name brand or not

[jyeh74]

I’ve kind of been on the fence with this. I’ve been searching for a nice bracelet for my wife. I understand with name brands, you are paying a markup. I’ve looked at a Kelly bracelet from Hermes but I don’t know anything about that brand as it relates to fine jewelry. For what you get, and it seems expensive. It comes with some black spinels, not even diamonds for $11,200. I don’t even know what the gems really are. Here is the link to the Kelly bracelet. https://www.hermes.com/us/en/product/kelly-bracelet-small-model-H218406Bv00LG/
They also have a Kelly bracelet with diamonds for $13,800 which seems like it is more “worth” it that the black gems. At least you are getting diamonds, albeit not very much for the price. Here is the link to the diamond Kelly bracelet.
https://www.hermes.com/us/en/product/kelly-bracelet-small-model-H110013Bv00SH/

It seems like you can get more for the price with more diamonds from companies like Graff. She claims that Cartier is better since everyone knows the name. If I am spending $10,000 she is leaning toward the Love Bracelet because it’s in demand. We don’t know much about Graff but they have a spiral bracelet with 1.5 total carat weight of diamonds for around the same price. Here is the Graff Spiral Bracelet
https://www.graff.com/collections/spiral-jewellery/pave-diamond-spiral-bracelet-rose-gold/


Other people have recommend Buccellati which I am not familiar with. Here is the Buccellati
http://us.buccellati.com/en/jewelry/icona/macri-classica/macri-classica-bangle-bracelet-1




It goes back to the thought that if I’m going to spend $10,000, couldn’t I get a no name brand with higher quality diamonds and materials? Is Hermes known for their fine jewelry or is it basically a rip off? I’m worried because there are a lot of fakes out there so might dilute the perception of true value. I haven’t seen much Graff, probably because they are higher end and $10,000 is on the “low end” of their selection. But I don’t hear about many fake Graffs either. Bucalleti I know nothing about.
I like to get everybody’s opinions on the links that I have above, as well as these brands in general. Thoughts welcome.

 

[bludiva]

hermes is not really a jewelry brand, it is more known for leather goods.

cartier love = more name brand recognition ...i.e. mass recognition vs. something like buccellati is only recognized by people really into high end jewelry. van cleef arpels seems like somewhere between the two

here's a thread that may help ...
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...ded-pieces-yssie-ds-and-all-other-fans.213919

 

[MaisOuiMadame]

It's a personal decision and only your wife knows if she wants a very specific trademarked design or not.

Iconic pieces, like the Cartier love or VCA clover, are a safe bet. Timeless, classic, very recognizable and they have held their value very very well in the past.

Geneally speaking they should be very high quality, but you need to be aware that the value is in the design, and the name and recognition more than the materials. If you are concerned about pieces holding value I'd stick to the very popular designs, since there are some more fashionable lines from VCA and Cartier that haven't held their value, because they aren't as recognizable today as other pieces.
The Hermès to *me* is not as "safe", (mostly because of them using different variations in their silver and leathee/palladium lines as well) but we'll only know in ten years' time.

As to your question :

couldn’t I get a no name brand with higher quality diamonds and materials? I

Yes, I absolutely. You could get a substantial tennis bracelet or bangle from a superideal vendor (Whiteflash, but high peefwith top notch diamonds for that price. It's also a classic and would hold value as well, I'd say, from what I have seen on the secondary market.

But keep in mind that it's most important what your wife will love to wear, cherish and what brings her joy. Jewelry very rarely (as in almost never) is a good investment. Buy high quality you love and wear every day !

 

[lissyflo]

But keep in mind that it's most important what your wife will love to wear, cherish and what brings her joy. Jewelry very rarely (as in almost never) is a good investment. Buy high quality you love and wear every day !

This!

 

[missy]

I’ve kind of been on the fence with this. I’ve been searching for a nice bracelet for my wife. I understand with name brands, you are paying a markup. I’ve looked at a Kelly bracelet from Hermes but I don’t know anything about that brand as it relates to fine jewelry. For what you get, and it seems expensive. It comes with some black spinels, not even diamonds for $11,200. I don’t even know what the gems really are. Here is the link to the Kelly bracelet. https://www.hermes.com/us/en/product/kelly-bracelet-small-model-H218406Bv00LG/
They also have a Kelly bracelet with diamonds for $13,800 which seems like it is more “worth” it that the black gems. At least you are getting diamonds, albeit not very much for the price. Here is the link to the diamond Kelly bracelet.
https://www.hermes.com/us/en/product/kelly-bracelet-small-model-H110013Bv00SH/

It seems like you can get more for the price with more diamonds from companies like Graff. She claims that Cartier is better since everyone knows the name. If I am spending $10,000 she is leaning toward the Love Bracelet because it’s in demand. We don’t know much about Graff but they have a spiral bracelet with 1.5 total carat weight of diamonds for around the same price. Here is the Graff Spiral Bracelet
https://www.graff.com/collections/spiral-jewellery/pave-diamond-spiral-bracelet-rose-gold/


Other people have recommend Buccellati which I am not familiar with. Here is the Buccellati
http://us.buccellati.com/en/jewelry/icona/macri-classica/macri-classica-bangle-bracelet-1




It goes back to the thought that if I’m going to spend $10,000, couldn’t I get a no name brand with higher quality diamonds and materials? Is Hermes known for their fine jewelry or is it basically a rip off? I’m worried because there are a lot of fakes out there so might dilute the perception of true value. I haven’t seen much Graff, probably because they are higher end and $10,000 is on the “low end” of their selection. But I don’t hear about many fake Graffs either. Bucalleti I know nothing about.
I like to get everybody’s opinions on the links that I have above, as well as these brands in general. Thoughts welcome.

Some people LOVE name brands and it is completely worth it to them to spend the extra money for that name brand. I admit I love Cartier and as @kipari wrote it's a classic and if you choose wisely will hold its own for decades and decades to come.

Most importantly however, is choosing a piece your wife will cherish and adore and love wearing. Above all else. That is the heart of the matter. What does your wife want? As @kipari wisely writes, jewelry is not a good investment. Unless you are in the jewelry business and even then.

The best investment is purchasing a piece your wife will love and wear. That is the pricelessness art/jewelry brings to our world. The beauty one appreciates and the joy one gets from wearing/looking at the piece of art.

 

[jyeh74]

I noticed used Hermes jewelry resells at 50% of its original value. Used Van Cleef & Arpels usually sells close to original retail. It seems to hold its value in the resale market higher. I don’t understand why buyers wouldn’t just buy new from the retail store if that’s the case?

 

[missy]

I noticed used Hermes jewelry resells at 50% of its original value. Used Van Cleef & Arpels usually sells close to original retail. It seems to hold its value in the resale market higher. I don’t understand why buyers wouldn’t just buy new from the retail store if that’s the case?

I might be wrong but I think it is hard to get vintage designer pieces so some buyers are willing to pay for those hard to obtain vintage name valuables.
But I do agree with you when I see certain bling posted on Loupe Troop or Diamond Bistro going for near retail (that is not vintage name brand /special in some way) I SMH. Why would someone buy a piece that is worth thousands for a discount of just a couple of hundred dollars? When they can purchase said piece new at almost the same price?

 

[MaisOuiMadame]

I might be wrong but I think it is hard to get vintage designer pieces so some buyers are willing to pay for those hard to obtain vintage name valuables.
But I do agree with you when I see certain bling posted on Loupe Troop or Diamond Bistro going for near retail (that is not vintage name brand /special in some way) I SMH. Why would someone buy a piece that is worth thousands for a discount of just a couple of hundred dollars? When they can purchase said piece new at almost the same price?

Exactly!

 

[missy]

Exactly!

Maybe those sellers are appealing to the non PS crowd hoping they aren’t savvy about the purchase but it’s common sense if something is sold for almost its retail price and it’s still available retail why would one buy used? If only offered a small discount? No return period, no warranty, nothing.

 

[lambskin]

Bespoke jewelry is all the rage. People identify things with the brand. LV, Hermes and Chanel (and others) have jumped from leather goods and clothes to jewelry. The stuff is not cheap. I am not a fan. In contrast, when I think of Graff I think of magnificent gems set in beautiful settings. Important stones in terms of size and quality. The settings let the gems speak for themselves-even if the setting can be over the top. Graff and Harry Winston to me are old Hollywood and international jet set crowd. I can only admire from afar or from a magazine ad. Cartier is more famous like Tiffany's-than Graff. When I think of Cartier I think of the classic Tank watch . I know others like the Trinity rings and the bangle with the screws and anything Panther. VCA is gaining more recognition IMHO due to the resurgence of popularity of the midcentury Alahambra line. That being said, I would buy a Cartier tank watch, a VCA Alahambra necklace and a big Graff gem pendant, ring or pair of earrings if money was no object. But if I am buying a modest piece that is not a bespoke or branded piece, I would go find a reputable jeweler(PS input is a must). Only a few of the branded pieces retain value and have a premium when sold at auctions or second hand. Most no name jewelry does not. Since I do not buy with a mindset of resale value, I would rather select my stones and settings.

 

[strawrose]

I think Hermès is best for handbags, not jewelry. The Kelly bag will appreciate, but there is less demand for jewelry.

 

[jyeh74]

What’s everyone’s opinion of the VCA Perlee signature bracelet? https://www.vancleefarpels.com/us/e...0-perlee-signature-bracelet-medium-model.html

 

[doberman]

I replied in your other thread. Go to a VanCleef and Arpels near you and look around. It's not the same online.

 

[arkieb1]

I'm biased I'd buy a beautiful antique diamond or coloured stone bracelet over anything you have mentioned but if your wife likes specific brands and they have meaning to her I'd buy her whatever she wants. Happy wife = happy life

 

[Rubybrick]

What’s everyone’s opinion of the VCA Perlee signature bracelet? https://www.vancleefarpels.com/us/e...0-perlee-signature-bracelet-medium-model.html

I think the Cartier love is more recognizable than the VCA perlee at this price point. Also if your budget is 10k I would spring for the one with diamonds.

 

[SandyinAnaheim]

I'm biased I'd buy a beautiful antique diamond or coloured stone bracelet over anything you have mentioned but if your wife likes specific brands and they have meaning to her I'd buy her whatever she wants. Happy wife = happy life

+1 Personally, I'm not a fan of having the popular or trendy thing that other people have. I would rather have something very original and not commonly seen, to me that is a lot more interesting and pleasurable to wear. I would definitely contact one of the super ideal vendors and have a bracelet made for her that will be closer to one-of-a-kind. You'll be paying for great diamonds and workmanship, not a name or label.

 

[LLJsmom]

What’s everyone’s opinion of the VCA Perlee signature bracelet? https://www.vancleefarpels.com/us/e...0-perlee-signature-bracelet-medium-model.html

Love it. It my favorite VCA piece. (Shamelessly attaches own thread.). Includes my onyx and WG vintage bracelet and my chalcedony and WG vintage bracelet.
https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/when-it-rains-vca-it-pours.246362/

Maybe you’ve already purchased a piece? If so, please share.