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Advice on what to buy first!

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Lily1895

Rough_Rock
Joined
Feb 4, 2015
Messages
14
Hello everyone,

Relatively recent lurker whose decided to take the plunge and post for some advice. Apologies if this isn't the right board but i wasn't sure where to best post :)

So I'm currently in a bit of a jewellery buying pickle and would love to get some advice on editing my wish/shopping list and advice on which big ticket item to get first.

I recently got married and was gifted a very generous amount of money from one of my aunts. As I'm of Chinese decent, it would have been more traditional for her to buy a piece of jewellery but she was very ill leading up to the wedding and the last thing on anyones mind was jewellery. She's pulled through and her attendance at our wedding was the best possible gift. With all this, we weren't expecting a gift or money at all. In any other case we'd probably do something relatively boring (mortgage, holiday, furniture) with a windfall like this. But because I'm quite close to my aunt, I figured that I should try to be more sentimental and less practical than usual and put some of the money into a 'statement' or 'key' everyday piece.

Having lurked around a few of the forums I've really been blown away by everyone's taste and especially the pearl necklaces and diamond studs!! I'd be comfortable spending around $5000 initially and was wondering which of the following sounds the most 'sensible' at this time :)
- 1.5 tcw diamond studs
- vintage diamond bracelet/cuff
- a strand of round Tahitians with matching studs or drops
- single large round gold south sea on a gold cable necklace with matching studs
- 16in, 9 to 10mm "Freshdama" freshwater pearls with matching studs
- rope of freshwater pearls
- diamond circle pendant

With the exception of the bracelet and circle pendant, I'd totally be happy to rock them everyday.

If it's of any use for background, I was also gifted by relatives a 1ct solitaire pendant and crazy sparkly white gold and diamond pave drop earrings (they kind of look like a coin dropped from a diamond huggie). I love, love, love huge costume-y brooches (lea stein) and bracelets but I'm pretty conservative on the more "serious stuff". For example, my engagement ring (which I helped pick out) is a 0.4ct plain Cartier 1895 which I adore. I may eventually splash out on a larger solitaire (maybe a different cut) but it'd probably still be more of a special occasion/cocktail ring. Also, tennis bracelets aren't really my think, also i have a MWWL (mom who will lend) :D.
 
Congratulations on your marriage. I am so happy for you that your Aunt is doing better.

I would vote for diamond studs since that is one of my favorite staple pieces.
 
You can never go wrong with diamond studs and they can easily be repurposed or traded, if necessary. However, I think its year of the bracelet! I've bought 7 bracelets since November and I notice them everywhere too. Like rings, you can stack them, mix and match, and where them all the time. A statement making bracelet would be a solid choice too. Good problem to have, BTW :)
 
What a lovely aunt! All of your options sound appealing but I'm voting for the studs, too. You'll be able to wear them every day and they'll go with every outfit you own! Please let us know what you go for, I really enjoy hearing about other people's buying decisions.
 
Congratulations on your marriage and I am glad your aunt is doing well now. I vote for the diamond studs if you think you will wear them as they are a classic staple in the wardrobe for many. Of course you cannot go wrong as long as you choose pieces you will enjoy and love so go with your gut and heart and pick the piece that calls your name. And please when you have time post pics of your ER and any other jewelry you would be happy to share with us. As you know we enjoy seeing PSers jewelry! :appl:
 
Welcome! What a fun first post for you!

Congratulations on your marriage. Your family sounds wonderful. Do you have any single brothers? (just kidding....)

I vote for studs as well. I wear mine every day and they can go from yoga to taking out the garbage to a cocktail party. I really think you can't go wrong with a nice pair of studs and I think your aunt would approve!
 
RandG's bracelets are just gorgeous, but I would also have to give my support to the studs. As a younger person, my hunch is you would get so many opportunities to wear them, either dressed up or down. Studs are one of the most basic staples IMHO. & personally? I'd purchase from one of the venders here, like Whiteflash, Brian Gavin, etc Good Old Gold, because they all have upgrade plans. Last, buy quality since you are starting out. I just replaced my 2ctw uncerted studs with ACA's (WF's branded premium cut) at 56 years old. Wish I had found PS at your stage of life!!

Last, I am so glad you are able to take your dear Aunts gift & put it towards a jewelry purchase. Much more fitting to her memory, you will have that piece to remember her for years down the road. Congratulations on your marriage!
 
Congrats on your marriage and I'm glad to hear that your aunt has pulled through!

My vote is for the studs, as your parameter was a wear-every-day piece.

BTW, I like the gift giving that your family ascribes to :clap: Its much better than a toaster or set of Henckels, heehee!!!

Yes to pics also, we like to look!!
 
I would go for tahitian necklace. With 5K you should be able to get a high quality large round strand that'll have a big look. Plus pearls are one of a kind so they'll remind you of your aunt.
 
I'd probably go for diamond studs because I don't have any BUT pearls are a traditional Chinese wedding gift and, as others have pointed out, you'd be able to get an AMAZING set with that budget.

What a nice dilemma to have!
 
baby monster|1423069153|3827251 said:
I would go for tahitian necklace. With 5K you should be able to get a high quality large round strand that'll have a big look. Plus pearls are one of a kind so they'll remind you of your aunt.
Click to expand...

Exactly what I was thinking - Tahitian pearls gets my vote too.
 
Diamond studs and a pair of diamond earring jackets would be my first choice.

Second choice would be a nice right hand ring.

And congratulations on your recent marriage.

DK :))
 
I would do studs, also, from one of the vendors who does upgrades. But I would start out with no larger than .4 each as I think it would take away from your e-ring if they were larger stones. Later if you get a larger e-ring, you could upgrade the studs at that time.
 
HI:

Lovely news on your Aunt's recovery. Congratulations on your marriage!

You have received much good advice, but I would like to add that you try on try on pearl strands before you commit. I believe pearls are more chameleon then one imagines--different species, color, shape, and luster--it boggles the mind.

cheers--Sharon
 
Wow! Thank you all for the lovely words and thoughtful advice!! I have to admit, I think there's going to be a bit of a compromise of sorts. I tried on a Tahitian necklace and fell in love. It wasn't the right one for me but I think I've started on the dreaded path of researching/shopping/dreaming about purchasing pearls :)

I did have a look around at studs and I wasn't all that keen on any of the ones I saw in the B&M shops except for one place but I'd need to have them order in a pair as the clarity wasn't quite what I was after. I think I'll keep saving a bit more, add to my aunt's contribution and shop around for a good pair. I tried on some 1.5tcw and they looked to be the right size. The 2tcw completely overwhelmed my ears. As for something smaller, I actually already have a very small pair set in an illusion setting which are my currently go to pair so I'd like to get something a bit more different.

As for photos - here's the completely *nuts* pair of earrings. I didn't think they were me to begin with but they're slowly growing on me :)

screen_shot_2015-02-07_at_11.png
 
marymm|1423074867|3827313 said:
baby monster|1423069153|3827251 said:
I would go for tahitian necklace. With 5K you should be able to get a high quality large round strand that'll have a big look. Plus pearls are one of a kind so they'll remind you of your aunt.
Click to expand...

Exactly what I was thinking - Tahitian pearls gets my vote too.
Click to expand...


I like this idea too.

I like studs. But... you may upgrade your studs and... so forth.

For a wedding and from a relative, I'd want something that you keep, as is, for good. And I think the Tahitians are the way to go there.
 
Why not give her your list of wants, and let her give some input? :wavey:
 
Staple pieces I see on most women in this list would be either a neclace or studs.
 
Another vote for one of your pearl necklace choices or decent sized studs because either are great staples to wear in a wardrobe. Congrats on your wedding!!!!
 
I would vote for the studs too. I love a tahitian strand but I think you will get more wear from the studs. I have a pair of earrings of the same style as your super blingy hoop/drops, and while I LOVE them, I don't wear them on an every day basis-same for the pearls. I would however, go for the studs and maybe a pendant with one large (10.5-13. mm) pearl with maybe a couple small diamonds above it. That you could wear pretty much all the time. A large pearl like that is pretty rare and unique and would really be a wonderful statement piece. How fun that you have the opportunity for all the dreaming and planning! I am so glad your aunt made it though and was able to be at your wedding. That is the best gift for sure. Can't wait to see what you decide!
 
I vote for Tahitian pearl strand and earrings. Pearls are a classic and something that you're probably less likely to upgrade over time. Even if you don't wear the necklace every day, pearl earrings are easy to wear with jeans and t-shirt or evening dress. I have a pair of desperate housewife sized pearl studs and they look great with jeans! For a bit of diamond sparkle you could always have the earrings with a little diamond on them but I think the plain studs are better because they are more versatile and could even be paired with diamond jackets later in life to go all fancy!
http://www.pearlparadise.com/p-16-starlight-collection-90-100-mm-tahitian-pearl-amp-diamond-stud-earrings.aspx
 
I think that only you can decided which piece of jewelry fits your personal preference.
 
Fun thread! Lily, I also love Lea Stein brooches and have a couple myself. Based on the idea that you like larger pieces with character, I'm thinking the vintage diamond bracelet/cuff would be perfect. I recently saw some fantastic converted bracelets on a friend's Instagram and was just really struck by how gorgeous they looked, and I just loved the concept which is a vintage brooch made into a bangle or cuff. That could be a great project--finding the brooch and then working with a jeweler to design a bracelet around it.
 
I would go for the diamond studs. They never go out of style and look great with everything! What a fun decision to make.
 
Hey everyone,

Thanks so much for the lovely replies and good wishes! I've pretty much decided on a Tahitian pearl necklace. I'll save up for diamond studs next. I think in the end I was just charmed by the more visible uniqueness of each pearl strand I found - don't get me wrong diamonds are unique (and in fact i think trying to research and match a pair was kind of overwhelming) but I think the idea of having them as 'everyday' in a way undermined my choice. As a joke, and only in my mind, i thought of it as buying a really, really, really, really expensive carton of milk :P. :wall: But thank you everyone! (also yay for Lea Stein fans! :D is there a forum for her here?)
 
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