BRILLIANT post about Tiffany diamonds by Todd from Nice Ice
- Thread starter ame
- Start date
TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others
If you bought by numbers, you might even not like what you have. Not everyone loves the ideal-on-paper stones. You got what you love, and you are happy. I hope that this thread or those posts don't taint your ring, that's not what this thread or those posts were intending to do.
They absolutely do not guarantee that your eyes will be happy which is why I say that once you weed them out on paper, then choose with your eyes. There's always an element of "mind clean" with some folks, but eye clean matters more. I think it's posted nearly every time I give advice, same with the HCA, it's not the final decision maker. Note it, but don't let it be the final answer. You are the one who will see it, and you will be looking at the stone, not the paper.
Yes, I think the "mind clean" part is what was getting to me, realizing that my diamond isn't considered "ideal". I agree that eye clean matters more and as long as I'm happy with what I see whenever I look at it, that's all that really matters! But I still kinda wish I could've had you there with all your knowledge when I bought my ring!!
Ok, philosophical for a moment:
Choose what you love with your eyes. The paper means nothing when your eyes love something. This little pebble that you end up wearing on your hand (on your ears, around your neck or wrist, etc) represents a lot more than numbers on a piece of paper: it represents the days you were with this man or woman you married, it represents the love you shared, enough to get married and promise to be there for each other regardless of good and bad, it represents the state of your lives right now, and possibly can go back in the future for when your lives progress further. This is a little rock, is a million years old and it has stories of it's own, and it's telling them to you every time you look at it, but most of all it said "Pick me!" and you did, just like he said it, and you did.
All this thread intended to be was a "make educated choices and don't just take a brand or salesperson's word for anything". It kinda snowballed a little off from there.
Choose what you love with your eyes. The paper means nothing when your eyes love something. This little pebble that you end up wearing on your hand (on your ears, around your neck or wrist, etc) represents a lot more than numbers on a piece of paper: it represents the days you were with this man or woman you married, it represents the love you shared, enough to get married and promise to be there for each other regardless of good and bad, it represents the state of your lives right now, and possibly can go back in the future for when your lives progress further. This is a little rock, is a million years old and it has stories of it's own, and it's telling them to you every time you look at it, but most of all it said "Pick me!" and you did, just like he said it, and you did.
All this thread intended to be was a "make educated choices and don't just take a brand or salesperson's word for anything". It kinda snowballed a little off from there.
Last edited:
thank you for posting this!! I have always been a fan of Tiffany&Co, but for my engagement ring I will definitely be going elsewhere. The most important thing to me is getting a stone with the best cut, symmetry, sparkle and fire, and it sounds like there are a lot of other businesses that will deliver an absolutely ideal cut stone for less $$
I very much agree about choosing with your eyes. After all is said and done, you will be the one looking at it for many years. The numbers matter in the sense that they can narrow the field of what you look at, but when your eyes and your heart choose one, then STOP LOOKING. I guarantee you that continuing to look at numbers and available stone after your purchase is made can drive you mad, obsessing over a "more ideal" angle here or a tenth of a mm there. There will always be something different and potentially "better" on paper, but what matters is what you see.
There are, for example, people who truly prefer 60/60 stones. There are those who prefer their diamonds shallower or deeper than "ideal". Only looking at stones can tell you which you might be.
And the only issue I see with Tiffany is them making it difficult for you to get the information you want and need to make your decision. It appears that in many cases they want to make the decision for you, and that isn't ideal no matter who is doing it. Every jeweler who provides a reputable cert. ought to provide the plot and documentation with the stone. No seller should fear the facts, because there is a buyer for every stone. Very few people are against the idea of buying at Tiffany if that is what someone wants. There's nothing wrong with Tiffany. But too many people go into Tiffany thinking that they will automatically get super ideal cut stones, and that isn't the case. The article posted serves to educate, IMO, and not mock Tiffany buyers. Tiffany rings are usually gorgeous, but every buyer deserves to know what s/he is buying.
There are, for example, people who truly prefer 60/60 stones. There are those who prefer their diamonds shallower or deeper than "ideal". Only looking at stones can tell you which you might be.
And the only issue I see with Tiffany is them making it difficult for you to get the information you want and need to make your decision. It appears that in many cases they want to make the decision for you, and that isn't ideal no matter who is doing it. Every jeweler who provides a reputable cert. ought to provide the plot and documentation with the stone. No seller should fear the facts, because there is a buyer for every stone. Very few people are against the idea of buying at Tiffany if that is what someone wants. There's nothing wrong with Tiffany. But too many people go into Tiffany thinking that they will automatically get super ideal cut stones, and that isn't the case. The article posted serves to educate, IMO, and not mock Tiffany buyers. Tiffany rings are usually gorgeous, but every buyer deserves to know what s/he is buying.
Well said, alice87.
Sadly, this seems to be the case sometimes, but we cannot help that. Maybe they are upset [or embarassed??] that their ring may or may not be "best of the best" after paying such a premium... Or maybe they are just offended that anyone would dare question Tiffany or any other brand's quality by stating facts. For whatever reason any offense is taken, we cannot help this either.
Those who choose to buy blindly and are totally fine with not knowing anything need not comment negatively on this thread. It is about helping others to make educated purchases, empowering the consumer be proactive by knowing what they are investing in.
I for one am very thankful for all the TPF'ers and PS'ers that are so well-versed in diamond knowledge! In my experience, all have been willing to help all who have asked about finding a stone. I have really learned a lot and certainly feel more informed. Consumers are continually becoming more knowledgable. We are demanding more details before that card is swiped! And unless this trend stops, all I can say is, "Watch out, {insert business name here}, you may have some 'splainin to do!" LOL
Agree, my sister has similar attitude. IT IS TIFFANY! When I try to explain to her that some of the designs really not worth the mark up, she seems not to hear.
I am really glad both of the forums have great recommendations for choosing stones. I am more educated now. Although I am not after diamonds, I do enjoy gemstones. I do enjoy buying them from sellers who provide quality service, and give certificates, magnify stones, and show imperfections.
Very insightful article - thanks for sharing! I don't think there is a right or wrong to want to buy stuff from Tiffany's. It's more like every buyer should know what they are buying and decide if that's right for them.
Thank you everyone for the information. I used to think that if I am buying Tiffany then I can just buy online without seeing the stones first. I also tend to think that once the numbers look good, I am also safe to buy the stone sight unseen. Now I have second though. However, since I am a diamond newbie, I still have a question. If the numbers look good or close to good and I have no chance to see the stone, should I still make the purchase? Or I should always buy the stones that I can see first?
I am sorry if the question sounds stupid. Any input is appreciated.
I am sorry if the question sounds stupid. Any input is appreciated.
