Tiffany Diamond Quality

[daisygrl]

Recently, I have been helping a friend of mine find a nice size (about 2ct) Tiffany Classic Engagement Ring (she had her eye on Tiffany and Tiffany only). After some search, we have finally found one (pre-owned, originally purchased October 2019 so, very new). I did not expect super-ideal quality but at least a decent quality. Even PSs here often say, it is at least "Tiffany quality" when referring to JA or BN stones. Nonetheless, the diamond in the pics seemed off to me, so I asked for its paperwork. It was given to me immediately by the vendor, and as you can see, the crown and pavilion angles are not complimentary at all (see attachment). I ran it through HCA, and it came as 2.8 (smh). Below mediocre quality diamond that was originally sold for $49,000 (preowned is around $29,000).

Tiffany prides themselves as “best of the best” when selling their jewelry and diamonds. Tiffany & Co. often say that they reject 99.5% of the diamonds as they are not apposite for Tiffany standards. Well, why was not this one rejected? How do they choose these stones? Furthermore, what made them think that this one is at the top of 5%? I understand that Tiffany & Co. live off of their famous reputation and status but are they not supposed to provide quality to retain the reputation?

My friend is still contemplating buying it despite me explaining to her that it is not a good diamond. I understand her desire to own Tiffany Classic, I do - I was in her shoes. It is, however, disappointing to see Tiffany lacking the quality they once had.

 

[Polabowla]

I actually was very surprised (not in a good way) when i went to try on Tiffany diamonds. After trying on multiple stones, looking through the microscope and just feeling meh, i walked away.

 

[anangel]

$29k for a preowned, mediocre performing 2 carat I colored diamond with no upgrade options? I hope you can help her see beyond the branding.

 

[NicoleNeedsHelp]

There is something about a Tiffany’s box that girls love! Is there any way you can take her to see a super ideal diamond? The way those things sparkle is amazing. I just bought a Victor Canera, G, VS1, 2.23 super ideal carat stone for less than that price (The stone she is looking at is I color and a bit smaller). Perhaps she can get a wedding band at Tiffany, but the diamond engagement ring somewhere else. That way, she can satisfy her Tiffany craving? Good luck!

 

[daisygrl]

$29k for a preowned, mediocre performing 2 carat I colored diamond with no upgrade options? I hope you can help her see beyond the branding.

Yep. That pretty much sums it up. Not to mention that someone paid almost 50K for this ring a year ago. Smh.

 

[AprilBaby]

I’ve never heard anyone say JA or BN is Tiffany quality. I think both of them have better diamonds than Tiffany. Sometimes you want what you want so if she is happy with a mediocre diamond so be it. What’s so special about the box? Who looks at the box other than you. For that price the box better be gold plated.

 

[daisygrl]

I’ve never heard anyone say JA or BN is Tiffany quality. I think both of them have better diamonds than Tiffany. Sometimes you want what you want so if she is happy with a mediocre diamond so be it. What’s so special about the box? Who looks at the box other than you. For that price the box better be gold plated.

I meant when they compare JA True Hearts, I have seen a few times people saying it is "Tiffany quality". Whatever that means. I showed her what a super-deal looks like, she thinks Tiffany will look the same (at least!). I told her it won't. I tend to persuade her no more. Sometimes, people just need to be able to say "I have a Tiffany".

 

[daisygrl]

There is something about a Tiffany’s box that girls love! Is there any way you can take her to see a super ideal diamond? The way those things sparkle is amazing. I just bought a Victor Canera, G, VS1, 2.23 super ideal carat stone for less than that price (The stone she is looking at is I color and a bit smaller). Perhaps she can get a wedding band at Tiffany, but the diamond engagement ring somewhere else. That way, she can satisfy her Tiffany craving? Good luck!

I have a CBI so she knows what a super-ideal looks like. I have also suggested to her to look at my preferred vendors: CBI and WF. Nope. She believes Tiffany will look better. Ok, then.

 

[lala646]

Well, she will have the rest of her life to realize her diamond doesn't measure up to yours, I guess. Very expensive lesson for her to learn, but so be it!

 

[nkc]

It might be acceptable if she can get the vendor to lower the price to 25K-27K. A tiffany ring will always hold some value some value. So, if she buys it for a good price, I'm sure she will be able to sell it later and find an interested buyer even if the diamond is not great.
Below is a diamond listed on Blue Nile website for $19,600. It is slightly smaller, has medium fluorescence and is generally worse than the Tiffany diamond.
Like any vender, Blue Nile and Tiffany have both good and not so good diamonds and they're priced accordingly.

 

[Bonfire]

Some can’t see beyond the Tiffany brand. For some that is the dream or pinnacle. At least you tried to educate her. Even though she can do SO much better, I hope she’ll be happy when she gets it

 

[Karl_K]

As bad a rap as Tiffany diamonds get for the most part these days they seem to prefer slightly steep deep combinations that are not that bad.
The may or may not have minor under table leakage in a one eye view and reflectors so by some tests they are inferior but in general while having a different look than most super ideals they are not bad diamonds.
Now there are some that clearly inferior that have been sold by Tiffany like some shallow combinations that are guaranteed to have obstruction issues in a ring to really steep deep but at least these days many are the slightly steep deep range.
The hca is over harsh on such combinations.

 

[daisygrl]

As bad a rap as Tiffany diamonds get for the most part these days they seem to prefer slightly steep deep combinations that are not that bad.
The may or may not have minor under table leakage in a one eye view and reflectors so by some tests they are inferior but in general while having a different look than most super ideals they are not bad diamonds.
Now there are some that clearly inferior that have been sold by Tiffany like some shallow combinations that are guaranteed to have obstruction issues in a ring to really steep deep but at least these days many are the slightly steep deep range.
The hca is over harsh on such combinations.

This explanation does make sense, I was just wondering about the 35 vs 41.1 not so complimentary angles. Given, that I do not have access to videos nor ASET, can this combo still provide a performance on a decent level without leakage?

As another PS pointed out, there is some resale value in the ring (even a pre-owned one).

 

[Karl_K]

This explanation does make sense, I was just wondering the 35 vs 41.1 not so complimentary angles. Given, that I do not have videos nor ASET, can this combo still provide a performance on a decent level without leakage?
As another PS pointed out, there is some resale value in the ring (even a pre-owned one).

Its a slightly steep deep combo likely with reflector image leakage not visible to most people when looking at it with 2 eyes in most light conditions.

 

[daisygrl]

Its a slightly steep deep combo likely with reflector image leakage not visible to most people when looking at it with 2 eyes in most light conditions.

Sounds good. Thank you!

 

[MissGotRocks]

I don’t think that Tiffany & Co. select their diamonds based on super ideal specs. I think it is an appearance or ‘look’ that they are more focused on. Compared to a super ideal, the light performance isn’t all it could be but they still sell massively overpriced diamonds. I have seen posters here give some cut parameters to sales associates to have stones brought in for them to examine. If your heart is set on the blue box, you will probably end up sacrificing size, color or clarity - or quite possibly, all three. I wish your friend all the best and hope she ends up with a ring she loves!

 

[flyingpig]

Yeap. Tiffany stones like this allow me to call many slightly steep and deep stones with wonky pavilion "at least Tiffany quality" here.
Having that said, we gotta give Tiffany some credit. Their cut quality is significanly better amd consistant than De Beer and Cartier. Their diamonds are never overly steep and deep, or flat or shallow. Some are within the super ideal ranges while others are just barely off. 35.5/40.8 and 35/41.1 can be good.
The problem is just their pricing.

 

[yssie]

It was given to me immediately by the vendor, and as you can see, the crown and pavilion angles are not complimentary at all (see attachment). I ran it through HCA, and it came as 2.8 (smh). Below mediocre quality diamond that was originally sold for $49,000 (preowned is around $29,000).

Tiffany prides themselves as “best of the best” when selling their jewelry and diamonds. Tiffany & Co. often say that they reject 99.5% of the diamonds as they are not apposite for Tiffany standards. Well, why was not this one rejected? How do they choose these stones? Furthermore, what made them think that this one is at the top of 5%? I understand that Tiffany & Co. live off of their famous reputation and status but are they not supposed to provide quality to retain the reputation?

Because PS zeitgeist does not reflect either "objective best" or "trade ideal".
PS zeitgeist reflects... PS zeitgeist. And PS is often an unwitting echo chamber.
An objective evaluation of "best" does not demand HCA <2 or PS zeitgeist opinion of "complementary" crown and pavilion (although - this stone is just fine even by that standard).
A two-eyed person looking at this stone will see more coloured light across various lighting environments than from any 57/34.5/40.8/77 (of identical size and colour) ever created, however precisely cut - but it likely won't look as bright; for some people that's a desirable tradeoff.
These are nuances that are well-known, but that overly-simplified PS zeitgeist does not explore.

 

[LLJsmom]

I have recently (past 3 months) seen a few Tiffany diamonds that I thought were very pretty. They did not have the precisely cut arrows that show the extreme contrast (to me extreme that some super ideals exhibit) but I’m not a huge fan of the contrast. I think I could find a Tiffany diamond I would be happy with, not every but if I searched hard enough. Some I might even choose over a super ideal, if it weren’t for the price. I do agree they are over priced for what you’re getting. But I can understand why some people would think that look beautiful.

 

[Mamajemmy]

Did your friend think it was pretty? For some, Tiffany and Tiffany only is a mind clean issue. If she’s seen your CBI and still wants the Tiffany’s name after seeing both I think of just say, congratulations!

 

[nkc]

Karl_K provided a professional opinion. It was copied later by an individual with added fluff.
I think it the ring reasonably priced. It would be great if she can negotiate a lower price like 27K. She can always sell it later if she decides to upgrade.

 

[daisygrl]

Yeap. Tiffany stones like this allow me to call many slightly steep and deep stones with wonky pavilion "at least Tiffany quality" here.
Having that said, we gotta give Tiffany some credit. Their cut quality is significanly better amd consistant than De Beer and Cartier. Their diamonds are never overly steep and deep, or flat or shallow. Some are within the super ideal ranges while others are just barely off. 35.5/40.8 and 35/41.1 can be good.
The problem is just their pricing.

It is good to hear that the stone is not bad. She will be glad to hear it. Thank you.

 

[lovedogs]

As bad a rap as Tiffany diamonds get for the most part these days they seem to prefer slightly steep deep combinations that are not that bad.
The may or may not have minor under table leakage in a one eye view and reflectors so by some tests they are inferior but in general while having a different look than most super ideals they are not bad diamonds.
Now there are some that clearly inferior that have been sold by Tiffany like some shallow combinations that are guaranteed to have obstruction issues in a ring to really steep deep but at least these days many are the slightly steep deep range.
The hca is over harsh on such combinations.

Agreed. I bought a pre-owned very small tiffany ring and it was slightly steep. It wasn't my personal favorite "flavor" in terms of cut but certainly wasn't a BAD diamond either. Granted the price markup is horrendous so buying preowned would be the only way I would personally consider Tiffany.

 

[yssie]

I think it the ring reasonably priced. It would be great if she can negotiate a lower price like 27K. She can always sell it later if she decides to upgrade.

Agree on pricing.

A pre-owned piece from an internationally-renown and coveted house will hold value better for outright sale than most other options - 30k sounds like a very reasonable price for this ring, and if she can negotiate down to 25-27 that would be a “great deal” - in my opinion.

If she thinks she might want to upgrade one day, then a boutique vendor who offers full value on trade-in for upgrade is a much better monetary bet... But she won’t take a bath selling an authentic Tiffany ring that she herself purchased preloved.

 

[daisygrl]

Agree on pricing.

A pre-owned piece from an internationally-renown and coveted house will hold value better for outright sale than most other options - 30k sounds like a very reasonable price for this ring, and if she can negotiate down to 25-27 that would be a “great deal” - in my opinion.

If she thinks she might want to upgrade one day, then a boutique vendor who offers full value on trade-in for upgrade is a much better monetary bet... But she won’t take a bath selling an authentic Tiffany ring that she herself purchased preloved.

She has just checked with the vendor regarding the price negotiation. Response from the vendor was that since there is a high interest in the ring (being over 2ct and pretty much brand new), there will be no mark down at the moment.

How does a resale work on these kind of rings? What I mean to ask, since she is buying it (or considering buying it) pre-owned, can she still sell it for relatively similar price that she bought it for or would she have to go rather down in price (due to not being the original owner?) - if that makes sense.