Thread: Engagement Ring Advice

So I'm looking to get engaged inside of a year, and I want to start to seriously educate myself now.

I was really REALLY dead set on getting something from Tiffany's. Personally, it has some history; my father got my mother's ring there, and not gonna lie....I'm a bit of a brand whore. Unfortunately, my girl isn't loving their designs right now....and while this is somewhat of a pissing contest for me (I won't deny it), it's her ring and she should love it.

So, does anyone have any comparable names I should be looking at? I think we're going to check out Bvlgari soon, but after that....I'm lost. We went into London Jewelers and had a good experience, but I'm still a little wary. After that I guess I'll be looking into private sellers. I certainly don't mind going "no-name", but only if it means I will actually be getting more stone for my money. Some of the stones LJ showed us were only a couple thousand less than comparable Tiffany's stone, and to me...the name and post purchase service is worth that.

She likes a bead or pave setting and a round cut stone. I think I'll be mainly looking at D or E color and VS1+ clarity. I want to get the highest kt I can within those parameters, but I know I'll be within 1-2kt range (likely 1.5).

Other than the Color, Clarity, and Carat (I don't even has a good grasp on cut), I'm lost. The agencies, GIA, etc., are new to me too!

TIA for any help, this is why I'm starting early!!

Dude honestly, don't waste your time on Tiffany's. You pay for the name and not the materials.

PM DrivenAgain (Owns a custom jewelry business) to check out this thread. He destroys the bar that Tiffany's tries to set.

My .02

Jason Wade is your man, aka drivenagain.

At least chat with him about what you're looking for, and he'll guide you, even if he can't fit your needs.

-Markus-

+1 on JWade - there are several threads on here of his work, creations for other members. You'll be amazed at what he can CAD render to meet your specs. Search, and see what he's done for others, no two rings look alike.

JWade. Nough said!

i am a high end estate jewelry business, i have lots of tiffany pieces in stock, from 5k to 250k+ all from tiffany, id be glad to help you out.
im a forum sponsor as well.

geoff

And FEAR. Sorry buddy.


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Thanks for the suggestions guys!

I'm going to read up a little more and shoot everyone some PM's about what's out there.

I did COUNTLESS amounts of time researching and learning before I bought and my advice for selection goes like this....

Educate yourself on what a Hearts & Arrows diamond is. Go find some certified ones and look at the loose and set stones next to a "regular" cut. You will be floored. Basically a Hearts & Arrows diamond is one that has such perfect symmetry to the cut, it produces the greatest amount of "fire" and brilliance. The name refers to just that, the perfection of the cut, and when you boil it all down, what makes a brillaint stone head and shoulders over an "ordinary" stone is the how its cut. After all, the cut dictates just how much of the light is reflected and refracted back to the eye. The better it does that, the more brilliant the stone looks (assuming all other factors are equal). Trust me on this one... don't settle for less and your lady (and all her friends) will go nuts over it.

Just read this and trust me, wherever you buy the stone/ring... make sure it is this type of cut Check this link for a much better explanation (I am unaffiliated with the site or its owners btw).... Hearts & Arrows

I feel your pain buddy. I am going through the same process right now.

My suggestion would be to tell your soon to be fiancé to go find a design she likes. Don’t care where she sees it or who cares with her. The most annoying thing for me has been finding a ring that fit my criteria and not then finding out that she doesn’t like it. Finally I told her to tell me when she finds a ring that she loves, so then I will take care of locating it. Now she has told me what she wants, and I am working with JWade to make it.

As for the technical aspects, I am not too concerned with the color or the clarity, as long as its clear and doesn’t have any major defects. My point of focus has been the cut, because that is where all the shine and sparkle comes from, just as virtuapete has said.

Trust me, go with a plan, or else you will be really really frustrated.