How Much Did You Spend on Jewellery in 2013?

[Smith1942]

Bouncing off another topic today about how some people feel uncomfortable with women spending lots of money on themselves, how much did YOU spend on jewellery in 2013? Poll open to men too, of course! And I realise that the year isn't over, so if you have definite purchases planned for before the end of the year, include those, too.

 

[dk168]

I am paying the price for my lack of control over my finances at present, and am hoping to get out of this rut by the end of 2014.

DK

 

[missy]

Since I got my ER upgrade this January we spent more than usual this year. I don't plan on spending as much on jewelry in 2014...

 

[Smith1942]

DK168: Oh dear!! You're talking about jewellery purchases, right? So. The way I see it is the following: That jewellery will last F.O.R.E.V.E.R. Other people spend tremendous amounts on vacations, clothes, cars, fine dining, and expensive sport hobbies. Jewellery outlasts the lot and continues to give pleasure down the generations. Don't worry, long after the financial impact is gone, you'll still be enjoying your jewellery! I've also spent a lot this year and need to cut it a bit - which is fine, as I've already got the vast majority of what I want.

 

[LaraOnline]

Since I got my ER upgrade this January we spent more than usual this year. I don't plan on spending as much on jewelry in 2014...

What she said! wasn't an upgrade, and addition.... and... enough said
Let's run this poll same time next year and see how we fare!

 

[Confection10]

I started my "hobby" this year. I had couple of more expensive jewel before, but this year I spent quite a much. Next year, I hope, not so much. A couple of not-nice-enough settings took extra euros thought.

 

[boerumbiddy]

This was the year I bought my unheated ruby, something that had been on my mind in some form for 50 years, so it was a heavy year. Most of my other purchases were in the low three figures and I don't suppose there will ever be another year like this unless I win the lottery.

 

[rosetta]

Zero!

 

[audball]

Just our wedding bands, both sans sparkles! Mine was $199 from eweddingbands and his is a 6mm brushed Tungsten band we got from an Etsy vendor for $40.

 

[LLJsmom]

My hobby started last year, so 2012 and 2013 have been big years. I have a limited budget, but my bigger concern is that I just want the purchase to be well thought out and an investment piece, something I can wear for years, is versatile, and something that I can pass on to future generations. I'm kinda serious about my purchases that way. I am the type to always regret buying pieces that I don't wear, or that are poor in quality and don't last. So I try my very best to avoid impulse buys. These are where I make my biggest mistakes. Since I have a limited budget, I also am not comfortable with the idea of selling pieces that I don't find useful at a loss.

2014 will be slightly lower, and then 2015 lower still. 2017 will be our 20th anniversary, so I that will be a bigger year. I'm already planning!! LOL!

 

[Smith1942]

LLJ, I love the way your mind works! And I totally agree about the seriousness of jewellery purchasing. Jewellery costs too much to get it wrong. For me, it has to completely right - something I absolutely adore, will wear forever, can be passed down and which is also a really good deal. I can go for something which is only a fair deal if it's a one-off with which I'm utterly in love. I don't think I've ever been ripped off - I am aggressive about price so I don't think I've ever been had. I spend so much time browsing jewellery both online and in person that I have a good idea of prices relative to quality, so I feel I know exactly when something is a good price, or not.

I spent about 13k this year including gifts and repairs, but I won't be spending anything like that in 2014. I got an average 20% discount (so the equivalent of 20 on every piece) by buying pre-owned, in the tax-free weekend or by waiting for sales. Last year it was an average discount of 30%, I think, but I haven't added up last year's spending.

 

[Tuckins1]

Hah!! I'm in grad school, so all I buy is books!!

 

[Dancing Fire]

Hah!! I'm in grad school, so all I buy is books!!

School is more important than diamonds?...

 

[Smith1942]

 

[diamondringlover]

I spent nothing....hopefully if I don't lose my job I might buy something next year, it will be my 30th wedding anniversary.

 

[junebug17]

My big spending year was 2012 with the purchase of my OEC - in 2013 I did my reset and got a vintage eternity band. I think that's it for major purchases for me! My 30th anniversary is next year, but I think I already got my gift

 

[Circe]

I've had kind of a banner year of purchases, things that I couldn't resist once I'd spotted them ... vintage makes it harder to put things off, especially when you know the field well enough to be aware of just how rare it can be to see a piece! So between my french-cut watch and my Edwardian dinner ring and my 7th anniversary-palooza (where I meant to get one gift and wound up with quite a few more) ... I've spent as much this year as I did on my 5th anniversary super-special-extravaganza upgrade ring. Ouch!

But I don't feel particularly guilty about it - both because I share the logic of LLJ and Smith, and because I've discovered the joyous rationalizing experience of selling off the stuff I never wore for stuff that brings me joy, not even when I'm wearing it, but even just when I spot it sitting on my dresser out of the corner of my eye.

Next year ... well, I've got a purchase set for January 1st (or sooner, if I can rehome enough of my unappreciated treasures to free up the cash to cover it). That'll bring me to what's usually my annual budget right off the bat. So I guess I'll just consider 2014 The Year of Austerity?

 

[AprilBaby]

Too much. 3.2 ct eternity , two .42 ACA's to replace side stones on ring and two .42 F ACA for earrings

 

[Mayk]

Too much!!!!!

My EC and upgraded my ering.. BAD BAD BAD BAD Girl..

I did sell my huggies though to pay for the Memorie band... so that was a Wash or close to it..

 

[dk168]

Smith1942,

I only learnt how to control my finances and spend within my means very recently, and am still paying the price for my earlier excesses, especially in 2006/7 when I relocated to my present location and over-spent on doing up the new house.

Let's just say I am still paying for the kitchen and bathroom refit!


DK

 

[JewelFreak]

I didn't spend as much this year as DH has on his cars over plenty of years -- I have to get busy & catch up!

Have been saving for a special stone, which I haven't foundyet, & my bank account is full & burning a hole in my brain. I've so far resisted the temptation to piddle it away on smaller neat stuff, but it's a battle!

 

[TooPatient]

More than I ever have before!

We got my new e-ring this year. Plus DH learned to never leave me browsing alone with the jeweler while he talks to the owner
I also got my sapphire & diamond necklace for my b-day to wear for our wedding.
Plus his wedding band and my wedding band.

Those two pieces alone were way more than we've ever done before but pretty modest as we got them on big sale. (okay... so the most we ever did in a year before was the <$1,500 for my old e-ring & band set)


Hmmm...

The e-ring & w-band was from him to me. The necklace was a gift. So even though it is a joint account, technically I didn't spend anything on myself for jewelry this year...
I wonder if that means I can get myself something pretty for completing my transfer degrees

 

[justginger]

Only a few bit and pieces this year - my Argyle being the only large purchase.

MUCH less than last year, that's for sure. Not certain that means: or

 

[Cozystitches]

WAY more than I have before!!! I got my Cartier Trinity this year, actually picked it up from FedEx today after engraving! I'll do a SMTB thread soon.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

This year was more than usual due to my reset which involved acquiring 1.5tcw of ideal side stones and a custom CAD setting. I also got some more diamond pieces this year. Even so, I don't think I went past the 4k mark total this year since I slowed down my colored stone purchases due to all the diamond buying!

 

[Roxy]

Just our wedding bands, both sans sparkles! Mine was $199 from eweddingbands and his is a 6mm brushed Tungsten band we got from an Etsy vendor for $40.

Congratulations Audball!!!!

I'm just getting back online after being gone a while so have you posted pictures from your wedding (candids/informals if you don't have the professional ones yet)?

Sorry if it sounds like a stupid question but I got married when professional pics were taken on film (vs digital) so please don't laugh if your photos are already up on a fancy website and stuff okay !

 

[Roxy]

Oops, I forgot to vote. $ZERO (unless watches for DH count ).

Last year was a big year, I got my new set for our 15th anniv, but DH bought that for me. Actually, now that I think about it, I never spend money on jewelry for myself. DH has bought all of my jewelry since we started dating. Last year's purchase was the only time I've had hands-on input w/design details, etc but he set the budget and later pushed me to get much more than I'd originally envisioned (actually "push" is too strong of a word, he more like "nudged" and I was off and running w/out looking back ) .

 

[VRBeauty]

About the same amount that I donated to non-profits...

 

[Smith1942]

Oops, I forgot to vote. $ZERO (unless watches for DH count ).

Last year was a big year, I got my new set for our 15th anniv, but DH bought that for me. Actually, now that I think about it, I never spend money on jewelry for myself. DH has bought all of my jewelry since we started dating. Last year's purchase was the only time I've had hands-on input w/design details, etc but he set the budget and later pushed me to get much more than I'd originally envisioned (actually "push" is too strong of a word, he more like "nudged" and I was off and running w/out looking back ) .

Ah, you got lucky, Roxy! My husband thinks that my engagement ring should last me my whole life in terms of jewellery gifts!

 

[LaraOnline]

About the same amount that I donated to non-profits...

That's an interesting point.
On my thread where I related my conversation with my friend, I should have steered her towards a list of my charitable donations over the year. She may be a Christian, but I definitely would have won that argument of who gave the most money to charity. Hands. Down.

I cannot honestly say that I have spent more this year on charitable donations than I have on bling (unless I count the income and other business taxes in this country of course.... lol as we run a business we are responsible for the 'charitable donation' of all our employees as well as ourselves and so have paid many, many times over the total of my bling money that is for sure).