Jewelry as an investment?

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#46
tbbbjb said:
Thank you. I will check them out. If I may ask, what is your project?
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When I was born, my mothers push gift was a ring in the shape of laurel leaves, studded with tiny diamonds. They didn't have much money at the time, so the metal was 10k. My mother never wears it.
I'm having them make a laurel ring in 22, and set the diamonds from the first ring into the new.
 
#47
I got goose bumps reading that ^^ How special and exquisite! Have you decided what color gold you will use? I checked into them as soon as you posted and they have colors that I had never seen before. Please keep me posted. Are they on par cost-wise with other custom jewelers or more high end?
 
#49
tbbbjb said:
I think you may be missing the point a little. In this thread we were just discussing jewelry (primarily in the form of gold because that has always seemed to be the standard) as a easily transportable and convertible commodity that has been used successfully for generations to barter should the entire monetary system fall apart or should a woman need the financial means to survive without a man. I also came away from this discussion with an understanding as to why women, from specifically poorer countries, were and still are given jewelry as gifts as opposed to what might be considered more practical items. I found it to be very interesting and resourceful and can only really try to equate it to a modern woman's mad money but just in a more global currency.
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Of course the example I gave was in the extreme. In other countries (chiefly India) gold is hoarded for bridal jewelry as dowry, equally due to both cultural and economic factors.

I only used martial law as a basis for my comment because other people on the forum were discussing weapons and even spam as a smarter investment than gold. We all know that outside of tiny amounts used in electronics, gold has no true value whatsoever. Any economist could tell you this.

It's just fascinating to read how other TPFers feel about their gold and how they believe others perceive gold. You're absolutely right as well :D. Solid gold would make excellent collateral in times of minor financial need. I love this forum - it broadens my knowledge!
 
#50
This is an interesting discussion. I have a few "investment" pieces of jewelry, but by and large, buying jewelry as an investment is NOT a smart move. The markup is huge. I tend to buy older pieces from well established makers that were made in the forties through the seventies.......David Webb, Schlumberger, Seaman Schepps. The workmanship is amazing.

Buy what you love, and will enjoy over time.
 
#51
^^^ Oh recently discovered David Webb. :love: Even stumbled into his store in NYC. lol I'll admit, was looking for it. Schlumberger is fabulous too.

Vegas Long Legs said:
Very valid points for us living in the US. If the US crumbles into chaos, the whole world is screwed.
Recently there were world economists on NPR that said forget worrying about gold, you can't eat gold. Better off stocking up on Spam.
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Just to be real clear no one said anything about Spam as an investment. They were talking about having something to eat.
 
#52
Jewelry = not a good investment unless it's rare and ostentatious!!

I have plenty of expensive jewelry issues. I get so tempted. I'm trying to stay away from jewelry stores when I shop. I only buy things that are classic and know I will still love down the road.

My David Yurman statement pieces, at the time was on trend, is not such a big hit with me now. Tastes mature so buy only when you absolutely love.

I have a recently divorced friend trying to get rid of her e-ring (2 carats Tiffanys!), and most jewelry stores/pawshops are lowballing her big time. Ebay and sites are out of the question, too shady!!

My hubbie always tell me, "you can't eat your jewelry" so stocking up on spam would make some sense. :p
 
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#56
Vegas Long Legs said:
I'd suck the gold right off a piece of jewelry before I'd eat spam. Heck I'd suck the chrome off a bumper too.

Sorry lana, you probably should liquidate your vintage spam. lmbo
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I am with you Vegas Long Legs and I have actually eaten gold before (you can get edible gold for baking, cooking, decorating drinks, etc; it is REAL 24kt gold (with a price tag to match!) I have some I should post a picture of the container), so it would not be the first time :p

OMG, It just got me thinking, maybe I should be investing in edible gold, than I would have the best of both worlds: gold & food. Oh, but I would not be able to wear it. So, nah, forget it.
 
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#57
guccissima said:
Jewelry = not a good investment unless it's rare and ostentatious!!

I have plenty of expensive jewelry issues. I get so tempted. I'm trying to stay away from jewelry stores when I shop. I only buy things that are classic and know I will still love down the road.

My David Yurman statement pieces, at the time was on trend, is not such a big hit with me now. Tastes mature so buy only when you absolutely love.

I have a recently divorced friend trying to get rid of her e-ring (2 carats Tiffanys!), and most jewelry stores/pawshops are lowballing her big time. Ebay and sites are out of the question, too shady!!

My hubbie always tell me, "you can't eat your jewelry" so stocking up on spam would make some sense. :p
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David Yurman is costume because you have limited value for melting it... Also, it isn't made of near pure gold.

Reading this thread, I think Americans as a group abuse the word "invest"

(and I adore most of the names Cavalier mentioned - and I definitely need to research the rest)
 
#58
I am officially the Spam TPFer; expert on all things Spam ;). Oddly enough, I think a collector somewhere would probably pay large sums of cash for vintage spam, if it were a unique misprint or perhaps the first can off the assembly line in 1937. People pay thousands of dollars for Pez dispenser and cola cans as well. So lanasyogamama don't throw that Spam out without getting it appraised first :rofl:!

I too have eaten gold on top of chocolate, which proved both beautiful and delicious, though at the end I have nothing to show for it. I believe food and gold are poor investments, how about that? I will say that in most situations, short of a pirate shipwreck or the French Revolution or some other near-impossible scenario, I'd prefer gold over food.

And to answer the post in all seriousness: jewelry is a gamble as an investment. It may appreciate but will much more likely depreciate in value throughout the decades, especially with regular wear. Only buy jewelry with money you can afford to part with forever and only resell if you're in dire financial straits.
 
#59
Stophle said:
I wouldn't buy jewelry as an investment because it's value is subjective and based upon what the market will pay at the time you're wanting to sell. This is really true of anything but especially with jewelry. Diamonds and gold are only valuable because everyone has decided that they are. What if everyone turns around one day and decides they aren't? (Not likely, but you know what I mean) All of these pieces you've sunken your savings into are suddenly worthless.

I would only buy a piece of jewelry because you love it and will use it, otherwise it's just a waste.
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totally agree. i love buying jewelry and try to pick up iconic pieces for my collection, but i never regard them as being investment pieces. i buy jewelry to enjoy and that's about it.
 
#60
tbbbjb said:
I am with you Vegas Long Legs and I have actually eaten gold before (you can get edible gold for baking, cooking, decorating drinks, etc; it is REAL 24kt gold (with a price tag to match!) I have some I should post a picture of the container), so it would not be the first time :p
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I've also eaten gold ... La Durée made a Christmas macaron special here with dark chocolate covered in gold. Mmm ... didn't taste the gold much though but the macaron was yummy! :smile1:
 
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