Is PS good for you?

[fiona00004]

So...I have been on PS a lot since joining back in October of last year. Since I am on maternity leave, I use PS as time for "me'... I am too tired to work out... and I looove oogling at all the sparklies! Problem is, it sparks ideas in my head which DH kind of dislikes cuz that means $$$$$$!

Since being on PS, I realise that most of the B & M stuff around here is junk... and most of the stuff that isn't is just overpriced! The popular vendors that members here use make quality items for better prices than what you would typically pay at a B & M store. Problem is, DH says now shopping jewels for me will be very unromantic because he can't just go out and choose something on his own because I have become too educated and just too picky. He finds it just very unromantic for me to plan and choose my own gift... which in a way is true....and not many people hav ethe time, interest or patience to come here and thoroughly educate themselves in diamonds etc everytime they want to get their SO a gift...I don't necessarily expect DH to do so...

In addition, the most people would look to the B & M sales associate for their expert advice on jewelry but us members know that they typically know very little about jewelry. I myself experienced a normal but frustrating moment when I walked into a store with an eBay anniversary band I just bought and 1) wanted them to check if the diamonds were real 2) wanted to add milgraining 3) wanted it resized larger. I was told their "diamond testing machine" will arrive in their store in 2 weeks but the lady there said "I can look at it and tell you if they are diamonds or not"... to which I said "no you can't..." Then, she had no idea what milgraining was.... and then when it came to resizing, well, I gave up there and took my ring elsewhere... ugh!

I actually experienced these frustrations prior to discovering PS so my natural interest in jewelry and my own reading up educated me enough to know that many sales associates know very little....

So... all this to say... what has joining PS done to you? You think it has done you some good or some not so good??

 

[SB621]

No it hurts my bank account and my kids 529 plans

But I have lovely things to look at now!

 

[chrono]

Tell DH that with PS, he will no longer be wasting his hard earned money at the B&M stores overpaying for junk.

 

[pregcurious]

Well, I think I spent too much time here, but it has been good to become educated. I was already interested in jewelry, and this has saved me from buying stuff that is overpriced and not good quality.

My husband already didn't get my taste in jewelry, so that hasn't changed since PS. If I really wanted him to get me something, I would just give him a list of vendors I like and tell him to go nuts. For example, I haven't seen any unattractive designs come out from VC/LM/SK, and I could give him general gem specs. For less $, he could buy me stones and have them set with DanielM. There are lots of options for working with DHs!

 

[HopeDream]

PS does give me expensive tastes, but it also doubles my social life (I'm quite shy), and it got me to floss regularly.

 

[fiona00004]

Well, I think I spent too much time here, but it has been good to become educated. I was already interested in jewelry, and this has saved me from buying stuff that is overpriced and not good quality.

My husband already didn't get my taste in jewelry, so that hasn't changed since PS. If I really wanted him to get me something, I would just give him a list of vendors I like and tell him to go nuts. For example, I haven't seen any unattractive designs come out from VC/LM/SK, and I could give him general gem specs. For less $, he could buy me stones and have them set with DanielM. There are lots of options for working with DHs!

Mm... yes...I was thinking of sending DH some links (when the times comes) to the vendor sites and even to vintage sites like rubylane where he can choose something for unique. Great idea with the stones setting gift idea... I just looked at some yummy spinels just now...soo pretty!

DH will never get my interest of even obsession with jewelry either....I just looove a pretty quality sparkly piece!

It is definitely good to be educated though...I always tell DH that if he hears of a friend thinking of getting engaged... that I would be MORE THAN HAPPY to help with choosing the ring!!

 

[yennyfire]

I'll second what Sarah said. PS definitely hasn't been good for our bank account and it has given me a skewed sense of "average", but I have learned so much and made some great online friends, so it's worth it!

 

[CharmedOne]

I have always been addicted to the bling. After joining PS, maybe a wee bit more than before. But, I can definitely say, that I know much more about what I'm buying and what I should be paying for it.

 

[Harpertoo]

PS has been good for me. No reservations. I've been recovering from foot surgeries (both feet - back to back) and I chose a long delayed engagement/anniversary ring project for my convalescence. (A total of 12 weeks wearing a surgical boot! 3 weeks to go!)
Anyway, the site has been a great resource while I decided on a stone.
I've always been a bit of a jewelry snob and I feel a bit vindicated for resisting the "fast food" style jewelry offerings over the years.
I've also been reminded my taste in jewelry is pretty simple. And being allowed to see so many great projects has also reminded me to wear what I have rather than keeping it locked away at the bank!

 

[fiona00004]

PS has been good for me. No reservations. I've been recovering from foot surgeries (both feet - back to back) and I chose a long delayed engagement/anniversary ring project for my convalescence. (A total of 12 weeks wearing a surgical boot! 3 weeks to go!)
Anyway, the site has been a great resource while I decided on a stone.
I've always been a bit of a jewelry snob and I feel a bit vindicated for resisting the "fast food" style jewelry offerings over the years.
I've also been reminded my taste in jewelry is pretty simple. And being allowed to see so many great projects has also reminded me to wear what I have rather than keeping it locked away at the bank!

well said Harpertoo... totally fast food jewelry at the B&M stores...

 

[SB621]

And just to add. Perfore finding PS I felt I couldn't spend money on jeweler in my social circle. None of my friends get jewelry at all- they have other hobbies and were a bit rude when I talked about things like upgrading or really wanting a cartier bracelet. I think PS made me feel comfortable with accepting that jewelry and looking at designs is a "hobby" for me and there is nothing wrong with it.

 

[Polished]

I think PS made me feel comfortable with accepting that jewelry and looking at designs is a "hobby" for me and there is nothing wrong with it.

I concur with this. I also realised I had a latent interest in jewelery and design forever but it was only really finding this site that allowed it to develop.

Whether PS is good for me depends on how I use the site. It would be easy to "have to have" many of the pieces I see here but it's not possible. Also when you start to get to know some of the regulars on the site you realise they are not getting everything either, they are people with many different priorities in life and many, perhaps because of the bling temptation awareness, all the more responsible about how they spend their money. Many have a great eye for a bargain or have the experience to hone in on a particular ring that satisfies. The way for PS to be good for me is to drool over all the gorgeous bling and then go and read the "how is your retirement fund going", or "how do you save money" threads.

 

[VRBeauty]

Tell DH that with PS, he will no longer be wasting his hard earned money at the B&M stores overpaying for junk.

But you probably don't want to word it quite that way...

 

[VRBeauty]

I have bling in the blood thanks to my grandfather, who liked to collect gems and jewelry - though unfortunately much of it was lost to the family in the war. PS lets me indulge in my love of bling even if I don't own a lot of good jewelry myself. I'd say that when I first got to PS it was bad for me in the sense that I was wanting (or was it more like coveting?) a lot, and buying into the notion that there are diamond "necessities." But I've gotten over that and I think I'm much more restrained and careful in my jewelry purchases generally now thanks to my PS exposure to so much beautiful jewelry. I have a much better and more realistic sense of what jewelry pieces I will "love" and how much I'll use them, and as a result I'm not buying jewelry just to "scratch an itch" like I used to do.

 

[fiona00004]

And just to add. Perfore finding PS I felt I couldn't spend money on jeweler in my social circle. None of my friends get jewelry at all- they have other hobbies and were a bit rude when I talked about things like upgrading or really wanting a cartier bracelet. I think PS made me feel comfortable with accepting that jewelry and looking at designs is a "hobby" for me and there is nothing wrong with it.

Yeah, I have to admit I felt like I wasn't alone anymore with my passion for nice quality things... I love it when people show their bling and we can bluntly ask: "specs????" without being weird! I would never ask any of my friends " oh, what are the specs? what wedding band are you getting? ... they would think I am totally weird... or materialistic I guess... or snobbish...

 

[fiona00004]

I have bling in the blood thanks to my grandfather, who liked to collect gems and jewelry - though unfortunately much of it was lost to the family in the war. PS lets me indulge in my love of bling even if I don't own a lot of good jewelry myself. I'd say that when I first got to PS it was bad for me in the sense that I was wanting (or was it more like coveting?) a lot, and buying into the notion that there are diamond "necessities." But I've gotten over that and I think I'm much more restrained and careful in my jewelry purchases generally now thanks to my PS exposure to so much beautiful jewelry. I have a much better and more realistic sense of what jewelry pieces I will "love" and how much I'll use them, and as a result I'm not buying jewelry just to "scratch an itch" like I used to do.

How did you get over the need to scratch an itch? I find it so hard! I am DYING to halo my oval.... and finding it hard to refrain from buying smaller bling to scratch my itch.... even though I know I need to save up. I think it is because DH doesn't want me to do it and so I don't really see the light at the end of the tunnel... but I am pretty set on getting it done... just dunno how or when to do it and hoping DH somehow accepts it...without making me feel all guilty. My ultimate itch right now is the halo... ugh!

 

[Missy]

I wasn't into bling until I got married for some reason. Though my mom and dad always loved and appreciated fine jewelry I never really cared as much about it until I got my original ER. And that is when my obsession started.

I didn't find PS until years later however being the computer illiterate that I am. My dh found PS and signed me up lol (but he doesn't regret it being the amazing man he is) and finding PS just reinforced the fact that I wasn't alone in my obsession. So finding PS was a very very good thing for me. Not detrimental at all.

And I can now say without reserve that my itch really is scratched since I got my beautiful new Ering. It was what I wanted (but didn't realize it at the time) all along and now I feel 100% satiated. Do I still want new bling? Of course! But do I have that feeling of being not completely happy with my Ering anymore? A resounding no. I am happy and finally feel at peace with regards to my Ering.

But as I have noted before-there is no rest for the bling obsessed. So I will happily continue my bling obsession but on a less grand scale. I have no burning desire for any specific new pieces at this time though so it is very nice to sit back, relax and enjoy other PSers new bling. Bring it on ladies!!!!

 

[zoebartlett]

I joined PS in '06, so I've been here for many years now. I've learned a lot and while I've only had one project going since joining (my wedding set and my husband's wedding band), I stayed because I enjoy the community. I love to read about others' projects and see the beautiful pieces they've been working on. I don't know if I'll ever upgrade, and to be honest, as much as I love jewelry, I always choose to save or spend elsewhere (travel, household items, etc.). I go through phases of posting frequently and then taking a step back while lurking for some time.

 

[fiona00004]

And I can now say without reserve that my itch really is scratched since I got my beautiful new Ering. It was what I wanted (but didn't realize it at the time) all along and now I feel 100% satiated. Do I still want new bling? Of course! But do I have that feeling of being not completely happy with my Ering anymore? A resounding no. I am happy and finally feel at peace with regards to my Ering.

I want to be exactly at that point! I want my ering to feel complete... I think if that is done ... I won't have that great itch anymore! Must feel goooood!

 

[rubybeth]

After years of being on PS, off and on, I think it's been both really good and somewhat bad.

I'll start with the bad. It causes me a bit of jealousy to see all of the amazing and huge diamonds people have, and makes me want to spend money to have my own lovelies. We aren't rich, comfortable but not wealthy, so the bling budget isn't very much. I feel a little unhappy with what I *do* have sometimes when compared to people on PS. My e-ring is a half carat, which seems very small by PS standards, but is actually the median for my area, and one of the largest of my friends/family. It's all relative, I guess.

The good, though, I think outweighs the bad. I've always loved diamonds and jewelry, and now I have some extremely nice pieces that I would never have been able to pay retail for. I have a couple pieces from Whiteflash, some nice Diamond Bistro/LoupeTroop finds (excited about my 'new' bracelet! ), a couple nice colored gems, and an eBay treasure or two, and I definitely would not have those pieces if not for PS. PS helps me to maximize the budget that I do have, and convince DH that the prices I'm paying aren't ridiculous. He's said okay to a few things because he knew what they would have cost new/retail. Also, when I feel the jealousy, I remember that in my daily life, I have very, very nice jewelry compared to most people, and I wouldn't be comfortable wearing the uber fabulous jewels that some folks have. I love seeing the photos, but I could never wear that kind of thing in my midwestern town without getting some really weird looks. People would think it's fake! To reign in the wanting, I keep a wishlist, and I have just about everything on it except a diamond pendant and an upgraded e-ring! I never thought I'd get 1 ctw diamond earrings, or a 1.2 ctw 5 stone ring, before I was really wrinkly.

Also, I've helped six guys get really lovely rings for their ladies, some from Whiteflash, one with help from the Pearl forum here, another with help on OECs, and these women absolutely love their rings. They have much nicer items because of me, which makes me really proud in a weird way. I also got my mom a sapphire ring which she wears every day.

 

[Missy]

And I can now say without reserve that my itch really is scratched since I got my beautiful new Ering. It was what I wanted (but didn't realize it at the time) all along and now I feel 100% satiated. Do I still want new bling? Of course! But do I have that feeling of being not completely happy with my Ering anymore? A resounding no. I am happy and finally feel at peace with regards to my Ering.

I want to be exactly at that point! I want my ering to feel complete... I think if that is done ... I won't have that great itch anymore! Must feel goooood!

You'll get there fiona! It was a process for me as I really didn't *know* what I wanted in my head. In my heart I always wanted a ring like my grandmother's (originally my great grandmother's) however my mom took that from me when I got engaged and now it's languishing away in a safety deposit box. I haven't laid eyes on it in years sadly. So in my heart I knew all along but it took some time for my head to catch up if that makes sense. It's so funny to me now that OEC's are all the rage. It truly had nothing to do with that and if and when they should fall out of favor I know in my heart I will always always want my OEC for my Ering because of the sentiment behind it. And my dh always says I am an old soul at heart. I really am so it just fits.

Anyway, I know you will find the ring of your dreams fiona and I hope to be here when you do so I can cheer you along!!!!

Also, I've helped six guys get really lovely rings for their ladies, some from Whiteflash, one with help from the Pearl forum here, another with help on OECs, and these women absolutely love their rings. They have much nicer items because of me, which makes me really proud in a weird way. I also got my mom a sapphire ring which she wears every day.

Ruby-that's awesome! How generous of you!! You go girl!!!

 

[fiona00004]

Also, I've helped six guys get really lovely rings for their ladies, some from Whiteflash, one with help from the Pearl forum here, another with help on OECs, and these women absolutely love their rings. They have much nicer items because of me, which makes me really proud in a weird way. I also got my mom a sapphire ring which she wears every day.

Oh, I always tell people that I would love to help get them rings... but not on PS because I am still a newbie here and there are man other more experienced members....

But I once helped my dad get my mom an anniversary band... she wanted some diamonds and rose gold...so I helped out (before I discovered PS), and my mom barely wears it! She thought it was too much bling! But it really isn't!!

 

[VRBeauty]

I have bling in the blood thanks to my grandfather, who liked to collect gems and jewelry - though unfortunately much of it was lost to the family in the war. PS lets me indulge in my love of bling even if I don't own a lot of good jewelry myself. I'd say that when I first got to PS it was bad for me in the sense that I was wanting (or was it more like coveting?) a lot, and buying into the notion that there are diamond "necessities." But I've gotten over that and I think I'm much more restrained and careful in my jewelry purchases generally now thanks to my PS exposure to so much beautiful jewelry. I have a much better and more realistic sense of what jewelry pieces I will "love" and how much I'll use them, and as a result I'm not buying jewelry just to "scratch an itch" like I used to do.

How did you get over the need to scratch an itch? I find it so hard! I am DYING to halo my oval.... and finding it hard to refrain from buying smaller bling to scratch my itch.... even though I know I need to save up. I think it is because DH doesn't want me to do it and so I don't really see the light at the end of the tunnel... but I am pretty set on getting it done... just dunno how or when to do it and hoping DH somehow accepts it...without making me feel all guilty. My ultimate itch right now is the halo... ugh!

I think it's a combination of things...

The main thing is probably that I've become pickier. I'm more aware of the individual elements that make up a piece of jewelry, and how they do or do not work together. I've filled some "gaps" in my jewelry collection with quality pieces, so I have less need/excuses to just pick up another bauble. I have jewelry pieces that I love but don't wear often, which makes me think twice when I'm considering some new piece that fills a similar fashion need. My age probably and changing life circumstances probably have something to do with it too... I'm nearing retirement, so I'm looking forward to big changes in my wardrobe that will ripple over to my jewelry collection.

Good luck with getting your ring halo'ed. To me, something your planning and saving for a one-time change like this isn't the same as "scratching an itch" - which I think of as more an immediate reaction to an "oh, pretty!" impulse.

 

[anne_h]

It's been wonderful for education. I would have never found my current stone & setting without it. It's also been great for letting me indulge my personal passion - gems and jewelry, especially diamonds and antique jewelry. I even took a gemology class at one point, which helped make me a more confident consumer.

But by being exposed to so much beautiful bling, I've probably coveted and purchased more than I would have on my own. I certainly don't regret it, but that is one side effect to being on a quality jewelry forum. Although - now that PS has the preloved board, I know I can sell to buyers I can trust if I ever decide to divest of anything. lol

Anne

 

[minousbijoux]

I came here for the education, gem ****, and vendor leads, and have stayed because of the community. As many of have done, I have met people on the board who I consider friends and talk with regularly off the board. Its been great for me.

One of the other benefits is that it has taught me how to be wiser with my money, and over time, I have become much pickier about stones (for me its been solely limited to the colored stone side of things), so in fact, PS has ended up saving me bucket loads of money as I now see very little that I truly love and find worthy of purchase. It has also rekindled the love of photography that I once had - now its for mastering the art of gem photography!