Tiffany & Company Tanzanite and Diamond Ring.Advice good/Bad

[dadaa22]

Looking at this beautiful ring for my girlfriend. She has always said she loved Princess Diana's ring. I have done some research on Tanzanite, but look foward to the expert's opinions. As of today...you guys have saved me from 3 bad purchases...THANK YOU!!!! Here is what I know about ring from listing:

Tiffany & Company 10.59ct Pear Tanzanite and Diamond ring. Asking $14,950

Design:- This stunning Tiffany & Co platinum ring features a large fine quality color pear facet cut tanzanite surround by two rows of round brilliant cut diamonds. The large pear cut tanzanite is set slightly raised above the two descending tiers of diamond rows.

Paperwork/Certificate:- This ring comes with Tiffany & Co Retail Replacement Valuation Report dated February 18th 2011 in the amount of $19,500.00.

Accessories:- This ring comes complete with Tiffany & Co presentation box and Tiffany & Co signature blue outer box. As well Tiffany & Co Retail Replacement Valuation Report dated February 18th 2011 in the amount of $19,500.00.

The Tanzanite:- The Tiffany & Co Retail Valuation Report states the center Tanzanite as follows:- Quantity = 1, Shape/Cut = Pear Faceted. Approximate Dimensions = 16.30 - 10.49 x 7.52mm. Estimated Weight = 7.75 carats. Hue = Bluish Violet. Tone = Medium Dark. Saturation = Vivid.

The Side Diamonds:- The Tiffany & Co Retail Valuation Report states the side diamonds as follows:- Quantity = 33, Shape/Cut = Round Brilliant Cut. Approximate Diameter = 2.60 - 3.30mm. Estimated Weight = 2.84 cts total weight.

Ring Size:- American ring size 7¼. This ring can be sized.

Signatures & Marks:- The ring is signed "Tiffany & Co" "IRID PLAT".

Approx. Measurements:- Length 24mm, width 18mm. The ring weighs approx. 10grams.

Condition:- This ring is in excellent condition.

Retail:- Retail today $19,500.00 plus tax.

Please five all advise good/bad...This is a huge purchase for me. Very Nervous!!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Re: Tiffany & Company Tanzanite and Diamond Ring.Advice good

Tanzanite is absolutely not durable enough for an engagement ring! Please don't do it! Concentrate on blue sapphire if you want a (blue) colored stone engagement ring.

 

[T L]

Re: Tiffany & Company Tanzanite and Diamond Ring.Advice good

I recently found out that they are faking Tiffany rings and the box and paperwork in China, so I would be very cautious about purchasing a secondhand Tiffany ring.

Secondly, you can probably make the ring yourself for much less money, as Tiffany is very overpriced. Tanzanite is relatively common, and it shouldn't be too difficult to recreate a ring like that, and probably with better workmanship.

Thirdly, tanzanite is very brittle and soft. One wrong move, and you'll chip it. It can get micropitting from dust particles too. I don't recommend tanzanites for ring stones ever, unless you wear it very infrequently.

 

[Aoife]

Re: Tiffany & Company Tanzanite and Diamond Ring.Advice good

Glad you moved the post over here from RT! You'll get comments from some very knowledgeable CS'ers.

I'm editing this to add the comment I made over on RT, just for clarity:

I have no comment on the Tiffany-esque aspects of this ring, but I will say that if this is a second-hand ring, I would not buy it without an independent appraiser who is experienced in evaluating colored stones going over it. Tanzanites are extremely fragile, and even if previously worn or handled with care, the chances are good that there may be nicks, chips and abrasions.

 

[LD]

Re: Tiffany & Company Tanzanite and Diamond Ring.Advice good

Fake Tiffany goods have been around for several years and are general very good copies. Buyer beware.

Even if that is a real Tiffany ring ............. here are comparisons for the Tanzanite stone on it's own:-

http://www.lapigems.com/gemstonedetails.asp?id=2918 - 7.77ct - on sale for under $6k
http://www.lapigems.com/gemstonedetails.asp?id=2952 - 7.35ct - on sale for just over $5k
http://www.lapigems.com/gemstonedetails.asp?id=3005 - 8.19ct - larger than the one you are looking at and just over $6k
http://www.multicolour.com/detail/?-1977212745 - 10.5ct - larger and £2,817 (approx $4k)

Then you need to work out how much a Platinum setting will be with approximately 2.5ct of diamonds. In all honesty that will vary considerably depending on where you buy and the colour/clarity of diamonds.

If you take an average of $5k for the Tanzanite and $5k for the setting, you could probably have the ring made for around $10k with some savvy shopping AND end up with a customised unique piece!

Hope that helps.

 

[Pandora II]

Re: Tiffany & Company Tanzanite and Diamond Ring.Advice good

Tanzanite is a very occasional wear stone IF you are careful with your hands - and I'm not sure I'd be brave enough to wear a pear which has a big point at one end and is easy enough to damage in any material let alone tanzanite.

For me, tanzys are pendant stones... if you want the look then go for a tanzanite coloured sapphire which is much more durable.

And that is before I start commenting on the ridiculous price that small blue boxes cost...

 

[MontageCreations]

Re: Tiffany & Company Tanzanite and Diamond Ring.Advice good

Have to agree with the previous replies, Tanzanite is too soft for daily wear. It is the most requested stone I get for re-cutting and polishing. You will go a lot further in money and overall satisfaction by piece-meal shopping the ring as sugested by TL. I might suggest also that you look at blue spinel as well, not quite as rugged as the sapphire but would still make a viable alternative to the tanzanite, and will be somewhat less expensive than comparable sapphires.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

Re: Tiffany & Company Tanzanite and Diamond Ring.Advice good

Does it need to be Tiffany for your GF? There are some lovely estate sapphire rings with diamond halos at several vendors that are less expensive, gorgeous, and sapphire so much more durable...

 

[JewelFreak]

Re: Tiffany & Company Tanzanite and Diamond Ring.Advice good

I can tell you from experience that tanzanite is not a good ring stone -- I had one from Tiff's & chipped a big piece the first time I wore it. And that was a bezeled tanz, set low in the setting. You'd do much better with a sapphire toward tanzanite coloring if that's what she likes, at a better cost by far.

Advice here to buy a stone & have it set is very good. The price you mentioned for a not-new one, with the possibilties (probabilities) of damage from previous wear, is too high. You can do much better w/something else. You're also a wonderful fiance to work so hard for just what she wants! Congratulations to her for finding you!

--- Laurie

 

[Barrett]

Re: Tiffany & Company Tanzanite and Diamond Ring.Advice good

Can someone explain what this is:
"As well Tiffany & Co Retail Replacement Valuation Report dated February 18th 2011 in the amount of $19,500.00."
Is this the cost of replacement? If so then why would it sell for $14K? Who decided the replacement valuation price..was it Tiffany's?

 

[ked123]

Re: Tiffany & Company Tanzanite and Diamond Ring.Advice good

In my experience, Tiffany issues the retail replacement valuation for the purchase price of the ring. If you go to get it updated some years later, they re-issue this for the current price of the ring. If you have a Tiffany piece, you will want to use the retail replacement valuation from them as your appraisal. Otherwise, I'd imagine given the mark up you pay, you could end up getting the ring appraised for substantially less than you paid for it.

In the re-sale market, you should pay substantially below the retail replacement valuation.

 

[canuk-gal]

Re: Tiffany & Company Tanzanite and Diamond Ring.Advice good

HI:

Any chance this might be of interest? It isn't tanzanite, but it is T & C and is blue:

http://oakgem.com/Products/Tiffany_(and)_Co_Platinum_1.49ct_Diamond_Engagement_Ring_4496.aspx

cheers--Sharon

 

[winternight]

Re: Tiffany & Company Tanzanite and Diamond Ring.Advice good

I wonder if you could just get a Tiffany legacy ring with a blue sapphire for that price? A sapphire would be a more sturdy stone.

 

[T L]

Re: Tiffany & Company Tanzanite and Diamond Ring.Advice good

I wonder if you could just get a Tiffany legacy ring with a blue sapphire for that price? A sapphire would be a more sturdy stone.

I wouldn't buy anything from Tiffany, they do not disclose full treatment (at least the last time I checked) on individual pieces. Some diamonds have reports, but that's about it.

 

[DAISY2235]

Re: Tiffany & Company Tanzanite and Diamond Ring.Advice good

Can you please tell me how much this ring is and where can I find it ?

 

[JaneSmith]

Re: Tiffany & Company Tanzanite and Diamond Ring.Advice good

I wonder if you could just get a Tiffany legacy ring with a blue sapphire for that price? A sapphire would be a more sturdy stone.

I agree with TL. I would not buy a sapphire from Tiffany. They say that Be diffusion is an industry accepted standard and will not disclose such treatment or give a lower price to reflect treatment.

 

[LD]

Re: Tiffany & Company Tanzanite and Diamond Ring.Advice good

Why has this thread been resurrected? It's over 18 months old!

Daisy - the person who posted this thread isn't on these boards very much so I doubt you'll get an answer to your question.