Help! My first luxury jewelry item! Cartier/Tiffany/VCA??

[lill_canele]

Hi daisy913, thank you so much for taking time to help!
As for your first point, I actually live in a country where local/private jewelers are almost as expensive as the luxury brands such as Cartier, Tiffany's etc. The price difference is really insignificant and an item from a well known brand hold its value better than a private jeweler - so from the value point of view, I really prefer a luxury brand.

What you said about Tiffany - I agree. I just think the price does not justify its quality. They have really nice designs however. But you're right, I prefer much more a Cartier piece tbh. As for the price point, I've put every month a bit on the side for buying a (luxury) jewelry I do plan my finances carefully and have already some investment plans. As I have achieved a "milestone" in life (masters degree), I just want something nice to treat myself
My job will be fully in an office in front of a computer. It will be entirely inside a building/office. I don't want something that is outstanding and chunky. It should be something nice, that fits both in an office AND a nice evening out. I would say as a first luxury item I would prefer a necklace, ring or eventually a bracelet over earrings.

Just fyi, what I do like about Tiffany DBTY necklaces is that they will give you the GIA diamond clarity, which Cartier does not. And they have more variety of carat sizes to choose from.
My Tiffany DBTY is 0.24 carat with VS1 clarity. It does poke me occasionally from time to time but not to the point that I can’t stand it. I absolutely love the sparkle.

I too sit in an office most of the time and I will say, what attracts attention the most is probably something on the hands, since that it was most people will see when passing by (looking down at your sitting area/keyboard) or sitting next to you. I do wear a decent amount of rings and I do get attention but at this point in my life (and position lol) I don’t care what people think.
Bracelets and watches attract some attention too, but I usually wear long sleeves (offices are freezing lol) so most people don’t notice.

A necklace sounds nice, as long as you know that your hair won’t get tangled in it, or if you wear a scarf or something, just be aware that the necklace is there so that it does not pull. Especially for dainty chains.

I like where you’re going with the versatility! Good to keep that in mind. Good luck!

 

[NLVOEWITHLV]

It sounds like you really like the idea of a diamond station necklace, and I think this would a great classic 24/7 forever piece. But I’d strongly suggest you not focus on Cartier or Tiffany for such a piece.

Bluenile and James Allen both offer build-your-own diamond bezel-set pendants, and for less than $1000 you can get a 1/4 carat or even bigger, rather than the measly stones offered by Cartier. For this style, no one will know what brand it is...it’s all about the stone itself!

Then if you want to get a brand piece, you can get something like a Love ring or VCA Alhambra piece, something that is classic and synonymous with the brand.

I was going to suggest Janes Allen as well. A classic diamond pendant will represent the accomplishment and last you a lifetime! Good luck deciding.

 

[NLVOEWITHLV]

Hey vinotastic, thanks for the reply! Many of you suggested the option of going to a jeweler. The thing is, I live in a country where a private jeweler is almost as expensive as e.g. Cartier. The price difference is really insignificant (for similar pieces) and in this case its just more worth it to get a "big name" brand instead to someone private, since I can't save that much money from going to a jeweler. Also, local jewelry stores are almost as expensive as big name brands here (really almost no difference, sometimes their pieces are even more expensive). I think getting a diamond from blue nile or similar would just be as expensive as a big name brand in where I live (taxes+private jeweler for setting the sone). So I am afraid thats not really a considerable option in my case.

Where do you live? That’s so wild, I’ve never heard of local jewelers or even jewelry stores pricing similar items as high as luxury stores such as Cartier and Tiffany’s.

 

[ugaugauga]

Where do you live? That’s so wild, I’ve never heard of local jewelers or even jewelry stores pricing similar items as high as luxury stores such as Cartier and Tiffany’s.

Hi! Sorry I have seen your reply just now. apologies!
I live in a small country in the middle of Europe And yes here the local jewelers are on almost the same price level as luxury brands (difference is really insignificant, so I'd rather pay a small addition and have a "big brand")

 

[ugaugauga]

Just wanted to thank you all for your help and input. To keep you updated (in case anyone is wondering), I have now bought a DBTY .17 in RG as my second piece and love it! Now I am looking for a third piece to add to my (very small) collection. It's going to be either a bracelet or a ring. Current status: no ring, no bracelet. But I do wear a watch everyday.

I am thorn between the following. They are all approx. the same price so this point can be taken out of consideration:

- VCA sweet alhambra bracelet: Love it since it just adds a pop of color. And I don't have a VCA piece yet
- Cartier DLDC bracelet in RG (probably the 0.09 size): beautiful versatile everyday piece, can wear it while showering and so on.
- Cartier JUC ring: love the edgy design, would fit with my JUC upper cartilage ring
- Cartier love ring/wedding band: classic piece
- Tiffany (small) double T ring, preferably with diamonds: Beautiful, especially with the diamonds. But it is a little bit more expensive than the others

I agree with @lill_canele that a ring is more flashy so I don't know about that. But a bracelet is a bit too "less" flashy in winter days imo. What do you think about that?

 

[lill_canele]

Just wanted to thank you all for your help and input. To keep you updated (in case anyone is wondering), I have now bought a DBTY .17 in RG as my second piece and love it! Now I am looking for a third piece to add to my (very small) collection. It's going to be either a bracelet or a ring. Current status: no ring, no bracelet. But I do wear a watch everyday.

I am thorn between the following. They are all approx. the same price so this point can be taken out of consideration:

- VCA sweet alhambra bracelet: Love it since it just adds a pop of color. And I don't have a VCA piece yet
- Cartier DLDC bracelet in RG (probably the 0.09 size): beautiful versatile everyday piece, can wear it while showering and so on.
- Cartier JUC ring: love the edgy design, would fit with my JUC upper cartilage ring
- Cartier love ring/wedding band: classic piece
- Tiffany (small) double T ring, preferably with diamonds: Beautiful, especially with the diamonds. But it is a little bit more expensive than the others

I agree with @lill_canele that a ring is more flashy so I don't know about that. But a bracelet is a bit too "less" flashy in winter days imo. What do you think about that?

Here are some thoughts:

- VCA sweet alhambra bracelet: A definite classic for sure, but they are known to be more delicate pieces so you’ll probably have to take it off when you shower. Are you okay with taking off and putting on jewelry relatively often?

- Cartier DLDC bracelet in RG (probably the 0.09 size): Simple and effortless for sure but I find that with solitaire diamond bracelets, the diamond can move around a bit (especially if you prefer a looser fit). Do you always like to see the diamond when your wrist is exposed? Or are you okay with it possibly being sideways or under your wrist? Otherwise you may need to adjust it more often.


- Cartier JUC ring: Another good choice, and I have one lol. It is a little more edgy so it would be potentially more noticeable if you’re okay with that.

- Cartier love ring/wedding band: It is very classic but, for the simple band with no engraving (sorry not sure which one you’re looking at) is it worth it? You can go to a local jeweler for a simple band for a much lower cost.


- Tiffany (small) double T ring, preferably with diamonds: That is very beautiful, I have definitely looked at that one a few times. I think it’s more based on style and personal preference. But it’s cute, feminine and more dainty.

Maybe take some time to think about them since you recently got something. Try them on if you can and take photos. I usually do that and go revisit the photos weeks or months later and take off the ones that just don’t interest me anymore lol.

good luck!