Question For Women - Any Locals BTW??

[Nader444m]

Hello! Let me start by saying that I am 20 years old and I have thing for buying fine jewelry and watches, and designer clothes and handbags for my girlfriend and mother. And if you are already wondering how I can afford it, well that is something you can ask me privately, lol.

First, the task of finding a forum for this type of discussion is a quest in itself. I went everywhere from Ivillage to Cosmopolitan and back and finally landed here. I live in Beverly Hills, California and I was wondering if there are any locals in Los Angeles familiar with the jewelry stores and luxury retailers here in the Westside of LA. If so, I would love to collaborate with you on help choosing a gift.

If you are not local, please feel free to help. I have a birthday coming up and I need some ideas on what to buy her. Jewelry is my #1 preference but I'm looking to do a mix of a few luxuries. I need some friendly female advice, I'm afraid of giving the "same old" feeling when I give her a gift.

Thanks for all your help and I look forward to discussing!!!

-Nader

[Jeneen]

Any brands/styles she is interested in? Small delicate pieces or chunky and funky? What are her tastes? Where would you like her to wear it? Special occasions or everyday?

Fill us in!

[Hokaplan]

I just had a sense that you are an actress because where you live and shop! Anyway, I love Cartier. They have some magnificent pieces. My mom lives near you so I can ask her about specific stores.

[Nader444m]

Originally Posted by Hokaplan

I just had a sense that you are an actress because where you live and shop! Anyway, I love Cartier. They have some magnificent pieces. My mom lives near you so I can ask her about specific stores.

Actress? I'm a boy, lol. Do I really sound that girly, I hope not. Anyway, I love Cartier too. I bought a trinity ring for myself a couple years ago (a MEN'S ring, lol) and I wear it sometimes.

As for my girlfriend, the only thing I have ever bought her from Cartier is a 18k Rose Gold Orchid Ring, not the pave, but the one with the two small round diamonds on each petal. Still quite expensive at just over $3,000. While Cartier is uber chic, I sometimes find it a little modern for my taste, Idk. Thanks for offering help from your mom!

[Nader444m]

Originally Posted by Jeneen

Any brands/styles she is interested in? Small delicate pieces or chunky and funky? What are her tastes? Where would you like her to wear it? Special occasions or everyday? Fill us in!

She likes Chanel, Dior, Gucci and LV for handbags. As for jewelry its very broad. Everything from antique to contemporary and in between. For clothing it also varies, mostly Armani Collezioni. Definitely classic chic and delicate. No funky or chunky whatsoever. She likes versatile clothing, but I tend to chose ultra dressy clothing.

Most people find it odd that a 20 year old guy likes his girlfriend to wear very dressy clothes. I don't know why, but I just find women in a well-tailored suit and high-end dress clothes and Manolo heels very attractive.

[sjunky13]

Originally Posted by Nader444m

She likes Chanel, Dior, Gucci and LV for handbags. As for jewelry its very broad. Everything from antique to contemporary and in between. For clothing it also varies, mostly Armani Collezioni. Definitely classic chic and delicate. No funky or chunky whatsoever. She likes versatile clothing, but I tend to chose ultra dressy clothing. Most people find it odd that a 20 year old guy likes his girlfriend to wear very dressy clothes. I don't know why, but I just find women in a well-tailored suit and high-end dress clothes and Manolo heels very attractive.

Too bad your not single. JK! . I love Ipolitta peices. I love the gemstone bangles. You seem to like a classic look, what about Miki Moto pearls? You can get her Tahitian pearls, they are gorgeous!

[Nader444m]

Originally Posted by sjunky13

Too bad your not single. JK! . I love Ipolitta peices. I love the gemstone bangles. You seem to like a classic look, what about Miki Moto pearls? You can get her Tahitian pearls, they are gorgeous!

Ipolitta......yes, I have seen in Neiman Marcus Beverly Hills. I liked an onyx ring I saw and it was priced okay at $1,250, but I don't know if she would like it or not. I guess its worth a shot, it must be popular.

Let's discuss a Mikimoto purchase I made in August of '07 in private once, lol. I have been told its one of my worst purchases ever, lol. I beg to differ, but that's what I have been told. Maybe I can send you a picture of the earrings I bought once and you can comment on what you think.

They were a pair of earrings from the vintage dynasty collection, very dressy and elegant but you could only wear them to a special night time event. They were drop chandelier earrings. Hard to describe, but that is to give you an idea. Anyway, they cost $8,500 and then a family friend who owns a jewelry store on Beverly Drive said they have an actual value of around $1,200 if you don't consider the Mikimoto hike. But what does he know, pearls are classic chic.....I still love pearls on a woman, especially if she knows how to wear them. If the pearl market sucks, it doesn't mean they aren't wow gifts.

Although the Mikimoto store in Beverly Hills is kind of cold and oddly shaped. Rectangular on the corner of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel......and never a single person inside of that store, at least not when I was shopping.

Oh and the comment about me being single was flattering, thank you. lol.

[sjunky13]

If $$ was of no object,Van Cleef has beautiful classic yet modern jewelry. I love Ipolitta peices, over priced as well. MM , you are paying for the name. I just got a great pair of dangling earrings and they were priced well at 1695. The pearls in motion line is very ingenious. Do a search on here for Ippolita, MM, Van cleef. You will see beautiful pics.

[Nader444m]

Originally Posted by sjunky13

If $$ was of no object,Van Cleef has beautiful classic yet modern jewelry. I love Ipolitta peices, over priced as well. MM , you are paying for the name. I just got a great pair of dangling earrings and they were priced well at 1695. The pearls in motion line is very ingenious. Do a search on here for Ippolita, MM, Van cleef. You will see beautiful pics.

Van Cleef and Arpels is very beautiful. I saw a pair of flower earrings a few months ago that were priced at just above $4500 and they were lovely. They would look stunning on her and accent her face beautifully.

I just have one problem with Van Cleef. The store in Beverly Hills has all French employees with very heavy French accents and most of the time when I ask questions about carat weight and what not, I pretend to understand what they are saying, but half of the time I cannot make out what the heck they are saying. Might as well speak French, geez. lol.

[Hokaplan]

You sound very nice. Sorry I mistook you for a female. I forget how many guys are on here. Was my assumption about being in the entertainment industry correct - just curious. Do you like the designer, Damian? (not sure of spelling). My mom went to Vegas for a couple days. Let me think of some other suggestions.

[Hokaplan]

I think I meant Damiani. Also, what about Hermes? They have stunning bags, scarves, belts, and bracelets. I would love anything from there!

[Nader444m]

Originally Posted by Hokaplan

You sound very nice. Sorry I mistook you for a female. I forget how many guys are on here. Was my assumption about being in the entertainment industry correct - just curious. Do you like the designer, Damian? (not sure of spelling). My mom went to Vegas for a couple days. Let me think of some other suggestions.

Damiani, yes I have seen. Beautiful yes, but not too crazy about it. Isn't Sharon Stone the face for the line? No, I'm not remotely in the entertainment industry. Let me give you a hint: Think suit and tie......and politics, lol.

And yes I am very friendly.

[Nader444m]

Originally Posted by Hokaplan

I think I meant Damiani. Also, what about Hermes? They have stunning bags, scarves, belts, and bracelets. I would love anything from there!

A woman wearing Hermes is always going to turn my head around for a second look when she passes by.

[Hokaplan]

OMG - are you related to Ralph Nader? I love Cartier. They have a bunch of brand new pieces just launched for their Centennial. I would be ecstatic if I received one as a gift!

[Royal]

If you're looking for fine jewels, I'd go to Harry Winston on Rodeo Drive, or to Cartier. But for more casual looks, there are some beautiful pieces at Barney's and at Sak's, as well as at Nieman's, all on Wilshire near Rodeo.