off the certified check for my GF's engagement ring from Tiffany & Co. 1.3 ct H, VVS1 tiffany setting. It's the second most expensive purchase I have ever made in my life - the first being my education (short life - haven't been on this planet for too long). And no the 1.4 ct would not have been too much, simply - I couldn't afford a 1.4 ct.
Anywho, I have noticed a lot of anti-tiffany sentiment (generally) on most of the popular message boards - don't take my word for it - a simple google search for tiffany engagement ring will bring up more hits than you wish to read. None-the-less, I have come to realize that I understand the sentiment. Tiffany, like BMW, Apple, Bang & Olufsen, etc. etc. are all premium products within their respective domains. There is no reason why a 4 door sedan that goes from point A to B should be 50K when a Honda does the exact same thing and costs 15K. Or why an iPhone costs $200, when you can get an Android smartphone for free, or a home speaker system costs thousands when you can get a Sony or Samsung system for hundreds (or less). But then I get it - BMW is the "ultimate driving machine" - drive a Honda and then drive a BMW - it's like night and day. Use any Apple product - they just work! Listen to any Bang & Olufsen speaker - the sound is divine. But Tiffany just sells the same diamonds that anyone else sells. Aside from their trademark blue box, the product doesn't set itself apart from any other vender. An 1.3 ct diamond is a 1.3 ct diamond whether you get it from tiffany or not. So what is it? Why spend the 30+% extra for something that you can easily get somewhere else for much less? The only conclusion I can arrive at is - it's a personal decision - primarily driven by value. A combination of cost (aka what you can afford) and perceived gain.
I think the focus shouldn't be "you can get something that looks just like a tiffany ring, but costs less" - looking like a tiffany ring isn't the end goal - their diamonds are just the same as bluenile, cartier, etc. They sparkle just the same, they weigh just the same, they are graded just the same - so "looking" like something isn't the focus - or rather shouldn't be the focus. If it is the focus, it will always fall short - because it will never be a tiffany ring. It's like buying a Honda and putting BMW stickers on it - it doesn't work. Rather the focus should be on getting a product (ring) from a place you are comfortable with, that will provide you with the services you require for the lifetime of your ownership of your product.
In closing, Tiffany rings should not be the standard to which your purchase is measured. It's just another vendor - like bluenile, zales, kay, jared, cartier etc. So if someone asks "Should I buy my GF's engagement ring from Tiffany?" The correct response is something along the lines of "Do their services align with your needs - short and long term? Are you comfortable with their organization and services?", instead of "You can get something that looks just like a Tiffany ring but costs less by going to xxx". (and yes - I purposefully left out discussing price. I believe that if someone is looking to buy a particular product they have a general idea of how much it costs, and thus can afford to shop at that particular establishment)
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