Very expensive Tiffany earrings- talk me out of it!

[Imdanny]

http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Item.aspx?fromGrid=1&sku=24229505&mcat=148206&cid=288189&search_params=s+5-p+6-c+288189-r+101287464-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+

I want to buy these for my mother's retirement present.

Her favorite color is green.

I'm a big fan of chrysoprase.

These earrings have no treatment according to Tiffany's treatment chart.

They are "calling" to me.

I asked her about jewelry and she said she would like earrings.

She said she doesn't want ones that "dangle."

She wears silver.

On the other hand, the price!

Can anyone give me a reason why I should buy these, or alternatively, can anyone suggest something similar?

Many thanks!

 

[iLander]

Well, considering it's about $150 worth of material, it should be easy to talk you out of it! Have you seen these in RL? I have, they are tiny, like 7mm square. Also, the quality on the Tiffany stones really varies from piece to piece. I saw an assortment of them in 2 different stores (incl NYC) and really tried to pick out a large amethyst ring. The stones were zoned, some were so pale it was ridiculous, and some had nasty inclusions. Couldn't find a decent one that matched the catalog pics! I finally ended up getting a square cab on ebay for $5, it's fab, and I will ask DanielM to set it. I think in silver it will be less than $100 for a pendant. He has some nice stuff and can set some chalcedony for you,

http://www.etsy.com/shop/danielmjewelry

What about some REAL luxury for that price? Us older ladies generally know about golden south seas pearls, and the kind of money/rarity they represent. I've purchased a strand from Jose, and it appraised at 4X what I paid for it (solid, retail price appraisal, not insurance). He has some fabulous earrings, I like these and suggest you go for the AAA:

http://www.tahitianpearls.biz/golden-south-sea-pearl-earrings/golden_south_sea_cultured_pearl_earrings_geac.htm

Not crazy about the pave on these, but I like the jacket concept. He has stuff that's not on the website, so a phone call would help:
http://www.tahitianpearls.biz/golden-south-sea-pearl-earrings/diamond_earring_jackets_and_golden_south_sea_pearl_earrings_gewj.htm

He has black pearls (Tahitians):
http://www.tahitianpearls.biz/tahitian-pearl-earrings/bow_tahitian_pearl_earrings_teab.htm

If you have to have the green earrings, here's the cabs, under $8 each: http://www.etsy.com/listing/60982462/semi-precious-cabochons-chalcedony-green Send them to Daniel, all done, under $100 I bet.

Then you'll have money left over for pearls!

You're a good son, that's really very sweet of you to do something so nice for your mom. Could you please give some lessons to my DS?

 

[Tanzigrrl]

I've fallen in love with Tiffany pieces more times than I can count. I have usually just gone ahead and purchased them. Sometimes, even though you know you could get the piece somewhere else and for less money, you just decide to do it, you know? If it's calling to you, it's calling to you. However, if $1,000 is more than you want to pay, there are obviously other options to get a very similar pair of earrings for your mother.

 

[JewelFreak]

Danny, a thousand dollars for those tiny crummy things is nuts! How's that for talking you out of them? For that price you should be getting 18K gold in such a tiny size. You can get better quality cabs elsewhere too. iLander's advice is great -- what a neat website, think I may do some shopping there myself.

Looks like most of your $1000 would go to pay for the Tiffany name (not so hot anymore), fancy address of the stores & advertising. Their quality just isn't what it was, and as an ex-Tiff employee, I can tell you they don't spend their money on salespeople.

You're SO nice to the people in your life! If you want to give your mother Tiffany earrings, there have to be better ones for that price on their website -- as long as you know you're paying mostly for the cachet of the blue box. She'll love whatever you get her because you're such a lover yourself!

--- Laurie

 

[Imdanny]

Laurie, you flatter me! I don't care about the blue box (I mean for real, if I wanted to buy a box, I'd buy Cartier's red one, at least it's not a piece of cardboard). And I know my mother sure could care less about it.

Ok, you (plural) have talked me out if. $150 for material? I think that's being generous.

 

[Imdanny]

I've fallen in love with Tiffany pieces more times than I can count. I have usually just gone ahead and purchased them. Sometimes, even though you know you could get the piece somewhere else and for less money, you just decide to do it, you know? If it's calling to you, it's calling to you. However, if $1,000 is more than you want to pay, there are obviously other options to get a very similar pair of earrings for your mother.

I do like some of their pieces, certain things at various price points. For instance, they have a platinum, diamonds, and sapphire eyes dragonfly brooch that's available in two sizes, for $4,000 and $8,000. If money were not object, I wouldn't feel the least bit badly about spending $4,000 for it. Some of Paloma Picasso's Marrakesh pieces, I feel the same way about. And various other random things. These earring, though, are more than I want to pay for what they are, truth be told. Thanks for your post!

 

[Imdanny]

Well, considering it's about $150 worth of material, it should be easy to talk you out of it! Have you seen these in RL? I have, they are tiny, like 7mm square. Also, the quality on the Tiffany stones really varies from piece to piece. I saw an assortment of them in 2 different stores (incl NYC) and really tried to pick out a large amethyst ring. The stones were zoned, some were so pale it was ridiculous, and some had nasty inclusions. Couldn't find a decent one that matched the catalog pics! I finally ended up getting a square cab on ebay for $5, it's fab, and I will ask DanielM to set it. I think in silver it will be less than $100 for a pendant. He has some nice stuff and can set some chalcedony for you,

http://www.etsy.com/shop/danielmjewelry

What about some REAL luxury for that price? Us older ladies generally know about golden south seas pearls, and the kind of money/rarity they represent. I've purchased a strand from Jose, and it appraised at 4X what I paid for it (solid, retail price appraisal, not insurance). He has some fabulous earrings, I like these and suggest you go for the AAA:

http://www.tahitianpearls.biz/golden-south-sea-pearl-earrings/golden_south_sea_cultured_pearl_earrings_geac.htm

Not crazy about the pave on these, but I like the jacket concept. He has stuff that's not on the website, so a phone call would help:
http://www.tahitianpearls.biz/golden-south-sea-pearl-earrings/diamond_earring_jackets_and_golden_south_sea_pearl_earrings_gewj.htm

He has black pearls (Tahitians):
http://www.tahitianpearls.biz/tahitian-pearl-earrings/bow_tahitian_pearl_earrings_teab.htm

If you have to have the green earrings, here's the cabs, under $8 each: http://www.etsy.com/listing/60982462/semi-precious-cabochons-chalcedony-green Send them to Daniel, all done, under $100 I bet.

Then you'll have money left over for pearls!

You're a good son, that's really very sweet of you to do something so nice for your mom. Could you please give some lessons to my DS?

Thank you so much for these links! I'll definitely spend some time looking over them.

As far as your son, well, to be honest, he's probably younger than me. Give him time! He'll come around to seeing life more your way. I'm sure of it! Hugs.

 

[Matata]

These are sold but if you like them or want something similar, perhaps the vendor can help.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/39834905/chrysoprase-earrings-with-sterling

 

[Imdanny]

Thanks! Those stones are very nice. I've bookmarked it. Wow, I can't believe I would even consider spending $1,000 for something like this.

 

[JewelFreak]

Agree, Danny, that some of their stuff is very nice -- there was a series of Paloma Picasso things, necklace, earrings, etc., when I worked there, don't know if they still have them, but they were various semi-precious cabochons in interesting color combinations, bezel set in gold. I really liked them but even then I thought the price was silly for what you got. I love their Victoria line too. And some of the individual pieces. If I were gonna buy Tiff nowadays I think I'd look at estate or auction sites where you can find the good old quality.

--- Laurie

 

[Imdanny]

Laurie, I believe you're talking about something similar to this:

http://www.tiffany.com/Shopping/Item.aspx?fromGrid=1&sku=16811319&mcat=148206&cid=288189&search_params=s+5-p+7-c+288189-r+101287466-x+-n+6-ri+-ni+0-t+

I'm sorry to hear they don't spend money on salespeople. That doesn't do anything to endear them to me.

 

[piggies]

ugh, as someone who notoriously loves Tiffany, even I have my limits. glad the others talked you out of it. and i absolutely agree with jewelfreak, there are a lot of other beautiful choices that give more bang for the buck.

 

[Imdanny]

Thanks, piggies.

 

[davi_el_mejor]

Barry's newsletter hinted at a set of Chrysoprase earrings coming into his shop tomorrow. You may want to check him out.

 

[Imdanny]

Thanks, davi_el_mejor.

 

[jstarfireb]

Yup, get her these instead! A tiny fraction of the price, and you get the pendant too.
http://www.acstones.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=141&idproduct=3545

 

[movie zombie]

you are not only paying for the tiffany branding....there is the fact it is a Paloma design which adds the bucks to otherwise small albeit elegant design. while lovely, not worth the $ in my book.

MoZo

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Some lovely chrysoprase here! (green tho...) heehehee

cheers--Sharon

 

[Imdanny]

No, not worth the $! I'm convinced.

The trick is to get stones that have the quality I'm looking for. And that won't cost close to what these earrings cost.

Not even close.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Some lovely chrysoprase here! (green tho...) heehehee

cheers--Sharon

HI:

My link to Irene Neuwirth Jewelery was lost. Really gorgeous chrysoprase pieces!

cheers--Sharon

 

[Imdanny]

Thanks, Sharon! I'll check it out.

 

[Imdanny]

Wow, some nice things!

 

[Niclaire]

Thanks for sharing.....