To Tiffany Or Not to Tiffany? Use employee discount?

[Dreamgirl]

Date: 6/17/2008 4:31:14 AM
Author: Imdanny
Ok, since you asked.


For rounds, I would NOT go with Tiffany.

May I ask why you say this? Because I (hopefully) may end up with a Tiffany Setting ring and I would like to know.

 

[Mrs.Hall(almost)]

Date: 6/17/2008 12:13:03 PM
Author: Skippy123

Date: 6/17/2008 11:28:16 AM

Author: surfgirl

Are you really wanting to buy an ering or do you work for T&Co and are simply trying to get some info from PS? I ask because there is no reason not to share what the T&Co employee discount is, unless you dont know it. Nobody will know who you are so why not tell us? Nobody can give you a proper answer unless we know the employee discount, can we? You''re asking us a hypothetical question without a key part of the equation. It sounds like it''s a percentage of the purchase price if it''s dependent on how much you spend...


And as others have said, a signed T&Co piece will always command a higher valuation/re sale price as a comparable unsigned piece, it''s just how the jewelry market works. Not good or bad, it just is what it is.

Agreed! I guess it depends on the discount if I was willing to make that purchase and I also agree w/Mrs. Salvo''s thoughts.

Ditto!

 

[kmick]

id buy the diamond online and the setting at tiff''s. if you''re worried about diamond quality just do some research and figure out what''s important to you. or you can just pay for ACA or Tiffany although I really don''t think you need either.

 

[mrssalvo]

Date: 6/17/2008 1:25:24 PM
Author: kmick
id buy the diamond online and the setting at tiff''s. if you''re worried about diamond quality just do some research and figure out what''s important to you. or you can just pay for ACA or Tiffany although I really don''t think you need either.

kmick, Tiffany does not sell their settings without the stones.

For the record you can get a beautiful diamond at Tiffany''s. they do not sell dog stones. Pricescopers are a picky bunch who tend to lean toward the top 2% of diamonds cut, Tiffany sells in the top 10% based on what I''ve read here. I''ve seen some nice tiffany solitaire replica''s but none look like the original. Sure, most people won''t know the difference, but the person wearing it will. That''s really all that matter right?

 

[elmo]

Date: 6/16/2008 9:33:18 PM
Author:tiffanyornot
I want to get a round brilliant.

Am I crazy to not go with Tiffany''s?

With the discount I think you''d be crazy to not at least seriously consider something a little different like the Legacy

.

 

[kmick]

Date: 6/17/2008 1:42:37 PM
Author: mrssalvo

Date: 6/17/2008 1:25:24 PM
Author: kmick
id buy the diamond online and the setting at tiff''s. if you''re worried about diamond quality just do some research and figure out what''s important to you. or you can just pay for ACA or Tiffany although I really don''t think you need either.

kmick, Tiffany does not sell their settings without the stones.

For the record you can get a beautiful diamond at Tiffany''s. they do not sell dog stones. Pricescopers are a picky bunch who tend to lean toward the top 2% of diamonds cut, Tiffany sells in the top 10% based on what I''ve read here. I''ve seen some nice tiffany solitaire replica''s but none look like the original. Sure, most people won''t know the difference, but the person wearing it will. That''s really all that matter right?

cant you get one on ebay or something??

i think tiff is a huge rip off. but if brand is real important than go for it, you only live once. Not one person here can tell me why Tiff has better quality diamonds than a PS vendor.....do they source their diamonds from some special place or something?

 

[QueenG]

I think that Tiffany isn''t coveted so much b/c of higher quality diamonds (which they don''t necessarily have), but rather the settings. I have an Etoile Solitaire. To me, the setting is what i fell in love with, not the diamond. I know I could get a better diamond from a PS Vendor, but the setting was more important to me. Looking back, maybe I would go with something from Leon, but I can just get something of his with a colored stone in the future

. See, again, it''s alll about the setting for me.

 

[Dreamgirl]

So true. The settings are definitely amazing for sure!

 

[Pandora II]

Date: 6/17/2008 12:30:08 PM
Author: mercoledi
Can I change my vote? Get the nicest, tightest, largest stone you can easily afford and put it in a Leon Mege solitaire. That way you have a signed piece, a true work of art and an amazing stone.

I''d covet a Leon long before Tiffany and since you''re already in Manhattan, why not?

LOL, I was thinking this the whole way through!

A Leon, now that is a real masterpiece, unique and with great cachet.

But then I don''t get the whole brand thing and would never pay extra for a bit of blue cardboard.

 

[QueenG]

Isn''t loving Leon the same as loving Tiffany? Maybe I love "brand names" for a different reason than other people. Leon is a "brand" to me. I appreciate and love his work. But I guess some people just say "Tiffany!" b/c they are supposed to love a brand-name because it''s a brand-name and want to show off a brand-name. Like in middleschool when everyone wore those ugly I.O.U. sweatshirts (me included!) or whatever trend was going on.

 

[mercoledi]

Yes, it is, but personally I value Leon''s craftmanship over that of Tiffany. And in this case, he may come out to be more affordable too. I can''t help it, I''m cheap!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 6/17/2008 1:47:14 PM
Author: kmick

Date: 6/17/2008 1:42:37 PM
Author: mrssalvo

Date: 6/17/2008 1:25:24 PM
Author: kmick
id buy the diamond online and the setting at tiff''s. if you''re worried about diamond quality just do some research and figure out what''s important to you. or you can just pay for ACA or Tiffany although I really don''t think you need either.

kmick, Tiffany does not sell their settings without the stones.

For the record you can get a beautiful diamond at Tiffany''s. they do not sell dog stones. Pricescopers are a picky bunch who tend to lean toward the top 2% of diamonds cut, Tiffany sells in the top 10% based on what I''ve read here. I''ve seen some nice tiffany solitaire replica''s but none look like the original. Sure, most people won''t know the difference, but the person wearing it will. That''s really all that matter right?

cant you get one on ebay or something??

i think tiff is a huge rip off. but if brand is real important than go for it, you only live once. Not one person here can tell me why Tiff has better quality diamonds than a PS vendor.....do they source their diamonds from some special place or something?

It''s a really good idea to read the thread carefully.

She gets a very nice employee discount which makes a Tiffany ring not that much more than one from another source.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Okay, ironically I have a stone very close to the first Good Old Gold stone you posted! Mine is 1.63 H VS1 and it is gorgeous! I know I could not find a better cut stone at Tiffany or anywhere else. I wear a Tiffany Legacy band with mine, so I am quite fond of Tiffany.

This is a dilemma for sure, but if I got something like a 30% discount at Tiffany, I''d be thrilled to have my ring from there! Knowing what I know about diamond quality, I''d be very picky about the specific diamond I chose, however. It would still have to fall in the ideal range numerically and look very nice under the hearts and arrows viewer.

I wish I lived close enough to a Tiffany''s to work there! I''d work just enough to buy the jewelry that I wanted with the discount!

 

[jasontb]

I think you should buy a diamond from an internet vendor. You can easily find a better diamond online because you have so many options and vendors provide so much information and you can have the stone appraised and analyzed outside the ring. Personally, I''m not a big fan of Tiffany''s ''Trust us, it''s a nice diamond'' attitude. No need to be hesitant dealing with an internet vendor...the ones with great reputations have them for a reason.

Then have a superbcert replica made. It is a gorgeous setting that is nearly identical to the original. The craftsmanship and attention to detail is second to none. In fact, my wife prefers her superbcert to the real deal.

Price aside, I think you can do better than Tiffany.

 

[purrfectpear]

Date: 6/17/2008 6:07:15 PM
Author: QueenG
Isn''t loving Leon the same as loving Tiffany? Maybe I love ''brand names'' for a different reason than other people. Leon is a ''brand'' to me. I appreciate and love his work. But I guess some people just say ''Tiffany!'' b/c they are supposed to love a brand-name because it''s a brand-name and want to show off a brand-name. Like in middleschool when everyone wore those ugly I.O.U. sweatshirts (me included!) or whatever trend was going on.

Leon isn''t a brand anymore than a Monet painting is a brand. If you have a ring handcrafted by Leon (and not one of the guys working his bench) then you have a signed piece of art. Tiffany''s has hundreds of jewelers on their bench. You are simply buying a brand. The particular jeweler isn''t signing your ring. Great quality to be sure, but not a designer ring.

I would compare Leon and Tiffany more like a handcrafted sports car vs. a Porsche.

 

[butterfly 17]

I would go with Tiffany''s if the difference with the discount was significant enough to be competitive with the online vendors.

I love Tiffany''s pieces and although I went with a PS vendor for my diamond, I still went with a Tiffany diamond band and now I have acquired quite a few of them. About two years ago, I also purchased a Tiffany e-ring set as well, smaller than the one I got from the PS vendor, but just as precious to me.

I think every woman should have at least one Tiffany piece!

 

[NeverEndingUpgrade]

Date: 6/17/2008 1:45:10 PM
Author: elmo

With the discount I think you''d be crazy to not at least seriously consider something a little different like the Legacy

.

Yeah, baby, the one with diamonds all over it!!!!!

 

[emeraldlover1]

Date: 6/17/2008 1:47:14 PM
Author: kmick

Date: 6/17/2008 1:42:37 PM
Author: mrssalvo

Date: 6/17/2008 1:25:24 PM
Author: kmick
id buy the diamond online and the setting at tiff''s. if you''re worried about diamond quality just do some research and figure out what''s important to you. or you can just pay for ACA or Tiffany although I really don''t think you need either.

kmick, Tiffany does not sell their settings without the stones.

For the record you can get a beautiful diamond at Tiffany''s. they do not sell dog stones. Pricescopers are a picky bunch who tend to lean toward the top 2% of diamonds cut, Tiffany sells in the top 10% based on what I''ve read here. I''ve seen some nice tiffany solitaire replica''s but none look like the original. Sure, most people won''t know the difference, but the person wearing it will. That''s really all that matter right?

cant you get one on ebay or something??

i think tiff is a huge rip off. but if brand is real important than go for it, you only live once. Not one person here can tell me why Tiff has better quality diamonds than a PS vendor.....do they source their diamonds from some special place or something?

kmick...I think everyone has tried to answer your question the best way we know how. You''ve asked the same question in multiple threads and you keep getting the same answer because no one here will tell you that tiff has better quality daimonds. We keep trying to explain why some people like brand names; quality product or not. In this case, she is an employee and has a discount so why shouldn''t she consider it?

I would be more concerned about people at work and what the repercussions would be politicaly not buying from them. I didn''t read your career aspirations but if you want a long term career there I would personally wonder how that would impact the politics of your working relationships. If thats not a concern then I''d look at it as one more vendor to consider.

 

[coatimundi_org]

Date: 6/17/2008 5:46:36 PM
Author: Pandora II

Date: 6/17/2008 12:30:08 PM

Author: mercoledi

Can I change my vote? Get the nicest, tightest, largest stone you can easily afford and put it in a Leon Mege solitaire. That way you have a signed piece, a true work of art and an amazing stone.


I''d covet a Leon long before Tiffany and since you''re already in Manhattan, why not?

LOL, I was thinking this the whole way through!


A Leon, now that is a real masterpiece, unique and with great cachet.


But then I don''t get the whole brand thing and would never pay extra for a bit of blue cardboard.

Yup--me too. I''d choose a Leon setting.

I''ve read that Tiffany''s discount is 30% with special 50% discounts at certain times per year. This could be totally inaccurate.

 

[Lynn B]

Date: 6/17/2008 11:49:26 AM
Author: FrekeChild

Do you really think that Signed Pieces takes in NO PROFIT?

If you buy a Elsa Peretti Platinum Diamond Stacking Band From Tiffany's, you pay $1050. There is one on Signed Pieces for $495. Guess what? Whoever they got it from, got MAYBE half of what they originally paid-but probably not even close. That's including the fact that metal/diamond prices are currently going up and Tiffany just upped their prices by quite a bit. The profit margin for SP needs to be enough to cover all expenses that come from selling the ring but also enough for them to make money off of it. Yes, Tiffany pieces hold their value better than other pieces, but in this case, does that really matter?

You say that jewelry gets hit hard around a recession-guess what? That includes Tiffany. Fred Leighton just filled for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, what makes you think that Tiffany won't go through the same thing? A diamond is a diamond is a diamond. If the OP were wanting a forever ring-I'd tell her to hit up an online vendor-no ifs ands or buts. Because she seems to be contemplating the upgrade it becomes much trickier. However, I'm willing to bet that if in fact she bought a diamond from an online vendor, and that online vendor went under because of the recession-I bet she could sell it to another online vendor or through consignment with them and bring in most or perhaps even all of what she paid.

And frankly, if we're talking about making a profit off of a Tiffany ring-why doesn't she just go and buy one using her discount, and then turn around and sell it for a profit? And then go and buy another bigger one?

Your tone is very rude.

Link to Tiffany's Elsa Peretti ring
Link to Signed Pieces' Elsa Peretti ring

OH! I would have LOVED/LOVED/LOVED to have had that SP ring!!! I looked at the link, but couldn't find it. Is it gone?!! Blast!!! What size was it?!! Do you remember?

Oh, DANG DANG and DOUBLE DANG!!!!

 

[tiffanyornot]

Wow, thank you everyone for the replies.

By the way, prices are roughly the same after the discount for Tiffany versus an internet vendor. Maybe a little bit more for Tiffany after taxes? Not sure.. but that''s an insignificant expense in relation to the diamond ring cost.

Regarding an upgrade, I don''t know if I''ll want an upgrade. Who''s to know?

For those who love Tiffany, Tiffany''s designs are somewhat unique. Though the designs may be overpriced, I look at it like I do regarding designer things like Louis Vuitton. Sure, you could get a copy, an identical (or almost identical) bag in China or Hong Kong, but is that ok for you? It just depends on your personality. If you get a Superbcert, sure it looks like a tiffany''s, but is your conscience clean when you''re trying to copy an existing design? These are difficult things to know. Preferably, I don''t want a copy if I can get it for the same price.

BUT IT''S JUST A SETTING.. I know, the diamond is the main actor, but the supporting actress sometimes steals the show!

The whole engagement ring process for employees at Tiffany takes a long time... so maybe I''ll begin it and see if I want to finish. I think the advantages are more balanced towards Tiffany''s at this point. Tiffany''s may go out of business or get bought out by LVMH or another brand company, but it''s much more likely an internet dealer will go out of business. Also, many of these pricescope dealers are family or individually run. What happens when they quit or retire or (gasp) pass away? Who runs the show then? And would you be affected negatively?

Thanks again everyone for your thoughts.

 

[FrekeChild]

Lynn B- it was a 7-I was really tempted to buy it (I mean, that price is AMAZING!) but I don't have the $$$ right now. I'm guessing if it isn't showing up, it's probably gone.

ETA: yeah it's gone...

 

[crown1]

Date: 6/18/2008 12:31:31 AM
Author: tiffanyornot
Wow, thank you everyone for the replies.


By the way, prices are roughly the same after the discount for Tiffany versus an internet vendor. Maybe a little bit more for Tiffany after taxes? Not sure.. but that''s an insignificant expense in relation to the diamond ring cost.


Regarding an upgrade, I don''t know if I''ll want an upgrade. Who''s to know?


For those who love Tiffany, Tiffany''s designs are somewhat unique. Though the designs may be overpriced, I look at it like I do regarding designer things like Louis Vuitton. Sure, you could get a copy, an identical (or almost identical) bag in China or Hong Kong, but is that ok for you? It just depends on your personality. If you get a Superbcert, sure it looks like a tiffany''s, but is your conscience clean when you''re trying to copy an existing design? These are difficult things to know. Preferably, I don''t want a copy if I can get it for the same price.


BUT IT''S JUST A SETTING.. I know, the diamond is the main actor, but the supporting actress sometimes steals the show!


The whole engagement ring process for employees at Tiffany takes a long time... so maybe I''ll begin it and see if I want to finish. I think the advantages are more balanced towards Tiffany''s at this point. Tiffany''s may go out of business or get bought out by LVMH or another brand company, but it''s much more likely an internet dealer will go out of business. Also, many of these pricescope dealers are family or individually run. What happens when they quit or retire or (gasp) pass away? Who runs the show then? And would you be affected negatively?


Thanks again everyone for your thoughts.

it seems as though you have made a very good argument for going tiffany. you have the discount and after reading how you feel i say you should tiffany.

 

[bee*]

If they were roughly the same price after your Tiffany discount, then I''d probably go with the original. I love the settings at Tiffanys.

 

[happyday]

Hi TiffanyorNot,

I''m a little late to this thread, so maybe you''ve decided already... but anyway, here''s my $0.02.
I worked on the corporate side of Tiffany in NY about 5 years ago, so I can totally relate to your dilemma.
I was engaged before I joined the company, so my husband purchased a wonderful stone in the diamond district.
However, during the time that I was there, I had many friends get engaged. Some went with Tiffany and others did not.
My only recommendation is to speak with one of the buyers and see what rings are at the deepest discount in your price range.
If the policies have not changed, there was not a golden discount rule for the prices for engagement rings. It depended on the actual setting and demand for that style, size etc.

If it were me, I would see what they have in your range and then look at other options if nothing suits you. If the ring and the price were right, I would have loved a Tiffany setting. It''s such a rare opportunity to have a piece from there, with all the ownership services ... and at a discount! It will probably be a slightly smaller stone than you would get otherwise, but it might be a gorgeous setting. I recall one friend purchased a gorgeous RB with pear side stones. It doesn''t have to be a solitaire.

Anywho... GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[kmick]

Date: 6/17/2008 7:55:32 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006

Date: 6/17/2008 1:47:14 PM
Author: kmick

Date: 6/17/2008 1:42:37 PM
Author: mrssalvo

Date: 6/17/2008 1:25:24 PM
Author: kmick
id buy the diamond online and the setting at tiff''s. if you''re worried about diamond quality just do some research and figure out what''s important to you. or you can just pay for ACA or Tiffany although I really don''t think you need either.

kmick, Tiffany does not sell their settings without the stones.

For the record you can get a beautiful diamond at Tiffany''s. they do not sell dog stones. Pricescopers are a picky bunch who tend to lean toward the top 2% of diamonds cut, Tiffany sells in the top 10% based on what I''ve read here. I''ve seen some nice tiffany solitaire replica''s but none look like the original. Sure, most people won''t know the difference, but the person wearing it will. That''s really all that matter right?

cant you get one on ebay or something??

i think tiff is a huge rip off. but if brand is real important than go for it, you only live once. Not one person here can tell me why Tiff has better quality diamonds than a PS vendor.....do they source their diamonds from some special place or something?

It''s a really good idea to read the thread carefully.

She gets a very nice employee discount which makes a Tiffany ring not that much more than one from another source.

Ok so only pay 3x as much for it as opposed to 4x..lol..

 

[surfgirl]

kmick, you dont like to read the other posts, do you? The OP already said that a T&C ring after employee discount would be about the same as from an internet vendor. You really should read all the posts before posting.

 

[gailrmv]

Date: 6/17/2008 10:30:18 PM
Author: butterfly 17
I would go with Tiffany''s if the difference with the discount was significant enough to be competitive with the online vendors.

Ditto!
I''d narrow the selection to your favorite ring at Tiff w/in your budget with the discount, and your favorite non-Tiff ring from another vendor in your budget. It might be easy when you compare side by side like that.

 

[ChinaCochina]

 

[FrekeChild]

Date: 6/18/2008 2:07:06 PM
Author: ChinaCochina
The best deal is to buy the Tiffany setting but buy the loose diamond somewhere else. Unless you are getting a 40% discount you will be paying that much extra for the loose diamond. Remember, no one will know that the diamond is from Tiffany''s anyway but they will know that the setting is Tiffany''s. This way you can get a bigger diamond or better quality diamond - if this is a concern for you.

Tiffany doesn''t sell settings independent of diamonds. If she went Tiffany, she''d have to go Tiffany all the way.