Hello everyone. I am looking to purchase my g/f an engagement ring in the near future. I am seriously considering buying a 1.65 E/VS2 Round Brilliant from Tiffany's for $34,000. I also looked at the following: 1.38=$22,000, 1.77=$40,000. My g/f wears a size 5.
It seems like you get what you pay for. I have looked at many other places (BlueNile) etc and it seems that most places accept flaws in their diamonds that Tiffany's does not. The rings I looked at Tiffany's sparkled like there was no tomorrow, even when i took them out of the lights.
Ladies, am I crazy for spending this kind of money for a 1.65 carat at Tiffany's or is the quality/warranty etc really worth it?
Your honest opinions would be greatly appreciated.
If you have managed to find this thread after it has been moved:
I am a Tiffany girl myself (Solitaire 1.30 D/IF) but let's talk like a man - I will pretend to whilst I gather you are already a man.
Michael, let's get real; Tiffany has been fudging with you a bit . My D clarity, Internally Flawless diamond is flawed because it is not D/FL. Anything below D/FL is flawed: my diamond is flawed so are the ones that you are thinking about. If you want a 1.30 D/FL, it will take almost twice as much money as the price you indicated for 1.77 (I am making an extrapolation from the price of 1.30 D/IF)
And about the lights, try taking outside the shop, my (name of high jewellery store withheld) man has quietly suggested to me that his new decoration has been scientifically researched to ensure that the lighting and even the colour of the furniture make his jewellery sparkle like there is no tomorrow in a more subtle way than Tiffany's unnatural lighting (Homework to think about: why are windows in Tiffany's stores either abnormally small or tinted?). When I bought my diamond/pearl necklace, he took it outside the shop to show it to me and bam, it's like your favourite quarterback getting pummelled by the opposing defense team on the 4th down. Where has it all gone?
I am not saying you shouldn't buy it. In fact you should because Tiffany rip you off the least. I'll tell you some numbers for 1.00 D/IF from various places (multiply by roughly 2 to get into $):
Tiffany's £20,400
De Beers £24,000
Van Cleef and Arpels £25,100
Cartier £26,500
But do you know how much De Beers, VC&A and Cartier get their 1.00 D/IF diamonds for? About £13,000 at most. How do I know? Because I am extrapolating from Hope Diamonds which are diamonds cut by De Beers that has the same quality but marketed by whoever is selling it. So let's talk like men again over Budweiser (which is an absolutely diabolical beer BTW), you are getting ripped off by Tiffany but I suggest that you get ripped there because of the fact that you will be able to sleep in peace knowing that it's not Cubic Zirconia!
My husband got ripped off there because he was sensible and went for safety as he did not know much about diamonds. I would probably too if I was in his position because of the fact that the name Tiffany carries a cachet that your girlfriend will love (other ladies on this forum are going to say no but for a majority of people no denying this).
Blue Nile probably offers you better prices but you have to do research but personally I think it is like buying a car on eBay or a second hand place: you cannot tell whether it is lemon or peach because you really need to be an expert. Certificates can address that but I just feel there is always that little bit at the back of your mind asking the questions. If you go to Tiffany or better jewellery shops, you would not have that.
Summary if you got this far: you are getting ripped off but getting ripped off does not mean that it's a bad thing!
