Tiffany quality -- any issues?

[ffflyin]

I agree on all points, and not an ideal match for how OP wants to wear earrings. @ffflyin , I love pearls, but they really must be treated with care, and I don't think they can be expected to fare well worn as noted. In my opinion, it doesn't seem a failing on the part of Tiffany, other than it likely would have been better for customer service (after replacing/repairing a number of times) to offer advice on pearl care. Certainly a nuisance for you, though! Hoping you can find something else that suits you better.

Hello! Yes, thanks for sharing. To be honest I understand that pearls require extra care... I just didn't think it would be SO bad, as I have had many other pearl studs in the past that have lasted for way longer. I finally thought to try the Tiffany studs, thinking that their brand would offer better customer support and quality... plus the SA assured me it'd be fine for daily wear.

Anyway putting all of that aside, there were twice in this whole process where the pearl fell off with 2 days of wear (no sweat, no exercise, I don't turn in my sleep). As delicate as pearls are I do personally feel there is something wrong with the piece to be *this* fragile. My mum has Mikimoto pearls that have been worn daily for way longer and never experienced this level of fragility.

But yes, in future perhaps pearls are not the best for my sort of daily wear -- reinforced by all your kind experiences/sharing. I will be off to find something else better suited to my lifestyle... Pearls are sooo pretty though!

Separately, my SO went in to return these earrings and the manager of the store said, "Are you sure you don't want something more solid that may wear better?" I mean... I think for now I am personally done with Tiffany and their "customer service". Haha!

 

[etoile de mer]

Hello! Yes, thanks for sharing. To be honest I understand that pearls require extra care... I just didn't think it would be SO bad, as I have had many other pearl studs in the past that have lasted for way longer. I finally thought to try the Tiffany studs, thinking that their brand would offer better customer support and quality... plus the SA assured me it'd be fine for daily wear.

Anyway putting all of that aside, there were twice in this whole process where the pearl fell off with 2 days of wear (no sweat, no exercise, I don't turn in my sleep). As delicate as pearls are I do personally feel there is something wrong with the piece to be *this* fragile. My mum has Mikimoto pearls that have been worn daily for way longer and never experienced this level of fragility.

But yes, in future perhaps pearls are not the best for my sort of daily wear -- reinforced by all your kind experiences/sharing. I will be off to find something else better suited to my lifestyle... Pearls are sooo pretty though!

Separately, my SO went in to return these earrings and the manager of the store said, "Are you sure you don't want something more solid that may wear better?" I mean... I think for now I am personally done with Tiffany and their "customer service". Haha!

You've certainly have had a disappointing experience! As you explained here further, I am wondering if there was an issue with the cement... Since you have personal experience (via your mother) with Mikimoto, and it seems you will miss having pearl earrings, maybe give theirs a try. I do think avoiding showering while wearing them (and swimming, and any activity that immerses them) is best, though, as it could weaken the cement bond and damage the luster. I hope you find a beautiful pair of replacement earrings that are less troublesome!

 

[ffflyin]

You've certainly have had a disappointing experience! As you explained here further, I am wondering if there was an issue with the cement... Since you have personal experience (via your mother) with Mikimoto, and it seems you will miss having pearl earrings, maybe give theirs a try. I do think avoiding showering while wearing them (and swimming, and any activity that immerses them) is best, though, as it could weaken the cement bond and damage the luster. I hope you find a beautiful pair of replacement earrings that are less troublesome!

Thank you for the tips! I used to swim with my other pearl earrings but now I know not to... Hehe. But yes, very disappointing as due to COVID I have not actually been able to swim/go to the gym with this pair so it seems to have been especially fragile.

Actually out of curiosity as you seem very knowledgable on pearl care (more so than me!!), may I ask if you have experienced pearls being more fragile due to humidity? If moisture is an issue I was wondering if sweat -- not the bucketfuls from the gym, but more so just general walking around outside in a hotter climate -- would quicken it's wear and tear.

 

[A1aGypsy]

I’m not etoile but Mikimoto specifically notes that regular perspiration can degrade pearl’s lustre. They encourage people to wipe their pearls after every wear as a result and not wear them day to day.

This may help:

Pearl Care | MIKIMOTO

Pearls are organic gemstones that are vulnerable to acid, alkaline and extremes of humidity. To preserve your pearls' radiance, avoid letting them come into contact with cosmetics, hair spray, or perfume. Always put on your jewellery as a final touch, after applying make-up and styling hair.

www.mikimotoamerica.com

I guess it makes sense due to the salt content but I’m still amazed at something that comes from the ocean can be so impacted by water.

 

[etoile de mer]

Thank you for the tips! I used to swim with my other pearl earrings but now I know not to... Hehe. But yes, very disappointing as due to COVID I have not actually been able to swim/go to the gym with this pair so it seems to have been especially fragile.

Actually out of curiosity as you seem very knowledgable on pearl care (more so than me!!), may I ask if you have experienced pearls being more fragile due to humidity? If moisture is an issue I was wondering if sweat -- not the bucketfuls from the gym, but more so just general walking around outside in a hotter climate -- would quicken it's wear and tear.

I've worn my pearls more occasionally, not daily or even frequently. I hadn't even considered perspiration to be an issue, but @A1aGypsy has provided the helpful Mikimoto link referencing that. I'm learning here, too!

I’m not etoile but Mikimoto specifically notes that regular perspiration can degrade pearl’s lustre. They encourage people to wipe their pearls after every wear as a result and not wear them day to day.

This may help:

Pearl Care | MIKIMOTO

Pearls are organic gemstones that are vulnerable to acid, alkaline and extremes of humidity. To preserve your pearls' radiance, avoid letting them come into contact with cosmetics, hair spray, or perfume. Always put on your jewellery as a final touch, after applying make-up and styling hair.

www.mikimotoamerica.com

I guess it makes sense due to the salt content but I’m still amazed at something that comes from the ocean can be so impacted by water.

Thanks for sharing the link. Interesting, apparently anything that alters the acid/alkaline balance can damage them! I always thought strange, too, that getting them wet would be an issue, but maybe more an issue of the liquid not be at the proper pH. Also, once drilled they're likely more susceptible to damage where nacre has been removed. Then there's the possible degradation of the cement with earrings, and the possible damage to the silk thread used for stringing. Another issue I've heard mentioned, they don't do well in very low humidity...so, they are like the Goldilocks of gems!

 

[ffflyin]

I’m not etoile but Mikimoto specifically notes that regular perspiration can degrade pearl’s lustre. They encourage people to wipe their pearls after every wear as a result and not wear them day to day.

This may help:

Pearl Care | MIKIMOTO

Pearls are organic gemstones that are vulnerable to acid, alkaline and extremes of humidity. To preserve your pearls' radiance, avoid letting them come into contact with cosmetics, hair spray, or perfume. Always put on your jewellery as a final touch, after applying make-up and styling hair.

www.mikimotoamerica.com

I guess it makes sense due to the salt content but I’m still amazed at something that comes from the ocean can be so impacted by water.

Sorry for the mix-up!!! Silly me!

Thank you for the link -- yes it's so interesting! I have heard for instance that the van cleef MOP Alhambra experiences shrinking if you shower/swim in it daily. Although I've been told the shrinking will only happen over years. Of course a pearl stud is different due to it being glued to the post, etc. But still I am learning so much through discussing with all you ladies... Who knew that the jewelled ball of the ocean does not actually like water!!!

 

[A1aGypsy]

Nothing to be sorry about! I didn’t think you mixed us up, I was just acknowledging I was butting in when you had asked someone else lol.

And I know! It’s crazy.

 

[LittleLambie]

Bumping this thread up as I had a horrible experience with the repair service by Tiffany Singapore. I bought an open heart silver necklace for my daughter's birthday. On her birthday itself, she opened up the present and wore it. In less than 1 hour the chain broke. I send it back to Tiffany (all within 1 week). They took it back in, said will do an investigation and call me back. I was honestly a bit disappointed as I thought they will give a 1-1 exchange since its brand new and it broke within a week, but never mind I left it as that.

Went home and realized they wrote on the repair sheet as "fair condition". I was even more annoyed when I saw that as hey, its brand new, what do they mean by "fair condition"?

10 days has passed, no one called me. Today I called the store up and was told factory is still checking on the status and will get back to me, and they will give me a complimentary polishing on the heart pendant cos it has scratches on it. I lost my cool upon hearing that. This is a brand new necklace and frankly it does not need a polishing and why blame the scratches on me when its not even worn for more than 1 hour? The lady on the phone even has the audacity to argue back repeatedly and said she doubted it was less than a week of usage, to which I have receipts to prove!

No news on when I can get back my necklace at all, and no birthday present for my gal either. I started buying Tiffany since 30 years ago, but will think thrice about buying their items anymore with such disappointing after sales service. I am better off spending my money elsewhere like Cartier or VCA.

 

[Bunny_in_Love]

I would second to disappointing after sales service. Staff does not know older discontinued items and can doubt you brought a Tiffany item for service (even when it’s platinum), and some are simply rude. The service itself hopefully was ok, chain extension took a week. But the feeling the staff gives you is horrible, not something I ever experienced in any other luxury store.

 

[ffflyin]

Bumping this thread up as I had a horrible experience with the repair service by Tiffany Singapore. I bought an open heart silver necklace for my daughter's birthday. On her birthday itself, she opened up the present and wore it. In less than 1 hour the chain broke. I send it back to Tiffany (all within 1 week). They took it back in, said will do an investigation and call me back. I was honestly a bit disappointed as I thought they will give a 1-1 exchange since its brand new and it broke within a week, but never mind I left it as that.

Went home and realized they wrote on the repair sheet as "fair condition". I was even more annoyed when I saw that as hey, its brand new, what do they mean by "fair condition"?

10 days has passed, no one called me. Today I called the store up and was told factory is still checking on the status and will get back to me, and they will give me a complimentary polishing on the heart pendant cos it has scratches on it. I lost my cool upon hearing that. This is a brand new necklace and frankly it does not need a polishing and why blame the scratches on me when its not even worn for more than 1 hour? The lady on the phone even has the audacity to argue back repeatedly and said she doubted it was less than a week of usage, to which I have receipts to prove!

No news on when I can get back my necklace at all, and no birthday present for my gal either. I started buying Tiffany since 30 years ago, but will think thrice about buying their items anymore with such disappointing after sales service. I am better off spending my money elsewhere like Cartier or VCA.

Hello! I haven’t logged in in a while and so just saw this. I hope my experience can help somewhat - I also found that the in-store aftercare was very slow and lacking.

What I would suggest, which is what I did after so many rounds of issue with my earrings, was get the HQ customer service contact information. I emailed them in New York and got an answer within a couple days where they agreed to issue a full refund because clearly something was very wrong, this is despite refunds being out of the ordinary. The overseas stores do not really have as much agency as we think, and the NY service is always much better. I really think you/daughter deserve a brand new replacement.

 

[Prettyinpunkk]

Right now I have 3 items in need of repair. One of them is a $1000 silver beaded/chain RTT hybrid necklace that broke when I was carrying it. The silver chain that holds the beads part broke. I had it 3 months at that point and I had never been rough on it. It frustrates me that something that expensive would break that easily. The other is a silver ring that broke and I have a necklace with a lobster claw clasp that broke. I haven't gotten anything from them in a few years. But I'm getting the itch again.