Out of curiosity: do you prefer branded/high end jewellery or unbranded - and why?

[shinyshiny]

You definitely need to find another jeweller then! Tbh the CAD modelling is not something he does every single time, only for super complicated designs. But he does spend ages on the sketching etc. for every piece, makes wax casts, when making anything complicated/big/expensive he allows you to try on the "rough" (like the metal shell, before polishing/dipping/putting in the stones) to make sure it sits right. I think its terrible that the second guy was rude to you! At the end of the day, you are a customer spending a large amount of money on something very precious to you and if you're not happy and you're polite/reasonable in your concerns, he should be making things right for you. Even if he thought you were unreasonable, there's a nice way of telling someone that.

Definitely don't go to this person. He doesn't deserve your business. The good thing is that with gold and diamond, you can remake it as much as you like (within reason) so if you find someone else he/she can take your ring and remodel it to fix the issues you have with it. I'm afraid I don't really know how to find a good jeweller, I just go to the one who my mom goes to, but I know she found him through a referral. He was quite new when she found him so his prices were extremely reasonable, and he was recommended to her by a friend. The first few times she bought something he already had that she liked, after checking to see the quality was up to her fairly exacting standards. Then she gave him something quite easy to remodel as per a design she had thought of. When he passed that test also she started giving him more complex stuff, and built a relationship with him that meant that she could put him through the wringer for a fairly cheap bracelet because he knew he would be the one also making my sisters' wedding jewellery.

This jeweller is worth his weight in gold (no pun intended!). But then this jeweller knows he has good returning custom from you and your family I guess. I wish I knew a jeweller as flexible and talented. Referrals are not very likely given that people aren’t so into jewellery where I live.

Another thing is that the staff at this jeweller told me not to reset my diamond and platinum ring (a family ring) because here’s a fish the diamond could smash. I have literally never heard this before! You’re absolutely right, I should never go there again.

 

[pjhm]

interesting! So in the appraisal do they not look at the cost of buying that exact piece again, and just at material value? Because I know the cost of a love bracelet, for example, far outweighs the gold cost of the bracelet.

Right, what u paid for it is not taken into consideration at all. I had several things personally designed and all they cared about was the quality of each gem, etc. One of my brand things is a Rolex watch, they evaluated what that piece is worth today relative to the condition of it now. Using a certified gemologist and jeweler my insurance company accepted their opinion.

 

[vink]

But that is helpful, haha! Clearly to you design is most important Which I agree with btw, along with the quality/price trade off.

Thanks! [emoji4] I’m actually given some gaudy designs that don’t match my personal taste and have the stones reset a couple of times. At the end, I know I’m not gonna wear them no matter what brand or how expensive it is. So design is the most important when it comes to jewelry to me. [emoji4]

 

[Serva1]

I do love custom pieces! I feel so special. But I have never gone to a local acknowledged designer as you put it, because I always assume their prices would be higher! Would you say that's the case?

My experience is that if you have the stones and they only provide the design&metal it isn’t so expensive. I like buying diamonds at a good pricepoint when I can or take out stones from a vintage piece that isn’t to my taste and design something I can use. Not all designers accept customer’s own stones.

 

[MagpieInTraining]

This jeweller is worth his weight in gold (no pun intended!). But then this jeweller knows he has good returning custom from you and your family I guess. I wish I knew a jeweller as flexible and talented. Referrals are not very likely given that people aren’t so into jewellery where I live.

Another thing is that the staff at this jeweller told me not to reset my diamond and platinum ring (a family ring) because here’s a fish the diamond could smash. I have literally never heard this before! You’re absolutely right, I should never go there again.

"Here's a fish the diamond could smash"?? I don't even understand what that means. Hmm, it can be difficult if you don't know anyone near you who you can ask for a recommendation. I guess you could look up reviews online, and then go check out the jewellers by "just browsing" - looking at the settings, design quality, finishing, pricing etc. as well as if they will work to remodel old pieces, and their charges for doing so, so you can at least identify a new target.

 

[MagpieInTraining]

Right, what u paid for it is not taken into consideration at all. I had several things personally designed and all they cared about was the quality of each gem, etc. One of my brand things is a Rolex watch, they evaluated what that piece is worth today relative to the condition of it now. Using a certified gemologist and jeweler my insurance company accepted their opinion.

That's interesting! So I guess for the branded stuff they do take into consideration resale value to an extent, to evaluate value today relative to condition. This is also reminding me that I should probably get my stuff insured as well...

 

[MagpieInTraining]

Thanks! [emoji4] I’m actually given some gaudy designs that don’t match my personal taste and have the stones reset a couple of times. At the end, I know I’m not gonna wear them no matter what brand or how expensive it is. So design is the most important when it comes to jewelry to me. [emoji4]

That's a good point. If I don't like how it looks, I won't wear it. I'm lucky to only have been gifted a couple branded pieces I will wear so far, haha.

 

[pjhm]

That's interesting! So I guess for the branded stuff they do take into consideration resale value to an extent, to evaluate value today relative to condition. This is also reminding me that I should probably get my stuff insured as well...

Yes, and yes! You may be happily surprised finding out how much each is worth today. I had some surprises myself, items that I had designed and paid $1200 for as an example, being worth $4200! Just be sure to use someone certified from the gemologist society.

 

[MagpieInTraining]

Yes, and yes! You may be happily surprised finding out how much each is worth today. I had some surprises myself, items that I had designed and paid $1200 for as an example, being worth $4200! Just be sure to use someone certified from the gemologist society.

I will definitely get around to doing this soon, kind of excited to see what comes of it I know some of the stuff my mother has - like her engagement ring - has appreciated tremendously!

 

[barbie_86]

Unbranded as you get just as good craftsmanship IME and way more bang for your buck. That said, I am under an hour away from Hatton Garden which has literally dozens of excellent independent jewellers which means that there is a lot of choice, I can easily visit in person, and can also take jewellery in easily for any maintenance/adjustments. If I didn't live where I do and had to go the online route I may feel differently and prefer larger brands simply for ease and accessibility.

 

[2cello]

I have a bunch of antique and vintage pieces, all unbranded, that wipe the floor with modern pieces in terms of quality. I don’t care whose name is or isn’t on it if it’s made to last

This is how we used to buy jewelry in my family ..... some auntie or a friend of an auntie would bring a box full of 18k gold jewelry and we would pick a piece out. (This was in 1960s Italy.) These hand me downs I received are the bomb. Some of the designs are dated or “italianate” but some are timeless, and all are heavier and sturdier than a lot of current brand name pieces.

 

[MagpieInTraining]

Unbranded as you get just as good craftsmanship IME and way more bang for your buck. That said, I am under an hour away from Hatton Garden which has literally dozens of excellent independent jewellers which means that there is a lot of choice, I can easily visit in person, and can also take jewellery in easily for any maintenance/adjustments. If I didn't live where I do and had to go the online route I may feel differently and prefer larger brands simply for ease and accessibility.

It definitely depends on access, you're absolutely right. I'm lucky that I have access to a good jeweller as well, but if I didn't and didn't know where to start I'd probably rely on the names I'd heard of.

 

[EpiFanatic]

Like many, for diamonds which ever seller has the best cut at the best price. Custom basic pieces like settings for diamond pieces are done at the designers that are local and my favorite. Other jewelry, my favorite is VCA. The designs, quality, workmanship and comfort of their pieces is second to none for me. I don’t really want people to see me wear them. I hide them under long sleeves. Really only I know I am wearing them and that’s fine.

 

[Louish]

As much as I hate to admit it, I love branded jewellery. When I spend a lot of money, I need to get THE FEELING - butterflies, can't get it out of my head etc. Jewellery from Cartier, T&co, Vca & more recently Boucheron give me that feeling. I feel special when I wear them. My small Love gives me joy every time I wear it. I do wear non branded custom made rings which give me the same buzz, but for more sentimental reasons

 

[barbie_86]

As much as I hate to admit it, I love branded jewellery. When I spend a lot of money, I need to get THE FEELING - butterflies, can't get it out of my head etc. Jewellery from Cartier, T&co, Vca & more recently Boucheron give me that feeling. I feel special when I wear them. My small Love gives me joy every time I wear it. I do wear non branded custom made rings which give me the same buzz, but for more sentimental reasons

This is me with shoes. I go on about quality, longevity etc to justify designer purchases to myself, but a huge element of it is the feeling I get, from placing an order/making a purchase, to unboxing it (sifting through all the layers of tissue, the dust bags, the receipt in it's envelope, etc), and then to wearing it. I just feel amazing. And I don't care about people knowing if they're designer, or how much I spent; it's just that feeling of luxury/specialness.
I know I could easily get equally as good quality shoes for half the price, but it wouldn't feel the same.