which of your jewelry people around you admire most

[Arkteia]

Sorry can not make a long post, I shall add to it, but bottom line is, I meet a lot of people during my day, at least 35, most of them have a family budgets around 100 - 150 K. They consider me stylish. When I made a list of my jewelry I like most and the jewelry they compliment me on, the lists were drastically different. Do other people have the same issue? I shall post the list later - family duties.

 

[beaujolais]

Um, you, for starters for that awesome thread and photos I just saw.

 

[LD]

Not in any order:

One of my friends who reads this forum but hasn't yet joined (she knows who she is) for having equisite taste.

Catmom and Art Nouveux for their absolutely stunning jewellery

Chrono for being able to "see" the things that most people miss. Her eye for detail is unrivalled. Not to mention her Mahenge of course!!!!!

TL for her collection of Spess and coloured diamonds (minus, of course, the rose gold).

Amysthyste for buying the biggest bargain diamond in the world - which I covet, love and want.

Oh I could go on and on and on and on and on .......................

There are so many PS'ers with stunning taste and wonderful jewellery that keep me glued to the threads (in the hope of seeing more top class items).

Edit: and mention has to go to a fellow Brit who possibly has one of the best jewellery collections ever, who collects jewellery and gemstones and has had the supreme luxury of being bought the biggest and the best, Elizabeth Taylor!

 

[beaujolais]

Chrono, my colored stone hero, has the eye, a true talent for this, vast knowledge and is just a wonderful and helpful person. LD (as above) - for her alternative diamond and tastes. TL - a wealth of info & super helpful. Catmom - luxurious good taste. Arcadian - puts together some smashing things and wears them well. Little Grey Kitten - a wealth of knowledge. And really a ton of others, don''t mean to leave anyone out. And all the super professionals that kindly grace this forum.

 

[T L]

As sweet as the comments have been, and thank you to those who have commented, I feel that this thread might hurt some people's feelings who may have been left out. These kind of threads pop up in other forums I belong to, and invariably, someone's feelings always gets hurt. I could really write a book on all the people I admire here, but I rather not name names.

I don't think it's a problem if we name celebrities, but I personally wouldn't talk about PS'ers.

 

[blithesome71]

I think most of those active posters here have stunning pieces and great eye for fine gems... Chrono, LaurenThePartier, Frekechild, Arcadian, Catmom, TL, LD, Cellentani, Arjunajane, Mr.Zeolite (Hands-down to his garnet collection) to name a few...

 

[jstarfireb]

I think we''re missing the point of the thread here. I interpreted it as "which of your jewelry / people around you admire most" - as in, which pieces do you tend to get the most compliments on. Crasru, am I right? Mine would probably be my engagement ring or my new zircon ring from Julia.

 

[LD]

You know TL - you're right. Reading who others admire I suddenly realised that actually there's a huge list of like-minded people on this forum who need a mention and who I have omitted from my list.

The problem for me is that most people "in the real world" don't really look at jewellery much. You get some friends who will say "oh is that new" but they won't understand why it may be a really nice piece. On this forum we show each other our pieces and get feedback (good and bad). So perhaps I have misunderstood Crasnu's post and this should be (a) these are the items I admire most because ...... (of own jewellery) but (b) these are the items I possess that most people compliment on.

 

[Fly Girl]

Date: 1/9/2010 7:31:22 PM
Author: jstarfireb
I think we're missing the point of the thread here. I interpreted it as 'which of your jewelry / people around you admire most' - as in, which pieces do you tend to get the most compliments on. Crasru, am I right? Mine would probably be my engagement ring or my new zircon ring from Julia.

I read the original question the same way that you do, jstar. For me, it is my pendants--the Morganite pear by Dana, the Royal Rhodolite garnets from Rick, the raspberry garnet cab from Barry and the stunning orange grossular garnet-botryoidal carnelian-honey chalcedony pendant from ACStones. ETA-I like some of my rings as much as these pendants, but the pendants get more attention. I think this makes sense, since they sit front and center, just under my face.

 

[ringthing!]

I have had a lot of compliments on a WG bezel-set oval tanzanite ring. It is one of my favorites, so I wear it quite often. It is quite simple in design, but I think it has nice color for a smaller stone(a little over 1 ct).

 

[Catmom]

Wow, I''m really honored for the mentions. Thank you so much!! Besides my ER, I get the most compliments on my blue sapphires and my tsavorite pendant and ring. I think those are probably my favorite pieces as well.

 

[Arkteia]

Date: 1/9/2010 7:31:22 PM
Author: jstarfireb
I think we''re missing the point of the thread here. I interpreted it as ''which of your jewelry / people around you admire most'' - as in, which pieces do you tend to get the most compliments on. Crasru, am I right? Mine would probably be my engagement ring or my new zircon ring from Julia.

Absolutely, and I am sorry if my question has been misinterpreted.

Although I find it nice that people wanted to mention their fellow PS-ers or say which of their own jewelry or qualities they like. In fact, I think everyone should mention something positive about himself, and often! Life creates a lot of insecurities.

But my question was driven by the fact that there is a huge discrepancy between the jewelry I invested into most and which costs most and what people around me find "snazzy" (I won''t even post these photographs here). Maybe it is not an issue with you since so many of you are professionals, have stunning jewelry and work with professionals, but it certainly has been an issue with me. I do not mind it, I just think we should educate people around us about real beauty. As I have mentioned before, children seem to have a better eye for color than adults.

When I make my list, you''ll see what I mean.

 

[Arkteia]

Sorry, I did not attach the quote. It was an answer to FlyGirl.

You know what? They are all awesome and very modern, but the second one, the rhodolite, has unbelievable color, and looks velvety, like rose petals. Amazing!

 

[chrono]

Thank you to all who have said very nice things about me and my collection, however, I interpreted the question in the same manner as Jstar. It''s more of a comparison of our personal favourites of our own collection versus compliments we receive on our collection in the offline world?

 

[Arkteia]

Date: 1/9/2010 10:15:28 PM
Author: Catmom
Wow, I''m really honored for the mentions. Thank you so much!! Besides my ER, I get the most compliments on my blue sapphires and my tsavorite pendant and ring. I think those are probably my favorite pieces as well.

OK, perhaps I should ask an advice from you when I am buying a sapphire. I want one badly, but I want the best one.

 

[marcy]

I get comments on how sparkly my diamond is (they usually think it''s new or clean) and my sapphire rings.

 

[Arkteia]

Date: 1/9/2010 11:02:12 PM
Author: Chrono
Thank you to all who have said very nice things about me and my collection, however, I interpreted the question in the same manner as Jstar. It''s more of a comparison of our personal favourites of our own collection versus compliments we receive on our collection in the offline world?

Yes, you are totally right. It was not a bitter topic, just a food for thought. I might have formulated my question in a wrong way.

 

[Fly Girl]

Date: 1/9/2010 11:02:11 PM
Author: crasru
Sorry, I did not attach the quote. It was an answer to FlyGirl.

You know what? They are all awesome and very modern, but the second one, the rhodolite, has unbelievable color, and looks velvety, like rose petals. Amazing!

Thanks, crasru. And, the second one, the Royal Rhodolite, is easily the least expensive piece of the bunch. Link Which kind of supports one of the points you were making.

I''m curious as to which pieces draw compliments for you. Do you have some pictures?

 

[Arkteia]

Made the lists and lost them!

Sorry, I shall mention just "empty" metals several times. I know it is not great for the CS forum but just to prove a point

What people compliment me on:

a) My sterling silver choker (used to be a Gucci necklace made of some cheap metal)
b) My diamond-and sapphire bracelet (the quality of the diamonds is horrible, I bought it several years ago at an auction for a song. It is very delicate, though).
c) "Oh my god, this is amazing" (used to be - I donated it) - super-bourgeoise red star ruby (very big, but not to make one faint) with two diamonds, in white gold 0 lots of gold; style of early, heavy barocco
d) (Sorry again!) - my Movado gold pendant; European style
e) My amethyst quartz; (nor really an amethyst) uncut and greyish, with an amethyst vein inside; could probably be bought for 5 dollars at a Museum of Science store; I kept it for sentimental reason; it was made into a gold pendant and the workmanship is very nice; I shall post it here as an example of design
f) "Oh my god, this is so beutiful" - my diamond ring (a total price blunder; it has exellent round cut, is G-H color, is SI1 and set in a pre-fabricated halo setting. Not too bad but for the price I paid, I could have found two had I known PS at that time)
g) Lots of compliments on my new MOP and spessartines set; especially the ring
h) My "suffragette" pendant with amethysts, tiny demantoids and enamel. Did not check if it was really "suffragette" but it is quite delicate
i) My Charriol earrings (tiny diamonds but they are dangling!)
j) Occasionally someone will notice my ruby
h) they think that my blue tourmaline set in a split-shank "Horus eye" white gold ring is "snazzy"; I do not know how to change the setting considering that "Horus eye" makes it all asymmetrical
i) many like my white gold huggies with tiny tsavorites dangling (!) from them
j) Someone asked about my demantoid, "is it an emerald"?
k) People say that I have a "gorgeous amethyst" (about my alexandrite) or ask if it is "a mood ring"

I shall post this list so that I do not lose it and then make another one, mine order of preference

 

[Lovinggems]

We''ll need photos with your favourites list, I hope it includes your demantoids!

 

[Arkteia]

Date: 1/10/2010 2:00:49 AM
Author: crasru
Made the lists and lost them!

Sorry, I shall mention just 'empty' metals several times. I know it is not great for the CS forum but just to prove a point

What people compliment me on:

a) My sterling silver choker (used to be a Gucci necklace made of some cheap metal)
b) My diamond-and sapphire bracelet (the quality of the diamonds is horrible, I bought it several years ago at an auction for a song. It is very delicate, though).
c) 'Oh my god, this is amazing' (used to be - I donated it) - super-bourgeoise red star ruby (very big, but not to make one faint) with two diamonds, in white gold 0 lots of gold; style of early, heavy barocco
d) (Sorry again!) - my Movado gold pendant; European style
e) My amethyst quartz; (nor really an amethyst) uncut and greyish, with an amethyst vein inside; could probably be bought for 5 dollars at a Museum of Science store; I kept it for sentimental reason; it was made into a gold pendant and the workmanship is very nice; I shall post it here as an example of design
f) 'Oh my god, this is so beutiful' - my diamond ring (a total price blunder; it has exellent round cut, is G-H color, is SI1 and set in a pre-fabricated halo setting. Not too bad but for the price I paid, I could have found two had I known PS at that time)
g) Lots of compliments on my new MOP and spessartines set; especially the ring
h) My 'suffragette' pendant with amethysts, tiny demantoids and enamel. Did not check if it was really 'suffragette' but it is quite delicate
i) My Charriol earrings (tiny diamonds but they are dangling!)
j) Occasionally someone will notice my ruby
h) they think that my blue tourmaline set in a split-shank 'Horus eye' white gold ring is 'snazzy'; I do not know how to change the setting considering that 'Horus eye' makes it all asymmetrical
i) many like my white gold huggies with tiny tsavorites dangling (!) from them
j) Someone asked about my demantoid, 'is it an emerald'?
k) People say that I have a 'gorgeous amethyst' (about my alexandrite) or ask if it is 'a mood ring'

I shall post this list so that I do not lose it and then make another one, mine order of preference

My list:

a) My demantoid garnet
b) My alexandrite ring
c) I admit that the silver choker can hide any defect of anyone's neck; comes in handy as I am getting older yet do not feel ready for plastic surgery (sorry again! I shall put some stone into it, I promise!)
d) Like my diamond-and sapphire bracelet very much
e) like my new spessartine set
f) like my amethyst and demantoid necklace
g) love my vintage brooch made of bohemian garnets; they are very deep and I think they may be rhodolites and not pyropes; they have this "velvety" look
h) used to like my Burmese ruby ring; less now that I know it has been flux-healed but it still looks fine
j) I like my Movado pendant but prefer my two-tone-gold, one-of-a-kind necklace with sapphire clasp which I bought when a top-class jewelry store was going out of business
h) My amethyst crystal pendant is a good example of a jeweller's art
g) My 0.5 ct-each diamond earrings are of ideal cut and VVS!, they are GIA-certified and nice although need frequent cleaning

The rest of it needs to be either reset, or donated, or given away as gifts. Except for the diamond ring which potentially could make a nice engagement ring for someone who is not a diamond afficionado; I feel that I "grew out of it" and do not wear; but I really need to educate myself about diamonds before I buy something new. I am thinking about a regular round diamond with ideal cut, D-E color, and maximal VS! inclusions; above a carat, a more simple setting). My
tsavorites are "killed" by white gold but otherwise not bad; I just need to redesign them (the jeweller did not tell me he was going to use white gold, poor guy just had zero taste, but the stones were inexpensive, small but nice).

I haven't mentioned other stuff that I rarely wear, llike my emeralds (they are small but not bad, can't explain why I forget about them); there are some potentially interesting things but I need to verify what they are; they come from Russia (I inherited them) and I just need to bring them to a CS specialist for identification. Until I know that they are real, I am not going to wear them.


My conclusion: (I am talking about a layman peson, not a jeweller or gem collector)

a) People like things big, heavy or flashy
b) Like cats, people like dangles
c) People react to bright metals, especially polished; the more metal the better
d) People notice uniquel design, especially with European flair
e) Some people may appreciate antique items with delicate workmanship
f) Diamonds are always "in" but people rarely see the difference between good and bad ones; halo rings optically increase the size and size, still, is everything
g) People have no clue about colored stones and have poor tone discrimination; they, however, might respond to large colored items especially surrounded or flanked by diamonds
h) Since many have taken jewelry classes, people like beads or porcupine needles, or tumbled stones. They like simple jewelry like the one featured in Sundance or JJill catalogues but again, seem to have no clue what is good and what is bad

I thought men would be less sensitive to colors (because daltonism or partial daltonism is sex-linked) but no, there seems to be no difference

My conclusion: People need to be educated about colored stones. Since my profession does not provide me with exposure to gem specialists my observations may be totally different from what you see. In my office I keep a collection of minerals and some items made of them (pen holder made of onyx and malachite; jasper tray); if someone shows interest, I try to use this opportunity to explain the importance of color in daily life; one PS-er mentioned "prozac in a dish"; I use term "chromotherapy". I can not spend much time but one phrase is enough.

I like Richard Wise's book because it is not didactic and easy to read, basically, half-fiction. Someone with zero knowledge about gems can read and enjoy it and it is very important. I wish Richard good sales.

 

[Arkteia]

Date: 1/10/2010 2:36:35 AM
Author: Lovinggems
We''ll need photos with your favourites list, I hope it includes your demantoids!

Sorry; I just posted "my" list. Please understand that I essentially started collecting this year, or rather, by the end of 2008 (before the Burmese ban). So my collection is small; I also tend to buy larger stones and they are more expensive. So it will take a while.

With the demantoid...First, it needs to be cleaned. I hate to admit, but perfume or even hairspray may occasionally hit it (I wear it as a pendant). Soap, too. Horrible, since it is an expensive stone. LESNER once mentioned women who jog or do hot yoga wearing their jewelry. Well, I am not into jogging or hot yoga but I work long hours (my hobby is costly! LOL). By the end of the day, I just have no energy to clean or wash my jewelry.

I have a feisty 6 year-old. Well, when he was two, he developed a habit of throwing my stones and jewelry into a ventilation shaft! A pair of chrysoprases and malachites went that way; also, my antique Armenian bracelet made of silver coins. I believe it can be eventually recovered but I am wary of leaving my gems to soak in a solution of dishcleaning liquid overnight. Who knows where they may end up in the morning.

So I have a) to clean it
b) to ask my appraiser to take better photos than I can make at the moment since I obviously create orange shift or can not arrange proper lighting. But the next time I come to see him, I shall bring the demantoid, promise!

 

[Burberrygirl]

My conclusion: (I am talking about a layman peson, not a jeweller or gem collector)

a) People like things big, heavy or flashy
b) Like cats, people like dangles
c) People react to bright metals, especially polished; the more metal the better
d) People notice uniquel design, especially with European flair
e) Some people may appreciate antique items with delicate workmanship
f) Diamonds are always ''in'' but people rarely see the difference between good and bad ones; halo rings optically increase the size and size, still, is everything
g) People have no clue about colored stones and have poor tone discrimination; they, however, might respond to large colored items especially surrounded or flanked by diamonds
h) Since many have taken jewelry classes, people like beads or porcupine needles, or tumbled stones. They like simple jewelry like the one featured in Sundance or JJill catalogues but again, seem to have no clue what is good and what is bad

I thought men would be less sensitive to colors (because daltonism or partial daltonism is sex-linked) but no, there seems to be no difference

My conclusion: People need to be educated about colored stones. Since my profession does not provide me with exposure to gem specialists my observations may be totally different from what you see. In my office I keep a collection of minerals and some items made of them (pen holder made of onyx and malachite; jasper tray); if someone shows interest, I try to use this opportunity to explain the importance of color in daily life; one PS-er mentioned ''prozac in a dish''; I use term ''chromotherapy''. I can not spend much time but one phrase is enough.

I like Richard Wise''s book because it is not didactic and easy to read, basically, half-fiction. Someone with zero knowledge about gems can read and enjoy it and it is very important. I wish Richard good sales.

I''ve observed the same thing. One of my rings that gets noticed the most is my huge blue topaz ring with a diamond halo, it''s one of my least expensive pieces but is definitely the biggest. It was a Christmas present from my parents when I had no clue about gemstones. My collection is really small but my favorite ring is my 1.80ct, VVS2, E color diamond ring that I inherited from my grandfather. I was really close to him so it''s a very sentimental piece. My second favorite would be my emerald ring because my dad gave it to me for my hs graduation.

 

[Lovinggems]

Date: 1/10/2010 3:22:35 AM
Author: crasru

Date: 1/10/2010 2:36:35 AM
Author: Lovinggems
We''ll need photos with your favourites list, I hope it includes your demantoids!

Sorry; I just posted ''my'' list. Please understand that I essentially started collecting this year, or rather, by the end of 2008 (before the Burmese ban). So my collection is small; I also tend to buy larger stones and they are more expensive. So it will take a while.

With the demantoid...First, it needs to be cleaned. I hate to admit, but perfume or even hairspray may occasionally hit it (I wear it as a pendant). Soap, too. Horrible, since it is an expensive stone. LESNER once mentioned women who jog or do hot yoga wearing their jewelry. Well, I am not into jogging or hot yoga but I work long hours (my hobby is costly! LOL). By the end of the day, I just have no energy to clean or wash my jewelry.

I have a feisty 6 year-old. Well, when he was two, he developed a habit of throwing my stones and jewelry into a ventilation shaft! A pair of chrysoprases and malachites went that way; also, my antique Armenian bracelet made of silver coins. I believe it can be eventually recovered but I am wary of leaving my gems to soak in a solution of dishcleaning liquid overnight. Who knows where they may end up in the morning.

So I have a) to clean it
b) to ask my appraiser to take better photos than I can make at the moment since I obviously create orange shift or can not arrange proper lighting. But the next time I come to see him, I shall bring the demantoid, promise!

Thank you crasru, I look forward to seeing your collection, I appreciate seeing every collection be they small or large.

 

[ma re]

People like large and flashy - no kidding! And I thought all those boulder-size diamonds at the Oscars were not chosen with a purpose

It may have something to do with larger/brighter/sparklier objects being easier to notice...sounds logical.

 

[Arcadian]

As everyone knows, I just happen to lov gems of all types. and thanks for those who mentioned me, its an honor y''all like my wee little stuff!

I personally don''t have anything jewelery wise that I don''t like (I like it all!)

However, so funny is that last night, I wore my big peridot ring at our NYE party. A young lady asked me where I got my ring. I told her I put it together myself. She then asked if it were real. After I told her yes, she then told me she assumed it was glass but really liked it and wanted to know what store I picked it up from lol. At any rate we got into a discussion about gems. She had no idea peridots could be "so green". Per poor date was just redfaced and embarassed.... but no skin off my back, I''ll take any opportunity to educate!

Many of us know whats out there at the retail level (much of it pure junk). There''s lots of people who still don''t know that garnets come in any color but brownish red. Thats the biggest part of the reason I never get offended because they really don''t know any better because many have never seen good quality stones at ANY size.

I have a 13ct prasiolite pendant that people also assume is fake. (won''t even go into the pearls, thats such another story). And the sphene just makes some folk look puzzled. Its also been assumed to be fake too. Amzingly they can''t fathom anything haveing that type of sparkle unless its a dimaond or zirconia.

And zircon...well,...you know....

At general, most people know diamonds, but when it comes to colored stones outside what they may have seen in a jewelery store, they''re at a loss.


-A

 

[gemgirl]

People compliment me on my e-ring ring diamond and my five stone anniversary band the most, but truthfully, I get complimented on a lot of my jewelry. I just think my e-ring stone catches most women''s eyes because it''s so white, crisp and clear that it looks fake.

 

[Christiana]

From what I can remember, people always compliment me on my Cartier Kiss of the Dragon pendant, on a pair of diamond earrings and on a quite impressive amethyst pendant. I always hear good comments on these pieces. Sorry, I can't think of anything else right now.

But you know, it's just other people with their own tastes. The pieces mentioned above are all exceptional, but for example - believe it or not- I never got any compliments on my Cartier Trinity earrings (small hoops). Nobody seems to notice them, I kid you not!!

On the other hand, I can wear a costume jewel or some cheap silver earrings and see others going crazy about them.... That's why I trust my personal - and my mother's - taste more than anyone else's.