agree ! although, it must be GIA certified.I would go with an unbranded solitaire.
1.5 ct solitaire or 2.0 ctw three stone ring?
- Thread starter Gimmethebag
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I would normally vote for the solitaire as that is what I am hoping to get (anyday now!)...BUT as you said, you have been dating for over 7 years (I am only at 5 and a half) and I love the symbolism of the 3 stone ring...past present and future, which I think really fits your situation. So go for the 3 stone! With your tiny finger size...you will get FAB finger coverage.
My vote has to go for the 3-stone. I have a HW 3 stone ( it is just over 2.0 tcw) and I just LOVE the look and sparkle of the stones! I wear a 5 1/2 and the ring covers the whole top of my finger. With your size it would be FABULOUS!!!
I am and will always be a huge advocate for online diamond sellers like whiteflash.com, Brian Gavin Diamonds, and JamesAllen.com . You will get the highest carat weight *and* best cut stone for the money from any of them. They deal pretty much exclusively in GIA and AGS-certified stones, which are the gold standard as far as accurate grading goes. (remember, CUT is the most important C!)
You could source your stone from an online vendor, and have your Mom's jeweler create the HW-esque setting (note that any of the above 3 online vendors are also superstars with custom settings). Anyway, this is how I'd do it if I were in your shoes.
And FWIW -- I have a solitaire and a 3-stone ring, and I love both of them equally. However, why not get the largest possible solitaire now, and upgrade to a 3-stone later?
Best of both worlds! (although I admit I have no idea how the upgrading system works in the world of Tiffany)
Some people place a lot of importance on having a Tiffany-branded ring even knowing that they could get a larger stone of equally good quality for less money elsewhere...which is totally fine. It's all about what is most important to you!
You could source your stone from an online vendor, and have your Mom's jeweler create the HW-esque setting (note that any of the above 3 online vendors are also superstars with custom settings). Anyway, this is how I'd do it if I were in your shoes.
And FWIW -- I have a solitaire and a 3-stone ring, and I love both of them equally. However, why not get the largest possible solitaire now, and upgrade to a 3-stone later?
Best of both worlds! (although I admit I have no idea how the upgrading system works in the world of Tiffany)Some people place a lot of importance on having a Tiffany-branded ring even knowing that they could get a larger stone of equally good quality for less money elsewhere...which is totally fine. It's all about what is most important to you!
I am SO annoyed!!! (rant ahead)
We decided on the three stone. Because it is was what we both wanted (SO prefers platinum and bling. I prefer simplicity and quality.) and believe it or not, it was the BEST dollar for dollar buy. What I didn't mention in my post (because I didn't want the competition until we put the ring on hold since the store has a website) is that the three stone is a vintage Tiffany & Co. ring, sold by a reputable antique dealer. The store has it listed as estate with the 2.05 ctw selling for $10,900. No sales tax, free shipping and they agreed to extend the return policy (100% money back) three weeks so we have enough time to send the ring to be appraised at Tiffany's in NYC. I had called a Tiff's about the engravings and was told that they were consistent with their antique markings, before they laser inscribed their diamonds. If you're superstitious, this ring is probably not a product of a wrecked marriage or broken engagement but a ring that was treasured for someone's very long life. It's in great condition and has obviously been well taken care of.
For the same quality diamonds, carat weight and a platinum setting... Online through a WF/Brian Gavin/ Blue Nile, the ring costs approx. $11,700-12,000. Having the exact same ring made with diamonds and platinum in Chicago, might be cheaper but then you have to add 11% sales tax and as you can see, the antique ring (for the raw materials alone is the best deal). Several appraisers have inspected the ring and the stones are authentic and of great quality.
Tiffany's would reappraise it and record the serial number in our name for $200. If deemed authentic, it can be serviced like any other Tiffany ring at any Tiffany store. If deemed not authentic, then I still bought H/I VVS2 Triple Ex diamonds and real platinum for a lower price than anybody.
So what's the problem? My BF's parents said they didn't like the idea of us buying a ring using the COMPUTER. We need to meet the jeweler in PERSON to make sure we trust them. And my BF was just like, "Oh well! My parents think it is a bad idea, so we'll just find something else!" NOT cool!
We decided on the three stone. Because it is was what we both wanted (SO prefers platinum and bling. I prefer simplicity and quality.) and believe it or not, it was the BEST dollar for dollar buy. What I didn't mention in my post (because I didn't want the competition until we put the ring on hold since the store has a website) is that the three stone is a vintage Tiffany & Co. ring, sold by a reputable antique dealer. The store has it listed as estate with the 2.05 ctw selling for $10,900. No sales tax, free shipping and they agreed to extend the return policy (100% money back) three weeks so we have enough time to send the ring to be appraised at Tiffany's in NYC. I had called a Tiff's about the engravings and was told that they were consistent with their antique markings, before they laser inscribed their diamonds. If you're superstitious, this ring is probably not a product of a wrecked marriage or broken engagement but a ring that was treasured for someone's very long life. It's in great condition and has obviously been well taken care of.
For the same quality diamonds, carat weight and a platinum setting... Online through a WF/Brian Gavin/ Blue Nile, the ring costs approx. $11,700-12,000. Having the exact same ring made with diamonds and platinum in Chicago, might be cheaper but then you have to add 11% sales tax and as you can see, the antique ring (for the raw materials alone is the best deal). Several appraisers have inspected the ring and the stones are authentic and of great quality.
Tiffany's would reappraise it and record the serial number in our name for $200. If deemed authentic, it can be serviced like any other Tiffany ring at any Tiffany store. If deemed not authentic, then I still bought H/I VVS2 Triple Ex diamonds and real platinum for a lower price than anybody.
So what's the problem? My BF's parents said they didn't like the idea of us buying a ring using the COMPUTER. We need to meet the jeweler in PERSON to make sure we trust them. And my BF was just like, "Oh well! My parents think it is a bad idea, so we'll just find something else!" NOT cool!
I'm sorry, Gimmethebag. I was excited to hear about what you had chosen!
Can you have a 3 stone ring with the same specs made by your FMIL's jeweler? It may be a happy medium for everyone. Sure, it may cost a little more than the vintage Tiffany, but you will be having it made through a reputable jeweler and will be just as gorgeous. It will definitely be less in cost than the same ring at Tiff's.
Some people still feel funny about buying things online. My parents refuse to buy anything online. My FI doesn't like the idea of buying jewelry off the computer either - and he's freakin' 29!
Can you have a 3 stone ring with the same specs made by your FMIL's jeweler? It may be a happy medium for everyone. Sure, it may cost a little more than the vintage Tiffany, but you will be having it made through a reputable jeweler and will be just as gorgeous. It will definitely be less in cost than the same ring at Tiff's.
Some people still feel funny about buying things online. My parents refuse to buy anything online. My FI doesn't like the idea of buying jewelry off the computer either - and he's freakin' 29!
Both are good choices! I have a 3 stone, 2 ct. oval diamond ring and I love it. I plan on adding a 5 diamond 1 ct. band to wear along with it.
Oh no! I hope that this is not an omen for things to come. Tell him that it's not what they want that is importnat, but what you want!
Well, I think I convinced my BF last night that buying a ring by mail is fine. I mean, if the diamonds are a certain cut, near flawless clarity and a certain color then I am pretty sure they are fine. If not, we can just return. If the setting turns out to be fake, we still bought the diamonds for a steal and I won't ever feel like I'm defacing a Tiffany by having it reset. The setting could be real and the diamonds could be not the original ones for the ring. But I don't really care about that as long as the diamonds have exceptional quality. I'm very conscious about blood diamonds and even if they didn't come from a Tiffany mine, I would consider vintage diamonds mind clean.
My BF said that he wants to get the ring appraised by a non-Tiffany jeweler here in St. Louis the day we get the ring, just to make sure the diamonds are real.
Try not to sweat it. You're going to get a beautiful ring, it might just be a longer journey than you want. When you're looking at it sparkle on your finger, this will all be in the past.