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Three Bling Choices

Smith1942

Ideal_Rock
Joined
Oct 24, 2012
Messages
2,594
So, I am feeling a little better after a quiet day on my own. Now I've got new problems. Bling problems! I went to the Lanes today (the famous jewellery quarter in my hometown of Brighton, UK) and I saw some things that are competing with the Cartier Trinity that awaits me at Heathrow Terminal 5 airside.

I can only get one of the following:

a) A stunning large pendant consisting of an Art Deco-style diamond fan with a long drop beneath it, from which dangles a large teardrop aquamarine. 18k white gold. 695 pounds.

b) A sapphire half-eternity ring, all princess cut, 0.68 carats sapphire and 0.20 of diamonds. What's special about this is that the sapphires are a gorgeous mid-cornflower blue and so don't go dark in any light. 680 pounds.

c) A Cartier Trinity ring, the version where each band is 2.9mm, for 666 pounds.


Considering that a and b are practically the same price, choice "a" gives some serious bling and looks like it costs about four times as much as it really does. But I wasn't after a pendant like this, although it's gorgeous. I've been after a sapphire and diamond princess eternity for a while, but it looks like so much less than the pendant. The SA told me that the sapphires were not heat-treated but I don't think she knew what she was talking about as 99% of sapphires are heat-treated, and also she said that they don't deal in coloured stones. And indeed, the vast majority of the stock was diamonds.

The diamond and aquamarine pendant was there a few months ago and might be there at my next trip, and same goes for the sapphire ring. The turnover of jewellery in the Lanes doesn't seem very high. I often see the same things in the window at each trip. I might not get another chance to get the Cartier, since it's a crapshoot as to whether they will have my size at the airport, and there might be a price rise before my next trip, and the pound is strong right now. But I'm not sure if I want the Trinity. It's a lot of money for plain gold and no stones. A poster on another thread said that for $1k there'd better be stones, and I quite agree. It's the reason I haven't bought the Tiffany Luce earrings that really suit me. But how lovely to wear a Cartier every day, and the Trinity is very well made - rolls around like butter on your finger.

Decisions decisions! Yes, I know no one can advise me and it's my choice. But it's fun to muse aloud. Takes your mind off things.

That aquamarine is a serious case of putting on the ritz. God knows where I'd wear it!
 
As you say, Smith, it comes down to what grabs your heart, but if it were my heart, I'd go for a. or b. In fact, b. because one wears pendants less often & you can wear that ring every day. (Probably treated, but the price is reasonable.) Either of those is more individual than the Trinity ring, which is a mass-produced piece so many people have -- not as special. However, if it will make your heart pitty-pat, go for it.

--- Laurie
 
A hard decision, maybe try to view it as a cost per wear?

I would probably purchase the trinity, it's a classic and you can wear it everyday which means you would get the most value out of spending your money on it.

The pendant sounds beautiful but it isn't an everyday piece so did you get your monies worth?
The eternity would be my second choice but if you aren't sure you love it and are questioning the quality then perhaps you won't wear it as much.

I personally want a trinity so I'm a bit biased. I also my at a stage where I'm trying to build a classic collection of pieces after which I'll start adding more special occassion items. If you feel you have enough everyday wear items then purchase the necklace.
Best of luck with your decision :))
 
Excellent advice, both. Thanks!

I'm really torn about the Trinity. When you see no-name brands, they cost a fraction and no one can tell it isn't a Trinity. I know two jewellers who do extremely convincing versions. I don't think they FEEL the same on the finger as the Trinity, which is significantly more comfortable to wear than any other I think, but I think the generic ones can look every bit as good. There are some in the Lanes which look lovely and solid for about 135 pounds - only 9 ct gold though. Also, is it possible that tri-color jewellery is a bit.......Eighties? Don't shoot me! I just remember a ton of it around in the Eighties, at mainly cheaper jewellers, too.

I have got loads of everyday classic stuff, but I rarely wear larger pieces with a lot of "design" to them. But the aqua pendant is lovely and such great value. However, it's true that I might not wear it much. Having said that, I never wear my 24-karat gold ring from Dubai, ever. But I just take pleasure from POSSESSING it!

The sapphire ring seems very little compared to the might of Cartier or the bling of the pendant. I have lots of other right-hand rings which have much more of a wow factor.

Hmmm.....
 
"The sapphire ring seems very little compared to the might of Cartier or the bling of the pendant. I have lots of other right-hand rings which have much more of a wow factor."

Sounds like you are leaning toward the pendant or the Trinity. I'm biased and would go for the Trinity hands down, however I only have one pendant that I would wear (I'm a fan of rings)...

I would go for what you would wear more. Will you wear the pendant more or the Trinity... OR, get BOTH! :Up_to_something:
 
I'm voting C - Trinity! And for the same reasons woofmama did - I want one too!!

But B would be my very close second vote -- finding something you have always wanted, at a price that you can rationalize and afford - its like a message from above! tee hee!!!

And being the "OTOH" devils advocate here --- you started the trip with the desire for a Cartier ring knowing the prices were cheaper at the Heathrow airport. Cartier was on your mind- whether it was the Entralac or the Trinity. Spending an afternoon on a stress break you are now tempted with a new diversion. Would that new shiny toy be something you'd regret later as in "damn, I went with X in mind and I came home w Y and I wish I'd stuck with X..."? I go with what my first plan was - I digress and dally down the road to temptation, but I still stick w my original plan!! ;))

Good luck w your decision - love stressing about jewelry purchases!!
 
Cozystitches, you are very naughty!!

So, I've just been to the Lanes again. I visited the pendant. It was just as beautiful close up and the guy knocked more money off the price for me! He said it would be 625 pounds, not 695. I saw on the ticket that it was originally 895 pounds. It's been there for a while. The guy who owns the shop made the pendant. It's a very individual design and so I think it's hard for him to shift it. 625 really is an excellent price...

I also bought some opal drop earrings! The Lanes is very good for opals. I tried on a single opal drop and they were 115 pounds. Then I tried on some double drops - so double the amount of opal - and they were 115 pounds too! The guy in that shop seemed surprised by his own pricing. I think this can happen when pieces come in at different times. In E.B. Horn you can have the same piece with a wildly differing price. Anyway, I think it's really down to the aquamarine pendant with the diamond fan, or the Cartier trinity. I can't get both......
 
I vote for the pendant, hands-down. You can get the trinity any time ... possibly even for less if you find a vintage one. The pendant, on the other hand, sounds like a rare find for a good price. And though you say it may be too fancy ... perhaps you'll feel differently once it's around your neck! A gorgeous necklace with a plain black boat-neck always looks perfectly appropriate to me, no matter what the occasion ....
 
I wish I could come shopping with you! Sounds yummy fun. I vote with Circe for the pendant. Everything she says is true & the pendant sounds like it's calling to you. However, I've never been into buying jewelry for the maker's name unless it's a very individual wonderful piece (which I then couldn't afford to buy :| ); paying multiples of the price for something identical except for the brand seems like a waste, so I'm biased in that direction. At least you've narrowed it down to 2 choices, that's progress!

--- Laurie
 
Thanks for the excellent advice, everyone!

Enerchi, for some reason, your post didn't come up before. I'm not sure why. But thanks for the devil's advocate approach! It's true that I started this trip with no thoughts of an art-deco-style aquamarine pendant!

Puzzling over jewellery is a very pleasant diversion.

And, I have my new opal double drop earrings from today! Four large opals! And also, I should have natural blue akoya studs from Pearl Paradise awaiting me when I get home too.
 
So did you make a decision then? are you getting the pendant or the trinity? OR did you just enjoy a lovely day looking at bling and the earrings will satisfy that itch for now? (the bling itch, I didn't mean anything else.... :lol: )
 
I haven't made a decision yet, Enerchi! And tomorrow lunchtime is the last time I'll be able to get to the Lanes so I do need to decide.

In the meantime, here is a picture of the lovely shop in the Lanes where I bought my double opal drops the other day. Can't put them on SMTB till I get home, as I don't have my own computer or camera here:

If you click on the little blue shop, it will enlarge.

https://plus.google.com/111941396493905794746/photos/photo/5817548916036094242?hl=en
 
OK, so I got the aqua pendant! It's beautiful. Due to the good exchange rate, I might actually get the Cartier too. We'll see!
 
Smith1942|1369176783|3451434 said:
OK, so I got the aqua pendant! It's beautiful. Due to the good exchange rate, I might actually get the Cartier too. We'll see!


WWWWeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! Yippee for you!! I hope you can swing both - I don't think you'll regret getting the Cartier trinity as well - if its within your budget!!

Fingers crossed!! :appl:
 
Smith1942|1369176783|3451434 said:
OK, so I got the aqua pendant! It's beautiful. Due to the good exchange rate, I might actually get the Cartier too. We'll see!

:Up_to_something: :Up_to_something: :Up_to_something: Yesssssssssss......get the Cartier.....get it....you want it.....the precioussssssssss....... :Up_to_something: :Up_to_something: :Up_to_something:

Congratulations on the pendant! Show us the picture of it w/your Cartier after you get it. :Up_to_something: :twisted:
 
You two are hilarious! Cozystitches, you are out-naughtying Enerchi on PS!

I am still struggling with my conscience over buying something that costs 1k that doesn't have gemstones. But it IS stylish, isn't it? The idea would be to wear it everyday. I also have a Tiffany Etoile yellow gold ring with diamonds, which is so expensive that I don' want to get it scratched up. Therefore I save it for special occasions, so the Cartier would be my luxury-brand daily ring. (I only paid $630 for the Etoile pre-owned, but replacement value is $2.5k plus tax so I still feel I have to be/want to be super-careful with it.)

In the Lanes yesterday there was a Classic Trinity - each band 3.5mm - for £695, but when I tried it on, it was confirmed to me again that this size is too large for my small hands and that the 2.9mm bands look much better. I don't know why they call that size the XS - it's not that small, not like the super-skinny one!

I will post my stuff later this week - flying back to the States tonight. xxx
 
Smith, HURRY UP & get home! I'm dying to see pics of the pendant -- it sounds so intriguing. Hope you could snatch the Cartier at the airport.

--- Laurie
 
A) YAY! I can't wait to see it wrapped around your neck - it sounds magnificent! :appl:

Smith1942|1369210400|3451716 said:
You two are hilarious! Cozystitches, you are out-naughtying Enerchi on PS!

I am still struggling with my conscience over buying something that costs 1k that doesn't have gemstones. But it IS stylish, isn't it? The idea would be to wear it everyday. I also have a Tiffany Etoile yellow gold ring with diamonds, which is so expensive that I don' want to get it scratched up. Therefore I save it for special occasions, so the Cartier would be my luxury-brand daily ring. (I only paid $630 for the Etoile pre-owned, but replacement value is $2.5k plus tax so I still feel I have to be/want to be super-careful with it.)

In the Lanes yesterday there was a Classic Trinity - each band 3.5mm - for £695, but when I tried it on, it was confirmed to me again that this size is too large for my small hands and that the 2.9mm bands look much better. I don't know why they call that size the XS - it's not that small, not like the super-skinny one!

I will post my stuff later this week - flying back to the States tonight. xxx

B), Re: the highlighted; NONONONONONONONO! Not exclusively to you ... to the little voice in every one of us that saves "best" for special occasions and therefore doesn't eke out every last bit of enjoyment they might provide! And isn't there something almost ironic about paying more for a less "fancy" piece you feel comfortable wearing every day? Wear the etoile! You can always have it polished, after all, right?

Of course, that's not to say you shouldn't by and wear the trinity, too, just because it's beautiful and you love it .... :naughty:
 
I didn't read the entire thread so not sure if you've made your decision yet.

My vote is for the Trinity! I love mine and have worn it every day since the day it came home with me! After 3 years a light polish still makes it look brand new. So far no issues with the white gold band.

Eta: serves me right for posting without reading the whole thread. The pendant sounds awesome and looking forward to seeing pictures. Good idea to snap up this one of a kind piece. There are lots of Trinity rings out there.
 
I got both!! The Trinity is GORGEOUS! Soft as butter. I think it might be a size too big so I'll ring Cartier here and see if they can exchange it, if need be. I'm puzzled as I tried the next size down before I went on my trip and it seemed way too small.

I got home at 4.15 am my time to find that my husband had stripped the entire bed, including both undersheets and mattress protector, laundered them, I think, who knows, they've been sitting scrunched up for two weeks so don't smell fresh - and left it at that. I am SO jetlagged and tired, and now I have to make up a huge bed from scratch at 4 am! Oh...and he slept in the spare bed too so now I have to launder that as well. :love: I officially want to kill him. I was feeling a little guilty about the Trinity and now...not so much! I would never leave our house like that for HIM to find after a stressful long-haul jetlaggy trip!

ETA: The aqua pendant came out at $954.91 including 20% VAT and the Trinity at $1.011.67. The Harrods/Cartier at the airport wanted me to use their exchange system and pay in US dollars in the UK, instead of pounds, which would have cost me $1,048 for the Trinity at an exchange of 1.57 when I knew it was $1.52. I must look as if I've come off last year's Christmas tree! So that bit of savvy saved me almost 40 dollars too! You have to be so careful - businesses are just ruthless.
 
Circe|1369231084|3451786 said:
A) YAY! I can't wait to see it wrapped around your neck - it sounds magnificent! :appl:

Smith1942|1369210400|3451716 said:
You two are hilarious! Cozystitches, you are out-naughtying Enerchi on PS!

I am still struggling with my conscience over buying something that costs 1k that doesn't have gemstones. But it IS stylish, isn't it? The idea would be to wear it everyday. I also have a Tiffany Etoile yellow gold ring with diamonds, which is so expensive that I don' want to get it scratched up. Therefore I save it for special occasions, so the Cartier would be my luxury-brand daily ring. (I only paid $630 for the Etoile pre-owned, but replacement value is $2.5k plus tax so I still feel I have to be/want to be super-careful with it.)

In the Lanes yesterday there was a Classic Trinity - each band 3.5mm - for £695, but when I tried it on, it was confirmed to me again that this size is too large for my small hands and that the 2.9mm bands look much better. I don't know why they call that size the XS - it's not that small, not like the super-skinny one!

I will post my stuff later this week - flying back to the States tonight. xxx

B), Re: the highlighted; NONONONONONONONO! Not exclusively to you ... to the little voice in every one of us that saves "best" for special occasions and therefore doesn't eke out every last bit of enjoyment they might provide! And isn't there something almost ironic about paying more for a less "fancy" piece you feel comfortable wearing every day? Wear the etoile! You can always have it polished, after all, right?

Of course, that's not to say you shouldn't by and wear the trinity, too, just because it's beautiful and you love it .... :naughty:

Thanks, Circe. I hear you. But the Etoile is SO pristine, you see. Can you really polish off scratches totally? I'm not sure. Perhaps I'll just get a glass case and display it in low lighting, protected by lasers! :lol:
 
Smith1942|1369281729|3452278 said:
I got both!! The Trinity is GORGEOUS!....


:appl: :appl: :appl: Yippee!!!! Where are the pictures???? Where's your SMTB thread??? :appl: :appl: :appl: :appl: :appl:
 
YIPPEE!!! I'm so happy for you Smith!!! YAY!!! A trinity and the necklace you loved - what a great jewelry trip (I know ... lots of other 'not great' stuff, but the perks make it all worth while! :praise: )

Can't wait to see them both!!

And as for your dh --- I'll give him a smackdown for you, if that helps - :lol: :lol: :lol:
 
I'm jetlagged, I've got to unpack and do laundry and a few other chores, and THEN I will post my new things! Got to get the work done first!
 
Smith1942|1369404026|3453035 said:
I'm jetlagged, I've got to unpack and do laundry and a few other chores, and THEN I will post my new things! Got to get the work done first!

Woohoo!

And tell Mr Smith he is in the PS doghouse :nono:
 
Smith1942|1369404026|3453035 said:
I'm jetlagged, I've got to unpack and do laundry and a few other chores, and THEN I will post my new things! Got to get the work done first!

Woohoo!

And tell Mr Smith he is in the PS doghouse :nono:
 
Smith1942|1369404026|3453035 said:
I'm jetlagged, I've got to unpack and do laundry and a few other chores, and THEN I will post my new things! Got to get the work done first!

Woohoo!

And tell Mr Smith he is in the PS doghouse :nono:
 
Really looking forward to seeing your new loot!!! :appl:
 
Smith.... LETS SEE THEM!!! get your pictures up, woman!!! :wavey:
 
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