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- Jan 9, 2006
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- 6,727
I do love a diamond tennis bracelet...I do own 2 however they are both CZ's both set in 14K both purchased back in the day when you could buy real gold CZ bracelets at a reasonable price, I really havent worn either of them in years, I should drag them out and wear them once in awhile
I'm 8 diamonds into a tennis bracelet. Everyone already knows the story by now. I'm buying the ACAs one at a time. Goal is to have all 28 needed to make a bracelet in a couple years when I turn 50.
Here are 7 of them on a try:
(0.33 - 0.35 each, all D color, clarity ranges from IF to VVS2)
This will be the most beautiful bracelet. I'm excited for you.
Thanks! I appreciate the love.
Wish I could run out and buy a handful more, but I must pace myself. LOL
I just have one, and reading through this thread I think @Catmom has the grown up version of mine!
I have the bezel (really a half bezel) from JA in 2ctw and I love love love the setting - I am a clumsy person who smashes her wrists a lot so wanted bezel without it being a full metal look.
Funnily enough this week I was killing time at a shopping centre (pre yet another lockdown) and I spotted a very similar setting in a chain jeweller. For those in Aus, it was Michael Hill - not the absolute entry level but I’d still describe it as a shop that happens to sell jewellery rather than a jeweller. Not my cup of tea.
Anyway, I asked to see their version out of interest and the metal was rough, IMO not as neatly placed, and the movement between the links was stiff and clunky. Not a patch on the quality of mine.
Out of interest I compared the specs and price:
- James Allen 2tcw, H-I, SI1-2, 14k WG, AU$2494 on sale plus 15%ish tax and customs = $2868 approx.
- Michael Hill 2tcw, HIJ, I2-I3, 14k WG, AU$5499
Obviously I exclude real artisans, quality jewellers and so on from this assessment, but this blows my mind.
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The cost of jewellery and diamonds here in Aus really is extraordinary. As much as I love supporting local businesses, I'll never purchase a significant piece of jewellery here, it's so hard to justify the cost when I could get something cheaper or of a higher carat weight from overseas.
I have a 3ctw tennis bracelet from IDJ. A local jeweller has an almost identical bracelet for three times what i paid for mine.
Your bracelet sounds lovely - please share a photo!
And so much yes. I’d try to buy from a local artist but the standard stuff … especially when it’s not from anywhere special - just ridiculous pricing. I get it if there are local costs, but for those bulk manufacturing shops there is nothing special or bespoke in what they do so their prices don’t make sense.