Ever wish you could erase all the diamond knowledge from your brain?

[Lurchie]

If I could, then I''d be better able to appreciate the diamond earrings DH bought me as a surprise gift for what they are - a sweet and sincere expression of his love for me.

Can anyone commiserate? And please understand, it''s not that I don''t appreciate them. I just want to appreciate them MORE. I love the thought behind them, I love the gift giver, I just don''t love the diamonds. Returning them is not an option. Stories, anecdotes, pats on the back are all welcome. Thanks!

 

[MMMD]

Good luck!! I''m sure they are beautiful, just like the thought behind the gift.

Just a thought: I told my DH not to buy me any jewelry at all ever again because I hate his taste (my DH, without realizing it, buys gifts for people that he thinks they should like, not what they want. Bless his heart

Anyway, sometimes I''m jealous of my girlfriend because on Christmas, anniversaries, and birthdays her DH gives her beautiful jewelry surprises. Then I remind myself I told my beloved not to buy me anything because I won''t like it and I can''t have things both ways.

I think you should wear and love the earrings and then decide if you want to put a stop to the surprise gifts or not.

 

[radiantquest]

i would never wish i didnt know what i know. it makes me able to really appreciate what i have. the diamonds i have are probably not that great compared to PS standards, but if i didnt know about them and what a small increase in diamond quality costs i would expect a completely perfect diamond and not be happy with less.

 

[LaraOnline]

I had to return my husband''s Christmas present this year, unfortunately.
I ADORE my husband, and I LOVE that he wishes to buy me jewellery every year, but my heart is in my mouth when he comes back with the package.
Luckily, for this year, I found the receipt, because it was just ... is awful too strong a word??!
Why send a man to do a woman''s job?

Anyway, it could be worse - at least he loves you enough to makes the effort in the first place...I can''t help thinking that a lot of ''gentleman jewellery buyers'' are sitting ducks for the jewellery sales people though!

 

[Fly Girl]

Lurchie - In my experience, it''s not the PS knowledge that is to blame. It''s really the diamonds.

When our first born child was born 23 years ago, my husband gave me diamond studs as a gift. Certainly they were a most sincere expression of his love, and it was a wonderful gesture and a complete surprise. He opted for "medium" quality at a mall store (we were very frugal with our $$$, and he really couldn''t see any difference). But those things did not sparkle, and I was never happy with them.

I somehow lost them a few years later, and didn''t cry.

So, I have always wanted beautiful diamond studs, but I didn''t want to pay Hearts on Fire prices (we are still frugal with our $$$). Then I found PS, and the story of my gorgeous diamond studs is here.

So, I know where you are coming from. I did wear mine until I lost them. Enjoy what you have. My hope for you is that it doesn''t take you 20 years to get a better pair.

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Date: 1/25/2009 7:43:04 PM
Author: LaraOnline
I had to return my husband's Christmas present this year, unfortunately.

I ADORE my husband, and I LOVE that he wishes to buy me jewellery every year, but my heart is in my mouth when he comes back with the package.

Luckily, for this year, I found the receipt, because it was just ... is awful too strong a word??!

Why send a man to do a woman's job?

Anyway, it could be worse - at least he loves you enough to makes the effort in the first place...I can't help thinking that a lot of 'gentleman jewellery buyers' are sitting ducks for the jewellery sales people though!

Aw Lara

But you're totally about sending a man to do a woman's job

That made me laugh!

BF is way too intimidated to get me anything on his own now - in fact, he was even before i discovered PS, because it's obvious I love jewelry (even before I knew too much about them). Of course, it works out, because I get it, and he gives me a check, and therefore he's bought me a beautiful gift that I absolutely love

But as to the original question, I would never give up what I now know! It's a pain sometimes - I have a hard time walking into Kays now, and they're everywhere, lol, and poor BF when he has to pick out the ring later! But I'm glad I've learned so much since having discovered PS, and I now have this awesome (albeit expensive) hobby! Plus, I get to wear what i collect

 

[Lurchie]

I knew I could count on you all for some thought provoking responses. Thank you! What''s funny is that I never thought he''d have the guts to make a purchase like this on his own. He knows that I look at diamond **** all the time and he''s witnessed me shaking my head at some of the diamond commercials that come on tv. But he''s a romantic and wanted that surprise factor, bless his heart. Well, he got it!

Radiant - your response was very pertinent to my situation. Getting great quality in the tcw he bought would have cost way more money than I would have wanted him to spend.

Lara - oh if only I could have returned them! I would have been happy to put the money in the "future jewelry bank." I''ve been following your story on RT and I am so looking forward to seeing the ring of your dreams!

 

[MissGotRocks]

Were they not from a retail store - is that why you can''t return them? Or is it you just don''t want to hurt his feelings?

I''m sorry that you love the idea and the man but aren''t crazy about the stones. You know, however, that most diamonds do sparkle to a point - some are just cut better than others and give more sparkle. I''m sure they are pretty in their own right. Take some pics and let us have a look! Give that man a hug though and be thankful that he cares so much he wanted to please you. I''m sure you do appreciate that fact.

Knowledge is power and I don''t think I''d ever want to give up what I know except. . . I cannot look at any stone now without wanting to know the specs. Not a bad thing but even if I think it is beautiful, I want the info behind it to make a final decision. That''s when the knowledge gets in my way - just wanting to judge something on its own merit but needing to know those angles!!

 

[BlueSki231]

I know what you mean - i am so picky with jewelry i don''t think the BF would ever take a chance! But if he ever does decide to pick surprise me with a little something I think I have him pretty will trained as far as him knowing to only go through pre-approved PS vendors

It was so sweet of your hubby to surprise you, especially if he doesn''t usually do things like that! Does he know that you''re not quite that happy with the earrings? Maybe they''ll grow on you?

I''m curious to see some pics

 

[LaraOnline]

Date: 1/25/2009 9:26:14 PM
Author: Lurchie
I knew I could count on you all for some thought provoking responses. Thank you! What's funny is that I never thought he'd have the guts to make a purchase like this on his own. He knows that I look at diamond **** all the time and he's witnessed me shaking my head at some of the diamond commercials that come on tv. But he's a romantic and wanted that surprise factor, bless his heart. Well, he got it!


Radiant - your response was very pertinent to my situation. Getting great quality in the tcw he bought would have cost way more money than I would have wanted him to spend.


Lara - oh if only I could have returned them! I would have been happy to put the money in the 'future jewelry bank.' I've been following your story on RT and I am so looking forward to seeing the ring of your dreams!

Thanks for the kind words Lurchie!
Did you see my thread in LIW? That's where I've been hanging out this past year.. it gives all the background ..

If you feel really strongly, would you consider scraping around for the CreditCard statement (if the original receipts are lost), you could try taking that in to the store with the goods and ask if you could swap for similar value...

For myself, I rang the store in a panic, because I couldn't find the receipts, and this is what they told me. The assistant said that after taking in the cc statement, it might take up to a week to match the store's copy of the transaction, because they had to do it manually (they made it sound like a big deal)

They also hastened to inform me that there was no way I was getting a straight refund, also that they were no obligation to accept the return, as there was no fault in the goods. Also, in Australia stores get very uptight about health regs and earrings, so if you have worn them - indeed, even taken them out of the box - you may have no chance.
However, I know that the US is a more competitive retail environment, and that returns are a part of the commercial landscape over there.

I ended up returning the items, umming and aahing for hours and finally DOUBLING the spend to come up with something I liked. Shshsh, don't tell my dear DH. That night, I confessed, and he didn't mind. I hope it doesn't stop him from buying me jewellery in future, as I do appreciate the sentiment, very much!!

 

[tlh]

OMG, NO! I know ignorance is bliss and all that... but there is a certain amount of pride one has with knowledge, you are comfortable buying things, and are able to discuss it intelligently.

Now this is a gift. Keep in mind, if they aren''t..... the best... you can still wear and enjoy them. I mean I have never seen someone grab someone''s ear to see their diamonds. Ears are gross, wax comes out of them, you are pretty close to someone''s face, and EEEk what if they are sick! YUK, plus if you have wild crazy hair, it gets in the way... blah blah blah.

So I''d wear them and enjoy them. And if someone grabs your head to take a look, please let me know, because that is BOUND TO BE A HILARIOUS STORY!!!!!!

 

[OUpearlgirl]

I know where you are coming from!! I got an aquamarine for my birthday from my parents, and I was slightly disappointed by it. I love the sentiment and I love certain aspects of it.. But I would prefer that the stones were ovals instead of naval cuts.

Before joining PS, I probable would never have known any better. But, I have learned so much here and I wouldn''t trade that knowledge for anything.

 

[Lurchie]

Oh my, I can''t bear to post pics. It seems somehow disrespectful to DH to post them knowing how I feel about them. Is it disrespectful to even have started this thread?? Believe me, there may be a certain brightness to them, but there is no sparkle.

He bought them online at a website which any one of us would know to steer clear of after looking at one of their stock images. When I dipped a small toe in the "they''re not what I would have picked" waters, I got a pretty hurt response. So no, there is no returning them. I will wear them to parties and events sponsored by his friends and when we have special nights out together. That way he''ll know how much they mean to me.

Lara - I did! I stalked your LIW thread after seeing your RT post. Great stuff!

tlh - I suppose I never considered the physical awkwardness of checking out someone''s studs. That really made me laugh. You make a great point.

 

[tlh]

Good, then I did my job!

 

[musey]

I don''t think so, but I don''t think my knowledge is hurting my appreciation of what I have. I''m sure that would depend on what it is that one has, though.

I have a bracelet from my husband that he gave to me a year or more before PS. I always liked the design, but the stones are quite heavily included. Same with my diamond studs, given to me by my parents. They are in the SI3-I1 range and you can see feathers and carbon up close with the naked eye, but when they''re in my ears they''re reasonable sparkley. I feel the same way about them now as I did pre-PS. It didn''t take a PS education to teach me what looks nice, so I don''t think forgetting all I know about diamonds would change anything about how I feel about my pieces!

 

[Haven]

I''ve never wished I could erase my diamond knowledge, no, but my husband knows better than to buy me jewelry on his own so I''ve never been in your position!

Besides the obvious (family, pets, friends), I love two things with a passion: jewelry and literature. Now, it''s my job to know a good piece of literature when I read it. However, this doesn''t make it impossible for me to curl up with and enjoy a Jodi Picoult book when I''m in the mood for a good, simple story. Could I feel the same about less-than-superior jewelry? I bet I could.

 

[LaraOnline]

Date: 1/26/2009 1:19:46 PM
Author: Lurchie
Oh my, I can''t bear to post pics. It seems somehow disrespectful to DH to post them knowing how I feel about them. Is it disrespectful to even have started this thread?? Believe me, there may be a certain brightness to them, but there is no sparkle.

He bought them online at a website which any one of us would know to steer clear of after looking at one of their stock images. When I dipped a small toe in the ''they''re not what I would have picked'' waters, I got a pretty hurt response. So no, there is no returning them. I will wear them to parties and events sponsored by his friends and when we have special nights out together. That way he''ll know how much they mean to me.


Lara - I did! I stalked your LIW thread after seeing your RT post. Great stuff!


tlh - I suppose I never considered the physical awkwardness of checking out someone''s studs. That really made me laugh. You make a great point.

I feel a bit the same way about my original engagement ring... I am embarrassed to post pics... but perhaps later, when I have my upgrade, I will post pics.

Do you think that having ''what you really want'' will help you get over the disappointment of also owning that which is a compromise? I know that for me, it''s probably the case!

Perhaps then, you can enjoy the gifts for what they are (wear them gardening, rockclimbing, surfing etc)

They can be your ''rough and ready'' bling!

I HATE wearing a piece and thinking about how it was a compromise on quality, for price. I tend to suffer in silence, though...

If you''ve got the type of man who''ll take it, perhaps you could mention that it''s better to spend more for the good stuff.... perhaps your man is like mine though, and thinks quality jewellery is 450x overpriced, value-wise!
It''s really hard for him to ''get the feeling''.

 

[Babyblue033]

Date: 1/25/2009 4:12:46 PM
Author: MMMD
Anyway, sometimes I''m jealous of my girlfriend because on Christmas, anniversaries, and birthdays her DH gives her beautiful jewelry surprises. Then I remind myself I told my beloved not to buy me anything because I won''t like it and I can''t have things both ways.

Oh boy, you just nailed it. You really can''t have it both ways, I would love to receive surprise jewelry from DH (what women wouldn''t?) but I think he''s just as scared to buy me jewelry as I am of receiving it

It''s wonderful always getting things you absolutely love and want, but there''s just something *not quite* romantic about "Here honey, I picked out the stone, the setting, which vendor to buy them from, please buy them for me for Valentine''s day"

Which incidently IS what we''re doing for Valentine''s day

Oh why oh why couldn''t HE be addicted to PS instead?

 

[sba771]

Only when 1 of my annoying friends is constantly talking about Tiffanys and diamonds and she actually knows NOTHING about diamonds. For some reason it really gets to me, although it may just be her. In fact- maybe I will just get rid of her and keep all I know from PS

 

[neatfreak]

Best thing to do IMO is to avoid telling them **NOT** to buy jewelry, but to tell them **WHERE** to buy jewelry. My DH knows that if he wants to get me a present there are a number of vendors whom he could go to and always come out with something quality. That way I occasionally get sparkly presents and he doesn''t get ripped off!

 

[Lurchie]

Date: 1/27/2009 7:33:43 AM
Author: sba771
Only when 1 of my annoying friends is constantly talking about Tiffanys and diamonds and she actually knows NOTHING about diamonds. For some reason it really gets to me, although it may just be her. In fact- maybe I will just get rid of her and keep all I know from PS

 

[Lurchie]

The funny thing is, had he asked me, I would have told him not to get me diamond studs at all. They''re not me.

He had the sense to ask me a while back if I would ever wear pearls...And Neat, your idea will be my plan from now on. (You''d think that since we got my w-band from Whiteflash that would have been a good place to start!) I will give him a list of pre-approved vendors from which to choose should he ever decide to surprise me again. Rubbing hands together...

In the meantime, I can report that I am so glad I didn''t push him on returning them. It would have led to tears on both sides. I realized it was really important to him to have made this romantic gesture. Now, whenever I look at them, I focus my attention on the better-cut of the two diamonds.

 

[diamondringlover]

I some times regret knowing what I know, I no longer get pretties for holidays

I have alot of jewerly, all of pre PS and like other posters I am ashamed to post them, some of the quality if pretty awful and my husband was so proud when he gave all of it to me, I couldnt return any of it and he is kinda of older and very old school, he thinks a man should buy stuff for his wife. But if I ever get a chance to purchase some new stuff you can bet I will be involved in the process, my thoughts now is you put alot of money into these purchases, they should be the best you can get for you money.