Have you been PS brainwashed?

[athenaworth]

Don't get me wrong, I adore everyone on PS and I looooooove the eyecandy here but boy oh boy has it made me a major coveter. I can't figure out if I'd've stayed happy with my ring if I'd never discovered PS, but I guess I'll never know the answer for that. Anywho - I am incredibly grateful for what I have and will not covet. At least that's what I keep telling myself.

How 'bout you? Have you wanted more, more, more thanks to PS?

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I did want more at one point, but after being a member for so long, that desire has tappered off. I've actually been purging my collection now that I've realized what my jewerly style is.

If it weren't for PS, I probably would never had upgraded my stud earrings and I'm SO glad I found PS for that opportunity! Now, I'm mostly content with that. I've come to find that the only diamond jewelry I really want to collect are additional earrings but am not obsessing over whether or not I have them.

Actually, I'm more wanting a new rug to put under the dining room table I recently purchased.

 

[Steel]

I have been able to keep a lid on my coveting.

But I have seen so many other PS'ers fall into the trap of *more*more*more*

 

[lyra]

I have been able to keep a lid on my coveting.

But I have seen so many other PS'ers fall into the trap of *more*more*more*

I agree with this. PS has helped me become more aware, and better educated about purchases I would have made anyway, but I know when to draw the line too. I step back if I feel I'm starting to get too emotionally invested in wanting some particular item. It's always nice to look though, and the people here are great to chat with about all matters.

 

[geckodani]

Well, I found PS while I was searching for a new setting. So while I definitely drank the cool-aid (I didn't even know what a bezel band WAS until I found PS, and now I wear one as my wedding ring) I was already on that path.

That said, I'm pretty conservative with my purchases. When I found PS, I wanted a new e-ring setting and wedding band. Got them. Then wanted some higher quality earrings for everyday wear. Got them. And haven't purchased a piece of jewelry since. Thanks to PS I was able to make informed decisions and ended up with a wedding set that makes me smile every time I look at it, and earrings that I love to wear.

I'm saving up for bigger studs, but that's in direct response to what I wear on a daily basis. I tend to alternate between my scattered diamond hoops with my .25tcw studs in my second holes, and just wearing the studs. So larger studs would be nice to wear on days I'm not feeling the hoop vibe.

 

[Liane]

It comes and goes. Probably the biggest influence is that PS has really sharpened my eyes for colored gemstones and made me appreciate superb specimens owned by other PS'ers. I don't like a lot of the starter stones I bought just a couple of years ago (and will probably end up giving them away) and even though when I first came here I was pretty "meh" about a lot of colored gems, once you've seen a really nice XYZ, it's a short and easy step to wanting that really nice XYZ.

I've managed to resist the Paraiba bug but that's about the only one I can still honestly say I'm unconverted on.

So yeah, definitely an addiction. But it keeps me motivated to do things that earn the play money, and during the long middle slog of working on a novel, it's good to have that motivation.

 

[reader]

PS has really helped me to find any sense of style at all, but I have loved jewelry since I was a little kid! The closest museums with gems are over two hours away, and the pics of collections here really are wonderful when I can't find a good book or display on jewelry.

 

[Maisie]

PS has been a really great place for me. I have made some wonderful friends. The only part I didn't seem to handle so well was the bling side of it. I went really crazy upgrading and upgrading. I ended up selling every piece of jewellery I owned because I knew I had gone too far.

If I was ever going to get engaged again I would let him choose the ring and never change it. I want a ring that has sentiment and joy attached to it. Not jealousy and greed.

 

[elrohwen]

Not really. I think at one point I did, when I realized how many beautiful pieces were out there, but over time that feeling has gone away. I realize that I don't wear the jewelry that I already own (granted, it's all fake and costume jewelry anyway) - I'm just not a flashy jewelry type of person and I only wear my wedding set unless going to a party or out to dinner. I'd love to get studs some day, but I'd never be the type to wear a huge blingy gemstone ring to work (for example) or a lot of RHRs. I know myself well enough to know what I would and wouldn't use, and that limits my coveting a lot.

So, instead of coveting these things I'd never wear, I just drool over them when people on PS get them

 

[Dreamer_D]

I think PS enabled a desire I always had. I always wanted a big bling ring. PS made me feel it was ok to go for it. And my ring brings me a tonne of pleasure every day.

I do step back and remind myself that what I have is amazing and totally good enough on a regular basis. I do not want to spend more than xx of jewelry in the next few years, so I remind myself of that if I ever feel the need to buybuybuy, and I have a mental priority list for the small budget I have allocated in the coming years and I will stick to that (a final reset for my diamond).

It helps that my diamond solitaire costs the absolute limit of what I think it is appropriate to "invest" in something luxurious and frivolous. When I think of getting more, I think of the price, and then it stops the urge in its tracks. I also do not want/desire multiple rings/earrings/jewelry, so that also helps. I want one perfect statement piece and that is all.

 

[Autumnovember]

Before I got engaged the main reason I was here was too stare at all the beautiful rings on SMTB and while I still do and will continue to forever but now I feel like I'm here more for the people. I love reading different threads and talking to the many intelligent people on this forum. After I got engaged, I had a little bit of DSS but that quickly went away. Ever since joining PS I have not bought any new pieces of jewelry and I have not really had any desire to either. In the future when my spending habits will probably change, I'll probably add some nice diamond earring and a necklace. For now, I'm not dying for either one.

 

[Kismet]

Yes indeedy. I never felt the need to upgrade my engagement ring but PS has enabled me to get new a different jewelry.

 

[MichelleCarmen]

PS has been a really great place for me. I have made some wonderful friends. The only part I didn't seem to handle so well was the bling side of it. I went really crazy upgrading and upgrading. I ended up selling every piece of jewellery I owned because I knew I had gone too far.

If I was ever going to get engaged again I would let him choose the ring and never change it. I want a ring that has sentiment and joy attached to it. Not jealousy and greed.

Maisie - have you kept anything at all?

 

[junebug17]

Oh, it's hard to say, I have always loved the beauty of diamonds. A few months ago I was thinking how nice it would be to have a larger stone (I have a 1.03, and the 1.25 and 1.50 stones were looking really good to me!). I think being a PS member planted the idea of a larger diamond in my head...I really don't think I would have thought of it otherwise. I have since gotten over my desire for a bigger diamond, I'm happy with what I have. It's the perfect size for my personal style. But for a little while, I'll admit it was kind of torturous to see all those 1.25 and 1.5 stones!

And I think I got the idea for larger diamond studs by being a member of PS. Seeing all the beautiful earrings on here really gave me the desire for them. I was able to get an estate pair on ebay that I absolutely love. I am so happy to put them on every day.

I can honestly say that I am content with what I have, and really don't covet anything I see here on PS. I enjoy looking at all of the beautiful pieces, and every once in a great while I'll see a ring that really knocks my socks off. But I'm in a good place in terms of being happy with what I have. The few pieces I own give me a lot of joy.

 

[packrat]

I found PS while on the hunt for a new ring. I've always liked being different, and the colored stone ladies showed me that I can buck the trend of a diamond ering, and I can do it w/more than just one ring too (call me a Freke Wannabe) b/c it's my ring(s) and I can do what I want. I have a need for color..I've stopped obsessively painting (and making plans to paint) the rooms in the house since I've been here-ha!

 

[bee*]

No I don't think I've been brainwashed too badly. I knew what ring I loved when I joined and luckily my DH adored that one too. I love looking at other peoples bling but I haven't bought too much myself.

 

[Mara]

yes it's easy to get into the spirit of PS and with so many people who have such beautiful items, it's easy to want more and more.

I upgraded my e-ring 3x(?) and while I'd still love a bigger rock, reality intrudes quite often!! Now that we have a baby ... life keeps me so busy I can't even THINK about upgrading! Though I still manage to daydream every once in a while.

But honestly even if we could--I'd prob still be more rational and go with saving or something else that would NEED to get done. I don't know that I'll ever really just say I want to spend that $$ for a bauble. There's always something else that can happen instead. Unless we won the lotto or something.

That said I still splurge on things, but right now it's not jewelry.

re: coveting... the irony is that everyone covets everyone else's stuff. I get reminded often that sometimes people covet my own jewelry. Which surprises me because I tend to think it's just 'normal' stuff. But I guess it's not, it's PS-bling... not the average.

90% of what I have I wear and I like it that way. I am not one to just collect items and never wear them. PS really never changed that about me.

 

[Hera]

I came on here to get advice on a 10 year upgrade and I stayed because I felt like I was surrounded by jewelry lovers like myself. I have actually had only one jewelry purchase since I first started three years ago. PS has definitely fine tuned my eye and now everything I want is very expensive. I don't really actively covet people's jewelry but I definitely admire a beautiful piece of jewelry that I see on here.

 

[diamondringlover]

Yes, I want more, more, more and then I want better, better, better....lol it makes me crazy sometimes

 

[Imdanny]

Well, no.

I've been through some really expensive hobbies in my life, cars, stereos, and watches.

I guess I'm older and wiser (than when I had to have my Audi, 3 expensive watches, and an audiophile stereo).

Wanting material things can take a toll on you financially, and emotionally.

I've always liked earth science, diamonds, precious stones, semi-precious stones, metals, jewelry.

But since this is my 4th expensive hobby, I'm much more able to determine and limit what I want and feel I need.

PS has educated me a lot in being able to do this, and I appreciate that.

 

[manderz]

I was not brainwashed by PS, I was brainwashed by a previous job! I worked at a jewelry store for a long time, and the girls working there got me hooked, line and sinker. Not only on jewelry, but clothes and designer purses too. I'm very relieved to not be working there anymore, as it's saved me a fortune. I would try to keep up with women who were older than me, making much more than me, with husbands making even bigger bucks, and I never felt like I quite "fit in". So, needless to say, I'm glad to be back on planet Earth.

 

[Maisie]

PS has been a really great place for me. I have made some wonderful friends. The only part I didn't seem to handle so well was the bling side of it. I went really crazy upgrading and upgrading. I ended up selling every piece of jewellery I owned because I knew I had gone too far.

If I was ever going to get engaged again I would let him choose the ring and never change it. I want a ring that has sentiment and joy attached to it. Not jealousy and greed.

Maisie - have you kept anything at all?

Not a single piece. But its ok. I have brain space to think about really important stuff now

 

[Haven]

Not really.

First, I'm too cheap to ever really covet anything.
Second, I have a natural aversion to owning things.

I much prefer to live vicariously through all of my PS friends.

 

[Cehrabehra]

absolutely want more... if I had just gotten the 3/4 carat oval in the channel set yellow gold ring I wanted originally in a timely manner and never bothered to do research I'm sure I'd probably be happier than I am now lol

 

[yssie]

I don't think so.. I want what I want, and PS gives me a way to get "it" in good quality at a decent price. I'm pretty sure I'd want what I'd want anyway!

I did a number of upgrades whilst engaged, in a bid to have my "perfect" wedding set completed before the wedding. I wondered if some of it was due to seeing bigger and better on PS and around me, but now I *still* see bigger and better on PS and around me, and I have no real desires to acquire them for myself, as keeping up with the Jones' would dictate. Fortunately.

 

[athenaworth]

I don't think so.. I want what I want, and PS gives me a way to get "it" in good quality at a decent price. I'm pretty sure I'd want what I'd want anyway!

I did a number of upgrades whilst engaged, in a bid to have my "perfect" wedding set completed before the wedding. I wondered if some of it was due to seeing bigger and better on PS and around me, but now I *still* see bigger and better on PS and around me, and I have no real desires to acquire them for myself, as keeping up with the Jones' would dictate. Fortunately.

You're a Jones, Yssie!! And I mean that in the nicest way possible. I will have a three-stone similar to yours someday. Oh yes, I will (but probably many years from now *sigh*).

 

[Trekkie]

Oh, yes. Absolutely.

But not the sparklies - I have always loved those. My 'must-have' list has gently expanded, not really in terms of quantity, but quality. For instance, I now know that when I - one day, a million years from now - get my 1ct yellow pear it won't have a bowtie. PS has opened my eyes to how to refine my 'must have' list.

Well, on the sparkly side of things, that is.

However... Everytime I see pictures of B.E.G's cats or someone mentions a Yorkie, I have to physically restrain myself from getting in my car and driving to the nearest place I can adopt a pet. I know we can't have a cat right now, and I know our back yard isn't nearly big enough for an English pit bull or a lab, I know we won't be able to spend 2x 30 minutes a day walking a big dog, but for some reason I find myself trying to justify a Yorkie. He's just a little dog, I tell myself. Our house really is too big for just the two of us. The back yard is the perfect size and shape to play catch with a little dog. He really won't eat all that much. Yes, his coat is expensive to maintain, but he's so beautiful it more than makes up for that... Everytime I think of one reason not to have one, it is shot down by the other part of my brain.

It's insane.

Can someone please talk me out of it?

 

[Maisie]

Oh, yes. Absolutely.

But not the sparklies - I have always loved those. My 'must-have' list has gently expanded, not really in terms of quantity, but quality. For instance, I now know that when I - one day, a million years from now - get my 1ct yellow pear it won't have a bowtie. PS has opened my eyes to how to refine my 'must have' list.

Well, on the sparkly side of things, that is.

However... Everytime I see pictures of B.E.G's cats or someone mentions a Yorkie, I have to physically restrain myself from getting in my car and driving to the nearest place I can adopt a pet. I know we can't have a cat right now, and I know our back yard isn't nearly big enough for an English pit bull or a lab, I know we won't be able to spend 2x 30 minutes a day walking a big dog, but for some reason I find myself trying to justify a Yorkie. He's just a little dog, I tell myself. Our house really is too big for just the two of us. The back yard is the perfect size and shape to play catch with a little dog. He really won't eat all that much. Yes, his coat is expensive to maintain, but he's so beautiful it more than makes up for that... Everytime I think of one reason not to have one, it is shot down by the other part of my brain.

It's insane.

Can someone please talk me out of it?

Nope! I think you should get one!!!

 

[Trekkie]

Oh, yes. Absolutely.

But not the sparklies - I have always loved those. My 'must-have' list has gently expanded, not really in terms of quantity, but quality. For instance, I now know that when I - one day, a million years from now - get my 1ct yellow pear it won't have a bowtie. PS has opened my eyes to how to refine my 'must have' list.

Well, on the sparkly side of things, that is.

However... Everytime I see pictures of B.E.G's cats or someone mentions a Yorkie, I have to physically restrain myself from getting in my car and driving to the nearest place I can adopt a pet. I know we can't have a cat right now, and I know our back yard isn't nearly big enough for an English pit bull or a lab, I know we won't be able to spend 2x 30 minutes a day walking a big dog, but for some reason I find myself trying to justify a Yorkie. He's just a little dog, I tell myself. Our house really is too big for just the two of us. The back yard is the perfect size and shape to play catch with a little dog. He really won't eat all that much. Yes, his coat is expensive to maintain, but he's so beautiful it more than makes up for that... Everytime I think of one reason not to have one, it is shot down by the other part of my brain.

It's insane.

Can someone please talk me out of it?

Nope! I think you should get one!!!

The number one danger of Pricescope - enabling!!!

 

[lknvrb4]

When I first came to PS I was sucked in. I was taken over by the beauty of everyones bling. I had just upgraded my ering before PS but living in a small town in the midwest you dont find amazing bling at local stores. I never knew about halo settings prior and once I saw them here, I had to have one. Then it was bigger studs and then some stacker rings. I think PS has made me a better shopper now. I went wedding band shopping about a month ago out of town and I think I was pissing off the sales lady. I walked in and told her exactly what I was looking for and told her what I did not want. She kept showing me wrong things and I kept telling her no. I could tell she was frustrated but I kept on. Its like PS made me into a super shopper that sales associates are not prepared for. Im guessing most people who walk into BM stores dont have a clue.