i had this huge debate in my mind too. bigger carat size v tiffs. this is being boiled down to why you are accepting the ring- is it cuz u love ur fiance or cuz u love the ring. Brand or no brand or carat size...it doesnt have yo be this complicated . Life is short. relax about the ring and enjoy ur future life together. Whether diamonds are forever or not is a sales gimmick. Most importantly ur love for each other should be forever. I was lost in diamond searching thinking bigger and more expensive the better but when i think of why i am getting married it brings me back in focus. I have a tiffany ring (didnt buy big carat one cuz deep down thats not most impt for me) since i am more comfortable with resizing, maintenance and repairs with a big company than with smaller ones that may come and go, just peace of mind.
Tiffany E-Ring Vs. Non-Tiffany E-Ring
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LOL....you know what I get out of all of this? Just LOVE what you own. Stop seeking approval of others.
Tiffany is Tiffany. It's NOT the same as "similar" designs. But does anyone really give a damn if I like Tiffany or not? Is it going to change the way you perceive the brand? Or live your life?
Nuts!
So I've been thinking about this lately on another forum where they are rabid nuts anti-Tiffany and yet every 15th thread is about how to copy some Tiffany design, usually the classic, iconic solitaire. Or the Tiffany keys or whatever! Ick! And guess what it is a great balanced clean and classic ring - especially the prongs.
I was once at a party and a girl asked me to look at my ring and showed me hers - I just said it was pretty and she said ....Tiffany... I thought she said her ring was Tiffany, so I was like 'oh cute, me too' um no, her fiance got her a Tiffany copy?!?! Why? And why brag about it. I'd feel so freaking wierd about that but then I don't carry fake handbags either! Just buy a different design people!
Anyways, I love my Tiffany ring and all of my other jewelry from there. My DH was really into getting me a Tiffany engagement ring and you know he was right - I still love it years later - never, ever get tired of it. I'm hoping one day to add an amazing, maybe art deco, Tiffany right hand ring.
The other hilarious thing is that I can sell some pieces of my other Tiffany jewelry for what we paid several years ago and my ring for much much more (we got it second hand) branded jewelry just holds value much better.
So I've been thinking about this lately on another forum where they are rabid nuts anti-Tiffany and yet every 15th thread is about how to copy some Tiffany design, usually the classic, iconic solitaire. Or the Tiffany keys or whatever! Ick! And guess what it is a great balanced clean and classic ring - especially the prongs.
I was once at a party and a girl asked me to look at my ring and showed me hers - I just said it was pretty and she said ....Tiffany... I thought she said her ring was Tiffany, so I was like 'oh cute, me too' um no, her fiance got her a Tiffany copy?!?! Why? And why brag about it. I'd feel so freaking wierd about that but then I don't carry fake handbags either! Just buy a different design people!
Anyways, I love my Tiffany ring and all of my other jewelry from there. My DH was really into getting me a Tiffany engagement ring and you know he was right - I still love it years later - never, ever get tired of it. I'm hoping one day to add an amazing, maybe art deco, Tiffany right hand ring.
The other hilarious thing is that I can sell some pieces of my other Tiffany jewelry for what we paid several years ago and my ring for much much more (we got it second hand) branded jewelry just holds value much better.
I've changed my opinion - I'm getting more and more annoyed all the time! LOL.
I agree that a ring is more than a diamond and a piece of metal that holds it - it's a work of art, a piece of jewelry. Tiffany's rings are beautifully designed and well made. I'm rough on my jewelry and they stand up and keep their beauty. Everyone here has had bad customer service SOMEWHERE expensive - personally I've had pretty amazing treatment at Tiffany's and am very pleased with how they treat me! Absolutely no issues. And as with ALL jewelry purchases, the more informed the buyer, the better you'll do. If you make the effort to ask for a diamond certificate there you'll get it immediately and it's up to you to look up the info and decide for yourself which ring is the one for you. But one thing I am sure about is that like another poster said, you'll always get an excellent quality product from them... it is pretty worry free shopping. Not that there isn't still some variation (if you look at my upgrade experience you'll see how far I've come with people like Ame's help figuring out which "triple excellent" stone is actually the best - because they're not all equal!) ... but if a guy walks in there armed with nothing more than the 4C's and his DF's preference for style, he's going to come out of there with a gorgeous ring, end of story.
I also saw a post above where the poster said they were SO TIRED of TIffany bashing and comments about how "overpriced" they were when this is a purse forum where people literally collect leather bags that are over 8 THOUSAND DOLLARS a piece and I was like, "YES - THAT!!!" WHY is it so acceptable to bash Tiffany's? I almost feel like it must represent something in our culture that people feel like they have to hate on if they can't have... I don't know! What I wonder is where are the "Hermes or non-Hermes" threads? Can you get a MOP and YG station necklace for less than the ones at VCA? Um, DUH. The material value of those $10,000 necklaces is probably what, $2K? And what about the "Cartier jewelry - yay or nay? Is it a huge waste of money?" threads!? We "dummies" who have bought their LOVE bracelet are basically paying 40% more for the design. I mean come on - it's really just a pretty cool solid gold bangle. So.. "Is it worth it?" I can tell you my DH would say "hells no!" LOL. So would 95% of the population. It's a DESIGN and you pay for that design, for knowing you have a "luxury" item, for other people knowing you have a luxury item... NO ONE who buys ANY of these items IMHO should be bashing TIffany's for "charging a premium." It just seems RIDICULOUS to me (not "rediculous" people! LOL RIDICULOUS!) that people HERE of all places still argue about this! If you don't care about the things that TIffany or VCA or Cartier or Hermes or COACH or whatever represent then DON'T BUY IT! Simple! You can ALWAYS get it cheaper and arguably for the exact same quality (you cannot tell me NO ONE ON EARTH makes a bag as nice as a Birkin for less than 8 thousand dollars but I don't start threads bashing Hermes!) And I can admit that yes, there are jewellers out there who could make a ring as nice or nicer than a Tiffany's one with maybe even a bigger stone but I don't care, I love what TIffany's represents and I love their style! I love that people recognize it as TIffany's - I love knowing I have a ring from Tiffany's.
There's a reason that location managers for movies SET their films in Tiffany's... that one of the characters on Sex and the City's dream proposal came in front of Tiffany's and the writers gave her the classic solitaire. You'll note that not ALL FOUR got TIffany's rings, just Charlotte. That store clearly REPRESENTS SOMETHING in our culture - the flagship store is an American ICON. I GET IT. I LOVE it. But if you don't, don't buy it! Don't even bother going in because yes, you're going to be "shocked" that a diamond with certain stats is actually MORE THERE than in the diamond district. WOW - is this really news?!! I SO don't get Birkin bags but I'll jump up and down when my friend gets a new one because it makes HER happy for some reason and that makes ME happy! AND whether you like to admit it or not, Tiffany's is a STYLE SETTER - when they debut a new setting, everyone else follows. (Not just Tiffany's obviously, all design houses). And yes you are paying for the design - but isn't that KIND of the point? I mean I'm sure I could find a Chloe Paraty rip off bag for $200 on ebay right now but I wanted the real deal... does that make me an idiot for paying $1800? Maybe... I guess it depends on how you look at it. But there do seem to be some people here who make a sport out of bashing Tiffany's and I'd just love to see them start some Hermes or Cartier threads and see what happens, just out of curiosity!
These are design houses and a HUGE part of the total bill is the name and the lifetime of service. Chacun son gout as they say, and please please let the people who love Tiffany's enjoy their gorgeous jewelry in peace just like us Tiffany lovers applaud your overpriced designer goodies!!!Please!!!
I think I kindof love you!
I would like to chime in...
I'm a guy. I proposed to my fiance in 2011 around this time with a Tiffany Novo ring. I can see both sides to the arguments presented within this thread but really, the ultimate decision falls on what the girl wants and what the guy will get (with more weight on the guy's decision). I think we know most of the factors that a girls looks for in a ring but for a guy it's about 3 things: what is his budget, does he care, and does he want his *** kicked by his girlfriend for getting a crappy ring?
All kidding aside, I agree that you can get an equivalent diamond at a place not named Tiffany or Harry Winston. In the later case, you pay a premium. If you go that route, it's all about what you think that premium is worth. And no, it's not about getting that blue box with a ribbon, that is a misconception. This premium is different to everyone. To me, it was about the design, customer service (both pre and post purchase) and originality.
About originality, there is a reason why I see a bunch of different threads with titles like "look at my Tiffany setting ring" or "I got engaged with a Novo like setting". I don't mean to sound like a snob and I hope I didn't come out that way but I personally wanted to get my fiance something that is not Tiffany "inspired", rather, I wanted to get her the real thing. This was my decision alone and not my fiance's. I also wanted to "sacrifice" by saving so that I get a sense of achievement when I presented her the ring. Should I be ridiculed for doing this? Am I a snob for getting a Tiffany ring? I don't think so, but you might. It's a free country and you can think whatever you want.
What I don't understand is how one of the posters perfectly said it. People with Tiffany rings would look at other peoples rings that are non-Tiffany and say that it looks beautiful but when it's vice versa, you start to hear "you overpaid" or "you paid the Tiffany tax for a diamond that you can get elsewhere". That's not right to me. Basically, if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say it at all. And if you have an agenda and just want to bash, I think it's you who looks foolish.
At the end of the day, whether it's Tiffany or non-Tiffany, enjoy your ring because it symbolizes more than what it physically represents. It's about the love, commitment, and partnership that you have with your significant other.
I'm a guy. I proposed to my fiance in 2011 around this time with a Tiffany Novo ring. I can see both sides to the arguments presented within this thread but really, the ultimate decision falls on what the girl wants and what the guy will get (with more weight on the guy's decision). I think we know most of the factors that a girls looks for in a ring but for a guy it's about 3 things: what is his budget, does he care, and does he want his *** kicked by his girlfriend for getting a crappy ring?
All kidding aside, I agree that you can get an equivalent diamond at a place not named Tiffany or Harry Winston. In the later case, you pay a premium. If you go that route, it's all about what you think that premium is worth. And no, it's not about getting that blue box with a ribbon, that is a misconception. This premium is different to everyone. To me, it was about the design, customer service (both pre and post purchase) and originality.
About originality, there is a reason why I see a bunch of different threads with titles like "look at my Tiffany setting ring" or "I got engaged with a Novo like setting". I don't mean to sound like a snob and I hope I didn't come out that way but I personally wanted to get my fiance something that is not Tiffany "inspired", rather, I wanted to get her the real thing. This was my decision alone and not my fiance's. I also wanted to "sacrifice" by saving so that I get a sense of achievement when I presented her the ring. Should I be ridiculed for doing this? Am I a snob for getting a Tiffany ring? I don't think so, but you might. It's a free country and you can think whatever you want.
What I don't understand is how one of the posters perfectly said it. People with Tiffany rings would look at other peoples rings that are non-Tiffany and say that it looks beautiful but when it's vice versa, you start to hear "you overpaid" or "you paid the Tiffany tax for a diamond that you can get elsewhere". That's not right to me. Basically, if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say it at all. And if you have an agenda and just want to bash, I think it's you who looks foolish.
At the end of the day, whether it's Tiffany or non-Tiffany, enjoy your ring because it symbolizes more than what it physically represents. It's about the love, commitment, and partnership that you have with your significant other.
:worthy: Wauw! Well said!
That's EXACTLY how I feel about all this.
And I know that's also EXACTLY how my DH felt when he chose to surprise me with a Tiffany e-ring!
Congrats on your engagement btw!
surfergirljen, I totally love what you said. I wish I had found this forum before my DH proposed. I love my ring, but learning so much from these forums would have really helped. I have a lot of jewelry now from the Bloor Tiffany store and the SA are amazing.
Thank you!! These forums have been SO helpful to me too and I totally agree, Bloor St. service is excellent... will always go back there after the way they've treated us!!
Ditto!!!!! Excellent post ~ thanks for chiming in from the guy's perspective!! Your fiance's ring sounds dreamy... congrats! I seriously don't think you will EVER regret your decision to go with Tiffany's!
I've bought my vintage 'old cut' solitaire (not an engagement ring) at my local jeweler who is specialized in their own modern design as well as vintage. I was able to sell them some of my old rings and buy a 5.3 ct ring. I am very grateful for this. I have a certificate from the independent certifier in Antwerp and I also completely trust my jeweler. Never ever would I be able to march into Tiffany and buy a 5.3 
.
In the same period a Tiffany store was opened in my city. Yay!!!! The people are so friendly and never tired to show beautiful jewelry. Besides being completely trustworthy (which is so important when it comes to diamonds), the designs of Tiffany are so refined (unfortunately that is the reason they are copied that often)! For me, Tiffany sets a standard when it comes to refined understated luxury and good taste. I just looove the design of the simple six prong solitaire. And I looove my own ring with my beautiful old cut warm stone.
So, for me there is no Tiffany vs whatever'. It's important to buy your ring at a jeweler you can trust and to really love the stone, regardless of the stats. Use the stats as a confirmation and not something to base your opinion on solely.
Enjoy your beautiful rings everyone! And remember that the Tiffany products provoke jealousy. I am! Lol
.In the same period a Tiffany store was opened in my city. Yay!!!! The people are so friendly and never tired to show beautiful jewelry. Besides being completely trustworthy (which is so important when it comes to diamonds), the designs of Tiffany are so refined (unfortunately that is the reason they are copied that often)! For me, Tiffany sets a standard when it comes to refined understated luxury and good taste. I just looove the design of the simple six prong solitaire. And I looove my own ring with my beautiful old cut warm stone.
So, for me there is no Tiffany vs whatever'. It's important to buy your ring at a jeweler you can trust and to really love the stone, regardless of the stats. Use the stats as a confirmation and not something to base your opinion on solely.
Enjoy your beautiful rings everyone! And remember that the Tiffany products provoke jealousy. I am! Lol
I don't mind the size of the diamond but I love Tiffany & Co. due to the romance of the brand. Therefore I make do with the tiniest diamond there. But knowing that it comes from Tiffany makes ME happy as I am obsessed about Tiffany.
People can say that I can get a bigger diamond elsewhere but it is still not a Tiffany to me. I guess it depends on what you are looking for and what your partner can afford.
People can say that I can get a bigger diamond elsewhere but it is still not a Tiffany to me. I guess it depends on what you are looking for and what your partner can afford.
In my humble opinion (please I am not trying to offend anyone, but this is just my opinion based on a lot of research and economics):
A diamond is a terrible investment in of itself (not fungible, not actually rare, can be lab created, etc etc...all bad qualities to have for an investment). So whether you buy a huge stone from a non-branded jewelry store or a smaller store in a branded store like Tiffany's or HW or Cartier, you are still paying for an essentially worthless piece of stone that will drop in value by 65% the moment you leave the store. So, in my opinion, if the girl wants Tiffany's, then why not? Ultimately, the diamonds don't actually hold their value the way they are perceived to hold value. So even if people pay premium at Tiffany's, they are paying premium at a local jewelry store as well, since the diamonds that consumers buy for jewelry are so marked up in price anyways. That's just my opinion...in all honesty, I would rather buy a Tiffany's ring, because since diamonds aren't really an investment, at least TIffany is.
A diamond is a terrible investment in of itself (not fungible, not actually rare, can be lab created, etc etc...all bad qualities to have for an investment). So whether you buy a huge stone from a non-branded jewelry store or a smaller store in a branded store like Tiffany's or HW or Cartier, you are still paying for an essentially worthless piece of stone that will drop in value by 65% the moment you leave the store. So, in my opinion, if the girl wants Tiffany's, then why not? Ultimately, the diamonds don't actually hold their value the way they are perceived to hold value. So even if people pay premium at Tiffany's, they are paying premium at a local jewelry store as well, since the diamonds that consumers buy for jewelry are so marked up in price anyways. That's just my opinion...in all honesty, I would rather buy a Tiffany's ring, because since diamonds aren't really an investment, at least TIffany is.
