Shopping for an engagement ring...t&co, cartier, vera????!

TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others

#16
didi78 said:
thanks everyone! I am so happy with my budget...actually SHOCKED when my bf told me how much he is willing to spend. thank you everyone for all the suggestions! I definitely don't know much brands other than the ones I mentioned. I want superior workmanship and I'm sure I can get that at places other than Tiffany and Cartier.

THough I do like the idea of a custom made thing (and I will probably consider that as a top choice) I do like the idea of having a name-brand ring though. It's a girly dream I've always had....

Out of all the brands I mentioned, which one would be the best investment?
Click to expand...

If one is referring to pecuniary value after the ring is worn, no ring with the price of $20,000 is an investment piece whether it is Cartier or Tiffany & Co. because it's just not big enough and not clear enough: if I put my 1.3 D/IF from Tiffany on eBay, it will have lost $30,000 from its value after less than a year, LOL! The reason? Why would anybody want a used engagement ring especially when it has been on the hand of a divorced woman (BTW, I'm not married yet, LOL) and I am aware that at that price I can have a 5 carat ring from an 'independent' jeweller.

So I am not going to argue with every lady here that Cartier and Tiffany does not rip you off (because I even admitted to it in older thread whilst giving you the price of a 1 D/IF with Cartier being seriously expensive and not including the platinum price) but I will tell you why you want a brand name ring.

There is this innate (and undeniable) feeling you get have a brand name ring (or any piece of jewellery). Imagine when it's nice and cosy in the evening and you sit down in front of your dressing table, then you open your drawer and take out your Cartier red box or a stack of them. You get this sense of 'yes, I've made it' LOL when you start shifting through the stack.

I am going to continue with something equally irrational because I am usually a bit spaced out :p. Sometimes I do what I have said above before I go to bed and when I start playing with the Caresse necklace or even the basic So Pretty one, I feel really good despite the hard day's work (and the red boxes looks pretty good as well, LOL). But I can never get this feeling with a generic diamond even though they are all just sparkly bits of carbon. Clearly I have fallen for the marketing ploy but diamonds (especially the engagement ring) is a sentimental object. In fact, I believe that it's an irrational exuberance, so why try to be rational punching into your calculator the price/carat ratio? Instead why not follow your heart :heart:!

Given that you have started off with the two names of Cartier and Tiffany, LOL and admitted of the girly dream, go for the Cartier or Tiffany ring! When you have one of them on, you will start twisting it around your finger like mad (I do anyway, LOL) because you know you've got the ring that you truly want!
 
#17
hahah BEE! I greatly appreciated your logic. It is totally "irrational" to want an expensive, name-brand, but you are right that it's that special feeling that you get when you have that on your finger. that innate, undeniable feeling. ok, i'm going to south coast plaza today to look at some rings. thanks for your advice!

if i don't get a name brand, i'm thinking of purchasing a nicely sized cushion cut diamond ( I LOVE THAT CUT) or asscher and have it custom made into a delicate pave eternity band.
 
#19
why don't you get your diamond somewhere else and get the band at the brand name shop? with that kind of budget, you can afford a spectacular diamond. congratulations. you can also consider the "brand" of diamond. hearts on fire are perfectly cut and amazing. maybe go with a brand diamond, and a retail brand ring...good luck!
 
#20
I agree with research, and pricescope.com is such an awesome site. As for the brand names, to each his own, but nobody is going to know if it is a name brand or not. As for the name brand making you feel "special"...I get that feeling from my no name brand engagement ring just knowing that my husband went out on his own and picked a beautiful diamond for me because he loves me and wants to spend his life with me. That means more than any name brand.
 
#21
:nuts: (Restraining myself from congratulating you...)

I'm also ring shopping and from what you've posted we have similar taste! :smile1:

1. I love the Tiffany solitaire. Its a beautiful ring. Very classic. My fiance is leaving it up to me but he really loves this look with a classic platinum band.

2. The Tiffany legacy is also fabulous! Its very difficult to get in a size that's just under a carat. Most are way over or around 1/2 ct. because of the popularity of the ring. You can ask for a list of available rings at Tiffany's and have them send one to your local store for you to try on. My fiance and family and friends aren't as crazy about this one though...:confused1:

3. Cartier also has beautiful rings. They are a little more expensive but I think that's because in terms of quality they don't go below a G or F. Also you can negotiate in price a little with them, maybe 10-15%. I tried on one ring that that I absolutely loved but it didn't sit flush with a wedding band - it may have been the declaration d'amour - I'm not sure.

4. Vera Wang. I tried on one of her rings, loved it, but I'm going for something more classic and timeless. I think that the Vera Wang rings are a little trendy right now - as is micro pave. I've also heard that the diamonds on the micro pave can fall out. In my case though we won't upgrade - I would be too attached to the ring.

5. For me the setting is so important that I don't mind getting a smaller stone. The setting really makes the ring. I'm too chicken to go custom and I just like the idea of a classic ring. Honestly I also think some custom rings can look dated faster.

I agree with Beebee, I want a fabulous branded ring, something with a classic (Cartier 1895 ring) or new classic design (like the Legacy). I have a bunch of Tiffany jewelry from my fiance and I love it. I didn't even think I liked simple jewelry, like classic pearls, until he gave me some and I love the pieces more the more I wear them. I need some red boxes to go with my blue ones though.... Its like my bags though, sure I know that I could get a leather bag from alot of places but I go designer. Get the Cartier or Tiffany ring, you'll feel like a princess.

I'm not going to be selling my jewelry but a Cartier or Tiffany ring does have a higher resale value than a non-branded ring. You'll still lose alot of money though on the secondary market. Tiffany lets you upgrade (I don't know about Cartier) if the next ring is more expensive (maybe 2x the price?) if that's why you're asking.

Let me know if you make any decisions - I still can't decide!
 
#22
Wow, so much dogging on the brand name rings...and from us? Aren't we the gals that throw down hundreds of bucks on a brand bag? Seriously guys, UNTIL I got my Tiffany's ring, I NEVER brought brand ANYTHING. I was always the bargain bin girl and then I thought...why? If we can afford it, I want the brand (marketing schmarketing). I want the myth, I want the history.

So please don't dog Tiffany's or Cartier. It makes my skin clench, I get really upset about it...like I'm being called a moron for being "suckered" into buying a box (and maybe I am) but, those boxes always put a smile on my face. When I'm sad, when I've had a bad day, when I just look down at my hands...smile. And if that makes me a sucker...okay. But don't throw it up at me all the time. Let me be a quiet sucker.

Sorry to rant but, every single time I read a thread on rings, there's always the bit about buying a box and then I feel stupid. and can't even look at tPF for awhile.

Must go get coffee and calm down...which wouldn't make sense normally but, does to me :-)
 
#23
^^^
You're absoluately right but don't feel bad! Tiffany rings are amazing! There is alot of overstatement about how much money you 'save' when you go look for a non-brand ring. Plus personally I don't want the headache of worrying if my cut is good - I know a Tiffany or Cartier cut is excellent. The setting is similarly excellent and classic I've tried on other 4/6 prong rings, none compared. My favorite ring among friends is still a classic Tiffany 6 prong solitaire that a girl I know got - its so classy and elegant.

I've gotten some snide comments for where we're shopping for rings but frankly I think its from jealousy, none of my friends have said anything, just some co-workers who ask me where we're looking. Frankly I don't like any of their rings, so I could care less for their opinions over where I should shop.

The point isn't to get the cheapest ring possible or the biggest diamond for the least amount of money - its about style - its why we spend so much on purses. Some custom rings are very nice too, but I would worry about them looking dated, like some of the rings designed in the 80s that I see at work.

Here is an article about how expensive Zales is! I've shopped in the NY diamond district its crazy - they have such little overhead because most of the 'stores' are boothes - I'd be so worried buying there. And the article overstates the savings - sure it might be 10k but they don't even know for sure if the cut is good and you have to add at least 2k for a Tiffany-style setting and have someone set the loose stone.
A Cut Above (The Agenda: Personal Finance) | SmartMoney.com
 
#24
LV Rawks said:
I agree with research, and pricescope.com is such an awesome site. As for the brand names, to each his own, but nobody is going to know if it is a name brand or not. As for the name brand making you feel "special"...I get that feeling from my no name brand engagement ring just knowing that my husband went out on his own and picked a beautiful diamond for me because he loves me and wants to spend his life with me. That means more than any name brand.
Click to expand...

Well with certain settings its clear its a brand name. And after searching through NYC's diamond district with my best friend and then going to Tiffany and Cartier I have to say that their designs are superior, IMO.
 
#25
thanks for the input everyone. i'm sorry (ATG) if we are bagging on name-brand rings...but i want to put it out there that I would LOVE to have a tiffany.

I went to Cartier today and tried on their rings. HOnestly, I wasn't too impressed by their settings. It seemed too classic that it didn't to justify the cost. Cartier is way more than tiffany, so if I'm going for the name-brand classic, then I'll go for the Tiffany solitaire.

As for Tiffany, I tried on the Legacy but they only had a 0.40 carat one or a 2 carat one to try on. One is too big, the other too small! I think it would be perfect with a 1 carat one!

I also went into a smaller jewelry store where they had AWESOME custom made micro pave and halo rings. There was one with a 1.11 cushion cut diamond with micro halo and a split shank that ends up with "two" micro pave eternity band. It was GORGEOUS. The setting itself cost about $8000! yeeks! Oh, and the 1.11 carat diamond cost $9000. It was a VVS2, E color. drooool.

winternight...I'm tempted to get something more simple so I can wear it forever. The tiffany solitaire seems to be the best bet, especially if I wear it with the matching diamond wedding ring (WOW, have you tried it on TOGETHER YET? IT LOOKS AMAZING!!!!) Though the Legacy greatly tempts me..I have no idea why your family members and friends aren't in love with that one.

LV Rawks....it's true that as long as my bf buys it for me, I'll be so in love with it regardless of what brand it is. sigh.....i'm so happy.

DON'T CONGRATULATE ME!!!!!! haha.
 
#26
winternight said:
Well with certain settings its clear its a brand name. And after searching through NYC's diamond district with my best friend and then going to Tiffany and Cartier I have to say that their designs are superior, IMO.
Click to expand...
And that is fine if the name is what is important to you. I will say that I disagree that Tiffany & Cartier have superior designs, IMO.
 
#29
didi78 said:
winternight...I'm tempted to get something more simple so I can wear it forever. The tiffany solitaire seems to be the best bet, especially if I wear it with the matching diamond wedding ring (WOW, have you tried it on TOGETHER YET? IT LOOKS AMAZING!!!!) Though the Legacy greatly tempts me..I have no idea why your family members and friends aren't in love with that one.
quote]

This is the decision I'm struggling with. I'm going ring shopping with my sister over the Christmas holidays and I'll see what she thinks. She's probably going to get a classic Tiffany solitaire herself someday because she's very classic. I love the Legacy but I also like to dress a little edgy so the Tiffany solitaire might work better for me. I did see an antique-copy ring with Asher diamonds that was amazing and I probably would have gotten it, but I would want a real antique and not a copy. Too bad though!

I think I might like the Tiffany solitaire better with a plain band (but that doesn't mean I couldn't get a matching diamond bracelet to go with it!)
Click to expand...
 
#30
what's important is the design, the quality of the diamond the setting. i think it's silly to spend money on designer jewelry because you're being charged more for the name. you can get the same quality (or even better) if you get your ring custom made by a good jeweler. and that way you can pick the diamond, setting, etc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top