Can I ask Tiffany sales to find HCA<2 diamond? And how many at a time?

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grace7672

Member
Dec 2, 2006
12
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#1
I'm asking to see whether anybody has similar experience that can be shared with me.

I'm looking for a classic solitary ring from Tiffany. Yes...I happen to fall for their name and sparkle. After months/years researching on PS, BN, WF etc, I finally found out only a Tiffany ring can make my heart sing. And of course, I'm on a budget. So I decide to sacrifice D/E or FL for the Tiffany name. G or H, VS1 or VS2 are good enough for me, because they are eye clean, and with the price so steep, I can learn to be mind clean with them.

But after learning the HCA from PS, I just can't get over with it. I can settle with second-class color or clarity, but I know cut is the most important factor for fire and sparkle so I don't want to compromise at all. I've got specs from a couple of rings, and all of them return a HCA > 2. I have to admit that when I saw them in their store, they all looked very sparkling to me. Somehow I think maybe that's just because I don't have the professional eyes. I can't even tell D color from H, how can I tell the HCA difference from 2 to 3? I really want to say yes to a diamond with HCA <2, so the search is still on.

It seems the sales people at Tiffany have never heard of HCA. They keep telling me Tiffany is the industry standard and their excellent cut is close to none. I read from this forum that somebody used HCA tool and found her perfect stone from Tiffany. I'd like to know more. How did they do it? Did you send your sales a range of all the spec (table, depth, angels etc) and ask them to find one falling into these ranges? Or you actually send him/her the HCA website link? How did they like this idea? Were they every supportive? A sales told me he can only bring in two rings at a time from other store for me to view, because of the shipping and handling cost. Is this always the case? Somehow I had the impression that some other brand can bring in much more pieces at a time when customer requests.

Your experience or input is greatly appreciated! This will be by far the most expensive items I ever bought, so you can understand how nervous I am...;)
 
#2
In my opinion, buying a diamond ring from Tiffany means you don't need to get nervous!

Perhaps, my advice is totally irrevant, but why not ask them 3~4 rings on your budget and
choose the one which looks, for some reasons, most beautiful and attractive to your eyes???
Please shop your most expensive item elegantly!!!

I don't really think you need to regard G-H and VS as "second-class."
D color is exceptional. E is,yes, closest to D, but still not "D."
Having a D color diamond is something, but other colors are not second-class.
IMO.
 
#3
I used the tool way after I got my tiffany ring, and my stone scored a two exactly. IMHO I feel the tool is used by individuals buying stones online or from less known jewelers.

If the score is important to you, I would tell your SA that you are looking for certain specs. Give him/her a range.

I do not know your budget, but maybe you want to expand your carat range. For example, if you are looking for a 1-1.25 carat, you may want to look for a .9-1.25 carat.
 
#5
In all honesty, I only requested two rings to look at. I looked at the ones in the store and requested two. I picked from one of the two rings. So, I do not know if you can request more. I was under the impression that you could request to see more than two. My fiance bought my ring that day.
 
#6
grace7672 said:
I'm asking to see whether anybody has similar experience that can be shared with me.

I'm looking for a classic solitary ring from Tiffany. Yes...I happen to fall for their name and sparkle. After months/years researching on PS, BN, WF etc, I finally found out only a Tiffany ring can make my heart sing. And of course, I'm on a budget. So I decide to sacrifice D/E or FL for the Tiffany name. G or H, VS1 or VS2 are good enough for me, because they are eye clean, and with the price so steep, I can learn to be mind clean with them.

But after learning the HCA from PS, I just can't get over with it. I can settle with second-class color or clarity, but I know cut is the most important factor for fire and sparkle so I don't want to compromise at all. I've got specs from a couple of rings, and all of them return a HCA > 2. I have to admit that when I saw them in their store, they all looked very sparkling to me. Somehow I think maybe that's just because I don't have the professional eyes. I can't even tell D color from H, how can I tell the HCA difference from 2 to 3? I really want to say yes to a diamond with HCA <2, so the search is still on.

It seems the sales people at Tiffany have never heard of HCA. They keep telling me Tiffany is the industry standard and their excellent cut is close to none. I read from this forum that somebody used HCA tool and found her perfect stone from Tiffany. I'd like to know more. How did they do it? Did you send your sales a range of all the spec (table, depth, angels etc) and ask them to find one falling into these ranges? Or you actually send him/her the HCA website link? How did they like this idea? Were they every supportive? A sales told me he can only bring in two rings at a time from other store for me to view, because of the shipping and handling cost. Is this always the case? Somehow I had the impression that some other brand can bring in much more pieces at a time when customer requests.

Your experience or input is greatly appreciated! This will be by far the most expensive items I ever bought, so you can understand how nervous I am...;)
Click to expand...



I believe you CAN do this and if I remember correctly someone on pricescope did exactly this to use the HCA tool before selecting a diamond.

Also I don't think you are settling for second class at all by going with G/H VS1/VS2 I think you are pretty smart ;)

Good Luck!
 
#8
In my opinion, buying a diamond ring from Tiffany means you don't need to get nervous!
---That's comforting to hear.

Please shop your most expensive item elegantly!!!

---Good point! I perhaps think too much about how to get the biggest bang of the bucks.

einseine said:
In my opinion, buying a diamond ring from Tiffany means you don't need to get nervous!


Perhaps, my advice is totally irrevant, but why not ask them 3~4 rings on your budget and
choose the one which looks, for some reasons, most beautiful and attractive to your eyes???
Please shop your most expensive item elegantly!!!


I don't really think you need to regard G-H and VS as "second-class."
D color is exceptional. E is,yes, closest to D, but still not "D."
Having a D color diamond is something, but other colors are not second-class.
IMO.
Click to expand...
 
#9
Thanks for all the info, AntiqueShopper. Your ID picture is so classic and elegant by the way.

My budget is a bit more and I'm looking for around 1.5ct in size. We've been married for 8 years and this will be a celebration/upgrade ring. 8 years ago when we were both graduate students we picked up a three-stone ring from diamond district in NYC together. I had no idea at that time about color, clarity etc, not to mention the HCA. I liked the look of the three-stone and I still like it today. But it's always been my dream to have a classic solitary Tiffany ring someday.

Thanks for referring your SP! I'm in north California and I like the SP I met at Tiffany store last week. He just replied my email saying he is working on my request. Let's wait and see what he can get.

I'm excited!








AntiqueShopper said:
I don't know the vendor or how you feel about this, but I was looking at ebay and saw this D colored ring. I used the tool that you did, and I got a 1. Try it for yourself. It is used, but it is a D, VS1- and it is 70 points.

http://cgi.ebay.com/70CT-TIFFANY-CO...wItem&pt=Designer_Jewelry&hash=item1e5cfb413d
Click to expand...
 
#11
Thanks for the compliment. I love Tiffanys and old movies. An image from Breakfast at Tiffany's seemed like a perfect fit. :D

Enjoy your ring purchase. I know I was the happiest girl in the world the day I got engaged and chose my ring. The Tiffany store where I purchased my ring knows me quite well because I was sooooo happy.

I know that this is an upgrade for you, but I guarantee when you find your ring, you will be just as happy with it as I am with mine. BTW- do you plan to put this ring on your right hand or are you going to wear the three stone ring on your right?

grace7672 said:
Thanks for all the info, AntiqueShopper. Your ID picture is so classic and elegant by the way.

My budget is a bit more and I'm looking for around 1.5ct in size. We've been married for 8 years and this will be a celebration/upgrade ring. 8 years ago when we were both graduate students we picked up a three-stone ring from diamond district in NYC together. I had no idea at that time about color, clarity etc, not to mention the HCA. I liked the look of the three-stone and I still like it today. But it's always been my dream to have a classic solitary Tiffany ring someday.

Thanks for referring your SP! I'm in north California and I like the SP I met at Tiffany store last week. He just replied my email saying he is working on my request. Let's wait and see what he can get.

I'm excited!
Click to expand...
 
#12
i find that a lot of sales folks at tiffany's don't have more than generic knowledge of diamonds. they know about the "c's" but beyond that, when you get into hca and light return, you will have to ask them to pull up the records and do it yourself. it is a big purchase and you shouldn't worry if there is a limit on how many rings you can pull. find a s.a. that will work with you. gl.
 
#13
Yes you can. A lady from this forum taught me about HCA point system and I did plug in the #s of my Tiffany diamond ring and luckily my diamond is 1.9 without specifically looking for it. We picked out my diamond without knowing the 3cs (we asked for 1 carat or a little more) and with a budget. This lady on purse forum told me through pm that she looked about more than 10 diamonds with certificates so she can make sure her Tiffany diamond is HCA 2 points or under. She bought a two carat Tiffany so I think it's harder when you go up the carat size to find the ideal one.

If you really care about it, make sure you get it the exact way you want it. I am sure your SA will try everything to make a sale and make you happy.

This is my 1.07 carat Tiffany with the specs close to what you are looking for...under different lightings. My ring size is 6 for now...gotta resize it down.
 

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#14
Thanks! So far I went through a lot of ups and downs in this ring search journey. Now when I finally narrow down to Tiffany with specific rangs I already feel much better - just leave the guilt (not getting a bigger stone or save money by buying elsewhere) behind.

I plan to wear the solitary on left hand because it will match better with my wedding band - a simple 2mm platinum band.



AntiqueShopper said:
Thanks for the compliment. I love Tiffanys and old movies. An image from Breakfast at Tiffany's seemed like a perfect fit. :D

Enjoy your ring purchase. I know I was the happiest girl in the world the day I got engaged and chose my ring. The Tiffany store where I purchased my ring knows me quite well because I was sooooo happy.

I know that this is an upgrade for you, but I guarantee when you find your ring, you will be just as happy with it as I am with mine. BTW- do you plan to put this ring on your right hand or are you going to wear the three stone ring on your right?
Click to expand...
 
#15
You are right! They don't know too much details. Good thing is they are very easy to work with and I have not met one who made me feel uncomfortable or I should have a higher budget etc.

Thanks for the encouragement!

daluu said:
i find that a lot of sales folks at tiffany's don't have more than generic knowledge of diamonds. they know about the "c's" but beyond that, when you get into hca and light return, you will have to ask them to pull up the records and do it yourself. it is a big purchase and you shouldn't worry if there is a limit on how many rings you can pull. find a s.a. that will work with you. gl.
Click to expand...
 
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