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I'll start!

1. Save up for your dream jewelry instead of buying all these nice little jewelry box fillers
2. Make sure you REALLY know your 4C's before buying diamonds (when I bought my 5,30 carat solitaire I thought I knew a lot about diamonds, but I was actually very naive and 'blinded by the light'; my jeweler was so kind to tell me that we needed an appraisal first and it turned out very well!!)
3. Investigate beforehand the possibility of upgrading if your jewelry taste is evolving

What's your advice??? What are the best places to learn more about gemstones and diamonds? How can we create a lovely and personal jewelry line? What should we do if we like jewelry but don't want to spend tons of money? Please share all your insights.
 
I'll second Monica's first point:

1. Definitely save up for the pieces of jewellery you really want, your absolute heart's desire.
2. Try your fantasy pieces on in store. See how that Rolex looks on your wrist. Try on those diamond earrings. Sometimes it is easy to get seduced by advertising and by how the pieces look surrounded by the glitter of a store, that you can't imagine how they will look on you. You may be surprised and change your mind. On the other hand, you may feel vindicated and start saving!
3. Plan your major purchases. Decide what pieces you want and plan to acquire over time. Maybe a timeline of Cartier watch at 25, diamond stud earrings by 30, diamond dress/cocktail ring by 35. A great jewellery collection doesn't happen by accident.
4. Balance your collection with high end pieces interspersed with non-brand jewellery. Brands do cost more for the name. I personally go to name jewellers for a specific collection or design, but will happily browse other jewellery stores for little pieces or for pieces that are more generic in design (i.e. diamond stud earrings).
5. With respect to browsing non-brand jewellery stores, do this when the sales are on. You can get great deals. Also check out pawn brokers and estate jewellery stores. There can be some fantastic treasures waiting to be found.
6. Do your research. Browse on line before you go into the store. Write down design names/sku numbers. Get prices and ask about upcoming price increases.
7. Find a great custom jeweller who will collaborate with you to make pieces of your own design. If you can't find your dream piece in store, design your own.
 
1. Do not be afraid to try on a lot of pieces. Sometimes those earrings that look too big or too small are amazing arm.

2. Become familiar with the hardness/softness of different stones. This is important to know if you want to buy a stone in a ring vs. a necklace. For example, opals are soft, and they do not always make the best stones for rings. If you choose to buy an opal for a ring, you may want to look for a setting that protects the stones (e.g. bezel setting).

3. Find jewelry stores that will take a payment plan. Many small businesses will take a payment plan. Some of my biggest pieces took me 8 months to pay off. As a teacher, it is hard to spend more than 100-200 a month on a piece of jewelry. So, find places that will allow you to pay off your items.

4. Buy pieces that you love, and do not buy what is always popular. Sometimes I am tempted to buy things because others like them. Your mom, fiance, dad, sister, frieds, etc., should not tell you what you like. You should tell them.

5. If you keep going back and forth on a piece, then do not buy it. The "Do I like it? Do I dislike it?" idea will continue forever. You should only buy things that you are sure that you love.

6. Do not be afraid to go into antique shops to look for newer pieces. Many times I see the Tiffany gold floating hearts for half the price. (This is how a bought my Medium (think B) Tiffany Floating Heart). In 2003 I spent $300 on it. Recently, within the past few months, I saw a Medium (think A) heart for $500 in an antique store.

7. When it comes to buying diamonds on a budget, always buy for quality and not size. Trust me, you will be disappointed if you buy for size and not quality. For example, in general I think Ross Simons is a great store. Unfortunately, they have 1.5 carat ring for $3700. It sounds like a great deal, but in person it is not the nicest stone. At the same store you can get about 3/4 of a carat D colored ring for the same price range. Trust me, D's are beautiful.
 
1. Do not be afraid to try on a lot of pieces. Sometimes those earrings that look too big or too small are amazing on. :yahoo:

2. Become familiar with the hardness/softness of different stones. This is important to know if you want to buy a stone in a ring vs. a necklace. For example, opals are soft, and they do not always make the best stones for rings. If you choose to buy an opal for a ring, you may want to look for a setting that protects the stones (e.g. bezel setting).

3. Find jewelry stores that will take a payment plan. Many small businesses will take a payment plan. Some of my biggest pieces took me 8 months to pay off. As a teacher, it is hard to spend more than 100-200 a month on a piece of jewelry. So, find places that will allow you to pay off your items.

4. Buy pieces that you love, and do not buy what is always popular. Sometimes I am tempted to buy things because others like them. Your mom, fiance, dad, sister, friends, etc., should not tell you what you like. You should tell them.

5. If you keep going back and forth on a piece, then do not buy it. The "Do I like it? Do I dislike it?" idea will continue forever. You should only buy things that you are sure that you love.

6. Do not be afraid to go into antique shops to look for newer pieces. Many times I see the Tiffany gold floating hearts for half the price. (This is how a bought my Medium (think B) Tiffany Floating Heart). In 2003 I spent $300 on it. Recently, within the past few months, I saw a Medium (think A) heart for $500 in an antique store.

7. When it comes to buying diamonds on a budget, always buy for quality and not size. Trust me, you will be disappointed if you buy for size and not quality. For example, in general I think Ross Simons is a great store. Unfortunately, they have 1.5 carat ring for $3700. It sounds like a great deal, but in person it is not the nicest stone. At the same store you can get about 3/4 of a carat D colored ring for the same price range. Trust me, D's are beautiful.

Typo in the last- sorry
 
Another great thread, Monica :smile1:

My contribution:

1. Mix it up! I am a huge fan of mixing metals and even mixing precious and semi-precious in one look. I find that is more fresh, innovative and modern. Some of the most breathtaking creative jewelry today are a mix of metals and stones. (The most memorable ones I've seen have included a brooch mixing wood and silver with red diamonds and a diamond bracelet with a base made of rubber and platinum. Genius!)

2. Go to jewelry exhibits, trade fairs, even auctions. Those are free and often open to the public. They can be a great learning experience and can help guide your jewelry tastes and preferences.

3. While buying from old established brands provides a level of assurance that you are getting "quality", open yourself up to new and upcoming jewelry designers who sometimes come up with the most exciting designs. A great varied collection means you don't get stuck with one boring or predictable look. I love visiting the showrooms of upcoming designers, especially the ones who have yet to establish a name for themselves (they are usually nicer and cheaper when starting out...)

4. Wear your jewelry as much as you want. I don't believe in keeping the "good jewels" only for special occasions. Assuming it wouldn't be deemed inappropriate or insensitive or offensive, don't be afraid to wear that lovely jeweled cuff or gorgeous bling even when you are just running errands or taking your kid out for ice cream. I live in a city where I often see grandmothers wear their best pearls and biggest diamonds while walking the dog or going out for a cappuccino - I love their carefree attitude about jewelry.
 
I have some pretty simple advice that works for just about everything:

Buy what you *love* in other words, what speaks to you, makes your heart sing. And do not worry about if it is "In" right now. If you truly love it you won't care. I try to do it with everything, which drives my DH crazy because to him, for instance, it is just a lamp used for lighting or a bath mat used to dry off of your feet when you get out of the shower.

For really expensive pieces do not be afraid to try on, think, try on, think and repeat as long as necessary (for me it might even be years) especially when the items are non-returnable or returnable for store credit only. I find it much easier to buy it and take it home and try it on without the quick glance that you get in the mirror and the SAs sales pitch while you do it. Unfortunately, that is not always possible which is why I absolutely love this forum, especially the pictures of normal, everyday people wearing items that I am contemplating.
 
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Think everything posted is great advice!

About the only thing I can add is

Have a list of items you want. Be patient. And be open to the fact you might find something you didn't know was out there that really makes your heart sing (tbbbjb know the feeling well!) Good things come to those who wait.

For big purchases -Think about them for several days before bidding/buying. Take the item outside (they will send a guard with you but big deal) Spend the money flying/traveling to a location to see them in person. Jewelry is something that never seems to look like it does in a picture.
 
As always, Ms Monica...an interesting and useful thread!
When buying expensive designer brands...think CLASSIC! Make your investment work for years to come...unless, of course, you have tons of money, LOL!
 
Don't be afraid to buy used!! Most of the coolest things I have came from pawnshops and thriftstores. You can't beat the prices! Lots of "one of a kind"s can be found there :)
 
Very interesting!!! I've already learned a lot.

Bitten: designing custom made jewelry together with a (young) jeweler is such an interesting process! From having a beautiful stone or pearl set in an interesting setting, to designing a 'new classic' ring. I could recommend this to anyone!

AntiqueShopper: it's such fun to slowly save for a beautiful piece of jewelry via a payment plan. I had a payment plan when I bought my solitaire (as well as trading in some of my rings).

Leah: mixing and matching with jewelry is indeed a good advice. It gives a such more exiting view than 'matchy matchy'

Tbbbjb: you are so right! It's so important to be in love with a piece, but also to determine whether the love will last a looong time! That's the reason that I normally go to a jeweler alone to buy or design. I wanted to add some more warmth to my mainly WG collection with a few fine YG gemstone rings and a friend of mine kept saying that I would regret it because I mainly wear WG. But it sang to me and I did not regret it.

Sammyjoe: :p

VegasLongLegs: Yes! never buy the day that you fall in love, but indeed think it over! That's why I have a lot of 'extended purchases'.

Skyqueen: I totally agree. That also reduces the 'cost per wear' !

Jenbuggy: I could not agree more. Pawn shops and estate jewelers offer the nicest things!!! I loooove your new ring.
 
- get your inspiration from the people around you, celebrities etc., but never forget what your own style is. A specific jewelry piece might be great on someone else, but might not become you... and the other way around.
 
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