I need help deciding between a no brand or a Tiffany engagement ring please

[Onebagtoomany]

Congratulations on your engagement!

You seem very set on a Tiffany branded ring. I think a lot of the posters here come from countries like the USA where there is a much bigger emphasis on carat size, bigger being better. I live in the UK where your average engagement diamond is around 0.50 to a carat, it is rare to see much bigger than this here. So, 0.45 carat to me is a lovely size. My own engagement ring is 0.50 carat total.

If I was in the market now for an engagement ring and wanted a Tiffany stone I would be thrilled with the one you are looking at. You should get what makes your heart sing, not what posters here think constitutes the perfect engagement ring/size.

Would you consider an estate/preowned ring? You could then get a Tiffany ring with a much bigger stone if both brand and carat size are important to you.

 

[lnwmom]

No Brand!! No one can tell if it’s a Tiffany ring at quick glance but that is a big difference in carat size to the eye. Plus after a while wveryone experiences ring shrinkage!!

 

[LV Rawks]

I’m in agreement with a non Tiffany ring. You’re paying for a name and overpaying for the diamond which is the centerpiece of the ring. That being said, it really depends on you and what you want.

 

[pinky7129]

i had the option of a tiffany v non branded.
tiffany i would have got a .83 color I and the lowest specs they offer, instead with a non branded i got a 1.51 with D color and higher overall specs
like others said, you cant tell its tiffany on your finger, you cant exactly go tell everyone that either.
and diamond shrinkage is real

 

[kbell]

Yeah but not everyone thinks bigger is better right? A large diamond doesn’t necessarily outshine a small one. I don’t know how important carat size is to me.

Bigger may not be better - but the best cut is absolutely better. It’s the difference between a real sparkler & an ok meh sparkler and one does outshine the other. Not all triple ex cuts are equal. I’d get an ideal cut regardless of brand/no brand.

 

[Swanky]

Cut is king!! I’d get the best cut possible at whatever the budget is, you can get a stone as good or better than the Tiffany’s, easily.

 

[Christiflora]

Per my purchase experience, I think Tiffany ring is worth it for metal workmanship, but definitely NOT for diamonds. Tiffany diamonds are not necessarily best cut, and they charge a hefty premium for their name diamonds. My recommendation is to go to pricescope for advice and education to find out what spec (color, carat size, clarity, and cut) and price best suit you. Members there buy from trusted diamond vendors (such as Whiteflash, Brian Gavin) who sell their signature, ideal cut diamonds. These vendors can purchase on your behalf some brand name settings and set the diamonds for you. I purchased my diamond ring from Whiteflash. Whiteflash sourced me the 6-prong platinum setting from Vatche, sent my diamond (ideal cut from Whiteflash) to Vatche for setting (no setting charge), inspected the completed ring before mailing it to me. When I got the ring and found it a little loose, I went to Vatche in NY for free adjustment. It was a seamless, convenient, and happy shopping experience (so were many previous diamond jewelry purchases from Whiteflash). Whiteflash’s A-Cut-Above diamonds are gorgeous beyond words, and they are much more reasonable than Tiffany diamonds.
You have a choice to have the diamond shipped to you for inspection with no obligation to purchase.
For diamonds of a given budget, my preference order is Cut (ideal in terms of brilliance and sparkles, no compromise here), size, color (I or better), and clarity (eye-clean VS minimum for 1-carat or larger, and eye-clean SI1 minimum otherwise; nothing Si-2 or less).

 

[BigBagLady]

I have a Tiffany & Co round solitaire and its dupe from Whiteflash with ideal cut diamond. They look so much the same but the price difference is huge! I have the same amount of joy and appreciation for both the diamonds. In the end, I think the price difference isn't worth it so I say go for the bigger diamond.

 

[DreamingBeauty]

I don't think Tiffany markup is worth it for an engagement ring, just get a nonbranded diamond in the size/specs you want, if you have budget leftover you could put that toward something else from Tiffany that's in an iconic design for them. I think first you have to decide what size stone you want, 1/2 carat vs. 1 carat is a big difference.

 

[ChanelCelineLaurentLover]

I agree with what people are saying, I’ve had hundreds of people comment on my engagement ring and not one single person has asked where it’s from LOL so only you would really know. Mine came from a very respectable local jeweler and I actually first selected the diamond and then we worked together to design a custom ring. It was a really great experience and it’s also great to know that no one else has my exact design. That to me makes it more special than any brand could. I also appreciate that many SOs are asking their partners to be involved in the ring process these days.

 

[sonicxml]

Congrats on your engagement! Others have summarized pretty well in terms of the mark up you will have to pay for a tiffany e ring. I got my e ring from an online retailer and wedding band from tiffany so that I can stick to my budget and at the same time get a 'brand name' (although I don't really care for Tiffany).
I would only suggest to choose the tiffany e ring if you plan to upgrade it in a couple of years (https://www.tiffany.com/faq/love-engagement-faq/can-i-upgrade-my-tiffany-engagement-ring/).

 

[BigAkoya]

I love my Tiffany engagement ring. It sparkles like crazy and I love knowing it’s a Tiffany. I never tell folks, and only few friends know. For me, it’s not about people knowing I have a Tiffany. For me.. it’s about me knowing. The ring is completely for me... I know I have a Tiffany and I love it!

I say get your Tiffany. There is no other if your heart is set on it. I was not even going to get a Tiffany, but now that I have one, I would never go back.

I would go down to VS2 H. You don’t need VVS2 clarity... their rings sparkle like mad (I compared stones).

Ask your SA to see some VS2 stones... it will be cheaper. Be patient if there is no stock. Tiffany is always getting new stock. And I would not get a SI stone for an engagement ring. Tiffany does not sell that lower clarity for engagement rings, the lowest is VS2. The low price in the no name stone is largely in part due to the SI clarity, and it’s also an I color. That SI1 I stone to me is not a high quality stone for a ring. People will disagree with me of course as some just care about size. Just my two cents.

I say get that Tiffany! Congrats to you!

 

[LanaA]

I would take a look at both before you decide. Just because the specs are the same doesn't mean they will look the same. I don't personally like Tiffanys because I think they are overpriced, but there are other brands like Harry Winston that have gorgeous rings for less. I have non branded diamonds that are amazing and ones that were so unbelievably ugly even though the specs were the same as brands. Specs are not all there is and you should also take into account craftsmanship. I like jewelry that holds up and doesn't need repair just because you dropped it, and in case you do need repair, you can take it to the shop.

In my experience, The only non branded diamonds that sparkle like Van Cleef and Harry Winston are the ones I bought overseas from an old family jeweler. I have purchased from places like James Allen and while all the specs were supposedly great, it was by far the most dull looking diamond I'd ever seen.

 

[MatAllston]

My engagement ring is non branded and for our 10th anniversary, I got a Tiffany ring and I am extremely happy with my Tiffany ring. I love the classic Tiffany setting and Tiffany’s craftsmanship is excellent. I got it because I love the setting not because I want people to know that I have a Tiffany ring. Tiffany’s after sales service is great too. I travel often and any Tiffany boutique around the world is able to clean and inspect my ring for me for free. I also polish it every 5 years and they do it for free too. I also like the fact that I have the choice to upgrade if I want to.

I know you pay a premium for Tiffany but people pay a premium for Louis Vuitton, Hermes and Chanel bags too.

If you are set on the classic Tiffany setting, go for it but if you are not set on the setting, shop around and then decide. A very experienced gemologist once told me you need to view the stones in person and don’t get too carried away with the stats of the stones. Let your eyes be the judge.

 

[Rockysmom]

I’ve never been a Tiffany girl but I get some people are. I think only you can decide, not a bunch of strangers. Good luck with your choice!