Totally worth it-totally not worth it!

[GoStanford]

Great thread! I'm new to the Jewelry Forums, and I think these are my new favorite threads after the Bag Forums! From my collection:

Worth it:
- Silver and gold bangles, which I wear more often than bracelets
- Tiffany Knot earrings and pendant, which I should have bought when I first saw them a year ago, since the prices went up this year before I bought them
- Swatch watch - my favorite brand. I get one every few years and wear it till the strap wears out, and sometimes I replace the strap too.

Not worth it: most of my costume jewelry, especially the couple of souvenirs I picked up at a ski vacation last year, like a crystal cocktail ring. I never wear it.

Misc. thoughts:
- DY tempts me but I have so much silver already. The other day, one of my students was wearing two DY bangles from her grandmother. The sentiment and look were beautiful. Those pieces really meant something to her, which was great.
- I have boxes of silver jewelry to sell, but it's hard to find a secondhand jewelry shop to take them, and the money recouped is relatively little, so I'm trying to hold off on buying more.

 

[pinkybear]

To Phillyfan (thread starter) and everyone that contributed thank you so much. I've used this thread as a rule book since it started.

Worth It:
Wedding set
My Cartier pieces: Mini Love Ring, Saphirs de Legers bracelet, Amulete de Cartier necklace, diamond studs - sprinkles of luxury tame enough for the office
Cartier SS Tank Francaise - I wear this to work, gym, weekend, date night, bang it against my desk or the wall..even jumped in the ocean once with it and it still works fine
Mikimoto earrings - my parents' grad present, it goes with everything
VCA vintage Alhambra earrings MIL gave to me - rarely wear it but when I do, I feel like a grown up
Maya Brenner diamond California pendant
Round and emerald cut diamond line bracelet
Tiffany Silver pieces for everyday jewelry

Not Worth It
Luxury Brand Costume Jewelry like Chanel glass pearls, Hermes clic clac and Ferragamo leather bracelets
Kate Spade enamel - so so cute but tarnishes after a year
Forever 21 or Claire's costume jewelry
Movado gold watch - what was I thinking?
Michele diamond CSX watch
Diamond jewelry set in sterling silver
Bridesmaids jewelry gifted by brides - get me a Starbucks card or a bottle of rose. I don't need another SS name plate, monogram or nickname engraved on a pendant
Past, present, future princess cut diamond ring - begged my then boyfriend (now husband) to get it for me. It's been sitting in my jewelry box for years now, I came to the realization that it's ugly (gasp!)
The many diamond studs I lost because I was not smart enough to get screw backs or protektor backs (RIP)
Mikimoto necklace dad got me for my wedding. Too formal for anything other than a wedding or a red carpet event.

Something I learned from this thread is that it's best to save up and buy what you really want than get something cheap for instant gratification and regret it later.

 

[Notorious Pink]

Not Worth It
Luxury Brand Costume Jewelry Chanel glass pearls, Hermes clic clac

Mikimoto necklace dad got me for my wedding. Too formal for anything other than a wedding or a red carpet event.

Hi, pinkybear! I'm a longtime fan of this thread as well. I agree with a lot of what you say, but as we all have different experiences, I was hoping to help you turn some of your not-worth-its into worth-its!

I am not a fan of costume jewelry and LONG avoided the jewelry at H. Eventually I started buying CDCs and sometimes a clic. Actually I would buy a clic and then regret it and sell it. Here is what I have come to with these: they are fabulous for stacking and play well with good jewelry. I wear a lot of color and I use these costume-y pieces to bring an outfit together. The CDC is a statement piece that plays well with everything, from my pg diamond bangle to gemstone beads. Of course I'd love an all-VCA and Cartier stack, but for now, the colors that coordinate with my Hermes scarves and leather goods makes me happy.

I feel sad that you are not enjoying your pearls. They are really not that formal. Why not try them with jeans? Under a motorcycle jacket? You really could make them work! A pearl necklace is truly a versatile everyday piece. Unless it's covered with diamonds or the design is otherwise atypical , I really think you should try playing with them and see what you can do. Forget that you think that they're formal! I wear should-grazing Diamond Sutra earrings during the day sometimes - there are no rules - have fun!

 

[chessmont]

I wear my black pearl, white pearl and pink pearl necklaces with jeans and tees - go for it! Unless as mentioned they are a very fancy design and not plain pearl necklaces.

 

[carlialissa]

Worth it: Small diamond earrings, Tiffany silver bracelet, plain white gold wedding band and solitaire rings, Tiffany silver necklace, silver Invicta mother of pearl watch. (These pieces I wear everyday)

I bought a silver David Yurman look like cable bracelet from Bealls about 7 years ago. I have worn it almost every day since before I knew what David Yurman was. This makes me want to buy an authentic piece.

Not Sure: My gold Michael Kors watch. I've received a million compliments on it and wore it everyday for 2 years....but I just don't love it and it looks very beaten up.

Not worth it: Alex and ani bracelets. They were too expensive for what they were and mine look like crap now.

All the costume jewelry I collected in high school and college.

 

[texasgirliegirl]

To Phillyfan (thread starter) and everyone that contributed thank you so much. I've used this thread as a rule book since it started.

Worth It:
Wedding set
My Cartier pieces: Mini Love Ring, Saphirs de Legers bracelet, Amulete de Cartier necklace, diamond studs - sprinkles of luxury tame enough for the office
Cartier SS Tank Francaise - I wear this to work, gym, weekend, date night, bang it against my desk or the wall..even jumped in the ocean once with it and it still works fine
Mikimoto earrings - my parents' grad present, it goes with everything
VCA vintage Alhambra earrings MIL gave to me - rarely wear it but when I do, I feel like a grown up
Maya Brenner diamond California pendant
Round and emerald cut diamond line bracelet
Tiffany Silver pieces for everyday jewelry

Not Worth It
Luxury Brand Costume Jewelry like Chanel glass pearls, Hermes clic clac and Ferragamo leather bracelets
Kate Spade enamel - so so cute but tarnishes after a year
Forever 21 or Claire's costume jewelry
Movado gold watch - what was I thinking?
Michele diamond CSX watch
Diamond jewelry set in sterling silver
Bridesmaids jewelry gifted by brides - get me a Starbucks card or a bottle of rose. I don't need another SS name plate, monogram or nickname engraved on a pendant
Past, present, future princess cut diamond ring - begged my then boyfriend (now husband) to get it for me. It's been sitting in my jewelry box for years now, I came to the realization that it's ugly (gasp!)
The many diamond studs I lost because I was not smart enough to get screw backs or protektor backs (RIP)
Mikimoto necklace dad got me for my wedding. Too formal for anything other than a wedding or a red carpet event.

Something I learned from this thread is that it's best to save up and buy what you really want than get something cheap for instant gratification and regret it later.

I agree with everything written except for the mikimotos pearls. They are a true timeless treasure. Try wearing them with a t shirt in the summer or a cashmere sweater/ jeans in the winter. I hope that you grow to cherish them someday.

 

[Phillyfan]

I have gotten the greatest responses on this thread! I didn't even plan the title of it! Usually my titles take more time to compose. This has been so incredibly helpful to me in planning my purchases. I have learned so much and I am so happy that others enjoy reading through as well! Keep them coming!

 

[Divea]

Worth it - I love all the gold pieces I bought. 22k with enamel, or diamonds or inlay work. My gold bangles. My diamond rings. My DY stuff. I have a considerable amount of DY jewelry all bought at NY sample sales so at 50/60 percent off they are indeed a steal and a pleasure to wear with wantonness. I have a Tiffany RTT and I wear it all the time! I enjoy my Pandora bracelet too. All hand beaded pieces.

Not worth it - cheaply made costume stuff!!

 

[lovemybags54]

My first post been lurking around forever but this is such a great thread I felt the need to contribute!
Worth it: my Rolex (gift from parents for graduation), diamond studs, DY Morganite and RG Albion cocktail ring, pearl studs (from my Grandmother), diamonds, initial Meira t diamond and WG necklace I wear every day.

Not worth it: DY cable bangles (tarnished and i no longer wear), all of my costume jewelry (and I have a TON) I never wear (makes me want to cry), Pandora (I gave my bracelet away), sterling silver anything, my cheapy watches.

Reaaaaaallly itching to get the Cartier Love bracelet in RG --- such a huge purchase and I am pretty sure will go on my worth it list...those who own it, do you think it is worth it?

I have 3 love bracelets in different metals and diamond configurations. Love them all. Definitely worth it. I wear them everyday all day long.

 

[cocodiamonds]

Worth it - my two tone date just Rolex (gift from now husband when we were dating) / Cartier ballon bleu from Turks and Caicos / Cartier love ring from st. Marten / diamond hoops as surprise wedding gift / Chanel maxi lamb skin / Hermes Evelyne / ysl gold clutch I wear to every wedding so worth it / my Gold and diamond Tiffany t wire bracelet I never remove not even to shower / my engagement ring and eternity band / 3 row diamond band I got as a pre engagement ring I'll still wear on left hand to switch it up fun remb dating times / my clic clac for vacation I use instead of bringing time pieces to beach etc / and my Chanel cuff I love dearly perfect for nighttime and weddings etc /



When gold nameplates n such were in I sold it all n used for my car down payment. N got more then what was paid for so deff worth it. Simple 14k great investment and I didn't even know it.


Not worth it / expensive costume jewelry not branded


Moral of my own story jewelry on vacation always worth it because memories , negation ability and no tax !

 

[cocodiamonds]

Also my biggest worth it was when I got my husband his rose gold Harry Winston wedding band it's called I think logo ring it has tiny hw hw. On it which doubles for husband wife and tiny non hairy diamond . Every one typically says to men oh u did so well ok her ring but hello I get lots of credit for that ring no one has it and it's timeless. So that's my fav purchase

 

[Jersey Bling]

What an interesting discussion.

Not worth it would be the Tiffany DBTY necklace. It pokes me in the neck, and it keeps tangling. These fragile chains don't work for me. Sadly, the Tiffany key also, but that's because it seems more of a piece for young women, and I find myself wearing it very rarely. I wear both pieces occasionally, just so I don't feel awful about buying them for so much money. But they are not my default necklaces. Also not worth it--dangly earrings. They are not my style. I feel like since I wear glasses, dangly earrings just make my face seem cluttered.

I'm not much of an expensive brand wearer. Worth it has been my Citizen Eco Drive watch with mother of pearl face and steel band. Diamond studs, pearl studs. I traded in some diamond cluster earrings that were huge and uncomfortable, for a pair of J-shaped diamond earrings, and the new pair is one of my staples for dressing up occasions. Love it. I do love pearl strands; they are perfect for travel because mine are not that expensive and are not scary to pack in luggage. Also worth it have been some silver pieces which are nice for the gym (I always wear a bangle) or for trips to the beach--low stress to leave in a rented condo or hotel room.

 

[Luv n bags]

Great thread!
Before this life I currently live, I hardly had any costume jewelry. I guess a bit snobby when it came to jewelry. Only the best diamonds, or, don't bother.

Then I put all my good stuff away, and started buying costume jewelry. Not sure why I have this current obsession with it, but I do.

I have wasted so much money on material things. But, I sure do enjoy them!

 

[andral5]

Great thread!
Before this life I currently live, I hardly had any costume jewelry. I guess a bit snobby when it came to jewelry. Only the best diamonds, or, don't bother.

Then I put all my good stuff away, and started buying costume jewelry. Not sure why I have this current obsession with it, but I do.

I have wasted so much money on material things. But, I sure do enjoy them!

That's the most important thing, to enjoy life! Good for you.

I used to have and wear only fine jewelry too but now I have a phase of fashion jewelry LOL! I can't even wear my fine pieces anymore, I'm afraid I'm going to break and then lose them. Why it didn't happen before and I'm afraid of that now... still a mystery to me

 

[Luv n bags]

That's the most important thing, to enjoy life! Good for you.

I used to have and wear only fine jewelry too but now I have a phase of fashion jewelry LOL! I can't even wear my fine pieces anymore, I'm afraid I'm going to break and then lose them. Why it didn't happen before and I'm afraid of that now... still a mystery to me

Haha! I just see a lot of snatch and grab crime and if I am wearing costume jewelry, I am not as tempting as a victim.