Fine Jewelry
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Anonymous
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I’ve made a pact long ago to not buy junk. I try to invest in things that will last a while. But I always stumble when it comes to jewelry. I don’t have a lot of it but would feel like I’d like a few pieces to feel more put together.
I wandered in a few stores today and I can’t bring myself to spend that much! I know Tiffany’s has a major markup for instance but didn’t expect the tiny gold bracelet I tried on to be over $5K without (no diamonds or anything of the sort). There’s a ring I’ve wanted for the last year that is $3K+. I have the money, but I can’t bring myself to pay what is essentially a mortgage payment for these pieces. How do folks have multiple designer pieces like this? I follow a woman on instagram who is local to DC I believe and younger than me (Thrift and Tell) and she has so many nice jewelry pieces in addition to a curated designer wardrobe. I know she gets a lot of her clothing second hand but jewelry just doesn’t have the same markdown. I feel like I’m doing something wrong. Do you have and wear a lot of fine jewelry? If so did you purchase it yourself or did a partner? Do you think it’s worth it? |
Anonymous
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How do folks have multiple designer pieces like this? They buy them. Because they have a lot of money and can, or because they are status obsessed and put it on a credit card or simply prioritize it over other things. Lots of people are getting used pieces online as well at places like The Real Real. And some women just garner a lot of gifts.
I do have some Tiffany pieces (a heart toggle bracelet bought for me by a boyfriend 25 yrs ago, lol, and the olive leaf ring in silver bought by my husband a few years ago). But most of my fine jewelry, the stuff that has been bought in the DMV anyway, has come from Quest. I love that place. Compare the price of a similar gold bracelet there to what you looked at at Tiffany. I mean, once you compare high quality jewelry from a a place like Quest with Tiffany, at Tiffany you are paying for branding. Some people want to do that, some don't. Quest has made multiple custom pieces for me. But if you want recognition, you buy Tiffany, Vc & A, DY, etc. Is it worth it? For lots of people, yes. For most people, no. If it helps, mass-market Tiffany is how Tiffany survived -- marketing at MC people. So if you think of it that way, maybe you won't covet it anymore. It's MC jewelry for people who want to think they are UC. |
Anonymous
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I have a lot of Tiffany from the 1990s and 2000s because DH just went there because he was originally from NYC and there was one near his office. They had great customer service.
He also went to Tiny Jewel Box precovud because they had evenings with cookies. He likes cookies, I like the bracelets. |
Anonymous
| Designer jewelry has a huge markup for the brand name. If you want fine jewelry but aren’t interested in having a branded design, go to a local jeweler and get good quality fine jewelry pieces. |
Anonymous
| I’ve bought a few Tiffany pieces in the past, when prices were lower. Most of my jewelry has been a gift or pieces I found at estate/rummage sales….Really good jewelry that someone labeled as fake or didn’t know the hallmark. |
Anonymous
| I have a few Tiffany pieces that I found at deep discounts on The Real Real and Fashionphile. I would've bought these pieces whether or not they're Tiffany. I also have unbranded jewelry that I picked up on resale sites. It takes some time to sift through but I've been happy with what I've found. |
Anonymous
| I have a few classic things that were mostly gifts or handed down, and I mix them in with costume jewelry. I would not assume everyone you see wearing popular designer pieces are sporting the genuine items, either. |
Anonymous
| I buy all my “real” jewelry in India from trusted jewelers, on my annual visits home. It’s expensive but I don’t pay the designer markup and they will make custom designs too. I also buy from artisans I find on Etsy/Instagram but my tastes run very eclectic. |
Anonymous
I do the same, buy from India. Which etsy sellers do you like? |
Anonymous
+1000 Etsy, Ross Simons, Costco, local Indian jewelers are just some of the places I’ve gotten gorgeous fine jewelry at a fair price. |
Anonymous
SurfandSand, Ukuly and Strawberry Frog on Etsy ( I’m partial to gemstone earrings) and The Bijou Babe and Teece Torre on their own websites. There’s a woman I follow on Instagram who acts as a personal jewelry shopper at gem shows and from factories in India but I haven’t bought from her yet: https://ulkarocks.com/pages/ulka-rocks-shopping-trip?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=campaign&_kx=lsR5jwxiEvmlYR6M7LCHZy4jK_ziiDg2RyN0nVAWjXY.R8stWv |
Anonymous
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I only wear fine jewelry.
There has been a huge run up in the price of gold which is one reason Tiffany has become more expensive. But the quality of the diamonds has also decreased. And you are largely paying for the name/brand. These days I would only buy big-brand and jewelry second hand. It’s like luxury cars, not worth buying new. And good jewelry wets much better than car. |
Anonymous
| Don't believe most of what you see on IG. House of cards. |
Anonymous
| I follow her too, love her style. I love jewelry and buy a lot from antique stores and the real real. |
Anonymous
Thank you both. NP here, love gemstones and ornate jewelry |