Designer jewelry or non brand??? What's your preference and why?

[Gimmethebag]

I prefer branded jewelry. Not that it's a deal breaker or anything to worry about, but if given the choice I would always go for branded.

I have very specific taste and when I see a design that I want, I want the original design. There are always nuances or slight differences when smaller jewelers try to replicate a piece (makes sense since they have to make a unique mold) and I notice those differences.

Branded doesn't always mean the Big Companies in my book, either. There are lots of great smaller designers that make their own signed pieces. I don't buy jewelry very often, so when I do I want the entire package!

 

[beljwl]

both.. really depends on what it is

 

[onegirlcreative]

in my personal opinion (and please don't kill me here), i think paying for a piece of jewelry just because it has the tiffany name is outrageous. it's common knowledge that anything tiffany sells, is always a lot more money than if you were to go to your local jeweler. so you definitely get a lot more bang for your buck without a branded diamond (i.e. tiffany, cartier, etc.).

now, that being said, i do own a cartier love bracelet, so i guess my logic is out the window on that one.

however, when it comes to diamonds, i really like estate and antique jewelry. i recently became obsessed with anything and everything estate/antique. there's something about a piece of jewelry with a history that makes me intrigued.

 

[risingsun]

It depends upon the piece. When I wanted a "rolling ring," I got the Cartier Trinity. It's an iconic piece and a substitute wouldn't be the same--for me.

 

[AnutaNY]

If I had a choice I would always go for the brand jewelry. While I have many non-brand pieces I am noticing a big difference in quality and workmanship of the branded vs. non-branded. Also the re-sale value of branded jewelry tends to be higher as compared to the non-branded equivalent.
Having said that, I will agree with the majority of the people that for solitaire jewelry its much better to buy lose stones and have them set.
As far as antique jewelry goes—I love art-deco and Edwardian pieces, but the prices for the quality art-deco jewelry are pretty high and in many cases are comparable to the branded pieces.

 

[couturequeen]

I mix and match. For really simple pieces I typically go for the non brand. I like brand pieces for the design and quality. But when picking branded pieces I tend to prefer pieces that aren't too common. I hope to have some vintage and estate pieces one day.

 

[juicyincouture]

i like indie designer jewelry, vintage pieces, and ethnic. does designer costume jewelry count? like baubbles from chanel or cuffs from hermes? if so i totally dig those as a matter of fact i LOVE em count roberto cavalli in there. i also really like betsey johnson for quirky little charm bracelets and rings my sister collects her items. overall i like a really unique mix of stuff. i have not made it into the realm of cartier and bvlgari but for the record i like both lol. well i am only 20 years old but in due time. overall i like anything that is unique, bold, and has character.

 

[frick&frack]

I definitely prefer non-brand jewelry. I want my investment to be in the stones, not in a name or marketing campaign.

 

[Vintage Leather]

for me, this is a really difficult question. The easy answer is Both.
I love the price, and the unique designs that are inherent in non-branded jewelry. You can get some amazing quality pieces for phenominal prices. Let's face it - designer pieces have a HUGE markup.
But I don't have a local jeweler I trust - I've moved too much, and travel too much to develop a solid relationship. With branded jewelry, my local shop is just a few miles away, no matter where I am. I loose a John Hardy earring - I run into Nordies, they ship it off to Bali - two months later, I have a pair of earrings back. Every year, I drop Tiffanys with my diamond jewelry - it is cleaned, all the stones are checked.
Designer jewelry means that my local jeweler is in every city I visit/live in.

 

[daluu]

if i want a specific branded design, then anything else won't do for me. i am willing to pay more if that is the exact design that i want.

 

[Mimster]

I definitely prefer non-brand jewelry. I want my investment to be in the stones, not in a name or marketing campaign.

ITA All of my jeweleries are custom made or at least tweaked a little to my taste.

 

[megs0927]

both, but for substantial pieces, non-branded. I don't like paying a massive premium for a stamp
I can find equal quality or better for far better prices.

ITA with Swanky, whenever DH will upgrade my e-ring ring, we will go through a wholesaler.

I do like designer brands for a certain look though- i.e. David Yurman, Rolex, Tiffany.

I also have a lot of sentimental jewelry from my grandmother that are among my favorite pieces all of which are no names and that I wouldn't trade for the world.

 

[BelleofBaubles]

Can I add "what I like" as a preference?

I totally admit I'm a label junkie but I also feel like I'm very bipolar with my jewelry preferences. There are days when I wear my designer pieces and others when I embrace my inner "hippie" and don the local/vintage baubles.

As long as you like what you're in I think you're golden.

 

[tiffanysilver]

I would never rule out one over the other, but I wear mostly silver and as a man would never wear gemstones, so I have to say designer. I love the iconic design element as well as solid metal.

On the other hand, my girl will never get a T&CO. engagement ring. She's getting moissanite. I don't see the point of real diamonds as a compulsory bridal buy nor would I pay for the name unless she wanted a unique Cartier Maillon Panthere or Tiffany Schlumberger e-ring.

 

[stevenash]

It depends upon the piece. When I wanted a "rolling ring," I got the Cartier Trinity. It's an iconic piece and a substitute wouldn't be the same--for me.

Ditto. I have a Cartier Trinity ring. Likewise, I am lusting after a Cartier Love bracelet. A substitute would not work. Likewise, if I wanted a VCA Alhambra piece, I wouldn't want a replica.

For my e-ring, I have a non-branded piece, and that's exactly how I'd want it. Same for something like diamond solitaire earrings, a pendant, etc. Depends on the piece.