Tiffany E-ring Upgrade/HCA vs Triple Excellent - Decisions, decisions!
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There's definitely a good premium on HOF. I was completely shocked when searching for diamonds within the company.
May I ask why you are looking at Tiffany after owning a HOF? Tiffany doesn't offer H&A, though my ring does have perfect arrows, which is why I picked the ring in the first place. I think if you search enough and don't mind spending more, you will find a combination of cut, color and clarity of your preference and within HCA range. Mine came out at 1.0.
You are very lucky to get one within a good HCA range. I am looking at Tiffany because it's conveniently located, and they actually have been able to find a couple within range. Cartier and DeBeers were not able to find anything within HCA range for the clarity, color, etc.
I found HOF to carry lower color and clarity in general, as you mentioned in a post.
May I ask how long it took before you found your ring? How were you able to determine the ring had perfect arrows at Tiffany? I'm wondering whether I'll find it anytime soon. I just don't want to settle.
Thanks, that's terrific! May I ask how long ago you purchased and your approx specs? When I spoke to my SA she pretty much said most will be in the approx 62 depth, so since the one diamond I'm debating on has an HCA of 1.2 but with 62 depth, I'm thinking it may be very unlikely to find a shallower depth...Also, I'm unsure if I would even notice?! I'm not very good at waiting, esp when the odds are against me lol
I think the one I'm considering falls within all the new guidelines and has an HCA of 1.2 so that's a good sign! Now I just have to wait 4 weeks to see it
I'm also curious about this perfect arrow concept/how to see on a Tiffany diamond. Good luck to you on your search as well!
As you can see there are Tiffany diamonds that fall within HCA. I've been looking for a while though for the one to pop in that meets my criteria. I was being extremely picky for at least VVS (want the mind clean), D-F, around 1.5 cts to 2 cts. and excellent arrows that meet HCA of under 2. I rejected a lot along the way.
I determine the arrows are perfect by analyzing the arrow pattern through the loupe. You have to look through the loupe or some people take a sharp close up picture to capture the perfect arrow. Though mine is not classified as H&A anywhere on paper, the arrows are pretty much close to that pattern but probably slight deviation prevented it from being called H&A. Because the stone is already mounted in the setting, I cannot see the hearts. Good arrow pattern is out there, you just have to search for it. But if you really want perfect H&A, then I'll say go for HOF with VS clarity since VVS would be a hard find at HOF, but you don't need a VVS unless you are like me. I could have gotten a bigger diamond than 1.65 cts by going for VS1 and lower color range, but for me, it was my preference and I don't really need such a big diamond.
I think the one I'm considering falls within all the new guidelines and has an HCA of 1.2 so that's a good sign! Now I just have to wait 4 weeks to see it
Why so long?
Well, as Ame mentioned many times, HCA is only a tool. Some good diamonds do not fall within HCA but are beautiful in person.
That's why I cannot buy online. I tried the GOG, Whiteflash, and Bluenile routes, but for the life of me just cannot bring myself to wire in five digits to make that one purchase sight unseen. Even though there a good return policy, I can't help worrying if I do not like the look of the diamond in real life, I may have to return it and the risk of losing the diamond on route back to the online retailer. That's why I went to see Tiffany, HOF, and even Harry Winston. Local jewelers did not carry that many in inventory but I went that route as well. Bottom line is I don't want commitment by paying first, then return.
Hi burberryprncess,
Yes me too - I can't bring myself to purchase such a large item online and for me the giddyness of going into Tiffany and choosing the perfect diamond means something to me. Just going in the first time last week to discuss upgrade options made me relive the whole engagement process, "falling in love", "starting a new life" feeling again. =)
I realize HCA is a tool, but I'm glad this one I'm considering falls under 2 and is also within ideal percentages/depths etc. It gives me peace of mind. Now I just hope I love it in person!
As for 4 weeks, apparently it takes that long to transfer a diamond from the US to Toronto! =(
Yes me too - I can't bring myself to purchase such a large item online and for me the giddyness of going into Tiffany and choosing the perfect diamond means something to me. Just going in the first time last week to discuss upgrade options made me relive the whole engagement process, "falling in love", "starting a new life" feeling again. =)
I realize HCA is a tool, but I'm glad this one I'm considering falls under 2 and is also within ideal percentages/depths etc. It gives me peace of mind. Now I just hope I love it in person!
As for 4 weeks, apparently it takes that long to transfer a diamond from the US to Toronto! =(
Well you're not totally buying it sight unseen from GOG or BGD or WF, they have photos of your actual stone up there, and all the testing they provide with the IS, ASET, etc. Blue Nile IS sight unseen, yes, but the other three I mentioned aren't. It is riskier to buy a lower clarity stone that way if you have a concern about eye cleanliness though since you are reliant on photos and someone else's eyes and definition of eye clean, so if that's a concern buying a higher clarity is probably worth the money for the mind cleanliness.
HCA is a tool to help weed out stones but it should NOT be the final decider. When you're dealing with super ideals already, stuff like BGD and WF and GOG premiums that have been kinda pre-vetted, you don't really need to use it or rely on it. You can see that they're well cut by looking at the photos and testing. When you're buying on paper, without testing and images, that's when it's helpful, because you can weed out some stones that will have some angles that won't help performance. It should NOT be the main and final decider, your eyes should. If a stone falls just outside of a 0-2 range that doesn't mean it's going to suck. And if it falls within it, it doesn't automatically mean it's gonna be the best there ever was. Usually within the 0-2 they're all equal--sometimes there are a few that are just meh that get a great score, sometimes there are a few that are dynamos that get say a 2.4. And just because a stone gets a lower score in the range doesn't make it better or worse than one with a higher score in the range or just outside of it. That score is something to keep in mind but not base your decision on.
HCA is a tool to help weed out stones but it should NOT be the final decider. When you're dealing with super ideals already, stuff like BGD and WF and GOG premiums that have been kinda pre-vetted, you don't really need to use it or rely on it. You can see that they're well cut by looking at the photos and testing. When you're buying on paper, without testing and images, that's when it's helpful, because you can weed out some stones that will have some angles that won't help performance. It should NOT be the main and final decider, your eyes should. If a stone falls just outside of a 0-2 range that doesn't mean it's going to suck. And if it falls within it, it doesn't automatically mean it's gonna be the best there ever was. Usually within the 0-2 they're all equal--sometimes there are a few that are just meh that get a great score, sometimes there are a few that are dynamos that get say a 2.4. And just because a stone gets a lower score in the range doesn't make it better or worse than one with a higher score in the range or just outside of it. That score is something to keep in mind but not base your decision on.
I'm a little stressed to find out today that my original Option 1 that I posted (the one I was strongly considering after all the advice here!) has not yet been ordered in and cannot be confirmed available Apparently, my request was misunderstood and they ordered the wrong one in. I hope it's still available but as it's all the way in Asia confirmation of availability may take up to a week! Playing the waiting game unfortunately...
Apparently, my request was misunderstood and they ordered the wrong one in. I hope it's still available but as it's all the way in Asia confirmation of availability may take up to a week! Playing the waiting game unfortunately...This was purchased in 2008 and is 0.8ct G-VVS1. I am color and clarity sensitive, that's why I only buy vvs clarity and G is the lowest color I have. It took quite a long time for me to get this stone that meet my requirement of cut and clarity/ color. They have less shallower stones than deep ones, but still have, you just have to wait and doing your search
You're right, GOG and WhiteFlash did send me tons of photos of the diamonds I inquired about. But my concern is having it in my hands, after paying for it, and don't like it in person. And if I didn't like it, I don't want to deal with the postal service of returning and buying insurance to cover loss. I dealt with items bought from eBay and had enough issues with items lost in mail and postal service claiming I signed for them. I like the ability to walk in to a store and do a return/exchange.
I'm a little stressed to find out today that my original Option 1 that I posted (the one I was strongly considering after all the advice here!) has not yet been ordered in and cannot be confirmed available
There's always another one. Why are you in such a hurry if you don't mind me asking?
For me, I had all the time in the world because I have an e-ring already and already married, and when the right one comes along, then it was meant to be mine.