Selling the old for something new - but what? Please help!

[LovingDiamonds]

Dear fellow jewelry lovers,

I need some assistance!

When my grandmother passed away two and a half years ago I inherited all of her jewelry and a midsize steel Cartier Tank. Whilst I wear the Tank, the jewelry is not my taste and only sat in the box for all this time. Now I have been thinking of selling all of it and buy one piece that I love and will actually wear.

At first I thought of getting a Patek Twenty 4, because I wanted this watch for forever and it would only need maybe 1k on top, so would fit the budget perfectly. BUT, since I got my Rolex last year I find that my taste in watches has shifted to big watches and also I already have a Chopard as dressy diamond watch.
So logically I thought about getting another Rolex (because obviously???!!!), but after looking at the options I can't seem to find one that I really would want to have and don't have to pay much on top since that is not the intention (its just trade in so I can say I got this from my grandmother).
Next idea are diamond studs, I think around 1 to 1,5ct would be in the budget. I just own tiny studs so this is something I don't already have. It´s just that I think diamonds don't hold value as good as let's say a high class watch like Rolex or Patek and besides I just LOVE watches.

Basically the choices are:

1. Patek Twenty 4 steel, grey dial
2. Another Rolex
3. Diamond studs
4. Save the money and add up to something bigger

I already have:

Cartier Tank Française both midsize and small
Cartier Santos Demoiselle small
Chopard La Strada white gold and diamond watch
Rolex Oyster Perpetual, 36mm, steel with white gold fluted bezel, silver diamond dial, Oyster bracelet
Small diamond studs
Eternity Diamond band


What would you do/choose? I would love to hear your option on this!
Thank you so much for reading my long text Love Jenny

 

[voodoodoll2005]

I would get a pair of diamond stud earrings.

But I'm not a watch person. Since you already have 5, that seems enough to me.

Also, I don't necessarily buy jewelry based on resale value. To me, a pair of diamond stud earrings that can be worn everyday is a better value than a watch that maybe be worn 1/6 of the time.

Best of luck on your decision

 

[emchhardy]

Is it possible to repurpose any of her pieces to make a pair of diamond studs? Or, anything else you would possibly like? It would be a neat way of honoring her pieces but modifying them to your taste. Just an idea.

Otherwise, of your choices, I would do diamond studs.

 

[LovingDiamonds]

Is it possible to repurpose any of her pieces to make a pair of diamond studs? Or, anything else you would possibly like? It would be a neat way of honoring her pieces but modifying them to your taste. Just an idea.

Otherwise, of your choices, I would do diamond studs.

Thanks for the opinions!

I already did this with her diamond solitaire ring - I had it reset in clean white gold but kind of regret this now as I don’t wear rings except my eternity band from my fiancé. I think I will reset again into a solitaire necklace - it’s not a big diamond, around 0.6 ct.

But the ring was the only piece that made sense to reset. When trading in the gold I will keep all the little diamonds and make maybe a nice bracelet or something out of it. Like Tiffany’s diamonds by the yard.

The idea of getting really nice diamond studs grows more and more in me. That is something I don’t already have and could wear on a daily basis. What do you think about minimum size of studs? I would love to get 2 ct total, but this will be over budget. Do you like studs with halo setting to make them look bigger?

 

[Onebagtoomany]

Since you already have several very high-end watches, I would definitely get diamond studs. If 1-1.5 carat ones are in the budget, how about getting ones somewhere in that range and halo jackets to go with them so that you can either wear the studs by themselves or add the jackets when you want more bling? You might be surprised at how much ear coverage you will get with the jackets added, I had diamond halo earrings (now sadly lost) which were only .66 carat total but they looked so much bigger because of the halo design. I’m guessing that .50 carat+ in each ear with a halo would look amazing!

Re the stones you will be keeping, I love the idea of resetting them either into a DBTY style necklace or bracelet That way you have something fresh and modern that suits your style, but honours your grandmother at the same time.

 

[LovingDiamonds]

Since you already have several very high-end watches, I would definitely get diamond studs. If 1-1.5 carat ones are in the budget, how about getting ones somewhere in that range and halo jackets to go with them so that you can either wear the studs by themselves or add the jackets when you want more bling? You might be surprised at how much ear coverage you will get with the jackets added, I had diamond halo earrings (now sadly lost) which were only .66 carat total but they looked so much bigger because of the halo design. I’m guessing that .50 carat+ in each ear with a halo would look amazing!

Re the stones you will be keeping, I love the idea of resetting them either into a DBTY style necklace or bracelet That way you have something fresh and modern that suits your style, but honours your grandmother at the same time.

I love the idea with halo jackets! I didn’t know that. This was what I was debating all the time when I thought of studs - that they could be too small with not enough ear coverage and bigger is not in the budget. With separate halo jackets I can have two styles in one. I will definitely explore that idea and see what this could look like with the budget I have.

Thank you so much!

 

[Onebagtoomany]

I love the idea with halo jackets! I didn’t know that. This was what I was debating all the time when I thought of studs - that they could be too small with not enough ear coverage and bigger is not in the budget. With separate halo jackets I can have two styles in one. I will definitely explore that idea and see what this could look like with the budget I have.

Thank you so much!

I’m glad you like the idea - please update (with photos!) if you do decide to get them! I’m planning to get diamond studs later this year to replace a pair I lost and am also thinking of getting halo jackets at the same time!

 

[Miss Happy]

LovingDiamonds,

I am in agreement with the other posters who voted for the diamond earrings.

Diamond studs are about as timeless as jewelry can be. Also, since you already have a beautiful watch collection, the earrings would probably get more wear. Additionally, watch styles tend to be trendy, so what looks very modern today will likely look outdated in a few decades.

Finally, I really like your idea of resetting your grandmother's diamond as a pendant necklace.

 

[Mcandy]

If you already have lots of watches then why still buy a new one right? However you are right in saying that diamond studs wont retain their value.... rolex watch is even better for resale. But if you see a diamond stud as something you can use regardless if it would retain is value or not then go for it.

 

[LovingDiamonds]

Thanks everyone for your opinion and advice!
As much as I like the idea of diamond studs, I still can’t forget about the twenty4. Just saw one recently and it is just so pretty...can’t get it off my mind anymore.
I don’t wear my Rolex daily to work as I find it too heavy and uncomfortable when typing on the computer. Instead I wear the small tank, which is not quite my taste anymore so I again thought about getting the twenty 4 as a daily work watch and maybe even sell the tank.
This will be quite the process and my first priority will be getting quotes for the gold jewelry and see how much value I get out of it. Then I will ask my jeweler of a quote for the twenty 4 and see what studs I could get. Then I will decide.
I ruled out a smaller, cheaper Rolex as everyday watch, as I don’t want to downgrade to a watch I never really wanted in the first place. But the Patek would fit nicely as a heritage gift... I will keep you posted! So excited!!!!!

 

[Allisonfaye]

T


The idea of getting really nice diamond studs grows more and more in me. That is something I don’t already have and could wear on a daily basis. What do you think about minimum size of studs? I would love to get 2 ct total, but this will be over budget. Do you like studs with halo setting to make them look bigger?

I used to think I didn't like halos but I saw someone with some recently and they looked really nice.

 

[LovingDiamonds]

Hey everyone! It’s been a while since I started this thread but I finally made the decision - I just bought the Patek Twenty 4 with grey dial!!!! I’ve been wanting this watch for forever and I got such a good deal on this one, I couldn’t say no
Unfortunately I have to wait until Christmas before I really get it. )) Here are some pictures, the grey dial is mesmerizing!

 

[Pevi]

That watch is to die for!

 

[7h5f921]

What a stunner! I love it! Enjoy that beauty!

 

[nvie]

Hey everyone! It’s been a while since I started this thread but I finally made the decision - I just bought the Patek Twenty 4 with grey dial!!!! I’ve been wanting this watch for forever and I got such a good deal on this one, I couldn’t say no
Unfortunately I have to wait until Christmas before I really get it. )) Here are some pictures, the grey dial is mesmerizing!

Grey dial is the best for the Twenty4. I’m so envious. What a lovely Christmas present. [emoji4]