Too Much Sparkle at Work? Navigating Jewelry in Non-Profit Settings

[Rebel Rebel]

While reading of your successful journey and all the wonderful replies, I thought of the many people, from all careers and walks of life, who have extensive tattoos. I don't, but have professional family members that do.

A lot of people might not know that tattoos can be very expensive. In a way, it's like having permanent jewelry and those who have them enjoy displaying their personal art.

For me, when I'm in a serious situation, such as with a doctor, I'm more focused on the moment than anyone's jewelry (though my doctor wears a nice Rolex!).

I don't in any way mean to discount the terrible issue of homelessness. Just thought of saying that many people express themselves without concern. My sincere thanks to you for the work you do.

 

[Dreamer_D]

A large ring is indicative of having money. It may not signify that someone is in the top 1%, but even a $500 ring is not something that a houseless person can afford. And with the cultural ubiquity of advertising associating diamonds with displays of wealth, everyone knows this association.

Full body tattoos in the US/CAN come from marginalized communities and were usually done by other community members using home made equipment. They are expensive when wealthy people have them done is sanitized conditions, but they are not expensive when done in prison or as an initiation to a gang. They are not a generalized symbol of wealth in our countries.

Just some things to keep in mind as we talk about wealth and class in this thread. Maybe it shouldn’t matter what wealth we all have. But it materially DOES matter, especially to those who don’t have it.

 

[Rebel Rebel]

A large ring is indicative of having money. It may not signify that someone is in the top 1%, but even a $500 ring is not something that a houseless person can afford. And with the cultural ubiquity of advertising associating diamonds with displays of wealth, everyone knows this association.

Full body tattoos in the US/CAN come from marginalized communities and were usually done by other community members using home made equipment. They are expensive when wealthy people have them done is sanitized conditions, but they are not expensive when done in prison or as an initiation to a gang. They are not a generalized symbol of wealth in our countries.

Just some things to keep in mind as we talk about wealth and class in this thread. Maybe it shouldn’t matter what wealth we all have. But it materially DOES matter, especially to those who don’t have it.

I didn't mean to imply any of that, but I agree with your reply. I'll bow out now.

 

[purplesilk]

I wrote this message a dozen times, because I'd like to expose my point of view without telling too much about my life:
- some poor people can be intimidated by your wealth: they can be lead to believe they're poor because they're not worth or smart enough to have what you possess;
- some poor people develope anger and hate towards wealthy people: no matter the help you give to them, they always hate you just because you're wealthy and they're not, and they see you just as an easy target to steal from.

I should explain better, but I don't feel like sharing too much about some unpleasant episodes of my life

 

[dk168]

I wrote this message a dozen times, because I'd like to expose my point of view without telling too much about my life:
- some poor people can be intimidated by your wealth: they can be lead to believe they're poor because they're not worth or smart enough to have what you possess;
- some poor people develope anger and hate towards wealthy people: no matter the help you give to them, they always hate you just because you're wealthy and they're not, and they see you just as an easy target to steal from.

I should explain better, but I don't feel like sharing too much about some unpleasant episodes of my life

That reminds me of an episode in Downton Abbey.

The King and Queen went to stay at Downton Abbey, and one of their staff, ? dressmaker, stole trinkets from the Crawleys.

When caught and quizzed, she cited why shouldn't she had nice things, it is not as if they would be missed, etc. etc...

Hey ho!

DK

 

[dk168]

Something else to consider - don't share too much via social media.

I don't like to talk about jewellery except in PS and another pearl-related message board that I don't participate anymore.

DK

 

[dk168]

When I got my 1.19ct EC back in 2004/5, the original setting was a simple bezel set solitaire and it felt too showy to wear to work. Please bear in mind that in UK, over 0.5ct diamonds are considered to be big!

So I had a 5mm band made with a 0.47ct EC set East-West to wear on a daily basis.

This is a photo of the original setting on the right, and the smaller EC in a band on the left:



DK

 

[Calliecake]

@MMtwo, It’s understandable you feeling like you do. I would be very uncomfortable wearing a lot of jewelry if I had your job. I would feel as if I were bragging the moment I walked in the room without saying a word. To do so in front of someone who was experiencing such a hard time in their life would make me feel bad about myself. Only you know how you feel about this. You’ve more than earned any beautiful piece of jewelry you own. There really isn’t a reason for you to feel bad about wearing something nice.

I look at all you do to help people in your job. You have touched people’s lives in more ways than you know. For that I’m sure they feel grateful. The things people always remember are the way you made them feel and how you helped them. My guess is not many people are going to remember you for something you wore but boy will they remember you @MMtwo.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

A large ring is indicative of having money. It may not signify that someone is in the top 1%, but even a $500 ring is not something that a houseless person can afford. And with the cultural ubiquity of advertising associating diamonds with displays of wealth, everyone knows this association.

Full body tattoos in the US/CAN come from marginalized communities and were usually done by other community members using home made equipment. They are expensive when wealthy people have them done is sanitized conditions, but they are not expensive when done in prison or as an initiation to a gang. They are not a generalized symbol of wealth in our countries.

Just some things to keep in mind as we talk about wealth and class in this thread. Maybe it shouldn’t matter what wealth we all have. But it materially DOES matter, especially to those who don’t have it.

i see tatoos as cultural in my country
the ones the maori ladies wear on their chins (Moko) can be very beautiful


and some probbaly done in jail (not mokos, but tatoos in general)

 

[dk168]

Someone once said to me not to feel bad about being able to afford nice things as I have worked hard to be where I am today.

That was when I was in Tucson in 2023 attending the gem shows, and started talking to another solo lady traveller on business at the bar when we were having a bite to eat, and she noticed and paid compliments to the jewellery I was wearing.

DK