Let's talk branded pieces...Yssie, DS, and all other fans

[Phoenix]

It's been so fun reading this thread and looking at the goods. Sorry if this is a bit off topic but I was curious about branded pieces versus large e-rings. Do ya'll get more attention from strangers/friends/family from branded pieces or diamond size?

It's funny you ask this Q. I was just looking at a thread on another forum asking if you see branded pieces often where you live.

Well, where I am, bling abounds but it's mostly large diamond pieces, e-ings or earrings especially - at least where I hang out and funnily enough at a particular private hospital where ladies of a certain nationality visit. Amongst my immediate social circle, there is only one friend with HUMONGOUS bling and I mean HUMONGOUS (I've mentioned her in another thread) but she owned NO designer bling until recently, none whatsoever...well, except for her high end designer watches. That is, until I corrupted her and enabled her to get a Cartier pave Love bangle (the full-on pave one, with all diamonds, the most expensive one - the girl doesn't do things by halves!! lol). No other friend is really into designer bling (though one has had some Cartier pave Love fakes made - each to their own). I see very few designer items around, except for some solid gold Love bangles, from time to time. Of course, the exception is when I go to Cartier, VCA etc events, and then I see PLENTY!!

So, yeah, little to no attention from anyone here, with the exception of very few people. I wear my bling, inclg my designer pieces, for my own enjoyment.

Well, flipping things around, my personal trainer has recently been gifted a pair of Harry Winston stud earrings of 1.5ct each, D IF, by her husband for her 40th b'day. I get so bloody distracted by them that I sometimes drop my weights!!

 

[Phoenix]

@LLJsmom ,

Weeeeeee!! I LOVE those pieces on you!!

I am fond of the Pure but of course YOU are the one that's gonna wear them. The Sweets are also GORGEOUS!! What matters is that YOU love them. I'm rooting for you to get those!! YAY!!

Ah, you must have a darker tan that I do. My RG pops on me too, but I know what you mean about YG . It really really pops!! and there's something that's so lux about their YG - it's so rich and yummmmmm...

Have you had your studs for over 3 years already?! Wow, how time flies!! The Sweets would be a great alternative to your current studs.

Can't wait to see what you decide next, perhaps both eventually?

 

[junebug17]

LLJsmom, I have to say, the Pure earrings look absolutely perfect on you. But the Sweets also look very pretty and you seem to prefer those so you have to go with your heart on this one - both look really great on you!

 

[AGBF]

LLJsmom, All the pieces you are thinking of buying and all the pieces pictured-and of course your Cartier love cuffs-are the ones I would want. Except the lapis. I would not have wanted that. To me lapis is not the holy grail at all. But since I would not have worn the pieces you are collecting, I have decided that I will let you collect all of them and then I can keep the pictures of your collection instead of saving up for years to buy the pieces myself and then putting them into safety deposit boxes. (I could never afford some of the pieces members here own, though. Like the Perlée VCA cuffs with the diamonds and clovers. I like those a lot! I might even wear them! But no one will buy me any.) You have great taste, LLJsmom!

Deb

 

[PierreBear]

It's funny you ask this Q. I was just looking at a thread on another forum asking if you see branded pieces often where you live.

Well, where I am, bling abounds but it's mostly large diamond pieces, e-ings or earrings especially - at least where I hang out and funnily enough at a particular private hospital where ladies of a certain nationality visit. Amongst my immediate social circle, there is only one friend with HUMONGOUS bling and I mean HUMONGOUS (I've mentioned her in another thread) but she owned NO designer bling until recently, none whatsoever...well, except for her high end designer watches. That is, until I corrupted her and enabled her to get a Cartier pave Love bangle (the full-on pave one, with all diamonds, the most expensive one - the girl doesn't do things by halves!! lol). No other friend is really into designer bling (though one has had some Cartier pave Love fakes made - each to their own). I see very few designer items around, except for some solid gold Love bangles, from time to time. Of course, the exception is when I go to Cartier, VCA etc events, and then I see PLENTY!!

So, yeah, little to no attention from anyone here, with the exception of very few people. I wear my bling, inclg my designer pieces, for my own enjoyment.

Well, flipping things around, my personal trainer has recently been gifted a pair of Harry Winston stud earrings of 1.5ct each, D IF, by her husband for her 40th b'day. I get so bloody distracted by them that I sometimes drop my weights!!

Very interesting! Well, I'll be honest.... I didn't even know what branded pieces to look for until this thread. Now that I've been properly educated by you well dressed/accessorized ladies, if I do see a certain piece, it's those Cartier bangles even in the gym setting. I wonder though if it's because it's more difficult to take off that the ladies just keep them on during a workout and all other bling is taken off.
Woo hoo... congrats to your personal trainer. Must be stunning and yes I would be distracted too!

 

[PierreBear]

My Cartier cuff always garners a comment or some surreptitious glances if I am out shopping or eating. My Alhambra pendant always gets a comment if I am in a jewelry store, or other people who love jewelry, but no where else. The only people that comment on my ering are my co-workers, my family, people who are comfortable enough around me to say anything, and jewelers. To answer your question, generally, yes the branded pieces get more direct comments.

Thanks for sharing LLJsmom! I was expecting the other way around or maybe I just need to break it down between jewelry aficionados versus the general passerby. I was assuming that the general public would provide more commentary on a large ering but only those who really new jewelry would comment on the branded pieces.
Well all I know for sure is that if I ever saw you in person, I wouldn't be good at surreptitious glances. I think I would have to go up to you and give you 1,000 compliments! Glad you are enjoying all your pieces!

 

[LLJsmom]

Thanks for sharing LLJsmom! I was expecting the other way around or maybe I just need to break it down between jewelry aficionados versus the general passerby. I was assuming that the general public would provide more commentary on a large ering but only those who really new jewelry would comment on the branded pieces.
Well all I know for sure is that if I ever saw you in person, I wouldn't be good at surreptitious glances. I think I would have to go up to you and give you 1,000 compliments! Glad you are enjoying all your pieces!

Thanks @PierreBear you're so sweet. Hope we can meet meet up someday and ogle each other's bling!!

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

For someone looking for a rose gold Love:

https://oakgem.com/products/cartier-love-rose-gold-bangle-bracelet

AND FOR ME!!!!!!!

https://www.1stdibs.com/jewelry/ear...lower-diamond-platinum-earrings/id-j_3167513/

cheers--Sharon

 

[AGBF]

HI:

For someone looking for a rose gold Love:

https://oakgem.com/products/cartier-love-rose-gold-bangle-bracelet

AND FOR ME!!!!!!!

https://www.1stdibs.com/jewelry/ear...lower-diamond-platinum-earrings/id-j_3167513/

cheers--Sharon

Are you really buying them, Sharon? They're gorgeous!

I cannot buy that Cartier love bracelet since

a) I do not know my size

and

b) I do not want to do a screwdriver one

but thank you for continuing to post Oakgem items! How about more Buccellati?

Deb

 

[canuk-gal]

Are you really buying them, Sharon? They're gorgeous!

I cannot buy that Cartier love bracelet since

a) I do not know my size

and

b) I do not want to do a screwdriver one

but thank you for continuing to post Oakgem items! How about more Buccellati?

Deb

LOL Deb--Oakgem has their fair share of Buccellati!

I am only dreaming of those earrings--I need to wear what I have!

ETA: A great deal here.....diamonds.....

https://eragem.com/cn11308.html

cheers--Sharon

 

[Phoenix]

ETA: A great deal here.....diamonds.....

https://eragem.com/cn11308.html

cheers--Sharon

Really a fabulous deal!!

 

[Snowdrop13]

https://brandedjewelleryuk.com/prod...ee-pendant-earrings-18k-yellow-gold-diamonds/

How 'bout these?

 

[kama_s]

@kama_s You totally get me. I would wear these as studs, which means I would wear them 24/7 except for cleaning, just like my diamond studs. They are bright and white enough that they are neutral yet blingy. I don't have to worry about whether they match with anything. I can see why the Victoria studs appealed to you, blingy yet in a shape so entirely different from your studs, yet still the same scale as your studs. Totally a daily wear piece.

So you approve of the pre-loved lapis too? I prefer it over the malachite, because the color works with me better. I hope it doesn't turn out to be completely destroyed or in bad shape. My mom might go for it too.

Btw, hope your little boy is doing well. How many months is he now?

So my rule with jewelry is that it should make your heart sing. Beause, let's face it, none of these are necessities. They're all luxuries. And the purpose of them is to make us happy. So if the lapis puts you in a happy place and wearing it would ring you great joy, then you should get them regardless what anyone else thinks of them!

Thanks for asking about my little guy! He is 6.5mo and doing well! The past little bit has been a little insane. He had an awful bout of gastroenteritis, got his first two teeth (one came today!), learn how to roll easily, sit for upto 2min unassisted and do a crazy fast army crawl. Needless to say, I haven't gotten much sleep or spare time lately!

 

[kama_s]

Update: The lapis piece is not gonna happen. The seller backed out so @Phoenix apparently it was the holy grail, cause it ain't happening. I'm secretly glad because I may be able to move my other purchase up, which is the sweet pave alhambra ear studs. I may wait until next year, but I'm fairly certain those will be my next purchase. I took over three years for me to get bored with my studs so I feel quite comfortable mentally with this next selection. After all, it's only my second pair of earrings that I wear. It's time, don't you think? @Phoenix I tried on the Pure with diamonds. The size is a nice one, and it's very blingy. However, I would choose your pave alhambras if I was going to go bigger.


I also tried on the yellow gold and rose gold vintage bracelets to see which I like better. Believe it or not, I may go with yellow gold. The rose blends so well with my skin that I may want my piece to pop a little more. This piece will probably come after my earrings. But maybe I won't want to spend as much right away. The difference is that I get to see the VCA gorgeousness if I get the bracelet, whereas others get to see the ear studs if I get the earrings. What to do!?!


Fun...

Omg, I responded without catching up on this thread. I am so sorry about the lapis. That sucks. BUT, the sevres is pretty similar to it and you can get that the next time you're in Paris! I would make a beautiful keepsake.

Also, lady, you NEED those pave earrings!!! They look fantastic on you. I actually think they're the perfect size on your ear lobe. I vote for earrings before the bracelet. Both RG and YG look great against your skin tone, can't go wrong either way!

 

[yssie]

I also heard of the price increase from m SA But I remember fretting about an increase a few months ago - and the outcome was yet another decrease! The bracelet I would have bought for ~$30k a year ago (the perlee clovers I bored everyone here with for a while) is now ~$25k. I still very much want the bracelet, but to be honest I'm having a really hard time justifying the massive surcharge for brand name when that name is apparently not nearly as consistently valued as I'd thought some years ago - I just know that if I bought it and prices went down I'll be terribly angry with myself for playing into Richemont pricing games

How do y'all avoid that mental merry-go-round?

 

[LLJsmom]

I also heard of the price increase from m SA But I remember fretting about an increase a few months ago - and the outcome was yet another decrease! The bracelet I would have bought for ~$30k a year ago (the perlee clovers I bored everyone here with for a while) is now ~$25k. I still very much want the bracelet, but to be honest I'm having a really hard time justifying the massive surcharge for brand name when that name is apparently not nearly as consistently valued as I'd thought some years ago - I just know that if I bought it and prices went down I'll be terribly angry with myself for playing into Richemont pricing games

How do y'all avoid that mental merry-go-round?

Buy it and don't think about it.

 

[LLJsmom]

Got confirmation. Alhambra going up. 9/28. Neiman Marcus SA. Ok. Pave sweets or bracelet? My gut said bracelet but prob because I am not ready to drop another $5k. If I don't buy th pave sweets now I may never. So it is prob the sweets. Any thoughts? Darn but I really want the bracelet too. Cause I get to look at it all the time... but I wil wear the earrings more...

 

[kama_s]

Got confirmation. Alhambra going up. 9/28. Neiman Marcus SA. Ok. Pave sweets or bracelet? My gut said bracelet but prob because I am not ready to drop another $5k. If I don't buy th pave sweets now I may never. So it is prob the sweets. Any thoughts? Darn but I really want the bracelet too. Cause I get to look at it all the time... but I wil wear the earrings more...

Pave sweets all the way!!!!! Also, you can find the bracelet second hand every now and then.

 

[Phoenix]

Another vote for the earrings, @LLJsmom.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I love my bracelet because I can see it! So I'd probably vote bracelet. I really think the pave sweet studs are very pretty on you, but from a distance they aren't all that different from diamond studs. I personally would go for vintage alhambra earrings (which I understand that you don't want) or Frivole. Both of those are going to be a totally different look than studs.

I did buy my bracelet just a few weeks before the price decrease. It was painful but what's $300 or so in the overall scheme of things? They will go back up eventually. Gold prices certainly can swing higher at any time.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

It's been so fun reading this thread and looking at the goods. Sorry if this is a bit off topic but I was curious about branded pieces versus large e-rings. Do ya'll get more attention from strangers/friends/family from branded pieces or diamond size?

I am sure no one I know recognizes any branded pieces that I have. Random people have noticed the VCA bracelet in high end jewelry stores and commented. But in day to day life, I am sure my diamond rings get more looks (rarely comments, thankfully) just due to the fact it is larger than average for where I live.

 

[LLJsmom]

I love my bracelet because I can see it! So I'd probably vote bracelet. I really think the pave sweet studs are very pretty on you, but from a distance they aren't all that different from diamond studs. I personally would go for vintage alhambra earrings (which I understand that you don't want) or Frivole. Both of those are going to be a totally different look than studs.

I did buy my bracelet just a few weeks before the price decrease. It was painful but what's $300 or so in the overall scheme of things? They will go back up eventually. Gold prices certainly can swing higher at any time.

@diamondseeker2006 that is what I am struggling with too. I don't want to spend $5200 and then say "darn! Why can't I see it?" From a distance they aren't that different from my studs. I may have to give them a test run. The bracelet is $3900 I think. My gut is leaning toward the bracelet and I am thinking that in he future I may get the pair that @Phoenix got. But who knows. Once I've got them on I may love it. I still really love my studs. I don't think I will ever get bigger ones. I wa thinking if I wanted more presence I might ask VC if he could halo them. That could be pretty right? I wonder if there are pics of diamond halo earrings on PS...

 

[Phoenix]

@diamondseeker2006 that is what I am struggling with too. I don't want to spend $5200 and then say "darn! Why can't I see it?" From a distance they aren't that different from my studs. I may have to give them a test run. The bracelet is $3900 I think. My gut is leaning toward the bracelet and I am thinking that in he future I may get the pair that @Phoenix got. But who knows. Once I've got them on I may love it. I still really love my studs. I don't think I will ever get bigger ones. I wa thinking if I wanted more presence I might ask VC if he could halo them. That could be pretty right? I wonder if there are pics of diamond halo earrings on PS...

@LLJsmom, although I thought the Pure Alhambras look best on you, you have to go with your own gut feel. So, maybe the bracelet this time?

I have halo jackets for my studs. Shall I post a pic for you? But wowza, VC would do an amazing job halo'ing yr studs!

 

[Phoenix]

Btw, I may have an update on my VCA earrings soon. That's all I'm gonna say for now!

 

[LLJsmom]

@LLJsmom, although I thought the Pure Alhambras look best on you, you have to go with your own gut feel. So, maybe the bracelet this time?

I have halo jackets for my studs. Shall I post a pic for you? But wowza, VC would do an amazing job halo'ing yr studs!

Totally would appreciate a pic.

 

[Phoenix]

Totally would appreciate a pic.

Coming up!

 

[LLJsmom]

LLJsmom, All the pieces you are thinking of buying and all the pieces pictured-and of course your Cartier love cuffs-are the ones I would want. Except the lapis. I would not have wanted that. To me lapis is not the holy grail at all. But since I would not have worn the pieces you are collecting, I have decided that I will let you collect all of them and then I can keep the pictures of your collection instead of saving up for years to buy the pieces myself and then putting them into safety deposit boxes. (I could never afford some of the pieces members here own, though. Like the Perlée VCA cuffs with the diamonds and clovers. I like those a lot! I might even wear them! But no one will buy me any.) You have great taste, LLJsmom!

Deb

Hi Deb, sorry I missed this. Thank you. You are too kind. I think @Phoenix 's collection is a lot more drool worthy. Just keep clicking on this thread. We will enable you yet...

 

[LLJsmom]

LLJsmom, I have to say, the Pure earrings look absolutely perfect on you. But the Sweets also look very pretty and you seem to prefer those so you have to go with your heart on this one - both look really great on you!

Thank you @junebug17 . Sorry I missed this post. I do really like the sweets. But the ones that make my heart sing are @Phoenix 's new ones. I actually really want those. Problem is I can't really wear them regularly. So, I considered the pave sweets. Problem with those is, cheapo me needs to see what I spent my money on. So I am struggling with this purchase, especially now that the price increase is coming and I will need to make a decision soon. Where is my darn money tree??

 

[Phoenix]

Totally would appreciate a pic.

Here ya go!

 

[junebug17]

LLJsmom, I gotcha! I will put in one more plug for the Pures, I just cannot get over how good they look on you. but the heart wants what it wants lol!
I think in this case I would go with the bracelet, I would feel the same way - I'd want something I could look at. The sweets look lovely on you, but as DS said from a distance they might look similar to studs. But that's just what I would do, there's no wrong decision here! Whatever you think you would enjoy more.

I think earring jackets for your studs is a fabulous idea!