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This is a great thread! I was going to meet someone tomorrow to buy a Chanel bag, but after reading this thread, I cancelled the meeting and decided not buy the bag. I put that money toward the ring fund. It helps me to focus on my dream (2-3ct in round or cushion).
 
This isn't much in the way if advice, but this is something I do to clean all my jewelry. I have quite a diverse collection of stones from opals, sapphires, aquamarines, emeralds, tanzanite and diamonds, to citrine, peridot and amethyst. There's no need to buy all the specialized jewelry products the jewelers try to sell you to clean your jewelry.

Get a childrens toothbrush and put a drop of liquid soap(be it shower gel or washing-up liquid, it doesn't matter) into lukewarm water. That's all you need to clean your gold and stones. Don't scrub hard, there's no need. Be sure to rinse the jewelry well to take off any soap residue, and dry with a soft towel. It takes all the dirt off your jewelry, and makes it look as beautiful as the first day you bought it.
 
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Always try to do research and educate yourself as much as you can before you make any significant jewelry purchase. I just always feel knowledge is power and it is always better to be prepared and know exactly what you are looking for and then and only then to actually shop for it. Because an SAs job is to try to sell something to you, not to educate you. KWIM? I have also noticed that if you ask educated questions, SAs will either fear you or respect you and either way you have the upper hand ;)
 
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Know what colors suit you. My worse jewelry mistakes have been from buying colors that looked on someone else, but not on me. I bought aquamarine earring once and emerald earrings another time that when they got next to my face, just lost all brightness and attractiveness. It's also good to know whether you look good in platinum or yellow gold, and to buy accordingly, no matter which one is currently in style (this is cyclical).

The best deals on jewelry happen when pieces are out of date/unfashionable. Know how to look not at the design of the piece, but at the quality of the matierials. If you buy something that is of value, but unattractive, it can be restyled. (I saw an awful ring at the pawnshop the other day, this big gold blob full of random things, for $8,000. Had I had the $8,000, I would have bought it tough, because the ramdom things included a beaufiful emerald cut diamond, very clear, more than a carat, a beautiful emerald cut emerald and two trapezoids, several lovely round cut diamonds--There were the making of several gorgeous pieces melted together there, cyring out to be taken home and created).

Find a jewelry who does good custom work, so you can do this.

Find an appraiser who can let you know if a deal is really a deal.

and--personally I don't shop brand name/designer. I hate the markup. Know what good quality consists of, then you can shop antique, pawn shops and other out of the way places where you can get finds that are unique.
 
and--personally I don't shop brand name/designer. I hate the markup.
This is a tough one for most of us here, but VERY true! Or if you just really love the particular brand's design, buy it pre-owned. Or have a custom jeweler make something very similar to it.

Know what good quality consists of, then you can shop antique, pawn shops and other out of the way places where you can get finds that are unique.
Yes! Educate yourself so that you can find the diamond in the rough at these places.
 
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This isn't much in the way if advice, but this is something I do to clean all my jewelry. I have quite a diverse collection of stones from opals, sapphires, aquamarines, emeralds, tanzanite and diamonds, to citrine, peridot and amethyst. There's no need to buy all the specialized jewelry products the jewelers try to sell you to clean your jewelry.

Get a childrens toothbrush and put a drop of liquid soap(be it shower gel or washing-up liquid, it doesn't matter) into lukewarm water. That's all you need to clean your gold and stones. Don't scrub hard, there's no need. Be sure to rinse the jewelry well to take off any soap residue, and dry with a soft towel. It takes all the dirt off your jewelry, and makes it look as beautiful as the first day you bought it.


Great Tip! & Also, to make gems really sparkle, sometimes I dissolve a teaspoon of "Dishwasher" Detergent (like Cascade) and soak them for a just a few minutes before brushing with the soft toothbrush. Makes Diamonds Dazzling! Afterthought - probably strong detergent wouldn't be a good idea for softer stones, huh? - only diamonds/rubies/sapphires.
 
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If you love name jewelery there's no reason you shouldn't have it, but if cost is at issue consider buying pre-owned. Many pieces look new once they are cleaned up (or are going to show wear no matter what you do within a day of owning them.) If it makes you nervous, just look for a reputable seller on Ebay with lots of feedback and a return policy. I find this much more comfortable than entering a local pawn shop.
 
Does anyone here have a specific "jewelry" savings account? After reading this thread, I am thinking of opening one. This way I can have a personal fund for spending without feeling guilty. :D

I have loved jewelry since I was a child. If my mother took off her engagement ring and couldn't find it all she had to do was look on my finger:D . As a teen-ager I always took gift $$$ from relatives and put it in a special envelope so that when I went to my favorite antique dealer I always had $$$ money to buy. Those pieces were always sentimental to me and I still have them.
 
Know when enough is enough! I have a huge preference for rings and I keep looking at beautiful rings... I gave now traded some rings towards an upgrade (there is no way I could have bought my current solitaire without selling some rings) and it feels so much lighter! I mean, how much rings can you actually wear?
And if I do see some nice rings I feel less guilty buying them!
 
My tips -

Don't be impulsive! Think carefully and hard before pulling the trigger on a major purchase - esp. one that is not returnable. Tiffany's gives you 30 days but Cartier will only exchange if you exchange for a higher price item. I believe Saks gives you 30 days too.

Listen to your friend's opinions. I'm so glad I listened to my friend when she told me to buy the WG Love instead of the YG!

Research a lot. Ask questions to unbiased people not just the jewelers in the store trying to make a sale. Ask on this forum! I'm very glad that I decided on resetting my e-ring into the HOF platinum "Significance" instead of the HOF white gold "Repertoire".

Finally, plan and space out your purchases. Don't go into debt. Look for 6-month or 12-month no interest plans. I would not own any of my wonderful watches, Cartier pieces or soon to have e-ring reset if I did not space them out over several years.
 
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