Turning tables and lamps

[PursuitOfBling]

Recently I've started purchasing a range of jewellery. Getting married later this year and as customary in Asian culture, will be buying several thousand pounds worth for the bride and her family.

I've purchased loups, weighing scales etc, as you do to inspect your jewellery and ensure everything is as was advertised, but the problem I'm having is with finicky lighting and placing. When handling stones and rings etc, I can never get them in the right lighting or find them fumbling all over my fingers or what not. So I figure I might as well go the full way.

Can anyone link me to the correct lamps or lighting equipment, and one of those spinning table things (so I can turn rings and stones without having to touch them), as well as recommended tweezers(?). Nothing too fancy or expensive, but enough that I can make a nice little jewellery quarter in our dressing room to marvel at all the fancy stuff.

So to clarify I need, ideally being sold within the UK

- A jewellery lamp or lighting equipment
- A rotating stand of some kind
- Recommended jewellery tweezers (sounds bad, but at the moment I'm just using regular beauty tweezers which do not seem ideal)

All help is greatly appreciated.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

So you are not talking about a lighting set up for photography? It sounds sort of like you want to make a jewelry shrine or something! I'd have to say, buy a finely made jewelry box. Jewelry is to be worn and enjoyed in the different lighting we LIVE in! I do sometimes look at my jewelry, but it is just fine to look at in my bathroom!

 

[PursuitOfBling]

So you are not talking about a lighting set up for photography? It sounds sort of like you want to make a jewelry shrine or something! I'd have to say, buy a finely made jewelry box. Jewelry is to be worn and enjoyed in the different lighting we LIVE in! I do sometimes look at my jewelry, but it is just fine to look at in my bathroom!

That's exactly it! Lol. I actually already do photography by trade (weddings, venue's, events, restaurants etc), so I figure why not give a stab with jewellery too. But truth be told, I'm hoping I can kill two birds with one stone and perhaps use this little jewellery set up to do other miniature product photography too, but obviously the other half won't know that lol.

 

[madelise]

You can buy a small round mirror, put the piece of jewelry on there, and rotate the mirror? I always liked those mirror shots.. you can ogle at the bling AND its reflection


Your wife sounds lucky. Thousands of POUNDS of jewelry? I'm Chinese. I've never heard of this?! How can I convince my SO to partake in this tradition, lol!!

 

[PursuitOfBling]

You can buy a small round mirror, put the piece of jewelry on there, and rotate the mirror? I always liked those mirror shots.. you can ogle at the bling AND its reflection


Your wife sounds lucky. Thousands of POUNDS of jewelry? I'm Chinese. I've never heard of this?! How can I convince my SO to partake in this tradition, lol!!

Haha, it's like a Bengali/Indian tradition. The male and/or his family buy the female ex amount of gold/jewellery as a gift symbolic of his commitment to the marriage. This jewellery in question does not include the engagement ring itself or the wedding band (which is being made for me as I type!), and is instead supposed to be worn by her over the first few weeks, months of marriage.

It's a pretty old tradition, but imo quite cute. She's going to look all glammed up and new bride like the first few weeks, so new clothes, jewellery, shoes etc etc lol. Idea being that over the first few days weeks, you have guests come down from all over to see the new bride and couple, often those who could not make the wedding or who are close enough that they want to pay a visit outside the wedding!

That, plus a more morbid element, that in the eventuality of any problems in marriage, she has full right to any and all the jewellery purchased, sort of like her a guaranteed marriage asset (no 50/50 permitted as per usual with most other assets in divorce proceedings).


So yea, my plan is to buy her a load of mini bits and bobs of all different kinds of gems and styles. Should look cool in a collection! But it's keeping me busy with research etc lol. The jewellery world is humongous and expansive, so much to take in and choose.


On a side note, her family is also buying me a ring and a nice watch! I love my time peices so I'm pretty excited about picking one out

 

[Lotus99]

While I don't use it for jewelry, I have a rotating stand I bought for a small sculpture thing I have. Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Rotary-Rotating-Mirror-Display-Stand/dp/B004S081T0 You may be able to find something like that on Amazon UK.

 

[PursuitOfBling]

While I don't use it for jewelry, I have a rotating stand I bought for a small sculpture thing I have. Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Rotary-Rotating-Mirror-Display-Stand/dp/B004S081T0 You may be able to find something like that on Amazon UK.

Thanks for the link! Appreciate it. Found something similar in the UK, albeit at a ridonkulous mark up.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Diecast-Accessories-Turntable-Display-surface/dp/B000BVMGNW/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1336059604&sr=8-4

Least I sort of know what to look for now. Anyone have any recommendations on lighting, or should I just wing it with an ordinary lamp or DIY efforts (for diffusing)? Lol.

 

[kenny]

Recently I've started purchasing a range of jewellery. Getting married later this year and as customary in Asian culture, will be buying several thousand pounds worth for the bride and her family.

Several thousand pounds?
By pounds do you mean the American unit of weight or the British denomination of currency?



Seriously, if you are going to buy a turntable one with a plastic top will scratch much more easily than one with a glass top.
Of course hard gems can scratch glass if enough force is applied but glass is more likely to remain attractive longer than plastic.
Even just cleaning plastic can scratch it if you are not very careful.

 

[Christina...]

I love love love this tradition!! New clothes, new shoes, new jewelry!!! Wow! I soo very much want to be a part of this! Congratulations to you both!

 

[madelise]

You can buy a small round mirror, put the piece of jewelry on there, and rotate the mirror? I always liked those mirror shots.. you can ogle at the bling AND its reflection


Your wife sounds lucky. Thousands of POUNDS of jewelry? I'm Chinese. I've never heard of this?! How can I convince my SO to partake in this tradition, lol!!

Haha, it's like a Bengali/Indian tradition. The male and/or his family buy the female ex amount of gold/jewellery as a gift symbolic of his commitment to the marriage. This jewellery in question does not include the engagement ring itself or the wedding band (which is being made for me as I type!), and is instead supposed to be worn by her over the first few weeks, months of marriage.

It's a pretty old tradition, but imo quite cute. She's going to look all glammed up and new bride like the first few weeks, so new clothes, jewellery, shoes etc etc lol. Idea being that over the first few days weeks, you have guests come down from all over to see the new bride and couple, often those who could not make the wedding or who are close enough that they want to pay a visit outside the wedding!

That, plus a more morbid element, that in the eventuality of any problems in marriage, she has full right to any and all the jewellery purchased, sort of like her a guaranteed marriage asset (no 50/50 permitted as per usual with most other assets in divorce proceedings).


So yea, my plan is to buy her a load of mini bits and bobs of all different kinds of gems and styles. Should look cool in a collection! But it's keeping me busy with research etc lol. The jewellery world is humongous and expansive, so much to take in and choose.


On a side note, her family is also buying me a ring and a nice watch! I love my time peices so I'm pretty excited about picking one out

.... Do Pakistanis practice this tradition? Because Babe's going to have to partake in this one, me thinks! I want new clothes and lots of bling!!! I'm glad you're getting a watch out of this! I'm thinking of getting SO a watch as an engagement gift, too, when the day comes Us gals can't have all the fun, right?

And I didn't even think of Kenny's Q: Yes please clarify! Because I was thinking pounds, as in weight. Are you speaking of cost? Because I was totally picturing a cave full of jewels..

 

[PursuitOfBling]

Oh no I meant pounds as in the British currency! Lol. I'm only in my mid twenties so can't afford anything like that yet! Probably only enough to fill one of those little black jewellery display boxes you find in stores, nothing close to a cave! Lol.

Kenny: Thanks for the advice about scratching table tops, will consider it before buying!

Christina: Many thanks

Madelise: If your other half is Pakistani, then yes, there is a chance he might do or be persuaded to do something similar lol. Ask him if he's going to give you gold or jewellery as part of your "Mahr". You should be getting bridal jewellery either way though (on top of the engagement ring and wedding band that is lol).

What watch were you thinking of getting him? Bit stuck on choice at the moment myself! Thinking either Tag, Maurice Lacroix or U-Boat.

 

[LoveLikeCrazy]

wow what a lucky girl! I want this tradition.

What exactly is it with men and watches?? I believe as a future wedding gift i'm partaking in the watch buying thing as well for him. He wants a rolex daytona in stainless steel with a black face...I'm in trouble!

My brother has a lot of tags. Beautiful watches.

 

[madelise]

Oh no I meant pounds as in the British currency! Lol. I'm only in my mid twenties so can't afford anything like that yet! Probably only enough to fill one of those little black jewellery display boxes you find in stores, nothing close to a cave! Lol.

Kenny: Thanks for the advice about scratching table tops, will consider it before buying!

Christina: Many thanks

Madelise: If your other half is Pakistani, then yes, there is a chance he might do or be persuaded to do something similar lol. Ask him if he's going to give you gold or jewellery as part of your "Mahr". You should be getting bridal jewellery either way though (on top of the engagement ring and wedding band that is lol).

What watch were you thinking of getting him? Bit stuck on choice at the moment myself! Thinking either Tag, Maurice Lacroix or U-Boat.

Ohhhh thank you, my SO is going to be in big trouble now! He's always joked with me that I need to pay a dowry, so I thought females' families pay the males' families!! Haha, believe me! I will ask for my mahr! So.. How do you pronounce that? :p any attempts at phonetically spelling it is appreciated

When my time comes, I'll look into the watches. My SO is very peculiar about anything he wears.. Strange strange man. And he's also the practical-type. Fancy time pieces are not to his taste, and definitely not practical. So my first battle is: changing his mind! If we have any sons, he's going to need that fancy time piece to pass down!!
When you do get all your mahr, please please pretty please post pictures for us!! And of your new ring and watch too!

What are you planning to buy her? Spill the details, we need to live vicariously!


Edited to add: Seriously, thanks. I just wiki-ed mahr. "There is no concept of dowry in Islam". OHHH SO is going to be in big trouble when he wakes up tomorrow. He's been joking about this damned dowry since I met him! This totally makes sense now.. FMIL has been collecting gold for FOREVER. She seriously spends a huge chunk of her income buying more and more gold. SO said her excuse was always "I'm saving them for your future wives!" but they always thought she was FOS and just looking for an excuse to indulge. She never wears any of it, so I think she's been telling the truth!! aha. Do you think I can use this as an excuse to buy myself baubles in the future? "I'm saving them for my sons' mahr!" Oh SO is so in trouble :X hahaha.

 

[PursuitOfBling]

Oh no I meant pounds as in the British currency! Lol. I'm only in my mid twenties so can't afford anything like that yet! Probably only enough to fill one of those little black jewellery display boxes you find in stores, nothing close to a cave! Lol.

Kenny: Thanks for the advice about scratching table tops, will consider it before buying!

Christina: Many thanks

Madelise: If your other half is Pakistani, then yes, there is a chance he might do or be persuaded to do something similar lol. Ask him if he's going to give you gold or jewellery as part of your "Mahr". You should be getting bridal jewellery either way though (on top of the engagement ring and wedding band that is lol).

What watch were you thinking of getting him? Bit stuck on choice at the moment myself! Thinking either Tag, Maurice Lacroix or U-Boat.

Ohhhh thank you, my SO is going to be in big trouble now! He's always joked with me that I need to pay a dowry, so I thought females' families pay the males' families!! Haha, believe me! I will ask for my mahr! So.. How do you pronounce that? :p any attempts at phonetically spelling it is appreciated

When my time comes, I'll look into the watches. My SO is very peculiar about anything he wears.. Strange strange man. And he's also the practical-type. Fancy time pieces are not to his taste, and definitely not practical. So my first battle is: changing his mind! If we have any sons, he's going to need that fancy time piece to pass down!!
When you do get all your mahr, please please pretty please post pictures for us!! And of your new ring and watch too!

What are you planning to buy her? Spill the details, we need to live vicariously!


Edited to add: Seriously, thanks. I just wiki-ed mahr. "There is no concept of dowry in Islam". OHHH SO is going to be in big trouble when he wakes up tomorrow. He's been joking about this damned dowry since I met him! This totally makes sense now.. FMIL has been collecting gold for FOREVER. She seriously spends a huge chunk of her income buying more and more gold. SO said her excuse was always "I'm saving them for your future wives!" but they always thought she was FOS and just looking for an excuse to indulge. She never wears any of it, so I think she's been telling the truth!! aha. Do you think I can use this as an excuse to buy myself baubles in the future? "I'm saving them for my sons' mahr!" Oh SO is so in trouble :X hahaha.

Haha, I was just going to say, Dowry doesn't exists Islamically speaking. That's more a Hindu thing where for some reason the brides side pay the grooms side to take her on. Islamically Mahr (pronounced Ma-Har) is the opposite. One as a gift to show commitment and provide the wife with immediate asset, and two as insurance in case anything goes wrong. Back in the day, they never had 50/50 split divorce proceedings, so instead, as Mahr, men would give women gold, land, money etc. A tradition that's stuck (why not, additional female security can't hurt). These days some people don't give jewellery as part of their Mahr at all, or give little, some give lots, but it all depends on the financial position of the guy getting married. Long as it doesn't financially cripple him lol.


I haven't actually decided what I'm getting her yet. Browsing tbh, but found numerous little bits and bobs I like. Nothing excessively priced.

Fortunately a good chunk of my Mahr (over half) is coming from a lovely set (diamond and gold - earrings, bracelet, ring and necklace) my mum saved for her, which she bought from Dubai. At the time (pre-recession) we picked it up for only a few k, but today it's worth considerably more, so we got off light! In that sense it was a great investment.


But yea, not sure on the Mahr jewellery yet, maybe you guys could provide some inspiration lol. But the engagement ring should be finished over the next week or so! I'm super excited and just hope the finish and polish comes out nice! Already have the centre gem (3+ ct natural unheated sapphire ) but check the Coloured Stones forum soon for an update!


But now you need to think about bits and bobs you might want! Though saying that, technically he can pick all the stuff without showing you, but you might as well sneak in some influence! That's provided you can get him to agree to providing you jewellery as part of your Mahr lol.

 

[madelise]

Haha, I was just going to say, Dowry doesn't exists Islamically speaking. That's more a Hindu thing where for some reason the brides side pay the grooms side to take her on. Islamically Mahr (pronounced Ma-Har) is the opposite. One as a gift to show commitment and provide the wife with immediate asset, and two as insurance in case anything goes wrong. Back in the day, they never had 50/50 split divorce proceedings, so instead, as Mahr, men would give women gold, land, money etc. A tradition that's stuck (why not, additional female security can't hurt). These days some people don't give jewellery as part of their Mahr at all, or give little, some give lots, but it all depends on the financial position of the guy getting married. Long as it doesn't financially cripple him lol.


I haven't actually decided what I'm getting her yet. Browsing tbh, but found numerous little bits and bobs I like. Nothing excessively priced.

Fortunately a good chunk of my Mahr (over half) is coming from a lovely set (diamond and gold - earrings, bracelet, ring and necklace) my mum saved for her, which she bought from Dubai. At the time (pre-recession) we picked it up for only a few k, but today it's worth considerably more, so we got off light! In that sense it was a great investment.


But yea, not sure on the Mahr jewellery yet, maybe you guys could provide some inspiration lol. But the engagement ring should be finished over the next week or so! I'm super excited and just hope the finish and polish comes out nice! Already have the centre gem (3+ ct natural unheated sapphire ) but check the Coloured Stones forum soon for an update!


But now you need to think about bits and bobs you might want! Though saying that, technically he can pick all the stuff without showing you, but you might as well sneak in some influence! That's provided you can get him to agree to providing you jewellery as part of your Mahr lol.

What color skin does she have? Is it warmer toned? IMO, olivey warm skin looks AMAZING in brighter colored stones Does she like colored stones? Since you're getting her a nice blue baby, why not get her a little bit more to add to her rainbow? What are her preferences? Contemporary styled, or vintage? Western style or Asian? That's so awesome your mom bought a set already, years ago! Did she buy it before you met your SO? As a "prepare for my son's future" thing? Or did she buy it after you were already with her?

That's actually funny about the giving the marh as a "safety net" of sorts for the female, in case of devastating events. That's the whole reason behind the more "modern", western diamond engagement ring! PS put an article a while ago about how women used to sue their husbands if they left them after taking their virginities. After the suing became illegal, or whatever, men started to give them diamonds as a leverage.

Oh don't worry, I won't drive SO into financial crippling. LOL! That wouldn't be safe for me, either. If he won't agree to it, that's cool. I'm not part of that culture, so I can always just buy it for myself along the years.



ETA - There are a few threads on here, if you can find, about jewelry "essentials". Maybe you can consider those as ideas for her mahr? They are more practical, and for common wear. Things like a pair of modestly sized diamond studs, a diamonds-by-the-yard necklace, a small diamond pendant.. things that are versatile for daily wear, and can easily be dressed up. I would consider myself lucky if I had a significant other that started building an "essentials" jewelry box for me. more ideas: stacking rings, 5-stone or 7-stone rings, a simpler bracelet?

 

[madelise]

https://www.pricescope.com/blog/jewelry-basics A pricescope article.
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...-jewelery-items.173185/#post-3151027#p3151027 A forum thread, with input from other users.

HTH. Sorry for the total threadjack!