Tiffany & co and other big name jewellers
Discussion
Neil H said:
Ayahuasca said:
The raw material in diamond earrings - mostly diamond - is incredibly abundant. There is no shortage of diamonds. They are not rare. What you are buying is not the bit of glittery carbon. If it were, you could buy a cubic zirconia that is just as glittery and much larger for a fraction of the money. Diamonds are all about marketing and image and your subjective feelings towards them.
Audrey Hepburn never made a film called 'Breakfast at Cheap Eddies' did she?
I'm aware of how the diamond market works, precious metals are a little different though. You are still only buying The Name. I guess that in itself has value to some people, I find it a little silly myself.Audrey Hepburn never made a film called 'Breakfast at Cheap Eddies' did she?
Mashedpotatoes said:
I'm guessing you didn't really mean to refer to the future Mrs Mash as any kind of a w
e.
Slightly defensive?e. http://goo.gl/n7YRK8
What is being missed in this thread is that actually a lot that Tiffany and Co. produce is then copied by the high street shops. That ubiqitious open heart shape? Started by Tiffany and Co in conjunction with Elsa Perretti, copied by everyone. The toggle closure seen everywhere? Tiffany and Co did it first. Now I guess you can buy it from Elizabeth Duke at Argos.
Jewellery as a gift is about the donor and the recipient. It's not about 'best value' and if all you think about is buying more bang for your buck, then you aren't thinking about the person who will receive it. I once read a quote that a Tiffany blue box with white ribbon was the best form of foreplay - make of that what you will, but it's gotta work better than lots of cheap stuff made by the exploitation of minors in a mine somewhere in Mexico...
Jewellery as a gift is about the donor and the recipient. It's not about 'best value' and if all you think about is buying more bang for your buck, then you aren't thinking about the person who will receive it. I once read a quote that a Tiffany blue box with white ribbon was the best form of foreplay - make of that what you will, but it's gotta work better than lots of cheap stuff made by the exploitation of minors in a mine somewhere in Mexico...
Meanwhile on Mumsnet, there is no doubt a thread asking why "DH" wants a BMW 3 series when a Ford Mondeo is bigger, better equipped, cheaper etc...
Jewellery isn't about being practical or sensible - she wants to be able to tell her friends she got it from Tiffany rather than got it from the most sensible option according to an Excel spreadsheet.
Jewellery isn't about being practical or sensible - she wants to be able to tell her friends she got it from Tiffany rather than got it from the most sensible option according to an Excel spreadsheet.
Neil H said:
Mashedpotatoes said:
I'm guessing you didn't really mean to refer to the future Mrs Mash as any kind of a we.
Slightly defensive?e. http://goo.gl/n7YRK8
What you obviously typed was "Sorry, it was a bit of a s
tty thing to say"If you wouldn't say it to someone in the pub (and I'm pretty sure you wouldn't call a guys Mrs a brand w
e for wearing Tiffany jewellery in the pub) then don't say it on the internet.My wife has a Tiffany engagement ring, wedding band and eternity ring. I got a decent deal on all of them - the engagement ring was bought in Dubai when GBP was much stronger and the other two were bought in Heathrow at 20% off. Obviously still much more expensive than non-branded rings but she loves them and that's all that matters really. What's the point of getting a Patek when a Casio/your phone tells the time just as accurately? What's the point of a Ferrari when a Golf R will get you from A to B just as quickly?
Think of it as an investment and depreciate it over a lifetime - the same kind of man maths we also apply to cars, watches etc
Think of it as an investment and depreciate it over a lifetime - the same kind of man maths we also apply to cars, watches etc
I proposed to Mrs Puggit outside Tiffanys on 5th Avenue, and then we went in and bought the ring (there was a budget set!). When we returned home, I compared the ring and diamond like-for-like compared to UK high street jewellers and it was considerably cheaper from the previously mentioned store in NY.
As per the post above, this was at another time when it was $2 to the £1 !
As per the post above, this was at another time when it was $2 to the £1 !
I bought my wife a Tiffany engagement ring, through an antique shop where my parents are friends with the owner and have been for many years.
I got a VVS1, precision of cut: excellent, symmetry: very good, polish: excellent princess cut diamond ring for around £2k - I have the leather bound folder with all of the original paperwork and "full lifetime warranty"
I was advised that new the ring would have been the equivalent of £8k !!! That little blue box is "worth" so much more than it really deserves to - but hey I got a beautiful ring for sensible money.
I got a VVS1, precision of cut: excellent, symmetry: very good, polish: excellent princess cut diamond ring for around £2k - I have the leather bound folder with all of the original paperwork and "full lifetime warranty"
I was advised that new the ring would have been the equivalent of £8k !!! That little blue box is "worth" so much more than it really deserves to - but hey I got a beautiful ring for sensible money.
Shaoxter said:
My wife has a Tiffany engagement ring, wedding band and eternity ring. I got a decent deal on all of them - the engagement ring was bought in Dubai when GBP was much stronger and the other two were bought in Heathrow at 20% off. Obviously still much more expensive than non-branded rings but she loves them and that's all that matters really. What's the point of getting a Patek when a Casio/your phone tells the time just as accurately? What's the point of a Ferrari when a Golf R will get you from A to B just as quickly?
Think of it as an investment and depreciate it over a lifetime - the same kind of man maths we also apply to cars, watches etc
Even when she clears out after five years and takes it with her? Think of it as an investment and depreciate it over a lifetime - the same kind of man maths we also apply to cars, watches etc
I bought my wife a bracelet from Tiffany in Las Vegas, didn't know what I wanted but the sales lady was brilliant. Not snooty or judgemental when I first suggested a budget, very attentive, really knew both her product range and how to asses the customers needs, even though the customer didn't really know what he wanted. It was a pleasure to shop there.
Wife was very happy and about six months later, I got a hand written letter from the assistant, thanking me for the business and asking if my wife was happy with her bracelet.
Top service, great product, it's your money, do what you like with it.
Wife was very happy and about six months later, I got a hand written letter from the assistant, thanking me for the business and asking if my wife was happy with her bracelet.
Top service, great product, it's your money, do what you like with it.
Ayahuasca said:
Neil H said:
olivebrown said:
Jimboka said:
But it's not Tiffany. The name is everything.
Why buy a Rolex when a Timex tells the time ?
This!Why buy a Rolex when a Timex tells the time ?
Half the appeal for her would be to say they are Tiffany. The psychological attraction of the brand can't be discounted.
She would be happier to tell her friends when they ask, that they are Tiffany, then some story about how her BF shopped around and got a great deal down at jewellery Quarter.
I mean if you want some resale value (if there is such thing with diamonds) then by all means get them from Jewellery quarter etc.
My advice would be to steer your missus away from being a brand w
e and value things for what they are, not what the badge tells them they are. Personally I think having something bespoke made by Eddie would be a much nicer gift, than something from what is essentially a high street brand.Audrey Hepburn never made a film called 'Breakfast at Cheap Eddies' did she?
northwest monkey said:
Meanwhile on Mumsnet, there is no doubt a thread asking why "DH" wants a BMW 3 series when a Ford Mondeo is bigger, better equipped, cheaper etc...
not a fair analogy though:Meanwhile on Mumsnet, there is no doubt a thread asking why "DH" wants a Ford Mondeo with a BMW keyring for triple the price, when a Ford Mondeo without the keyring is the same bloody thing
Weening your OH off fixating on a blue box and bragging the brand to her mates is a good tactic IMHO, but each to their own
Edited by Adam B on Tuesday 9th February 10:19
When I proposed to my now Mrs Beanbag I also went to Tiffany while I was on business in London.
I was quoted £12,500 for the ring design and size that I liked.
Since it was listed on their website, I simply too the designs to a jeweller and had them make it for me and it's identical in every way. On top of that, the stone is a much higher grade than the Tiffany counterpart and also a little larger too.
The cost? £4,800 which is about a third of the price.
I just didn't get the light blue box but it had the right affect on Mrs Beanbag.
I was quoted £12,500 for the ring design and size that I liked.
Since it was listed on their website, I simply too the designs to a jeweller and had them make it for me and it's identical in every way. On top of that, the stone is a much higher grade than the Tiffany counterpart and also a little larger too.
The cost? £4,800 which is about a third of the price.
I just didn't get the light blue box but it had the right affect on Mrs Beanbag.
Adam B said:
not a fair analogy though:
Meanwhile on Mumsnet, there is no doubt a thread asking why "DH" wants a Ford Mondeo with a BMW keyring for triple the price, when a Ford Mondeo without the keyring is the same bloody thing
Weening your OH off fixating on a blue box and bragging the brand to her mates is a good tactic IMHO, but each to their own
People like brands. I don't know what car you drive, or what car you would like to drive, but I'm guessing it's an "aspirational" car.Meanwhile on Mumsnet, there is no doubt a thread asking why "DH" wants a Ford Mondeo with a BMW keyring for triple the price, when a Ford Mondeo without the keyring is the same bloody thing
Weening your OH off fixating on a blue box and bragging the brand to her mates is a good tactic IMHO, but each to their own
Edited by Adam B on Tuesday 9th February 10:19
My analogy does work. A BMW is in reality no better than a Ford, yet people will still pay a premium for a BMW.
northwest monkey said:
People like brands. I don't know what car you drive, or what car you would like to drive, but I'm guessing it's an "aspirational" car.
My analogy does work. A BMW is in reality no better than a Ford, yet people will still pay a premium for a BMW.
I agree with the principle but the example you quoted is very wrong!My analogy does work. A BMW is in reality no better than a Ford, yet people will still pay a premium for a BMW.
Adam B said:
not a fair analogy though:
Meanwhile on Mumsnet, there is no doubt a thread asking why "DH" wants a Ford Mondeo with a BMW keyring for triple the price, when a Ford Mondeo without the keyring is the same bloody thing
But do you really want to be known as a Mondeo man...? The sensible and logical choice after nerding over all the technical specs?Meanwhile on Mumsnet, there is no doubt a thread asking why "DH" wants a Ford Mondeo with a BMW keyring for triple the price, when a Ford Mondeo without the keyring is the same bloody thing
Anyway back to the OP's original question (which I don't think many people have read), my opinion on Tiffany is:
Rings - go for it
Earrings & other jewellery - no
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff