Best Jewelry Decisions You've Ever Made?

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#151
DeepSubmerge said:
BTW, regarding diamonds, is a GIA-certification the best assurance of getting great stones? Of course taking into consideration the 4 Cs an all that. :biggrin:
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It is the most standardized and accepted grading system by far. There may be a few other labs that can be reliable but for a major stone purchase I would only want GIA certification.
 
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#153
No branded costume jewelry like Chanel or Dior no matter how tempting. No more earrings except diamond stud upgrades. I only wear studs so to spend on other earrings is pointless. Knowing what direction I want my collection to go in and plan accordingly. I prefer bracelets so that’s were I devote my efforts. Collecting nice jewelry takes time and mistakes are costly.
 
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#154
One of the best decisions I made was to get this tennis bracelet fixed to remove all the nickel on the clasp tab so I could wear it. I thought I could never get another tennis bracelet, but they repaired it and now I have one and I LOVE IT!!! BEST JEWELRY DECISION THIS YEAR!!
 
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#158
sophiegray said:
Thank you all!

How about pearls? Are mikimoto’s jewelry really top quality or we are just paying for the brand? Apologies, really doesn’t know much about jewelry
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adding to what Cecchetti said about them being a good standard but it being possible to get better pricing for the same quality elsewhere, I think there's a distinction to be made between their simpler designs (eg. strands and studs) and the more complicated ones.

If you like a mikimoto piece that has multiple pieces of pearls - especially of different sizes - I would encourage you to get it because it's actually harder (though not impossible) to find from another supplier. They'd have to make sure that the pearls all have the same lustre, body colour and tone, which is probably less worth their while to do then to just make strands and earring pairs. Mikimoto reportedly has a huge inventory of akoya, other vendors probably have less.

Even pearl wholesalers have told me before that they couldn't make a second piece of something I bought from them because it's difficult to match things and not worth their while
 
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#159
So much great advice. Here's my two cents. Someone else already mentioned this, but I would reiterate think of your collection as a whole. Consider how the collection serves different function/occasions and how different pieces are worn together. I use a picture folder where I add pieces for a master collection called 'my jewelry box'. It has pictures of pieces I'm interested in purchasing and I change out the pictures as different things inspire me. It helps me to visualize the collection as a whole and how different pieces work together. It can clarify what the overall direction is and where you have gaps in terms of needs. I can tell which pieces I go back and forth on because I take them in/out of the folder, and which ones have been in the folder for the longest. Some pictures in this folder have been in there for years, so I know I haven't tired of them yet and they will probably be a good purchase. All other inspiration lives on Pinterest of which I have amassed thousands of pictures. I can collect pictures of whatever I'm obsessed with there and I add one picture to 'my jewelry box'. When I'm over it or my tastes change I can remove it from the picture folder. I'm sure this has saved me thousands because I have exercised in my mind what it's like to own something over time. I take this process for custom made pieces as well by adding removing different iterations of a design/idea or my bag collection/ wardrobe.

Having said all that, your taste in jewelry will change over the decades. As you look at more jewelry, over time your taste will evolve. My taste and needs when I was in my twenties were different than now in middle age. I was drawn to more simple, delicate and 'classic' pieces, but these days those pieces would get lost on my now bigger frame and are boring to my eye and fiddly to handle. My personal taste has evolved and I'm more interested in custom, bolder and more colorful pieces. I'm also more confident and care less of what others think if I personally love it.

BTW, the 'jewely box' is still evolving and I don't have anywhere near most of the things on the list. Maybe, I'll get to 'content' before my time is up, but I accept that I may never get there and should enjoy the process.
 
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#161
Wear your jewelry. Enjoy it. If you no longer love it, sell it and use the funds for something you do love — and don’t be afraid to admit to yourself that your tastes have evolved. I had some 18k Tiffany pieces sitting around for sentimental reasons and they just funded a gorgeous lilac tourmaline pendant. I‘ll remember those pieces fondly but I’m going to enjoy my new piece much more.
 
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#162
These are my biggest lessons:

When buying jewelry, there are several factors to consider to ensure you're getting a good quality piece that's worth your investment. Here are the top three things to look out for:

  1. Material and Purity:
    • Gold: If you're buying gold jewelry, check for its karat (often denoted as 'K'). 24K is pure gold, but it's soft and can be prone to bending or scratching. 18K, 14K, and 10K gold have varying amounts of other metals mixed in, making them harder and more durable. The color of the gold (yellow, white, rose) can also give clues about its alloy composition.
    • Silver: Look for markings like "925" or "sterling" which indicate that the piece is made of 92.5% pure silver, known as sterling silver. Anything less might tarnish easily.
    • Gemstones: If you're buying gemstone jewelry, research the specific stone's characteristics. Some gemstones, like diamonds, have grading systems based on their clarity, cut, color, and carat weight.
  2. Craftsmanship and Design:
    • Examine the piece closely for any signs of poor workmanship such as loose gemstones, uneven settings, or visible glue.
    • Check the clasps, prongs, and settings to ensure they are secure.
    • Consider the design and style of the jewelry. Is it timeless, or is it trendy? Depending on your preference, you might opt for classic designs that won't go out of style or more contemporary pieces that are in vogue.
  3. Reputation and Certification:
    • Reputation: Buy from reputable jewelers or stores. Check for reviews or ask for recommendations. Established jewelers often have a reputation to uphold and are less likely to sell subpar products.
    • Certification: Especially for high-value items like diamonds, it's essential to get a certification from recognized gemological institutes. This certificate will provide details about the gemstone's cut, clarity, color, and carat weight. It's an assurance of the gem's authenticity and quality.
In addition to these three main points, it's also a good idea to understand the return and exchange policy of the place you're buying from, in case you change your mind or find any issues with the piece after purchase.
 
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#165
What an interesting thread! My best jewellery decision was to get into colour theory and understanding which metals suit me best. For years I was wearing only gold because I guess it was more in fashion and that's what I saw everywhere - I didn't even stop to think if it's flattering on my skin. However, as a muted soft summer type I look much more harmonious and radiant in silver! Shiny yellow gold is way too warm and overpowering on me.

It now looks so obvious and natural to me that I should wear silver, but somehow I was blindly stuck with gold for years.
 
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