Which diamond engagement ring would you choose?

[aynrand]

Yes! Big diamonds are so lovely and they're meant to be worn and admired...Can't I just have both?! Haha Thanks Swanky.



I could not agree more Jadewah... I was enamoured with the black + ghw birkin 35 and already had outfits planned.. pinterest boards made just on that specific birkin and when I saw it in person and tried it on it was just not for me even though it looked amaaazing on tpf members.
We decided we are going to do just that with the ring - leave this to the "say yes to the dress" moment and try both on and see which one makes our hearts flutter (Only got to try on a 2 carat oval at HW and the 4 carat unbranded solitaire is on its way as we speak!) Thanks Jadewah!


Yeah! Theres a large secondary market for HW engagement rings, especially in Japan .. If you don't mind me asking what do you like about Harry Winston? My friends who are pro-"branded ring" also mentioned (aside from the design and the name of the house) they enjoyed the process of buying the ring, the customer service and being able to get the ring serviced and peace of mind? Anything I missed?

The "diamond engagement ring" community is quite divided and it seems everyone feels strongly one way or the other, I guess because its such a personal decision...Whew! Thanks aynrand, hopefully it happens soon!!!


Yes, I'm shocked how much HW maintain their resale value... More so than my non-branded diamonds... I'm thinking the HW setting + brand recognition helps maintain the value of the ring so high...
I don't wear any yellow clothing so its an odd choice but I did fall in love when I saw saw, vivid yellow cushions the size of my fist at the Graff boutiques in Asia. Haha! "Technically" speaking, colored diamonds are actually, truly rare but you're right... Maybe better later for a push present?!


Wise words, it all boils down to this.


Thats true, a one-of-a-kind setting is really special...I have a 1.5 carat diamond right hand ring made by our jeweler and I have yet to see anything like it She can make designer inspired settings, but I personally feel this is getting into grey territory... Kind of like a 'gold cartier love bracelet look-a-like without the Cartier stamp'... I prefer her own creations much more, she is especially good at victorian, floral designs.
Although, all a 4 carat stone needs is a very simple setting to let the stone do the talking!

If you have a specific design in mind, and can afford it, I would get as close to the maker of choice as possible and I would sacrifice size for quality, both stone and mount, any day of the week. Over the years, I've tried to recreate inspired mountings, even using some of the names recommended here and I can't compare the workmanship or the customer service experience to that of the premium design houses. That's not to say the workmanship is flawed. It's that the totality of the product experience didn't meet the same standard as a branded piece. With heirloom pieces, its worth a premium to have the heritage and integrity of a brand to stand behind the product, not to mention a ready made market should you wish to monetize a piece in the years to come.

It's a super soft market with great buying opportunities. You're in the drivers seat. Good luck!

 

[Stellalun@]

I assume the F-colored diamonds would be round brilliant cuts. My personal preference is the vivid yellow diamond because it is much, much harder to find than a well cut round, and rarer, both in terms of being mined and as a gemstone choice. You must take into account how well it reflects light, even distribution of color (according to your eyes, not the GIA certificate), and shade of color. Vivid yellow includes diamonds with all sorts of subtle (or not) undertones. For example, Tiffany yellow diamonds lean towards green and are cooler, while Harry Winston and Graff yellow diamonds lean towards orange/brown and are warmer. Since your FF is in the trade, he has the unique opportunity to personally sort and bring in many diamonds to pick the diamond with the exact color, performance, and shape you want. It is always best to select fancy shaped and colored diamonds in person.

Another option for you may be to have HW source your vivid yellow diamond for you if they don't have something you already want. The SA I spoke to said that if a client is interested in 2+ ct stone, they will hunt for options and bring them in for you to view. Once you have selected your diamond, you can then choose your setting and they will create it for you. You may have to lower the carat weight to 2 ct instead of 2.5 ct due to their brand premium, but then you will be able to get a beautiful ring just for you and the HW experience! Since you seem to value the prestige and experience (makes the engagement extra memorable and special) as much as quality, I think this would be the best choice for you.

Personally, I like the color of HW yellow diamonds over Tiffany yellow diamonds, but I adore the Tiffany square antique modified brilliant cushion, especially with the V-shaped Novo head because it allows the color to really shine. Tiffany also allows customization depending on what diamond you choose. I found Graff yellow diamonds to be on the pale side (even in the high fancy colors) in natural light, and the settings I saw close up are not as refined as HW or Tiffany. I will say though, that I do not find all branded settings equal even within the same brand. For example, I liked some HW "The One" settings better than others, so if you are the type that has a very specific vision in mind, make sure you compare carefully.

Another reason I prefer a yellow diamond for an engagement ring is that many people may not know that colored diamonds even exist or their price points. IMO, if others think my diamond is an extra sparkly yellow sapphire, all the better because it's like a special secret treasure you have with your fiance and it'll be more under the radar. Also, I find colored diamonds more interesting to look at because even when they are in poor lighting or under direct sunlight, they still have their pretty color. Colorless diamonds (even well-cut ones) will be really dark, like gray.

My second choice is the 2 ct F VVS1 HW because I think the arrows and performance in MRBs look best under 3 cts unless you have a wider finger. For a 4+ ct round, I find an OEC or fatter transitional more suitable.

 

[luxlover]

Any updates on what did you choose?

 

[amrx87]

go for the non-branded. most people aren't going to know or care if you have a graff or a cartier. the nonbranded diamond is the better value imo

 

[EpiFanatic]

Crafted by Infiniti diamond. Looks like money is no object. I would have them custom cut a three carat E. Then I would ask Victor Canera or Steven Kirsch to make me a handmade platinum setting. I am guessing you can get all that for less than the Harry Winston.

 

[GigiPickles]

I'd go HW. It's lovely and 2c is more than enough in my opinion!

 

[gniy]

HW+1

 

[MatAllston]

I would pick the HW.

 

[Gina123]

I tried on very nice yellow diamond earrings from Graff that cost 250k. My husband bought similar 3 Cs for fraction of the price and I love them and wear them daily.
No one is going to know if your ring is from Graff or HW or no brand but you.
If you have the means and that's what your heart desires, go with the brand. If you are looking for similar quality diamond that doesn't break your bank, go with no brand.
GL!

 

[chicinthecity777]

I'd go HW. It's lovely and 2c is more than enough in my opinion!

This would be my choice.

 

[akimoto]

Sounds like you both like, well you actually said, love the HW and you're sensible financial wise. What's holding you back? The "reasoning of bang for your buck?" Because family/ friends are in the jewel business and will pressure you? Sounds like you both love the HW but are trying to justify a branded ring to your circle of friends/ family.

The sentimental and emotional attachment would be what you'd be wearing on your finger for years to come. Sounds like that's what the HW is to both of you right now. You can always get the 4 carat flashy ring that you probably won't wear often as an anniversary gift.

Just my thoughts based on your replies here but of course it's just my 2 cents. Good luck! I think there's no "wrong" choice either way!

 

[jessla]

I am speaking from a resale perspective. From my personal experience (previously divorced and resold my old engagement ring), brand name pieces carry better resale value. That is the reason I would go with the Harry Winston rather than the no-brand pieces. Obviously when you're getting engaged/married you don't ever plan to sell your pieces. But there could be reasons other than divorce, such as wanting to upgrade your ring in the future. When I went to pawn my old ring (which was not a luxury brand name) every jeweler I spoke with said that they would only be able to pay me the price of the individual pieces (diamonds & platinum metal), also because the main diamond was under 1 carat, as they did not believe they would be able to resell it as the full package. I ended up selling my ring on ebay for 1/4 of its original price. This is the main reason I told my fiance I'd like a brand name engagement ring rather than a no-name bigger diamond. Not because I'm a snob (at least I hope not ) but because I was thinking of the practicality of the piece holding its value over time.

Of course, when you're walking around, no one is going to know what brand name ring you're wearing, and I would think most people would not ask as that's a pretty rude question. So if you just want to be able to flash around your 4 carat diamond (which, trust me, I have nothing against that), then you'll probably get much more gasps with the bigger rock than the HW. I feel like most people would not know one from the other. So it's all about what you value.

 

[ap.]

I am speaking from a resale perspective. From my personal experience (previously divorced and resold my old engagement ring), brand name pieces carry better resale value. That is the reason I would go with the Harry Winston rather than the no-brand pieces. Obviously when you're getting engaged/married you don't ever plan to sell your pieces. But there could be reasons other than divorce, such as wanting to upgrade your ring in the future. When I went to pawn my old ring (which was not a luxury brand name) every jeweler I spoke with said that they would only be able to pay me the price of the individual pieces (diamonds & platinum metal), also because the main diamond was under 1 carat, as they did not believe they would be able to resell it as the full package. I ended up selling my ring on ebay for 1/4 of its original price. This is the main reason I told my fiance I'd like a brand name engagement ring rather than a no-name bigger diamond. Not because I'm a snob (at least I hope not ) but because I was thinking of the practicality of the piece holding its value over time.

AFAIK, most reputable dealers offer lifetime upgrade on their top quality diamonds. The mistake isn't "not buying a brand name", it's not buying quality from a good dealer.
I have lifetime upgrade for my "no name" diamond, so I wouldn't need to sell it for a loss if I want an upgrade.
Keep in mind that unless it's a proprietary cut (and it makes a huge difference to you), once you take a diamond out of the setting, the brand name drops away.

 

[March786]

I personally would go for the diamond, rather than the name. I would save the money and use it on my honeymoon wardrobe or buy a birkin instead
I'm a buyer by profession and can never pay full price for anything, especially as i know the mark ups
You have to ask yourself does the name matter to you?