Best pieces to start a luxury jewelery collection with?
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Although I am nearing middle age, I have only been building my wardrobe only the past 8 years. The first thing I would say is take your time. What I discovered was that it takes me a while to figure out how I feel about a piece, after I've bought it. It can take me a few months to a few years, to see how I wear it and how I feel about it. And one piece can change the direction of my next piece. So I can plan, and then the plan can completely change. Stay true to yourself and how you feel. And have fun!
So much great advice on this thread! I'm just starting to build my fine jewellery collection myself, but I've known what I like for a while, which helps me now I can start to buy the pieces I've wanted.
I agree that Tiffany's DBTY collection is a great start (I got a pre-loved pair of the smallest SS diamond studs in that collection from TheRealReal). I'd also recommend looking outside the big name brands, too. For example, one of my favourite brands is Pyrrha, which makes jewellery modelled after classic heraldry. It's a great way of finding personalized jewellery that makes a statement but can be worn daily.
When I started looking for gold pieces (having only been able to afford silver previously), I started building my gold jewellery wardrobe with pieces from Mejuri. I don't recommend vermeil (I'd rather have a handful of pieces that won't tarnish, as opposed to a trendy piece that will look good for a limited period). However, I think their stacking rings are absolutely beautiful and really affordable.
If I could also ask you ladies for advice, I'm considering buying Mejuri's tennis bracelet but am waffling over whether to take the plunge. I've always wanted a tennis bracelet (when I was much younger, I spent over a year saving up for the Swarovski version). The Mejuri bracelet has about one carat of diamonds, SI clarity, GH colour. I don't mind that it would be small, as I really enjoy dainty jewellery. It's currently on sale with their Black Friday sale, but it's still a lot of money! Any thoughts on how you go about buying an "investment" piece, and whether the Mejuri bracelet strikes you as a good choice? Thanks in advance!
I agree that Tiffany's DBTY collection is a great start (I got a pre-loved pair of the smallest SS diamond studs in that collection from TheRealReal). I'd also recommend looking outside the big name brands, too. For example, one of my favourite brands is Pyrrha, which makes jewellery modelled after classic heraldry. It's a great way of finding personalized jewellery that makes a statement but can be worn daily.
When I started looking for gold pieces (having only been able to afford silver previously), I started building my gold jewellery wardrobe with pieces from Mejuri. I don't recommend vermeil (I'd rather have a handful of pieces that won't tarnish, as opposed to a trendy piece that will look good for a limited period). However, I think their stacking rings are absolutely beautiful and really affordable.
If I could also ask you ladies for advice, I'm considering buying Mejuri's tennis bracelet but am waffling over whether to take the plunge. I've always wanted a tennis bracelet (when I was much younger, I spent over a year saving up for the Swarovski version). The Mejuri bracelet has about one carat of diamonds, SI clarity, GH colour. I don't mind that it would be small, as I really enjoy dainty jewellery. It's currently on sale with their Black Friday sale, but it's still a lot of money! Any thoughts on how you go about buying an "investment" piece, and whether the Mejuri bracelet strikes you as a good choice? Thanks in advance!
Does anyone have any recommendations for "edgier" fine jewelry? I know they are basics and classics, but diamond studs, tennis bracelets, and pearls just aren't my style. I waited for many, many years to "grow up" a little before I started really investing in fine jewelry but those classics still don't appeal to me or suit my style and I don't think they will even when I get even older.
I am open to anything except earrings.
I am open to anything except earrings.
If you want more classic edgier styles I think Cartier is great for that, although quite popular. Their JUC line is cool and fun. I discovered Bridget King last year, small designer sold through her website or Neimans. Gothish cool is how I would describe it. Lana is 70s glam yet modern and sleek. I find it a little youthful for me but her hoops are classic. Sydney Evans veers on the cute side but a few pieces can be cool. Hope this helps.
I really like the JUC line and have been considering one in addition to the Ecrou de Cartier bracelet. I am also very excited to look into Bridget King. This helps a lot, thank you!
Agree that Cartier JUC is classic and also on the edgier side, and Clash or maybe Panthere line. I feel that Tiffany Hardware line, Bulgari bzero1 and Boucheron Quatre rings are along those lines. David Yurman has a wide selection. I heard that Chrome Hearts also does gold jewelry.
You should start with pieces that fill a gap in your jewelry needs. Do you need evening pieces or do you want to start with pieces you’d like to wear a lot. Say you would like easy to wear earrings…to me smallish huggie type hoops are great for that either just gold or with diamonds. Then search for a pair of huggies that YOU love…not something that everyone says you need to buy. Don’t just buy the big name brands because you’re worried about resale…if you buy what you love without being too trendy then you won’t want to sell the pieces.
Thank you
this year I bought a diamond pendant and a vintage Chanel watch, and I had an aquamarine ring reset as a pendant. Very happy with that
I’m looking for pieces to wear daily, at work, at home and to go to a restaurant. Nothing too flashy but things I would love.
Next I’d like to get gold or diamond earrings made by a local jeweller I trust. But I need to find a design I will really enjoy.
I’d also love a gold bracelet but I’m not sure what. We see Love and JUC a lot and I would want to be sure I love them before making that kind of purchase...
and I’ve started looking for a nice gold ring, tried the coco crush one, which is lovely, but I still want to try others...
I was fortunate to decide early on to buy fine jewelry in my late 20s. Especially with how many people, and Youtubers, speak of wishing they didn't buy so much costume jewelry and wishing they invested more into fine jewelry earlier on.
Not exactly sure why I went for fine jewelry when I was younger. I suppose, I am a lazy person who enjoys convenience.
And being able to wear the same jewelry consistently, without having to take it off, I did not want to worry about jewelry getting tarnished over time.
Oh, and the sparkle of a beautifully cut precious gemstone really cannot compare haha.
My fine jewelry is mainly focused on bracelets, rings, and necklaces.
I am hesitant on buying a lot of fine jewelry earrings. I have a few core pieces but I tend to lose earrings far more easily than other types of jewelry.
I remember when I got engaged, my mother bought me these beautiful diamond studs set in platinum. I love wearing them and I wear them almost every day. One day, when I was taking off my mask to eat, the string pulled off the back of one of the earrings. I did not even notice. Fortunately, the post of the earring was very long, so the diamond stayed in my ear and I only lost the platinum back. But I was still pretty sad about it.
So for earrings, I do tend to go for gold plated jewelry with the thickest layer of gold, usually called "gold filled". (thinnest layer is called "gold plated", the next thicker layer is "gold vermeil", and the thickest is "gold filled")
For earrings, I really like to go to Etsy to shop!
There are many cute designs from small businesses and the prices are very very affordable.
Solid gold earrings on Etsy are also very affordable. But I try to go for 18K solid gold, since 14k gold color looks too light/bright to me. I like a deeper/richer gold shade.
Not exactly sure why I went for fine jewelry when I was younger. I suppose, I am a lazy person who enjoys convenience.
And being able to wear the same jewelry consistently, without having to take it off, I did not want to worry about jewelry getting tarnished over time. Oh, and the sparkle of a beautifully cut precious gemstone really cannot compare haha. My fine jewelry is mainly focused on bracelets, rings, and necklaces.
I am hesitant on buying a lot of fine jewelry earrings. I have a few core pieces but I tend to lose earrings far more easily than other types of jewelry.
I remember when I got engaged, my mother bought me these beautiful diamond studs set in platinum. I love wearing them and I wear them almost every day. One day, when I was taking off my mask to eat, the string pulled off the back of one of the earrings. I did not even notice. Fortunately, the post of the earring was very long, so the diamond stayed in my ear and I only lost the platinum back. But I was still pretty sad about it.
So for earrings, I do tend to go for gold plated jewelry with the thickest layer of gold, usually called "gold filled". (thinnest layer is called "gold plated", the next thicker layer is "gold vermeil", and the thickest is "gold filled")
For earrings, I really like to go to Etsy to shop!
There are many cute designs from small businesses and the prices are very very affordable.Solid gold earrings on Etsy are also very affordable. But I try to go for 18K solid gold, since 14k gold color looks too light/bright to me. I like a deeper/richer gold shade.
So many lost earrings since Covid!I was fortunate to decide early on to buy fine jewelry in my late 20s. Especially with how many people, and Youtubers, speak of wishing they didn't buy so much costume jewelry and wishing they invested more into fine jewelry earlier on.
Not exactly sure why I went for fine jewelry when I was younger. I suppose, I am a lazy person who enjoys convenience.
My fine jewelry is mainly focused on bracelets, rings, and necklaces.
I am hesitant on buying a lot of fine jewelry earrings. I have a few core pieces but I tend to lose earrings far more easily than other types of jewelry.
I remember when I got engaged, my mother bought me these beautiful diamond studs set in platinum. I love wearing them and I wear them almost every day. One day, when I was taking off my mask to eat, the string pulled off the back of one of the earrings. I did not even notice. Fortunately, the post of the earring was very long, so the diamond stayed in my ear and I only lost the platinum back. But I was still pretty sad about it.
So for earrings, I do tend to go for gold plated jewelry with the thickest layer of gold, usually called "gold filled". (thinnest layer is called "gold plated", the next thicker layer is "gold vermeil", and the thickest is "gold filled")
For earrings, I really like to go to Etsy to shop!
Solid gold earrings on Etsy are also very affordable. But I try to go for 18K solid gold, since 14k gold color looks too light/bright to me. I like a deeper/richer gold shade.
+1 with @lill_canele re Etsy. I’m so glad you didn’t lose the Diamond stud, although i also hate when I lose backs.
It depends on how you define edgy. some TPFers might find Stephen Webster, John Hardy, pomollato, or ippolita brand stuff edgy. on the higher end, David Webb, one of a kind stuff from Fred Leighton or Suzanne Belperron. Hermes punk line is somewhat edgy to some aesthetics, and Tiffany does some pieces in anodized steel?. Dior has some super pricy gothic romantic renaissance floral pieces. . . Jean despres for machine age jewelry (not sure what his period is — perhaps post deco?). Chrome hearts used to do modern motorcycle silver jewelry. There is also danish silver jewelry and other period pieces. I almost think you might find edgier pieces on Etsy (like some Victorian pieces); at Briony Raymond; or vintage art pieces. . . I’ve been interested in bergdorf goodmans vintage corner on the seventh floor Where I saw a really cool blue enamel snake bracelet that coiled and hinged with flat Diamonds adorning the head (Victorian). But it seemed to be priced high for what it was. . . .you could also customize almost anything baroque pearls, semi precious gems etc on leather, slick chain coils etc etc. Another TPFer mentioned Leen Hyne sp?). I personally find my sculptural figurative pendants by miguel borrocal are edgy (and well priced for mini artworks that you can wear). Quality and condition vary on eBay. Finally, I know this is the fine jewlery thread, but I also love some of Kenneth Jay Lane (who did inspired Verdura. For the masses pieces with the blessing of Verdura; some of that collectible bakelite; and some designer costume like Schiaparelli
Discovered Leen Heyne Fine Jewelry + REVEAL!
I did a quick search of tPF for Leen Heyne and didn’t see anything, so I’m very excited to introduce this fabulous designer from the Netherlands to you all! I discovered him on Instagram and have been drooling over his creations for a few years, and finally decided to invest in one. He works...
forum.purseblog.com
also Wempe has some unique designs, but their website is the worst.
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