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Fine Jewelry vs Modestly Priced Pieces

Diamond Girl 21

Diamond Girl 21

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jun 26, 2017
Messages
2,206
15670151795715618451085038816085.jpg I love looking at pictures of your beautiful high end jewelry, but I'm curious how many of you still embrace the occasional more modestly priced items.

My personal collection includes some very fine expensive pieces (for my budget anyway), as well as moderately priced pieces.

"Back in the day", I even purchased items from Effy, JTV, and QVC. Believe it or not, some of the items are pretty decent quality and I still enjoy wearing them.

Now I typically save until I can afford the finer pieces, but every once in awhile I'm tempted by something "fun".

So, I'm curious....are you ever tempted to buy that "fun" piece even if it's not the finest quality?

Here's my Effy snake ring. 1ct tw, G/H S11 and SI2.


View attachment 709524
 
I have quite a few pieces from my pre-PS days. I wear a lot of them. I have a bunch of gemstone rings from QVC and a couple diamond pieces. I was never happy with the quality of their diamonds but their gemstones were pretty good.
I was fortunate enough to buy a lot of gold from them when prices were good and I won’t get rid of any of those. I couldn’t afford to replace them!
 
princessandthepear said:
I have a pretty modest bling budget. Most of my diamonds are preloved and a carat or less or unheated untreated gemstones set in Ivy & Rose settings.
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There's nothing wrong with that. The Ivy and Rose settings are so pretty. I'm sure they are all lovely.
 
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luv2sparkle said:
I have quite a few pieces from my pre-PS days. I wear a lot of them. I have a bunch of gemstone rings from QVC and a couple diamond pieces. I was never happy with the quality of their diamonds but their gemstones were pretty good.
I was fortunate enough to buy a lot of gold from them when prices were good and I won’t get rid of any of those. I couldn’t afford to replace them!
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I actually went to the GIA lab class a few years ago with one of the QVC gem specialists. He said they were sending all their stones to GIA for grading. I think they tell you the clarity and color of the diamonds now. At least that's an improvement.

I sure wish I bought more gold back then. Remember those heavy 18kt pieces?
 
Yes! On vacation I purchased a silver and cz DBY necklace so I could test drive one. I love it and wonder now why I need a ‘real’ one! :mrgreen2:
I love your snake ring! It’s fun (and good sense) to play with less expensive pieces as a great way to try out sizes and styles before going all the way!
 
motownmama said:
I know what you're saying - I have some lesser pieces that I still get so much pleasure out of wearing!
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Exactly! Sometimes I mix them with my more expensive pieces, but I often just enjoy them on their own.
 
Slick1 said:
Yes! On vacation I purchased a silver and cz DBY necklace so I could test drive one. I love it and wonder now why I need a ‘real’ one! :mrgreen2:
I love your snake ring! It’s fun (and good sense) to play with less expensive pieces as a great way to try out sizes and styles before going all the way!
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I couldn't agree with you more. "Test driving" is fun and informative.

Thanks! I love the DBTY necklaces too!
 
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Less expensive pieces seldom work for me. I usually buy them because I’m unwilling or cannot yet buy the actual piece I want. And then I buy it and I find all these things I am unsatisfied with. What can I expect when I pay 1/20 the price. I’m much better off just saving up. Or I may spend the money on a bag. But I have regretted that too since I get bored with my bags really quickly. Yah. Bad option for me.
 
LLJsmom said:
Less expensive pieces seldom work for me. I usually buy them because I’m unwilling or cannot yet buy the actual piece I want. And then I buy it and I find all these things I am unsatisfied with. What can I expect when I pay 1/20 the price. I’m much better off just saving up. Or I may spend the money on a bag. But I have regretted that too since I get bored with my bags really quickly. Yah. Bad option for me.
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I totally get that too. Ironically it happens to me when I'm buying something "sort of" pricey. I agree it's best to save up for those special pieces.
 
Moderately priced jewelry can be very fine, too. Your snake ring is much more beautiful than the snake rings Bulgari makes:))
 
If you’ve found something you love then whatever the price is that would be worth it. If you love your snake ring, which is super cool, then you’ll wear it and Price is not an issue. I love Hermes leather bracelets and those can barely be called jewelry. And they’re definitely cheaper than diamonds.
 
LLJsmom said:
If you’ve found something you love then whatever the price is that would be worth it. If you love your snake ring, which is super cool, then you’ll wear it and Price is not an issue. I love Hermes leather bracelets and those can barely be called jewelry. And they’re definitely cheaper than diamonds.
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I totally agree. And I like those bracelets too.
 
VCA’s Alhambra line is expensive by any metric, and it’s intended to be casual wear - it’s not supposed to be “fine jewellery”.

I’m personally never satisfied with a less well-made or inauthentic version of X, even if it costs significantly less. And if I’m not satisfied with a piece I just never reach for it - my compromise pieces never get worn.

The most well-made and authentic version of X isn’t necessarily “fine jewellery” though!
 
I have a decent amount of casual earrings that are budget friendly. Things like freshwater pearls in sterling, etc. I like them, but can't say they get a lot of rotation. I think it's been months since I wore anything.
 
yssie said:
VCA’s Alhambra line is expensive by any metric, and it’s intended to be casual wear - it’s not supposed to be “fine jewellery”.

I’m personally never satisfied with a less well-made or inauthentic version of X, even if it costs significantly less. And if I’m not satisfied with a piece I just never reach for it - my compromise pieces never get worn.

The most well-made and authentic version of X isn’t necessarily “fine jewellery” though!
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I agree. I really don't buy copies of designer or name brand items. However, I do occassionally find an attractive or unique piece that is less expensive but still speaks to me.
 
elizat said:
I have a decent amount of casual earrings that are budget friendly. Things like freshwater pearls in sterling, etc. I like them, but can't say they get a lot of rotation. I think it's been months since I wore anything.
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It's so funny you wrote about pearls in sterling. I hadn't worn mine in quite awhile, but decided to wear a pair today for a trip to AC.
 
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