0.25 carat diamond tiffany ring or bigger diamond other ring?

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#17
OP, have you actually tried on the .25 yet? How did it make you feel? Do you think you could be okay with that size for several years? While I love tiffany I think the risk you may run into is the engagement ring being mistaken for a promise ring. I think in this case I would consider looking into a good local jeweler.
 
#18
How much bigger can you get at other stores? My impression is that around 0.25ct, there isn't a huge premium from Tiffany's. The bigger the stone, the bigger the premium. Of course you will get a bigger one at other stores, but how noticeable is it going to be?

Also, remember that Tiffanys has an upgrade policy.
 
#19
Other brand. In fact, I think you can best get a certified diamond at Costco or somewhere where they won't try to charge you for a name. Then have it set in whatever setting you want. It sounds awful getting a diamond at a warehouse store, but seriously look into it.
 
#20
You're paying for the name. Your fiance can get a (larger) quality stone from another "lesser known" jeweler for the same price and probably the same setting, just minus the blue box. You can't wear the box on your hand.
 
#23
Everyone has a lot of good points, and I hope it's helping you with making this major decision. It would also be good to read this thread: http://forum.purseblog.com/the-jewelry-box/im-jeweler-19-yrs-so-feel-free-ask-707195.html

IMHO, unless you are looking at a special Tiffany design, there are better values out there for diamond engagement rings. Tiffany does a great job at designing beautiful, unique pieces, like the Perretti, Gehry or Schlumberger designs. But just for a classic ring setting, you can get a much bigger diamond without the brand name attached. When it's on your hand, no one will know if it's Tiffany or not (again, unless it's one of their unique designs). Good luck!
 
#25
All I can offer is my personal preference because there is no right or wrong answer to this highly subjective question. My preference would be to get a larger stone from another source, as this is what I (well, actually my now husband) did. My husband did months of research and ended up buying my diamond from Whiteflash. We picked out the stone together which had specs the same or better than what is offered at Tiffany. We then had Ritani custom make a setting for it. Shortly after getting the ring, I went to Tiffany and looked at their rings and was honestly happier with mine, especially when I looked at their price tags! This experience made me feel really thankful for such a wonderful husband who spent so much time and effort trying to get me the perfect ring at a great price which meant more to me than having a name brand.

With this said, everyone is different and has their own preferences. I completely understand that if the name and some of the other perks which go along with buying from a name brand are important, then that is what you should go for. If you buy a bigger ring, but will constantly long for a Tiffany ring, that is probably what you should get. As others have pointed out, you should do research, try a bunch of rings on, and decide what makes you happy and fits within you budget. Good luck!
 
#26
I suggest youtube togive you some ideas outside of Tiffany. It's kinda fun seeing what else is out there. Here are some popular vendors highly recommended from pricescope (which is a very informative, yet addictive jewelry forum).

Diamonds by Lauren specializing in fancy colored diamonds:
http://www.youtube.com/user/diamondsbylauren/videos?sort=dd&view=0&page=3

Good Old gold specializing in unique round and cushion cuts:
http://www.youtube.com/user/DiamondInfoMan/videos?view=0

Leon Mege specializing in micro pave:
http://www.youtube.com/user/artofplatinum/videos?view=0

Victor Canera also specializing in micro pave:
http://www.youtube.com/user/victorcanera/videos?view=0

As for me, my DH bought our ring at the gift center which houses different wholesale diamond vendors. He didn't believe in paying for the extra touches or name brand that Tiffany provides. But in the future, if I were to ever get a nice pricey rhr (DH doesn't believe in upgrading my engagement ring so I respect his wishes), I would go for a fancy colored diamonds from DBL or an august vintage round from Good Old gold. There is just so many choices outside of the Tiffany spectrum it's really is fun to explore. Please keep it in mind when making your final choice. Congrats again!
 
#27
just try on rings. try on as many as you can. try on hundreds from all different places! all different sizes. act like you would if you were buying a wedding dress. you'll know the one when you try it on.

i tried on dozens of rings from mullen jewelers, hannoush, etc. while they were beautiful i didn't feel much. i knew i was making the right decision when i tried on a display .25 ct (because it was the only size 5.75 on display), and i cried. yes thats right, i bawled like a baby in the middle of tiffanys for everyone to see.

(i also priced out rings from blue nile and brilliant earth, & they were more expensive than the tiffany ring i have.)

a year later i ended up with my lucida, vs1 F .38ct and i couldn't be happier. but again, i went for practicality, i didn't want a huge diamond getting caught and hitting stuff all over the place.

so just try all kinds on til you get the one that gives you butterflies in your tummy.
 
#30
I would go for the larger diamond over a smaller Tiffany one, *unless* you were getting a special cut like the Lucida or the Legacy ring. For just a regular round, get a bigger non Tiff diamond! All well-cut round diamonds look the same, so to me there is nothing unique enough to justify Tiffany prices for rounds.
 
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