Help! Need help with researching diamonds!!!

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mai_LV

mai_LV

O.G.
Sep 11, 2010
227
18
#1
Hi! I am in the process of upgrading my engagement ring and want to know where I should start researching diamonds specs?!? I am in live with the Tiffany novo ring but I know with that comes a hefty price tag!! I just want a couple websites so I can read up on all the "ideal" specs. I am looking for a 2 ct. Not quite sure what style yet but most likely something like the novo. I currently have a 1 ct round. Also is eBay a smart purchase?!? I see some amazing Tiffany's ring on eBay! I am so tempted to buy on eBay bc you get bang for your bucks. My husband thinks it's silly and just want to go to Tiffany to buy it. I am hesitant because it's over the top and you are definitely paying a premium for their service. Helllllp!! Anything and any advice is greatly appreciated!! :)
 
#2
AME is our resident diamond expert. Send her a pm and I am sure she will reply. She is EXTREMELY knowledge in all things diamond and can also point you to reputable websites. With Tiffany you do pay a hefty price just for the name and most of their diamonds do not come with a GIA certificate but one that is from their own grading system. Just something to think about. Good luck and I wish you the best.
 
#3
Pricescope is an amazing forum for jewellery help. They have a section dedicated to diamonds and you will receive first class advice for choosing a stone or who to have one source a stone for you. They will be able to also direct you to amazing jewellers who will custom make you anything using high quality CAD designs and wax mouldings.

Seriously, they are fantastic over there and I look forward to (eventually) getting my own help for my engagement ring.
 
#4
Don't buy diamonds on Ebay if you aren't 1000% sure of what you're buying and certain of the seller. That's my first and most important piece of advice. And you don't need to go to Tiffany to get the same look. Hell, I'd avoid it for that look, you can get a much better cut quality diamond elsewhere. If the NAME isn't vital, go elsewhere.

For cushions you can definitely check on Pricescope, as mentioned. There are a few styles of cushions, antique and modern. There are rabid cushion fans on there, who will dissect the cutting styles (4 main and 8 main) and help you determine which you'll like better, with even more anal retentiveness than even I would provide. I do mean rabid. Insane. I do mean that with love. lol

A novo is a modern style cushion. Good Old Gold, Engagement Rings Direct and Brian Gavin all do a great Novo style ring, which will give you a great Novo look without crushing your budget. Good Old Gold makes a GOR-GEOUS antique style cushion (and a gorgeous antique round) called the August Vintage...They're insane. My husband is still lusting for the rounds, he'd never wear one, but I think he wants me to get one. I should indulge his lust.
 
#7
Be careful buying Tiffany estate diamonds. In the last few years I've seen a few "antique/estate dealers" with IMO authentic Tiffany settings but not diamonds of Tiffany quality. Once queried a dealer on one of these stones and was told nothing to worry about it needed a proper clean. No appraisal either as the Tiffany hallmark was the "guarantee of quality".

If you find a Tiffany diamond ring on the secondary market buy contingent on a Tiffany or another highly reputable appraisal of the stone.


mai_LV said:
Hi! I am in the process of upgrading my engagement ring and want to know where I should start researching diamonds specs?!? I am in live with the Tiffany novo ring but I know with that comes a hefty price tag!! I just want a couple websites so I can read up on all the "ideal" specs. I am looking for a 2 ct. Not quite sure what style yet but most likely something like the novo. I currently have a 1 ct round. Also is eBay a smart purchase?!? I see some amazing Tiffany's ring on eBay! I am so tempted to buy on eBay bc you get bang for your bucks. My husband thinks it's silly and just want to go to Tiffany to buy it. I am hesitant because it's over the top and you are definitely paying a premium for their service. Helllllp!! Anything and any advice is greatly appreciated!! :)
Click to expand...
 
#8
Tiffany doesn't authenticate their pieces. So if you didn't buy it from them yourself you don't really know without the original docs, and an appraiser that can identify the engraved number on the stone with the original papers and they will not replace the original papers for anyone other than the original purchaser. I would not buy Tiffany secondhand because of that.

I also don't thing Hearts on fire is worth the money. For that price just buy Tiffany in the store new.

If you want that look and the brand itself isn't important I would suggest Brian Gavin diamonds cushions, and Good Old Gold hearts and arrows cushions, as well as Engagement Rings Direct for a modern cushion.
All three have very nice cushions, and can craft a setting very similar or identical setting.

I haven't had time to reply to your PM bec I just got home from a long day working an event and prepping for another coming up. I hope to tomorrow.
 
#9
Thank you Purple poodles!! I am at the beginning of my upgrade search so please forgive me for all the questions :). I just assumed tiffany would stand behind their diamonds no matter where you got it. I bought a diamond bubble ring at a consignment store and they have fixed it twice for free. So I was thinking if trying my luck on eBay but I know it's a scary place!!! Lol I would only buy a diamond on eBay with the contingency of taking it to Tiffany's to resize. I know tiffany will not resize it if it did not belong to them!!! That way I get a peace of mind too. What do you think?

purplepoodles said:
Be careful buying Tiffany estate diamonds. In the last few years I've seen a few "antique/estate dealers" with IMO authentic Tiffany settings but not diamonds of Tiffany quality. Once queried a dealer on one of these stones and was told nothing to worry about it needed a proper clean. No appraisal either as the Tiffany hallmark was the "guarantee of quality".

If you find a Tiffany diamond ring on the secondary market buy contingent on a Tiffany or another highly reputable appraisal of the stone.
Click to expand...
 
#10
Ame I really appreciate your help!!! I am so indecisive!! I am in the beginning process of upgrading so not sure what I want! Lol I do love Tiffany pieces. Everything I have from there I LOVE LoVE so in a way I do want it from Tiffany but I know a diamond is a diamond no matter where you get it. I love all the info you have provided! Thanks again for helping this newbie ! :)

ame said:
Tiffany doesn't authenticate their pieces. So if you didn't buy it from them yourself you don't really know without the original docs, and an appraiser that can identify the engraved number on the stone with the original papers and they will not replace the original papers for anyone other than the original purchaser. I would not buy Tiffany secondhand because of that.

I also don't thing Hearts on fire is worth the money. For that price just buy Tiffany in the store new.

If you want that look and the brand itself isn't important I would suggest Brian Gavin diamonds cushions, and Good Old Gold hearts and arrows cushions, as well as Engagement Rings Direct for a modern cushion.
All three have very nice cushions, and can craft a setting very similar or identical setting.

I haven't had time to reply to your PM bec I just got home from a long day working an event and prepping for another coming up. I hope to tomorrow.
Click to expand...
 
#11
I just sent you a few ideas, but I think if the BRAND is important to you, get it from Tiffany. You can buy it secondhand, but you really have to know your stuff buying it secondhand, you have to know what to look for and who to trust and if you're not versed in that, I would not go that route.

I personally think unless the brand is super important, that you can get better bang elsewhere, and you'll have more control over the stone selection. There are plenty of other vendors that can make a ring that meets your specifications, and no one besides you will know it's not from Tiffany.

Most important right now is deciding specifically what you want. You're between a lot of things, so you have to settle on what it is you really want.
 
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