Diamonds or Gold?

[Gimmethebag]

My husband and I are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary. I would like something nice that feels substantial, but our biggest priority is remodeling our home. So, I think I am comfortable spending between $5-8K and that's a hard cap.

I am debating whether to go with a new gold item, likely a bracelet, from Cartier or whether to go pre-owned and get the best diamond tennis bracelet I can afford in our budget. I also found a jeweler in NYC with great prices on smaller (like 2CTW) tennis bracelets and tennis necklaces. I could get a petite set within our budget too. But, I feel like I could get a smaller tennis bracelet or necklace independently for a less important occasion like the holidays.

My everyday jewelry: a rose gold Cartier baby love bracelet; Cartier trinity necklace with a diamond, Cartier trinity ring
Usually worn with: Tiffany three-stone engagement ring, a pink diamond in rose gold eternity band, diamond inside-out hoops

I have my own pros and cons I am weighing, but I would love some insight from those who have purchased one or the other (or ideally, both) and why you chose what you chose.

 

[FunBagz]

Congrats on 10 years! You can get a nice sized tennis bracelet new in that price range. ID Jewelry in NYC (very reputable with reasonable prices) has a 7.5ctw tennis bracelet for $7,500. I have a 5ctw tennis bracelet from them and it is stunning. They also do custom work at reasonable prices if you don't see something you like. GLD!

 

[880]

If you want a regular sized Cartier love, then that’s what you should get. IMO, you can always get a tennis bracelet in any price range you desire. (I use James &. co. jewelers in NY for diamonds and other gems). But, I wouldn’t get a smaller tennis bracelet and necklace bc I think jewelry shrinks as we get older.

@Gimmethebag, I changed my mind based on your post below! the panther! But, TPF tends to really adore cartier and VCA, so I think the vote skews heavily that way.

 

[Gimmethebag]

If you want a regular sized Cartier love, then that’s what you should get. IMO, you can always get a tennis bracelet in any price range you desire. (I use James &. co. jewelers in NY for diamonds and other gems). But, I wouldn’t get a smaller tennis bracelet and necklace bc I think jewelry shrinks as we get older.

I have an open mind and was thinking that if I decide to go for gold, I would let my husband help pick out the final choice.

I know my husband likes the Love bracelets and I can see him liking the regular one or the smaller one with diamonds. I also like the JUC (also curious about the smaller JUC with diamonds)... and plot twist, I also really like the new Panther bracelets that just came out too.

 

[missie1]

Congratulations on your anniversary. I would go with classic love bracelet. You can always add tennis bracelet later and I prefer substantial tennis bracelets as I feel they have more presence. Ant wait to see what you decide

 

[Gimmethebag]

Congratulations on your anniversary. I would go with classic love bracelet. You can always add tennis bracelet later and I prefer substantial tennis bracelets as I feel they have more presence. Ant wait to see what you decide

We still have some time to decide. My husband thought we would go to Cartier on our anniversary, but our local one is appointment-only... and they’re booked for the next two weeks!

I am leaning towards gold... we also discussed stretching our budget just a little bit for the Bvlgari serpent bracelet in gold.

My husband wants to spend the money on something I will wear all the time. I haven’t ruled out a tennis bracelet at all, but one of the concerns I have is that we have a temporary spike in crime in Chicago at the moment. Even though it is as or more expensive, gold doesn’t seem as flashy on the street as sparkly diamonds.

 

[limom]

Love the Bulgari.
Timeless design and less common than the loves.
Do you have an affinity for snakes?

 

[Gimmethebag]

Love the Bulgari.
Timeless design and less common than the loves.
Do you have an affinity for snakes?

I have an affinity for aggressive animals lol. I dig the serpent for sure.

My MIL loves the Cartier panther bangle for me too because my husband likes to buy me stuff with tigers and leopard print. I sound like I dress like Carol Baskin...

 

[Onebagtoomany]

All beautiful choices but my vote is for the Cartier Love. For people who aren’t into fine jewellery/brands (most people, based on my personal experience) it flies under the radar and isn’t as flashy as a tennis bracelet if you are worried about attracting the wrong sort of attention. Plus, the price will only ever go up so it is better to buy it sooner rather than later if it is on your long-term wishlist. You could always add a tennis bracelet later and if you are happy to buy preowned you could get something really outstanding in terms or size/specs for your budget.

 

[limom]

I have an affinity for aggressive animals lol. I dig the serpent for sure.

My MIL loves the Cartier panther bangle for me too because my husband likes to buy me stuff with tigers and leopard print. I sound like I dress like Carol Baskin...

The new panther design is kinda cool and less common than the loves.
I swear every body has a love(real or fake???)

here it is:

Although, as onebagtoomany pointed out the loves have better resale value.
No wrong choice really. Please update with your choice.

 

[erinrose]

Congrats on your 10 years! Personally l would get the tennis bracelet and necklace. l have cartier love bangles and tennis bracelets and l just love sparkle and how much more you get for your money with non designer tennis bracelets. l have tennis bracelets from 1 caret to 3 carets and they work amazing worn everyday and stacked. Not into bigger tennis bracelets, l just feel they look way to dressy and l want to wear my jewlery all the time. lt wont show scratches the way the love will either. So my vote is for the tennis bracelet and or necklace.

 

[Gimmethebag]

The new panther design is kinda cool and less common than the loves.
I swear every body has a love(real or fake???)

here it is:
View attachment 5099008
Although, as onebagtoomany pointed out the loves have better resale value.
No wrong choice really. Please update with your choice.

So we went to our appointment today and tried on a lot of options!

I love the idea of the Panther bangle and my husband and I both liked the smaller JUC with diamonds, but in the end, I wasn’t comfortable with a bendable bracelet for every day wear. I just don’t know how it’s going to wear long term and money aside, this is a sentimental piece long-term for me.

My husband surprised me in that he didn’t actually like the full size Love bangle on me! He did like the JUC but also thought that the full size looked more like a statement piece on me than an everyday accessory.
So…

 

[limom]

Gorg. Best of both world

 

[skyqueen]

So we went to our appointment today and tried on a lot of options!

I love the idea of the Panther bangle and my husband and I both liked the smaller JUC with diamonds, but in the end, I wasn’t comfortable with a bendable bracelet for every day wear. I just don’t know how it’s going to wear long term and money aside, this is a sentimental piece long-term for me.

My husband surprised me in that he didn’t actually like the full size Love bangle on me! He did like the JUC but also thought that the full size looked more like a statement piece on me than an everyday accessory.
So…

Gorg. Best of both world

I agree with limom! Goes great with your wedding set rings, too!!!

 

[Gimmethebag]

I agree with limom! Goes great with your wedding set rings, too!!!

I'm happy with the small love with six diamonds. It's a great everyday piece with a touch of sparkle.