Eternity ring purchase- Tiffany on Brian Gavin?

[fayewolf]

Besides deciding between s full eternity vs half, this is a very difficult decision for me, if this is a solitaire, I would have no doubt pick Brian Gavin or other online for a better value due to the cost. Say a 1.5 carat, you can see about over $10k markup, I'm not saying that this is a rip off of not worth it, but just cross the limit in my eyes.

I love smart bargain to buy the best value things I can find, but I also love Tiffany!!!

My struggle for the eternity ring is that, yes, the price different is quite big,
Tiffany: .88 ctw is $5700 plus tax (maybe a tad cheaper due to my ring size)
Brian Gavin: .7 ctw is $2200 no tax. Difference is $3000 plus

Why am I still considering Tiffany? The customer services. When I want to Gary engagement ring clean, it's my biggest headache, it's embarrassing to just take to any jeweler, and you have to make sure they clean in front of you etc.
If I have gotten it from Tiffany, I can take it in anytime. But in reality, how often would I do this?

I also would love to know that my ring is from Tiffany...I know, stupid, but makes me happy, but also makes me feel very dumb that there are definately better values out there.

Give me your thoughts please

 

[lanasyogamama]

That markup us insane. You can clean your own ring.

 

[ame]

Which design do you like better? Is this just shared prong or will you get a different of BGD designs if you go through him? That's what would make my choice, not the concern about service after the sale. Also-any resizing, repair, whatever, you would want to send to BGD, NOT go local. Too much risk for them to not take proper care of it, and BGD knows the alloy used, the local guy won't.

Do both have to be made in your size? Or can you buy right out of the case at Tiffany? If you love that design AND they have it in stock already...that is a big selling point, besides being able to take it in any time for cleaning.

I have a Tiffany band now, and frankly, I haven't been back to the store once for cleaning. I do a better job on my own AND I feel like I am more careful with it. I dont drop it in anything, I am VERY gentle.

 

[fayewolf]

This is referring to the simple shared prong setting at tiffs.
http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Ite...323351+101323340+101424823-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+

Vs the Brian Gavin, dream eternity, also shared prong.
http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/w...ds/dream-full-eternity-18k-white-gold-5406w18
I emailed them and ask for a size about 2mm width, and they said would have to change to 23x 0.03 milees instead, hence the cheaper price at 2200 to match the Tiffany one above.

Aside from cleaning, what about inspection of the prongs, is it difficult to always have to send it back in for that?

No, Tiffany one is not readily available, because I'm smaller than a size 4, it has to be custom made and wait is 2 months. But if it's that much better, the wait is not an issue,

 

[ame]

The only concern I have with the Dream band is that it seems pretty high set in that side view, at least compared to the Tiffanys which I believe is quite low and possibly the lowest readily available I've ever seen. That will make a difference with comfort and wear especially next to another ring. *IF* BGD will make it lower to the finger when they're using 3 pointers, that's what I would ask for. Also be sure you are able to return either one should it not be good or work with your other ring when you get it. I don't know if either allows a return for a custom item.

As for shipping back for repairs or maintenance:
I wouldn't say it's difficult to send it back. I would send it every 6 months or so unless you whack it really good or something. You just have to pack it up and send it USPS Registered Mail which is the safest option (though NOT fast, and has packaging requirements) available with insurance. THAT might be a pain in the butt to you. I have sent enough bling around the country by now that I have it down.

 

[fayewolf]

Ame- you're the best!! I actually made a mistake, that link was wrong.. the dream eternity is different from the tiffany shared prong. I live chatted BGD and they sent me this comparison (they made a ring for a customer)

You think their profile is low enough? Right side is Tiffany, left side is BGD

 

[ame]

Assuming the stones are the exact same size that would be perfectly low. The Tiffany looks significantly less bulky in the prongwork compared to the BGD, so would that bother you?

Did you ask about return policies since its considered custom? I would check with both BGD and Tiff.

 

[fayewolf]

yes, it would totally bother me!!

I have to ask about return policy, but i'm really afraid both would be no..

 

[ame]

Well definitely ask. That wouldb e a deciding factor because if you wait the time out and get the band made to order and it either doesn't fit OR doesn't look good with your other rings or is in other ways not ok, you have to have an option to not be stuck with it. A "deal" is only a "deal" if you're getting exactly what you want.