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Life lessons you have learned during your jewelry journey

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diamondyes

Brilliant_Rock
Joined
Oct 16, 2020
Messages
1,836
Mine:

- Nothing is perfect, and things don’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.

- Comparison is the thief of joy.

- Buy your last one, first. You’ll save money on whatever it is! Buy the one you really want instead of a cheaper almost version.

- Quality over quantity.

Have you learned anything from your bling that could be applied to life?
 
Don’t rush in to anything (bling or life) just for temporary gratification.
 
If you buy every good deal you see, you’ll not have money, neither will you have that which you REALLY want. Better to save for what you want than to buy the “good deals” you randomly see.
 
Buy only what you are sure you will wear. I have staples I never change and a jewel box full of things I never wear.
 
Don't buy fiddly small stuff. Save for a few key, amazing pieces. Classic pieces will go with anything.

You need a good watch, that's a good starting point.
 
This is a great thread! I will ponder this but for now I’m commenting for the notifications :)
 
I have learned so much. Most importantly is that size isn't everything. I have bought and sold a lot over the last few years. I have now paired down to a few pieces I love.

Quality over quantity and performance over size seem to be the general rule these days.

1. I have learned that I am drawn to larger old cuts but I won't wear it if it feels "to" big. My sweet spot seems to be between 2 and 2.5 carats. (I know it's crazy)

2. I am not a simple solitaire person. I prefer detailed settings with visual contrast.

3. Yellow Gold is my favorite and I love warmer diamonds in almost all cases.

4. I absolutely love stacking and changing up my stack.

5. Unil recently I didn't really believe I had a "HFG" and when I found it then it would be over 4 carats of old cut. Much to my delight my AVR Casablanca has ended up being my favorite all time ring (other than my rose cut ring I sold to a lovely PS member) and it is 2.10 carats. I have not thought about buying anything other than bands since having the Casablanca and it isn't the largest stone I have had but by far my favorite cut and color. I think because of then size it feels comfortable for daily wear and is easy to stack. It also out performs everything else I have owned.

6. I only like wearing rings and even when I buy something else I rarely wear it.

7. I LOVE art Deco.

8. I have also learned mind clean is important to me. If there is a flaw that is obvious to me when I have a ring made I can't unsee it. Because of this I only use certain vendors.

All of the things I can think of now.

Photo of my current daily rings.

20220102_120954.jpg
 
Pay close attention to how comfortable a piece is before you buy it. What feedback is your skin giving you? It's easy to ignore small irritations-- a clasp that tickles the back of the neck just a bit, a ring that digs in just a little, a bracelet that is just a tiny bit too loose or tight--- in the excitement of finding an appealing piece of jewelry.

Just like you can't tell immediately whether a mattess will be comfortable to sleep on, I have found that I can't always tell right away if a piece will be comfortable to wear. I own some pieces that I've had to modify to alleviate the irritation, and also some that can't really be modified and which I wear rarely and for just a short time before I have to take them off.
 
Setting a stone can easily cost more than the stone itself. This is especially true for colored gemstones.
 
I prefer old cuts and antiques over all things modern.
I let myself love what I love. Perfection is not my goal.
I love charming and wonky.

And if I am not in love with it walk away.
If I am in love with it don't miss out.
If I miss out don't despair.
It's only jewelry.

:shhh:



bubbalahandmaryannandgingerfrontofhouse.jpg

Chunkalicious charm.
My top 3 at the moment.
 
You will never regret choosing quality.

Don't settle - keep saving!

If it is meant to be, it will be.

Think carefully about what you are buying in terms of its longevity and wearability. Classic pieces stand the test of time much better than fads.

Patience to save, patience to find the right thing and most importantly, gratitude for what you have!
 
missy said:
I prefer old cuts and antiques over all things modern.
I let myself love what I love. Perfection is not my goal.
I love charming and wonky.

And if I am not in love with it walk away.
If I am in love with it don't miss out.
If I miss out don't despair.
It's only jewelry.

:shhh:



bubbalahandmaryannandgingerfrontofhouse.jpg

Chunkalicious charm.
My top 3 at the moment.
Click to expand...

Daaaaamn that’s a good photo. Tell me about these pieces?
 
MissGotRocks said:
You will never regret choosing quality.

Don't settle - keep saving!

If it is meant to be, it will be.

Think carefully about what you are buying in terms of its longevity and wearability. Classic pieces stand the test of time much better than fads.

Patience to save, patience to find the right thing and most importantly, gratitude for what you have!
Click to expand...

These are great!
 
Comparison being the thief of joy is a really big one.

Learn what compromises work for you and what don't.

Don't buy everything you want the moment you want it, even if you can afford it. A little delayed gratification is a good thing, makes you appreciate what you have.

On the flip side, don't pass up or dilly dally on a deal for something you love just because you don't want to be impulsive. You'll miss out and regret it.

Practice contentment.

Set yourself limits, long term. Think about what is an acceptable percentage of net worth or disposable income to tie up in jewelry, make a list of pieces needed to build a really cohesive, versatile collection, and set jewelry goals according to your budget. Don't blow the budget. Life is long, and you can't eat your bling ;)
 
- What looks good in photos may not look good on or feel good to wear

- Err on the side of missing out on something awesome vs. jumping at every opportunity, there's often another opportunity (sale, special item, etc.) around the corner

- Tastes change over time. If I think about a big purchase for months or even years, that's okay; sometimes I realize I don't want the thing I've been eyeing anymore

- Can't have or wear it all - which pieces do I really want to own or use?

- As long as you're making an informed purchase, it's okay imho to choose with your eyes or your heart and ignore what's held up as the ideal
 
There is no such thing as too many blings! :lol-2:

Big is not always better.

Finger size increases the wider the band, therefore, get two sets of ring gauges, one for narrow shank and one for wide shank.

A deep stone needs something in the gallery to make the side view more interesting.

Don't rush, and don't be rushed into making decisions.

Whatever shrinkage syndrome is normal.

DK :))
 
MissGotRocks said:
You will never regret choosing quality.

Don't settle - keep saving!

If it is meant to be, it will be.

Think carefully about what you are buying in terms of its longevity and wearability. Classic pieces stand the test of time much better than fads.

Patience to save, patience to find the right thing and most importantly, gratitude for what you have!
Click to expand...

MGR nailed it imo (as usual).

Early on, I settled by buying a 2.05 D-VS2 oval that had a 69% depth. My heart sank when another jeweler thought it was 1.75 ct.

Then I traded it in for my 3.01 F-SI1 pear. It has a nice teardrop girdle outline but does have some crushed ice at the tip.

I finally learned my lesson when I bought my 2.79 F-VS1 and 2.18 E-VS1 CBIs, both with 34.5 CA and 40.8 PA. They are my forever diamonds.
 
[QUOTE="AllAboardTheBlingTrain, post: 5078310, member: 116137]

Set yourself limits, long term. Think about what is an acceptable percentage of net worth or disposable income to tie up in jewelry, make a list of pieces needed to build a really cohesive, versatile collection, and set jewelry goals according to your budget. Don't blow the budget. Life is long, and you can't eat your bling ;)
[/QUOTE]

I have never thought about this. What an excellent point.
 
bludiva said:
- What looks good in photos may not look good on or feel good to wear

- Err on the side of missing out on something awesome vs. jumping at every opportunity, there's often another opportunity (sale, special item, etc.) around the corner

- Tastes change over time. If I think about a big purchase for months or even years, that's okay; sometimes I realize I don't want the thing I've been eyeing anymore

- Can't have or wear it all - which pieces do I really want to own or use?

- As long as you're making an informed purchase, it's okay imho to choose with your eyes or your heart and ignore what's held up as the ideal
Click to expand...

Some real pearls of wisdom here!
 
dk168 said:
There is no such thing as too many blings! :lol-2:

Big is not always better.

Finger size increases the wider the band, therefore, get two sets of ring gauges, one for narrow shank and one for wide shank.

A deep stone needs something in the gallery to make the side view more interesting.

Don't rush, and don't be rushed into making decisions.

Whatever shrinkage syndrome is normal.

DK :))
Click to expand...

So true
 
cflutist said:
MGR nailed it imo (as usual).

Early on, I settled by buying a 2.05 D-VS2 oval that had a 69% depth. My heart sank when another jeweler thought it was 1.75 ct.

Then I traded it in for my 3.01 F-SI1 pear. It has a nice teardrop girdle outline but does have some crushed ice at the tip.

I finally learned my lesson when I bought my 2.79 F-VS1 and 2.18 E-VS1 CBIs, both with 34.5 CA and 40.8 PA. They are my forever diamonds.
Click to expand...
As the minimalists say: “Less, but better.”

Quality reigns supreme!
 
diamondyes said:
Daaaaamn that’s a good photo. Tell me about these pieces?
Click to expand...

Thank you.
My engagement ring Bubbalah is a 4.93 carat GIA J VS1 OEC. I fell in love with her two years before I got her. Long story and she was bought by someone else but she ended up with me where she was meant to be. :)

J is for Jumping with joy and over the moon in love with

My Bubbalahs. My dh who always shows how much he loves me and my heart swells with how much I love him and my dear grandma long gone but forever close in my heart and memories. If I may digress for just a moment. I cannot say enough about my darling husband. He always goes above and beyond and...
www.pricescope.com


And my studs are 4.52 cttw GIA K VVS2 OECs in their original Edwardian settings.

When you don't have to choose between Ginger and Mary Ann :)

Wait a minute, no, no, not these two (though who doesn't love these two)? Some of you might not know who they are (if you're interested check out Gilligan's Island). Ginger was the movie star...cast as a Marilyn Monroe type. Mary Ann was the quintessential girl next door. Passion plus...
www.pricescope.com

These threads provide more photos and details how they came to be.
 
HI:

If you want brands, buy brands. And don't let anyone convince you that brands are "not worth" the price tag. And if you can buy brands on the secondary market , all the better. Amirite @Rubies-R-Me ?? (we aren't chipped at all!)

cheers--Sharon
 
Just buy the fvcking thing already!

Paralysis by analysis will get you nowhere.

I'd rather regret the things I DID buy than the things I DIDN'T.
 
Pace yourself.

Learn as you go -- preferably before you buy and not after.

Buy what you like -- not what you are supposed to like. This takes some ego strength, some independence, and some knowledge.

Decide if you want to buy anything that is too precious to wear or for your lifestyle.

(I guess I already knew these -- but they were reinforced.)
 
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