Tiffany Etoile 5 row vs BGD

[annapame]

Hi,
I love the Tiffany Etoile 5 row diamond band. I have been planning to buy one used (likely on eBay or 1stdibs) once my size becomes available. It seems I would be able to get if for around $10-$12,000.

Tiffany Soleste® Band Ring in Platinum with Diamonds | Tiffany & Co.

www.tiffany.com

I noticed BGD has an almost exact replica of this ring for sale

5 Row Diamond Eternity Band

Five row diamond FULL eternity band featuring approx 3.50ct of F/G VS Brian Gavin Signature hearts and arrows diamond melee. The price is valid for rings up to size 6. Please call for pricing on other sizes. Only available in platinum. This is a special order and a FINAL SALE.

www.briangavindiamonds.com

Do you think the BGD ring is of equal quality? I would rather pay slightly more for the second hand Tiffany band if it is better quality.
Thank you so much for your input. I have been very pleased with my engagement ring and an eternity band made by vendors I found here - Leon Mege and Mark Turnowski. The reason I’m debating this decision is because I ordered a thin Facets collection sapphire band a few years ago and while it was a lovely ring, it just didn’t seem quite as fine as my Tiffany wedding band I was hoping to pair it with (seemed to have more metal and the stones were less visible even though both where channel set). This is a big purchase for me and I wouldn’t be able to see the BGD in person as I don’t live in Houston.

 

[Sprinkles&Stones]

I think Brian Gavin will give you better quality diamonds, for sure. His melee is going to be amazing.

 

[marymm]

The BGD diamond band is final sale only -- and it is only 3.50ctw as compared to Tiffany's 3.75ctw -- if you have tried on the Tiffany band and find it comfortable, personally I would go with that version -- even buying the Tiffany band preloved you likely would have a return period -- and Tiffany diamond bands are very well made with beautiful quality diamond melee (to my eyes) -- just my 2 cents

FWIW I am a huge BGD diamond fan and own quite a few ... but I do not care for final sale purchases in general and particularly here when you're unable to try on a sample band prior to the purchase.

 

[annapame]

Thanks for the comments. It’s still a hard decision

 

[michkal]

There something special about my Tiffany pieces, and I’m not a brand name type of person necessarily. For example, my bezel solitaire necklace has many similar versions, but there’s something about the Tiffany one that looks perfect. I say go for the Tiffany one if you can find a preloved one from a reputable place. Markup is too insane in the store if you don’t have to go that way (my opinion of course)

 

[acezarra]

FWIW they look a little different to me. The Tiffany appears more rounded especially on the edges (outer two rows).

 

[tyty333]

I agree with @acezarra ...they look a little different to me too. The sides on the BG (1st row and 5th row) seem to be much smaller
stones or at more of a slant than the Tiff setting. The Tiff setting looks* wider to me because of this and it seems like you see
more stones than the BGD setting. For that reason, I prefer the Tiffany version YMMV.

 

[Monnyjay]

I would definitely go with the Tiffany, in my opinion they can’t be replicated and you will always wish you had. Like @michkal said, they is just something special

 

[MaisOuiMadame]

As others have noted, the Brian Gavin is a slightly different design, which I personally prefer. But it's not the same. I have to be the dissenting voice here regarding " replica" and real deal.
A multi row diamond ring isn't a recognizable trademark design. So to me you've got two valid options and BG will be absolutely on par with Tiffany quality wise. It depends which of the two versions you prefer.

Many other vendors have this or a similar design, so maybe look some more around before you pull the trigger .

(I happen to have stumbled upon two or three slightly different designs of those while window shopping in b&m stores. Maybe someone's like IDJ have a version of the as well?)

 

[annapame]

Thank you for all the helpful comments.
To clarify, I’m interested in a high quality 4 or 5 row pave diamond band. I’m not necessarily set on the Tiffany one - it’s just one I came across and I’ve been pleased with the quality of their bands before. It would probably be best to try both on but I live about 5 hours away from Houston and I’m not sure if BGD would even have one for me to try on.

 

[Mary Queen of Scotch]

I too love the 5 row Etoile and have been looking for a high quality equivalent to circumvent Tiffany’s premium. Especially now that I’ve seen Tiff has tacked on another $1k in the short time it’s been on my radar.

Honestly, BG’s band is closer to the Etoile in style than many other interpretations I’ve come across so far. There are a shocking number of dogs out there… I personally don’t have any experience with BG, so I can’t speak to how the quality might compare. I assume the melee itself will be beautiful, at the very least. I will say the shape doesn’t look like it would be quite as comfortable as the Etoile.

Just to throw another option out there — you mentioned you are very happy with your ring from Leon. Would you consider going with him again for this band? Below is the only multi-row example currently on his site, but no doubt you could go custom with larger ideal cut melee in graduated rows like the Etoile. Plus you wouldn’t need to worry about too much visible metal, and I’m quite confident it’d come in well under the $20k Tiffany is charging!

r4087 - Leon Megé | The Art of Platinum®

Leon Mege 205™ three-millimeter wide wedding band with five interlocking rows of single-cut diamonds.

leonmege.com

 

[annapame]

Thank you for the additional replies - they are all appreciated. The Leon Mege band is beautiful but I’m concerned a custom larger band may be closer to the Tiffany price than the used Tiffany price or BGD price.
I’ve thought about two additional things.
First, is there any concern on buying a used Pave band? As in stones coming loose/falling out? I’ve bought two preowned bands but one was plain platinum and the other was the scattered Etoile which only has a handful of diamonds in it. I don’t wear rings to work or to exercise, so they don’t get too banged up. Obviously with a preowned ring I wouldn’t know how hard it had been worn.
Also, one thing that makes me more interested in the BGD band is that it is 6 mm wide. The 5 row etoile is 8-10 mm I believe. I wear a ring size 6.5 but my fingers aren’t particularly long. Im worried that a 8-10 mm ring may be a bit too big to be an everyday ring, which I would like it to be.
So, still thinking on the decision, but those are