Cartier or Harry Winston?

[madem0iselle]

I am graduating next year 09 and my dad has promised to get me a diamond ring. My dad is a classic cartier/chopard lover its either cartier, chopard or rolex he owns in watches. BUt for me I liek Harry Winston too. I told him I want Harry Winston or Cartier but he aims towards Cartier. We're going to Paris next summer again to get my ring but if i decvide upon Harry Winston Id rather get it in NYC, and if Graff Id rather go to London.

In your expierences do you think Cartier diamond rings are better or Harry Winston's? In quality, rarity, and value? also Im young which one is more suitable for me?

Secondly, how about Graff?

Thirdly, I am thinking nothing less than 1 carat. omg i souind like a spoiled brat but theres a reason. i will tell you guys later

Fourthly, how much would a 1. something carat ring with color od DEF clarity F, IF or VVS1 ( i have very hiigh standards and seek perfection unfortunlatey) be for Cartier?

I am thinking of pear shape i just adoreeeee that shape its not boring like the round, not too princessy like the assacher, not to "not sparkly" like the emerald, not too eggie like the oval, not too pointy and sharp like the marquise and not to kiddish like the heart shape. it has an edge to it, an aura of sophistication, a mysterious shape it is. Ok I just relaized i dissed almost all the shapes sorry!

The reason why I am very picky needing such high standards in a ring and it cant be lower than 1 carat is because, usually after graduation parents give their kids a car, I cannot drive for the rest of my life Ive had 7 eye opersations and i only use one eye to see. So no car for me.
and secondly i dont plan on getting married so basically what my father gives me will be like my engagement ring =) and thirdly because i deserve every bit of my fathers love. If he decides to run away from home and leave my mom and live with a slut, obv the girl likes my father for his money it is unacceptable that he cannot buy me such thing if he thinks that slut is more imprtant than his family, I will not let him get away with that.

end of story. dont sound as bitchy anymore right?
but please give me your suggestions between Cartier, Harry Winston, and Graff and around the price range so I can know in advance for my own good.

[Junkenpo]

My father has sight only in one eye & he still drives. Granted, he has to get approved yearly, but he also is in his 60s.

A well-cut diamond with good color and little inclusion is a well-cut diamond, etc no matter who or where you buy it from. Ignore the brand and just select the style you like best.

If you'd rather a quality diamond w/o the focusing on the brand name, there are many other options. Do some research on pricescope.

[madem0iselle]

thanks junkenpo- but do u think in the diamond industry, is the name or company, brand a big factor to the quality and value of the diamonds? I always compare diamonds to homes. Diamonds like cartier, chopard are like homes with good quality but in a poor location, but if the home is of high quality but located in a better location it would raise the value and have a more desirable feeling to it.
in your perceptions do u think the brand makes a big difference or is it a physchological problem ?

[Onederland]

Originally Posted by madem0iselle

thanks junkenpo- but do u think in the diamond industry, is the name or company, brand a big factor to the quality and value of the diamonds? I always compare diamonds to homes. Diamonds like cartier, chopard are like homes with good quality but in a poor location, but if the home is of high quality but located in a better location it would raise the value and have a more desirable feeling to it. in your perceptions do u think the brand makes a big difference or is it a physchological problem ?

honestly? if it's one thing i've learned about brands and diamonds. the brand is all for the individual's ego. to say "oh, my earrings are harry winston."

i have harry winston studs, and i also have diamonds studs that were made from loose diamonds i've selected.

My winston's, while stunning, are actually scored lower on the GIA scale than my loose diamonds. But you pay premium for the name, that's all. Diamonds are diamonds, get the best ones, name or no name, and they all sparkle the same.

it's like buying a plain black t-shirt. you can either get it form target, or dolce and gabbana, either way, it's just a plain t-shirt. the only difference is the name behind it. and you have to ask yourself if that name is really worth all the extra money.


but i agree with junken. check out pricescope. i learned a LOT of things about diamonds from them.

[bb10lue]

Hehe...does you dad give you a budget? if not, then go for Cartier (with bigger diamonds) by all means

[toiletduck]

Harry Winston has wonderful quality diamonds and service. I however, would never buy from them because of the premium. The price of 1 carat is the same as buying 2 carats of a no name diamond with the exact same specs. I know this because I went to HW twice and have been scouting around as well. Since you're going to be spending all that $ anyway, why not go for no name and better GIA specs?

[amnA-]

i think yes a name has to do alot with the quality of the product.. but all the names u took are of high end top most brand in the world..

graff is amazing and they have outstanding pear shaped diamond rings.. however the most close encounter i have had is with harry winston.. i am planning in getting the lattice bracelet soon ..

i was up with the same choices as well. for some reason and i seriously dont know wht i don't like cartier.. i think its classy but lacks a sence of excitement that should IMO be associacted with diamonds.. (am i making no sense at all sooowieee)

anyways.. all things apart i personally think from amoung cartier graff and harry winston you should go for harry.. if not then graff.

hope my reply helped and not confused u even more lol.

[amnA-]

Originally Posted by toiletduck

Harry Winston has wonderful quality diamonds and service. I however, would never buy from them because of the premium. The price of 1 carat is the same as buying 2 carats of a no name diamond with the exact same specs. I know this because I went to HW twice and have been scouting around as well. Since you're going to be spending all that $ anyway, why not go for no name and better GIA specs?

If the above is true i think its better u buy 2 carat ring than a one carat branded ring..

[eckertle]

If you're looking for quality diamond advice, check out the Pricescope forum (it's like tPF for diamonds instead of purses).

[madem0iselle]

THANKS EVERYBODY! that helped a lot!! really!
I agree Cartier can be a bit boring ive always thot cartier was too mature or too proper but because i swear my dad has a thing for it my mother insisted on getting the Cartier. Harry Winston i always knew it was premium if compared Harry Winston and Cartier which one would be more premium?

ive never seen Graff IRL yet. theres hardly any in vancouver our family is more of the cartier, chopard. I actually might go for Graff since Amna u said they make amazing pear shapes? and since we dont have a Graff one yet itd be nice =) I love pear shapes, but dont they look smaller if compared to a round brilliant cut one of same carat size?

Does anyone know the one Victoria beckham has i remeber seeing her with a HUGEEEEEe pear shape one and it was soo sparkly obv i wont be able to get something THAT huge hahah but id like to know which brand hers is.

once again thanks you guys =D

[lebagfairy]

Harry Winston pears are cheaper than the round solitaires given the same quality/carats. Cartier tends to have a lower and thicker setting. I would personally go for the Winston. I have been looking at 2ct F VS1 solitaires at these name-brand jewelers which are about $60k these days so I can't imagine a 1ct E VVS1 pear would be much more than $25k? Amongst the big names De Beers seems to have the lowest prices and also the lowest settings.

[madem0iselle]

lebagfairy- Ooh why are pear shapes cheaper than solitaires? is it easier to cut or something or is it not as demanding? Or does this only apply to Harry Winston? when you say lower and thicker setting do u mean the band is thicker? and the diamond does not pop out as much cause its not set upon as high and mighty? =P?
but its surprising to know pear shapes cost less.thanks!

[toiletduck]

^^ In general, fancy shapes are cheaper than round brilliants because it's harder to find a stone that will cut into a nice round brilliant. I guess if you want to put it badly, fancy shapes are made with left-overs I personally love the cushion cuts and find that fancy shapes are a great way to display your personality and personal tastes. My mom has one in each shape (2-3 ctw each) and switches them around.

I would say that Winston has better quality than Cartier as well. I also adore their settings!

[madem0iselle]

wow thanks toiletduck! so even emerald shapes are cheaper than round cuts? i heard emerald shape is most expensive because u would need to find a BIG flawless diamond in order to cut that long squarish rectanglish shape =S
then do u know enough to compare graff and winston? =P

[toiletduck]

No problem! I'm not familiar with Graff (we don't have those stores over here) so I can't help you with that.

In general Emeralds are cheaper than Round Brilliants. For example, on Pricescope, a 1.01 D VVS2 Emerald is listed as around USD 4850-6000 (depends on the cut) whereas a Round Brilliant 1.01 E VVS2 is listed as over USD 10,000 (again depends on the cut). Now, please note that the color grade for the RB (E) is actually one lower than the Emerald (D) and yet it's worth more.

Princess cuts used to be one of the cheapest fancy shapes but due to popular demand the price and value of them has gone up. Like many luxury products, the value and price of the item may rise and fall depending on its popularity. One reason why the RB is usually more expensive is because it is often very sought after and is considered a staple in a woman's jewelry box

Also, keep in mind that if you want something that's going to bling, a brilliant cut is always the way to go. Step cuts (like Asschers and Emeralds) do not sparkle as much but are just as beautiful. It's really up to you!