Lazare Vs. Tiffany and Co. | Luxury Brand Wars

The trend in diamond shopping has evolved a lot over the past few years, with more people preferring to purchase these from dedicated brands instead of local vendors.

Despite the fierce competition, however, some brands have still managed to rule the industry for centuries. Lazare Kaplan and Tiffany and Co. are two examples of such brands. 

If you are in the hunt for a perfect diamond and are torn between these two, you have come to the right place. Here is a thorough comparison of these to help you in making a thoughtful decision.

About The Brand

Lazare

Lazare Kaplan is a trusted name among diamond enthusiasts, and its loyal customers swear by its superb quality. The brand has been around since 1903, and holds the status of a pioneer when it comes to many trends in diamond jewelry.

One such example is the introduction of ‘ideal cut’ diamonds that are now a part of the inventory of the majority of the brands, and the concept of inscribing the diamonds. Thus, the brand has earned the reputation of being innovative which appeals to many of its customers. 

Lazare has also gained popularity due to its strict ethical protocols pertaining to the extraction of the diamonds, and its zero tolerance policy against the trading of conflict diamonds.

Tiffany

If you are even the slightest bit interested in jewelry and diamonds, you definitely would have stumbled upon this name at some point. Tiffany and Co. has been among the leading retailers of diamonds in the US for nearly two centuries now. It is renowned for its huge collection of stunning diamonds that excel in quality as well.

From celebrities and media stars to common people, Tiffany is the leading preference in jewelry vendors for millions. At this point, the signature turquoise Tiffany box is symbolic of elite quality, flashy diamonds and stunning jewelry.

Quality, Aesthetics And Certifications

Lazare

Lazare diamonds are widely known for their excellent quality, which not only allows them to last a lifetime but also makes them stand out in appearance. Although all four Cs (carat, cut, clarity and color) are paid attention to, Lazare claims that their prime focus is the cut of their diamonds which is superior to all other brands in the market. 

Lazare was the first brand to follow the mathematical formula for the precise cutting of a diamond, resulting in the formation of ‘Ideal Cut’ diamonds. The precision and internal symmetry of an ideal cut diamond provides it with the ability to reflect and refract light perfectly, thus giving the diamond its brilliance and fire.

Lazare ensures that all of its diamonds are Ideal Cuts, which makes them dazzle across the room. These diamonds undergo strict scrutiny for their quality by the gemologists at Lazare Kaplan International.

In addition, they are also tested and graded by prestigious institutes such as the AGS and GIA, which makes them highly reliable. 

Tiffany

The diamonds that Tiffany offers are an epitome of skilled craftsmanship and superior quality. From mining to cutting and polishing, every step is designed to ensure that the diamonds meet a certain standard and last for a long time.

Tiffany has earned the reputation of selling diamonds with an exceptional quality. This is due to the fact that the brand only sells excellent cut diamonds i.e, diamonds with a precise and proportionate cutting that allows them to fully reflect the light that falls on them. This accounts for their fire, brilliance and scintillation.

The color and clarity grades of Tiffany diamonds fall between D and I, and FL and VS2 respectively. Thus, any diamond with a fluorescence or visible inclusions has no place in their inventory. 

Tiffany grades its diamonds in its own Tiffany and Co. laboratories in New York. These are claimed to have an even stricter criteria than GIA and AGS, which speaks volumes about their quality.

Online Shopping Experience

Lazare

Lazare allows its customers to view and choose products from its website. However, for details and purchase, you will have to go to or contact a retailer. This can be a nuisance, especially since most brands these days allow you to make a purchase directly from their website. 

To search for a diamond, you have to enter your requirements i.e, carat size, clarity and color grades. The website then displays all the diamonds that meet these requirements, along with their ID numbers and other details. To buy or view these, you will have to contact the retailer and tell them the ID of your required diamond. 

Unlike the jewelry, no pictures or 3D videos of the diamonds are available on the website of Lazare, which is disappointing. 

Here is a preview of the website of Lazare.

Tiffany

Tiffany has a modern and up to date website, which is fairly easy to navigate. The drop down menus and distinct categories allow the customer to have access to everything in a simple manner. 

The diamonds can be chosen based on a number of criteria, including shape and setting. You can narrow down your search by applying filters for your required carat weight, color and clarity, which makes matters even more hassle-free.

In case you have a query or need advice, Tiffany allows you to speak to their experts over live chat and emails, which makes the shopping experience pleasant.

Overall, Tiffany stands way ahead of Lazare in terms of having a smooth and uncomplicated online shopping experience.

Warranty, Aftersale Services And Return Policy

Lazare

As mentioned above, Lazare diamonds are bought from retailers. Therefore, the warranty and return policies might vary, and it is important that you collect all of this information from the retailer when you are making a purchase.

Lazare allows you to get your diamond re-cut to ideal proportions in case of chipping or damage. This warranty applies to the diamonds once they are sold and inscribed with a registration number. The registration number is unique for every diamond, and allows you to be permanently identified as the owner of it in Lazare’s registry.

Tiffany

Tiffany offers a lifetime warranty with their diamonds, which depicts their confidence in the quality of their products. In addition, Tiffany also allows you to get complimentary polishing, and many other services such as repair of their products for a cost. Hence, you can be sure that the brand will stand behind their products long after you have purchased them.

If you are not satisfied with your diamond, Tiffany offers a 30 days hassle free return policy, allowing exchange or a refund.

Price 

Both Lazare and Tiffany are ranked among the high end diamond brands. Therefore, they have considerably higher prices than most smaller brands, as well as local vendors. 

Among the two, however, Tiffany diamonds are significantly more expensive. For instance, a diamond with similar size and specifications i.e, approximately 0.5 carat weight, G color and VS1 clarity retails for about $2000 greater at Tiffany than at Lazare.

It is pertinent to mention, however, that there is little to no significant difference in the quality of these. The diamonds of both these brands have exceptionally great quality and a high resale value. 

Conclusion – Which One To Get?

After a thorough evaluation, it is easy to conclude that both Tiffany and Lazare are reliable and offer great quality products.

While Lazare has an upper hand in offering relatively budget-friendly diamonds, the hype and buzz around Tiffany simply can not be ignored. One definitely wants to go big with diamonds, especially on occasions such as weddings and engagements.

Cherry on top is the trouble-free online shopping experience of Tiffany, which saves you from the multiple trips to the retailer. 

Therefore, Tiffany and Co. would be my choice among these two. If you liked this brand comparison, here are a few other comparisons of mine between some of the most popular options out there:

• Verragio Vs. Tiffany | Which One Should You Go With?
• Whiteflash Vs. Tiffany and Co.
• James Allen Vs. Ritani- Everything You Need to Know
• Bvlgari Vs. Van Cleef
• Chaumet Vs. Cartier
• Rare Carat Vs. Brilliant Earth- Which One Is Better?
• Blue Nile Vs. Kay Jewelers: A Comprehensive Comparison