I just found this thread, and realised that although I did pose the question in pearaffair's thread, I never actually answered my own question about what I would buy with the money
The problem for me is that its not a straightforward case of wanting specific things and buying them. For sure there are a few things that I would want to replace straight away:
1) My engagement and wedding rings (1.5ct round brilliant solitaire and diamond band). My current diamond is an ideal cut G SI2, and I would probably think about going up to F VS2 and getting a CBI or ACA. But I wouldnt go up in size because the size of ring I have now is just right for my lifestyle.
2) My bi-colour rose and silver rolex with the silver face and diamond dot dial which my husband bought me. Its perfect and I would want an identical replacement
3) My white gold diamond small huggys - straight replacement
4) My 0.8ct G SI, studs - upgrade to 1ct total and go to F VS, ACA/ CBI
5) My 2 rose gold oval hinged bangles with diamonds - direct replacement
6) My rose gold and diamond atlas pendant and chain - straight replacement
These items represent a small proportion of my collection. I have many necklaces and pendants, and I realised that although I do love them all, I wouldn't replace each of the rest of the them with a directly comparable piece. I would probably want one further white gold solitaire pendant, and a longer 30" rose gold pendant and chain.
I do have a bit of a bracelet and bangle habit, so have quite an array (for every situation/ gold colour/ diamond craving/ day of the week
) but its probably not the best situation in terms of cost per wear. So I would have to think quite hard about slimming it down, taking into account wearability, practicality, stackability, bling factor, comfort, ease of putting on/ taking off, likelihood of snagging on clothes, how satisfying a "clunk" it makes when worn next to others, the feel of the heft and how tactile it is (its important to have something on the wrist to fiddle with at all times
) So these are not decisions that could be made quickly. In fact, the curation of the capsule bracelet collection could be a lengthy and time consuming project in its own right...........
Then there are the rings. I am a hoarder of rings (hence my PS name). Having said that I have probably sold on more rings than I currently have in my collection. But then I have sold on an awful lot..... I have spent years accumulating my collection of right hand rings (many of which probably look like alternative engagement rings). I have tended to be attracted to things that are a little more unusual or difficult to find an excellent example of. I love unique diamond cuts, or if they are generic cuts then they have to have amazing light performance. I like to start with a stone and then design a ring around it. And I like to have a variety of different designs too. Which, or course, leads to the need for one in this category, one in that category etc etc.
I do love coloured gems, although have weeded out a number of my CS rings which were good but not amazing in terms of the standards I have set myself now. If I lost my sapphire ring (from my avatar) I would be devastated, but wouldn't rush to replace it because I would need to find "just the right one" all over again, and that's a time consuming process.
The really big takeway for me when considering all of this, is the extent to which acquiring each piece in my collection (those that weren't surprise gifts from my husband or daughter) has been a labour of love in itself. Some pieces have taken years to find the perfect diamond/ coloured stone/ jewellery item, and part of the satisfaction in doing it has been to find things for a price which is as close to a trade price as possible. I'm not someone who would feel comfortable waltzing into a B&M store with my newely acquired bling fund and paying retail prices for off-the-peg pieces. If it hasn't been painstakingly ferreted out from some far corner of the world, obsessed over, saved up for, coveted and then finally brought to fruition, it doesn't have the same appeal for me. An added bonus for me is when I take it to my jeweller for an insurance valuation and he shakes his head and says: "I couldn't have sourced this at trade myself for the price you paid - would you like a job?
"
So the short answer is that I would replace my top 6 as above pretty quickly and without too much need for extensive searching/ agonising/ planning/ second guessing myself etc. And then I would enjoy knowing that there was a sizeable bling fund to hand which could be accessed and spent slowly and carefully on a slightly less extensive (but probably more expensive on each item) collection of rings and bracelets/ bangles. And a couple more pendants. And earrings.
Important to have white and rose gold versions. Everyday types and more dressy versions.
I don't think the fund would actually be spent in full at all, or at least not for a number of years. But I would have so much fun hunting down and planning my new sparklies with every bit as much obsessive attention being paid to cut quality and design, (as well as thrift) as I have with my current collection.
If Yoram can cut me a 3.5ct Octavia. Kenny, I'm very greedy..
