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Original poster

Engagement ring much MUCH too small

182 replies

OmicronPersei7 · 21/02/2021 13:56

Perhaps this belongs in Style and Beauty, I don’t know? I’m a bit stuck.

My new engagement ring is a 40 year old solitaire sapphire Tiffany ring in platinum. Flanked by 2 diamonds in the shank. RRP: insane.

It is size L. And my fat fingers are a whopping P by comparison.

I’m not in love with the idea of sending it away for resizing due to the value. So, I’m going to have to organise something in a few weeks.

I have this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that it will not be able to be resized by the required 4 sizes. What jeweller would even attempt it when they could damage something so expensive?

Just wondering if anyone else has any experience in this ball park?

Obviously, I have stopped eating, in case this helps the situation.CakeHaloGrin

I’m so happy to be engaged and the ring is just ridiculously beautiful but all I can do is look at the box. I’m worried I’ll never be able to wear it.

OP posts:
GreenWillow · 21/02/2021 18:28

Are you sure it’s a Tiffany ring? They use US sizing, not the uk alphabet style.

Both my rings are from Tiffany and are a size 5.5, for example.

That’s also not a Tiffany box, and it’s concerning that the certification is not on Tiffany’s headed paper. Mine is, and is and all the paperwork came in a Tiffany leather folder.

Is there a serial number on the opposite side to the hallmark?

GreenWillow · 21/02/2021 18:29

Should add, it’s a stunning ring!

Original poster
OmicronPersei7 · 21/02/2021 18:32

I’m calling Tiffany’s in the morning to book it in for valuation, certification and other confirmations.

The certificate for the diamond is on letter headed paper and it does appear to be a Tiffany’s box. The eBay seller is a legitimate jeweller and has literally hundreds of reviews that confirm authenticity. It’s getting me very stressed now.

Never take to Mumsnet with good news!

OP posts:
Original poster
OmicronPersei7 · 21/02/2021 18:33

The size I gave is the U.K. equivalent. I suspect if I’d called it a size 6, people would have said

“Not a size. Is it even a ring, OP?”

OP posts:
BungleandGeorge · 21/02/2021 18:45

The diamond ones are generally on 2 pages with an in-depth report of cut, clarity, colour etc.

If he’s spent a lot of money it’s far better to be safe than sorry. I would get an evaluation for anything from eBay, it doesn’t mean we suspect it’s fake

GreenWillow · 21/02/2021 18:46

Oh don’t be like that OP, we’re trying to be helpful.

It’s just that there are many indicators here that there might be issues. I sincerely hope there aren’t!

It’s just that, in nearly 30 years of being a Tiffany customer, I have never heard of Tiffany setting a stone that they didn’t supply themselves. They have very exacting ethical standards re their stones so I’m surprised they would set a stone that they hadn’t sourced themselves.

I very much hope I’m proved wrong!

SarahLox77 · 21/02/2021 18:49

Would think it's worth enquring with Tiffany themselves before you do anything else... if they can resize it, it will still be a Tiffany ring, whereas if you just get a jeweller to do it, it won't be. Whether it will be worth the extra cost of T doing it, who knows? Hopefully you'll never sell it!

steppemum · 21/02/2021 18:54

My engagement ring was made by a local crafts woman. She ruins a silver studio, but works in gold and platinum too.
She woudl reset a ring like this for you. By having it done by a local craftsperson, it isn't getting sent anywhere, and you have some comeback if it isn't right.

I ahve to say though, I knew she was really good. She is now quite well known, we couldn't afford for her to make our rings now!

TitusPullo · 21/02/2021 18:58

Congratulations on your engagement OP and I am a big fan of a vintage ring. A good local Jewellers would not bat an eyelid at the insane RRP and would be able to resize a ring like that very easily. They will also be able to value it for insurance purposes for you as you will need the valuation for your home insurers.

I really do not think that a proper jeweller would swap it for a cheaper ring, unless it is the Koh-I-Noor, they have seen it all before. A good jeweller would not risk their reputation doing this.

GreenWillow · 21/02/2021 19:09

@SarahLox77

Would think it's worth enquring with Tiffany themselves before you do anything else... if they can resize it, it will still be a Tiffany ring, whereas if you just get a jeweller to do it, it won't be. Whether it will be worth the extra cost of T doing it, who knows? Hopefully you'll never sell it!
This too OP, you’re getting quite a lot of poor advice here about taking it to a random jewellers.

The Tiffany brand will add £££ to the value, don’t run the risk of substantially devaluing an heirloom piece by taking it elsewhere.

notapizzaeater · 21/02/2021 19:09

That looks a lovely ring, hope Tiffany can help.

Exhausteddog · 21/02/2021 19:33

@TitusPullo

Congratulations on your engagement OP and I am a big fan of a vintage ring. A good local Jewellers would not bat an eyelid at the insane RRP and would be able to resize a ring like that very easily. They will also be able to value it for insurance purposes for you as you will need the valuation for your home insurers.

I really do not think that a proper jeweller would swap it for a cheaper ring, unless it is the Koh-I-Noor, they have seen it all before. A good jeweller would not risk their reputation doing this.

this.

Tiffany rings are made of diamonds (certifiacted diamonds have a definitive value) and platinum. Materials that jewellers work with all day long.

GreenWillow · 21/02/2021 19:56

If you owned a Lamborghini, would you drop it into the random garage at the end of the road for a service, thus invalidating the warranty and knocking £££ off its value?

TitusPullo · 21/02/2021 20:04

@GreenWillow - whilst Tiffany is a desirable brand name, their diamond’s value are governed by the 4C’s like every other jeweller. It’s not the same as a car at all. A second hand Tiffany ring bought from eBay doesn’t have a warranty nor will it’s value be affected by who deals with it next. I doubt Tiffany can track down the history of this specific ring from 40 years ago, probably sold several times over. That being said if the OP feels safer going to Tiffany she should.

Keratinsmooth · 21/02/2021 20:05

Tiffany’s will be open again I’m a matter of weeks, you won’t have long to wait. In the meantime just look at it a lot!! It’s beautiful. Congratulations x

GreenWillow · 21/02/2021 20:15

[quote TitusPullo]@GreenWillow - whilst Tiffany is a desirable brand name, their diamond’s value are governed by the 4C’s like every other jeweller. It’s not the same as a car at all. A second hand Tiffany ring bought from eBay doesn’t have a warranty nor will it’s value be affected by who deals with it next. I doubt Tiffany can track down the history of this specific ring from 40 years ago, probably sold several times over. That being said if the OP feels safer going to Tiffany she should.[/quote]
Actually, this isn’t true.

Tiffany rings have a serial number, which carries with it a record of each service/prong check the piece receives. For most high value items, insurance policies specify how frequently the setting requires servicing - mine is annual for example, but some are 6 monthly.

If I were ever to sell my ring at auction, the service history forms a key part of the paperwork that buyers would expect to see. If I were unable to provide it, or it were incomplete/from a non-Tiffany jeweller, it would very much impact the value.

It’s in fact much more similar to the log book of a car than you might think.

TitusPullo · 21/02/2021 20:24

@GreenWillow I am aware of what insurance companies require. Tiffany didn’t start putting serial numbers in rings until about 20 years ago so this ring won’t have one. OP has already said it just had a diamond certificate with it, no service history. So what I said is, in this case, true. I should have been more specific though I’ll admit.

MrsWindass · 21/02/2021 20:30

Tiffany diamonds are laser inscribed . Only a skilled professional can see .

TitusPullo · 21/02/2021 20:32

Not 40 years ago they weren’t.

MrsWindass · 21/02/2021 20:37

OOPs 😬

GreenWillow · 21/02/2021 20:44

No, mine is 20 years old and not laser etched.

Are all of them etched now?

Viviennemary · 21/02/2021 20:45

I'd be very dubious about any expensive branded jewellery bought from eBay. They are up to all sorts of tricks.

WildCherryBlossom · 21/02/2021 21:05

Congrats OP. It's an absolute beauty. I agree with everyone who says to take it back to Tiffany. I've take pieces back to them for alterations and repair and they are amazing,

GinWithLime · 21/02/2021 21:06

@Viviennemary

I'd be very dubious about any expensive branded jewellery bought from eBay. They are up to all sorts of tricks.
I agree. The ring is stunning but anyone can forge a document to make it look like a Tiffany & Co.
jomeow1 · 21/02/2021 22:20

Mainly because surely if you were going to sell a Tiffany ring, you’d do it via auction or to a jeweller

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