Quality vs Size... Tiffany and Co Ering

[ame]

I still don't see any mention at all of finding out what your intended wants. Since I firmly believe there is nothing more important or meaningful, I will bow out of this thread as I certainly have nothing more to contribute.

As will I. It's all about what HE THINKS and HE SEES and HE SPENDS.

 

[Diamondheadache]

Thanks goth girl! Nice to know someone thinks a d color would be special!

Lula: thanks for the tips!
Ring size is 5.5. I want d, e, or f, preferably D color and Vs2. $20k max (including platinum setting- this is included at tiff n co)
My first post has some good options. I don't think a 1.20 carat diamond would be small on her finger... Am I wrong? Their pricing is pretty much fixed. I think the average is about $200 extra for every 0.01 carats increase in size.

Any other tips would be appreciated!

 

[Diamondheadache]

And yes, I think people who have nothing new to contribute should leave this thread. They just don't understand me and it will be a waste of time for both parties.

 

[Gothgrrl]

1.20 would look very nice on her sized finger. I tried on a 1 carat and my finger is just about 5 and I thought it looked VERY nice, so much that I thought maybe it's just a tad too big. But I could learn to get over that. LOL.

 

[yssie]

And yes, I think people who have nothing new to contribute should leave this thread. They just don't understand me and it will be a waste of time for both parties.

Oh, I rather fancy I understand you perfectly, sir I am just thoroughly unimpressed. Oh well. Good luck with your search, and I hope she loves the ring!

 

[Diamondheadache]

Good to know goth girl!
When you say it seemed a little big, do you think it would stand out in a room? I know it's not going to blind people, but will it get peoples attention? I never wanted a HUGE rock because I heard it just gets in the way with daily living... I never wanted anything over 2 carats because those rings look a little fake to me, or they are usually more flawed since a good 2 carat would cost over $50,000!
What say you?

 

[Lula]

Thanks goth girl! Nice to know someone thinks a d color would be special!

Lula: thanks for the tips!
Ring size is 5.5. I want d, e, or f, preferably D color and Vs2. $20k max (including platinum setting- this is included at tiff n co)
My first post has some good options. I don't think a 1.20 carat diamond would be small on her finger... Am I wrong? Their pricing is pretty much fixed. I think the average is about $200 extra for every 0.01 carats increase in size.

Any other tips would be appreciated!

Sorry, somehow I missed the options you listed. I was wondering where people were getting the color/clarity/size combinations they were referring to in their posts

I took a look at the options, and based on your subsequent posts, I'd consider these three:

1.19 d vs2 $19,500
1.27 f vs2 $18,400
1.32 f vs2 $19,200

My reasoning is:

All are in the colorless range. All are VS2 clarity, and get you in the 1.20 - 1.30 carat range, which is a very respectable carat weight. And, no, I don't think a 1.20 carat diamond will look small on her size 5.5 finger at all.

Compare the GIA reports, compare the proportions of each, look at each under a variety of lighting. If they all look the same to you, sparkle-wise, then I'd go with one of the F diamonds, just to get above the 1.25 carat mark.

But, if you prefer the D color, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that choice, assuming that the cut of the D is not horrible. A D color for you may be what we refer to around here as "mind clean," which, simply put, comes down to intangibles like preference, value, specialness, etc. Even if logically you know that there is only the slightest difference visually between a D and an F, and that most people won't ever see the difference, mind clean means you go with the D because that's your mental comfort zone.

I want you to know that I am of the camp that the woman should have a say in the ring she wears for (hopefully) the rest of her life. But, I do respect your decision that this be a total surprise, and I am assuming that you know that your gf would be happy with a surprise. Some women hate surprises -- I'm one of them. Others love them. So, that said, I think that choosing a ring that you will be proud to give her, and, a ring that represents how special and rare she is to you, is very sweet.

 

[Jax172]

It depends on who your crowd is. I am in the same area and where I work - on the younger crowd, a 1.2 isn't stand out. It's pretty common to see round diamonds in a 1.0 to 1.5 size. The older ladies usually sport smaller stones (but that was more the custom when they got married). My ring size is 4.75 and I have a 1.34 round G VVS1.

 

[Laila619]

I still don't see any mention at all of finding out what your intended wants. Since I firmly believe there is nothing more important or meaningful, I will bow out of this thread as I certainly have nothing more to contribute.

As will I. It's all about what HE THINKS and HE SEES and HE SPENDS.

Pretty much. Ah well.

I don't understand why you won't ask your girlfriend what is most important to HER. Size could be her number one priority.

 

[Circe]

Dude, here's the thing. This site is full of people who really love diamonds, to the point that their hobby is recommending the best possible ones to an endless stream of guys who show up asking for advice. Most of those guys go away a little smarter about diamonds, and, at the very least, content in the knowledge that they've gotten the best possible rock for their money.

And then there are the guys who seem to just want a pat on the back for spending a lot of money, never mind on what: and, more sadly, the girls who then turn up plaintively asking how to broach the topic of changing their ring, since their guys never asked them what they wanted.

It's the fact that you're coming off as the former that's making so many people think you're running a good chance on setting up the latter.

By all means, if you like D color and the Tiffany name, go for it! We'll be happy to help you: DiamondSeeker posted the cheat-sheet - just ask for the GIA certs and try to pick whichever stone or stones are closest to fitting its basic parameters and we'll tell you if it's going to be fiery or have a lot of white light return or what.

But maaaaaaaaaaaaybe also consider taking into account the - 20? 40? - random diamond experts who've told you that, no, nobody else is going to be able to tell it's a D: or that it's high-clarity; or that it's a Tiffany ring. You will have to tell them if you want them to know, and, frankly, IRL, it's a little gauche. If you're buying a stone with these specs because they delight you and you know your GF well enough to know they'll delight her, rock! But since you seem to really want to impress random other people, including but not limited to her sister, friends, etc., consider listening to the advice you're getting.

P.S. - The reason you haven't been getting more specific advice on which stone to choose out of your options is that you don't have any cut info, and within the narrow parameters you've set, cut is going to make a lot more difference than color or clarity. Once you get that, you'll get a LOT more feedback.

 

[Gothgrrl]

I work with the public and tend to notice people's ring. I've seen all sizes and shapes. I think that's a great size. Big enough to draw some attention, but not so big that she will feel uncomfortable wearing it. Hope that helps.

 

[bunnysparkle]

I wear a 5.5 ring size, and my cushion (1.56) faces up about the same as a 1.2 or 1.3 round, I think. I could personally go just a little bit bigger, but I am also very lucky (and thankful) to have the ring I have. To be honest, if you are looking for a 1.2 or 1.3 to stand out in a room, I don't think it will necessarily achieve that effect. But, people will see it on her finger and admire it for its sparkly-ness.

If you really want to have the "wow" factor to stand out in a room, I think 1.5 (RB) would be the effect you'd want. I have a few friends with the 1.2 and 1.3 round (triple ex) it didn't knock me over.

Like some of the other Chicagoland commenters mentioned, most people don't notice things like cut and color. Their general response is "Oooh, pretty..." BUT if knowing internally that her rock is specially, I would get her the most colorless and flawless stone you can afford. However, that would be something probably you would keep between the two of you or close friends. Most people I know don't talk about cut and color in normal conversation, and the people I know who do come of as major d-bags and sound like they're trying too hard. I usually save my rockytalky for the forums--most people don't care to talk about gemology.

If you want to save on tax, I suggest going to Oakbrook's Tiffany. You'll save 2.25% since their tax is 7.75%.

In defense of the negative comments you may perceive, though it's understandable you may not appreciate how they explain their opinions, I would vouch for their knowledge and experience. Some of them have spent YEARS searching for the perfect diamond and setting before finding their perfect rings--many which are not from Tiffany and of equal or greater quality. I have learned a great deal from many of them, and many of them could be considered the "experts" of the forum. Some of their advice might be worth considering, even if it isn't exactly what you want to hear.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You saw the stones I posted sitting on a person's hand, right? I think there was a 1.2 on that picture. Here is one more with a 1ct, 1.2, 1.5, and 2.0.

And for the heck of it, in the second picture is me (finger size 5.5, old hands, sorry!) trying on a 1.4 ct. diamond from Dimend Scassi in Chicago, ironically!

 

[Gothgrrl]

Am I the only one here who kind of understands the OP? I know lots of us want to give the best advice so people can get educated and get the best for their money. But OP stated that he knows he can get better, bigger for less via online. But he has his heart set on getting Tiffanys. So why not just answer question? I usually don't get involved with things like this, but it kind of irks me. I feel bad for the OP.

 

[sapphirering]

Just want to chime in again- my D solitaire isn't white, it's completely colorless. It looks different than a *white* diamond. The sparkle it gives off under certain lighting is incredible. And because it's truly colorless, it looks bigger than it is because the diamond's edge is blurred and all you see is the light return. I'm not diamond expert, but IMHO this is why there is a premium for colorless diamonds.

 

[happybear]

Am I the only one here who kind of understands the OP? I know lots of us want to give the best advice so people can get educated and get the best for their money. But OP stated that he knows he can get better, bigger for less via online. But he has his heart set on getting Tiffanys. So why not just answer question? I usually don't get involved with things like this, but it kind of irks me. I feel bad for the OP.

I am sure the people here understand what the OP is asking. But many of these people have been on this board long enough to know that first the guy should at least know what the GF likes. She will be wearing that ring for the rest of her life. Maybe she doesn't even like RB and prefers a cushion or an oval? No doubt she will be delighted he bought her such an expensive ring. But is it what she wants? Over time her discontent will surface and what ensues is usually some hurt feelings and drama, which could have been avoided in the first place.

There is nothing wrong to go for D, E & F or even Tiffany for that matter. Everyone has their own preference.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Just want to chime in again- my D solitaire isn't white, it's completely colorless. It looks different than a *white* diamond. The sparkle it gives off under certain lighting is incredible. And because it's truly colorless, it looks bigger than it is because the diamond's edge is blurred and all you see is the light return. I'm not diamond expert, but IMHO this is why there is a premium for colorless diamonds.

Edge to edge brightness and great light return is due to cut, not to color. A J stone will look bright and sparkly on the edges if it is ideal cut. The premium for colorless stones is because they are more rare.

 

[peachy4397]

OP, I would suggest going for the 1.4 ct ring.

This is just based in my personal preference.
My wonderful fiancé also spent months looking for the perfect ring for me, and in the end got me a 1.26ct round brilliant. Apparently he chose this one, out of several larger ones, because he wanted "quality over quantity." well, I also am a quality over quantity person, but in this instance (and I can't believe I'm admitting this...) I really wish he had gone up in size, or at least asked me what size/specs I would prefer.

My 1.26 ct is beautiful, but to be honest doesn't really have that "WOW" factor sheerly due to its size. And I have a 4.75 finger. I love my ring to pieces, but if I had the option I would have gotten a different stone (but I will NEVER tell my fiancé that. I just tell him it's absolutely perfect, because he spent so much time on it and would be hurt if I said otherwise).

I will tell you, with a 1.26 ct on a 4.75 finger, not one person has gone crazy or seemed "impressed" with my ring. They always comment on how sparkly and beautiful it is, but I feel like they say that because they can't comment on size. To be honest, ive gotten annoyed with people finding out im engaged because the first thing people do is look at the ring (especially women), and they always seem underwhelmed by it (maybe because they would have expected something larger based on where we live and our occupations). I live in Boston, which I assume is similar to Chicago in terms of average ct sizes, so I would suggest you go for the 1.4 ct. On my hand, I feel like I would need at least 1.5-1.75 to really "wow" people. 2cts is definitely too big on my finger, and my fiancé knew that when we went "ring shopping" so he could see which styles he liked on me.

 

[ame]

I still don't see any mention at all of finding out what your intended wants. Since I firmly believe there is nothing more important or meaningful, I will bow out of this thread as I certainly have nothing more to contribute.

As will I. It's all about what HE THINKS and HE SEES and HE SPENDS.

Pretty much. Ah well.

I don't understand why you won't ask your girlfriend what is most important to HER. Size could be her number one priority.

I told my husband in advance that I DESPISE surprises. If he had excluded me from the ring purchase and selection, I'd have turned him down because he didn't know me well enough to involve me, AND he tried to surprise me, which I despise more than just about anything.

We definitely understand you, kid, and despite the way youve presented yourself, we are trying to explain to you that your way of thinking could use some more thought.

 

[chemgirl]

Thanks goth girl! Nice to know someone thinks a d color would be special!

Lula: thanks for the tips!
Ring size is 5.5. I want d, e, or f, preferably D color and Vs2. $20k max (including platinum setting- this is included at tiff n co)
My first post has some good options. I don't think a 1.20 carat diamond would be small on her finger... Am I wrong? Their pricing is pretty much fixed. I think the average is about $200 extra for every 0.01 carats increase in size.

Any other tips would be appreciated!

I'm a 5.5 and I think a 1.20 - 1.40 carat ring looks good on my finger. It doesn't look big and it doesn't really stand out in a "hey look at me" type of way, but it definitely doesn't look small. If you're looking for something that she can wear every day, but that also looks substantial, then you're looking at a good size. Much larger and I think it would start getting in the way a bit when she's doing daily things.

That said, its not going to blow away her sister's ring, which sounds like something you're looking for. She will know the stats are better, but other people won't be able to tell. I know you can see the difference in color, but its not something most will be able to see even when the rings are next to each other. If you're trying to impress other people, then as others have said, the D Tiffany ring is probably not the way to go. However, I get that to you that means perfect, so that's something that you two will know and share. Its all about what's important to the two of you. My jeweller thinks I'm the biggest idiot ever for paying the Cartier premium on something he could make for me, but hey, I wanted the red box.

A side note about TIffany that you probably don't want to hear. Its not really seen as exclusive or perfect or anything special in my social group. The only time somebody showed their ring and said "And its from Tiffany!" they were met with a chorus of "oh so are my earings/necklace/bracelet etc. etc. etc. Everyone at the table pulled out various pieces of jewelry to show off because Tiffany is just so common. Their silver line has really diminished the exclusivity of the brand. The poor girl looked like she smelled poo. There are other brands that will get more attention.

 

[misssoph]

If I were your girlfriend I would want a larger G VS2 than a smaller D for the same money. I think you should find out what she wants.
I have very fond memories of going together with my now husband the choose the ring TOGETHER that would symbolize our new life together, with many other joint decisions together to come.
I just don't get the surprise thing, do you not expect to share decisions in the future as a couple.

 

[Joolz]

I don’t really have anything to add to this thread other than to echo what Charmy and Chemgirl have said about Tiffany. If you are looking for brand exclusivity I would go for a higher end name like Harry Winston, Cartier or Graff , etc.

 

[peachy4397]

I don’t really have anything to add to this thread other than to echo what Charmy and Chemgirl have said about Tiffany. If you are looking for brand exclusivity I would go for a higher end name like Harry Winston, Cartier or Graff , etc.

This is a good point, if I were looking to "wow" people with where I bought a ring, I would go with one of these names.

 

[rainydaze]

i get the whole surprise thing, i do. i actually didn't realize there was any other way to do it (i had no idea couples shopped and picked out rings together!) and i do love that i had no idea if/when/how he was going to propose. that being said, i desperately wanted to love the diamond he bought for me, but from day one i kept willing it to have more life (fire, scintillation, brilliance) than it did. it was 1ct and that did seem to raise a couple of eyebrows in my circle, but i couldn't have cared less about that - it actually embarrasses me. plus, size really, truly meant nothing to me - i was *all* about light performance and would have taken a .25ct if it had way outperformed the 1ct he gave me.

fast forward 10 years and i have a completely new ring (diamond and setting) that i picked out myself which i *love*, but which DH really has nothing to do with aside from paying for it. in retrospect, i really wish i had a diamond that i loved that was also *from* him, and i would trade in the complete surprise element to have that.

the new ring that i wear as my ering is 1.36 G/VS1 with an amazing cut and it gives me great pleasure, but it does not get the attention you are seeking (finger size 6.25). i recently received a half carat D/IF as a gift which i will wear on my right hand, and i *love* that one too! when i first got it, i wondered if i had it all to do over again, would i want that for my ering knowing that it's a D/IF - and you know, that idea of that really did feel special to me. BUT, and there is a big but, i don't like or want the kind of attention you are seeking here (and i will assume you know your GF well enough to say that she also seeks the same). for me, having that D/IF stone would be about a shared secret knowledge between DH and me that it's something rare and special. i would actually enjoy it for the very fact that because of its size it would fly way under the radar and people would *not* be impressed while, in fact, it is an impressive nugget!

so, my point? like many other posters, i think you need to decide which is your (and your GF's) greater priority here. a rare, amazing diamond that you and your GF know is rare and amazing and let go of what others think OR a stone that might impress others, which you would most easily accomplish with size and let go of the rare aspect.

 

[motownmama]

Get the largest T&C ring for your money and I think you and she will be very happy - if that's the 1.4ct, I think that's really a wonderful size. I think their rings really do look nice. You could also try to get a bigger one on Ebay - T7C will authenticate it for you.

 

[Stars77]

I'm going to resist the urge to really speak my mind here as many have already done that for me.

However, to the OP: I want to throw out something that I don't think has been brought up so far, and that is the subject of upgrade policies. Because "beating" the other rings in your family/social circles is important to you, you may want to consider choosing a vendor with a liberal upgrade policy. Based on a quick search, it looks like the Tiffany upgrade program requires the "upgrade" to cost at least 2x your original purchase--maybe someone here can confirm that.

If you instead choose a vendor that allows you to apply the full original purchase price of your diamond towards a "nicer" diamond at any time (even if only upgrading by, say, a couple thousands dollars or perhaps even less), you will likely be able to reach your desired diamond size much sooner without compromising on color/clarity. I know you have your heart set on buying at T&co, but I did want to throw this out there for you to consider.

 

[SB621]

I want my future fiancé to be the only one of her friends with that tiny blue box, classic setting, and not to mention, a perfectly cut diamond.

Dude, she's not wearing the box. The box will be sitting in the drawer, by the nightstand, somewhere but not with a band sodered or duct taped to her finger. And you can get a classic setting and a beautifully cut diamond from a lot of other folks for less money.

I am not telling you NOT to buy the Tiffany if your heart is set on it but does it being "perfect" in color and clarity matter as much to her as it does to you? This is not like buying a toyota vs. a land rover vs. a ferrari. A diamond out of a setting is a diamond that can be compared by a standard set of grading levels. So whether it comes from Tiffany, Good old Gold, Brian Gavin, Whiteflash, or Sam's Club, they can all be compared together because their place of purchase doesn't make one diamond *better* than another.

Have you looked at other vendors?

Here are a couple of ideas:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/8216/

or http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/1.520-h-si1-round-diamond-ags-104051364010

or http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamonds/diamond-details/2.002-i-vs2-round-diamond-ags-104049675004

or http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2676052.htm

I couldn't agree more! plus I have real issues with the fact that T and CO sells treated colored stones and pearls. Such a rip off on quality. Plus my 2 friends that have tiffany's rings are allready have structural issues with them. I think they have gone downhill with quality in the last 10 years.

 

[Enerchi]

There are some very good points listed in this thread - size/image/cost/name brand etc - but what would your fiance want? Is she as competitive as you are - meaning - does she also feel the need to have a larger/more expensive/T&C/"BMW" ring vs. whatever her sister's e-ring is? It will be her wearing it (hopefully!) forever, so I'd defer to some of her preferences.

I have a few Tiffany items and I agree, I do not wear the box around! It has the T&Co engraving, but thats on the inside and no one sees that but me. I have people express they like my jewelry but I've never had anyone turn away in disgust for the non-Tiffany items ( - meant in a light hearted way!)

I think the 'bling factor' seems to be what you want, so IMHO, go for size and I really doubt that owning an "F" or even a "G" stone in over 1+ carats, would ever be considered a compromise by most women!!

She should hopefully love it because you gave it to her - it really isn't about who 'wins'.

Just my opinion.

 

[audball]

I don't have any comments about the size/color/clarity combos because I understand that it is a very personal decision.

You will likely not get a lot of validation here for the Tiffany name or the color/clarity you are after as most of us here prioritize cut then size, but if that isn't what is most important to you, that's okay too - as stated previously, it is a very personal decision.

The one thing I want to point out that some others have also said is more about the cost. It sounds lke $20k is your max budget and some of the stones you have asked for us to review are listed within just a few hundred dollars of that ceiling. I don't know what the tax rate is in your area, but in my state it's 7% and other cities, like Chicago where you are from, I'd guess it's that or higher. Taxes could eat up at least another 1k if not 2k in your price range. If the prices you listed did not include tax, you may need to drop your shopping range down to ~18k to account for this cost.

Also, I don't know if those prices included settings (I assume so) but if not, you will likely need to account for ~2k at least there as well when you are looking.

If you have the means to do so, it may be in your best intrest to shop at a Tiffany's just outside of Illinois to avoid that cost? I don't know if this is possible or not.

I hope you're not finding my post negative, I'm just trying to point out things as I read.

I do have to agree with a few posters that if you are looking for some wow factor in the brand, that it may be better to see what Cartier, Harry Winston, or Graff has to offer. In my area (a large metropolitan city), those stores aren't even options and would feel much more luxurious to me than a Tiffany's which I can get to at the mall in about 20 minutes.

If Tiffany's is it, than that is great, because you have made one decision. As far as the rest goes, I say maximize size in your budget and brand preference since it is the thing others will notice most when seeing her ring and/or comparing it to her sister's.

Just one other thing: I know you said you aren't interested, but you keep saying you can't get the size of her sister's. In your budget, you can, if you're willing to shop online. If you don't want to, that's fine, but saying you can't is simply untrue. You can get a Tiffany replica and a much larger stone for the money (free of tax) by going this route. If you're uncomfortable with it, you don't have to, but you CAN afford to get a show stopper comparable in size ring.

I have had several friends get engaged and married over the last several years and the one thing anyone has asked about was size. Not where it was purchased, color, clarity, or even cut for that matter...it's what SHAPE is it, how BIG is it, and was the proposal romantic. End of story.

Goodluck in your search and I hope that you are able to come to peace with whatever decision you make. I also urge you to find out what she prefers too. It is clear that you are putting forth a lot of effort in purchasing something worthy for her, it's very clear you care. But her priorities may be different and I hate to see you get your feelings hurt if she would have preferred size to rarity.

Most people buy diamonds from mall stores. Most mall diamonds are uncertified, with I clarity and lower with lots of visible inclusions, and color is usuallly estimated between H-J. Against the general population, F VS2 is going to look WAY WAY nicer than most people.

Do come back and let us know what you decide...with PICTURES!

 

[decodelighted]

I don't think you are hearing this group of women who are trying to tell you that what her entire family will see is that her diamond is a LOT smaller than her sister's 1.7 F ring! The color won't matter!

THIS x 1 million! They are going to look at your 1-1.2 D ring like a cheap Honda! Not a BMW! THAT is what we're trying to say! SIZE = brand when it comes to diamonds. NOT color. You can't top size with color. Does not compute.

Also: these times you "saw" color in G stones .... I am 100% sure you were COMPARING SIDE BY SIDE with "D" stones. Which, in DAILY LIFE um, NEVER HAPPENS. If you saw a GIA or AGS graded "F" or even "G" stone out in public, out in the world -- there is no way your human eyes (no matter how "superior" and "BMW-like" they are!) are going to perceive any difference from a "D" stone. Only face down in a jewelry store setting on white paper. How often do you think that's gonna come up - versus - her ring being SEEN NEXT TO HER SISTER'S WHOPPER OF A STONE. See?

Is that too "negative" for you -- or can you handle the truth.