what a waste
- Thread starter doreenjoy
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Thanks to everyone who responded. I'm glad some of you have found solutions that work for you.
At this point I think it's best if I just sell the stuff for a loss to get the pieces out of my house. I don't like looking at them and feeling guilty.
I'm not going to fall in love with these pieces again, unfortunately.
My problem was *thinking* I was going to love the pieces forever. Of course nothing ever lasts forever.
Yeah, I guess I can't figure out what's worse -- selling for a huge loss, or looking at the pieces and feeling guilty about the wasted money.
I wish I'd learned that, too. Lately I'm just not into "stuff." At my age I need to be winding down my possessions and simplifying my life.
Thanks for the suggestion. While I am a big believer in charity, I don't think it is a good idea to give away such expensive pieces and then not be able to get a tax writeoff for them.
I don't see gold going much higher than it is today, and I'll wager that I'm close to your aunt's age. I think I'll be dead before gold appreciates enough to where I don't regret these purchases.
I know what you mean. I bought these pieces myself or they were gifts from my Ex-DH, so they have zero sentimental value.
At this point I think it's best if I just sell the stuff for a loss to get the pieces out of my house. I don't like looking at them and feeling guilty.
Perhaps you can try wearing them to see if you will fall in love with them again.
In the last 2 years, i've sold off quite a lot of old gold jewellery i don't wear anymore. Most of them were pieces i bought on impulse. Back then, I did not think through whether i would still like them further down the road and just bought them simply bcos i wanted something new at the time. I've learnt my lesson and in recent years, i try to think carefully before making a purchase, though sometimes, i still give in to my impulses
I'm not going to fall in love with these pieces again, unfortunately.
My problem was *thinking* I was going to love the pieces forever. Of course nothing ever lasts forever.
Yeah, I guess I can't figure out what's worse -- selling for a huge loss, or looking at the pieces and feeling guilty about the wasted money.
I wish I'd learned that, too. Lately I'm just not into "stuff." At my age I need to be winding down my possessions and simplifying my life.
Thanks for the suggestion. While I am a big believer in charity, I don't think it is a good idea to give away such expensive pieces and then not be able to get a tax writeoff for them.
I don't see gold going much higher than it is today, and I'll wager that I'm close to your aunt's age. I think I'll be dead before gold appreciates enough to where I don't regret these purchases.
I know what you mean. I bought these pieces myself or they were gifts from my Ex-DH, so they have zero sentimental value.
Well, the only thing worse than throwing out cheap jewelry is wanting to throw out expensive jewelry.
First of all, you should never feel guilty about jewelry. Especially since these are pieces you have had for a number of years, you have enjoyed them.
But you aren't the same you that you were even two years ago. You don't live in the same home, you don't have the same marital status. Why should you have to hold on to golden souveniers of that other life?
No Regret! (I'm using my best Edna from Incredibles voice here)
Now, for the real question. How to get rid of it all.
Have you tried speaking with antique jewelry dealers or auction houses? They frequently are able to get more than you could on your own, because they know people who value what you are selling. (And they want you to keep buying...)
You will lose money on the deal, but you got years of enjoyment. Think of it as paying a rental fee
But you aren't the same you that you were even two years ago. You don't live in the same home, you don't have the same marital status. Why should you have to hold on to golden souveniers of that other life?
No Regret! (I'm using my best Edna from Incredibles voice here)
Now, for the real question. How to get rid of it all.
Have you tried speaking with antique jewelry dealers or auction houses? They frequently are able to get more than you could on your own, because they know people who value what you are selling. (And they want you to keep buying...)
You will lose money on the deal, but you got years of enjoyment. Think of it as paying a rental fee
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Well, I guess that I understand where you're coming from. When I got divorced, I couldn't get rid of the jewelry that my ex had given me fast enough for my liking. I still have one brand new platinum diamond solitaire that was supposed to be my 10th anniversary gift... sitting in a drawer... because no one has purchased it and I am not willing to go lower on the price than I already have... To me, the ring holds no real value. But I know that it has monetary value, and that I could purchase something I love if I were able to sell it, so it sits in a drawer and I keep listing it on eBay.
If I were you, I would consider selling and/or auctioning the pieces that you don't love, don't need, and feel no desire to wear again. At least then you might fund something worth the $$$! Unfortunately, you'll take a loss... But you did enjoy the pieces for a time and I agree with the previous commenter about considering the loss a "rental fee" for the enjoyment you had from those pieces.
I've sold a lot in the last few years, too, keeping either a) what I wear or b) gifts. I have maybe a third as much jewelry as I did two years ago! A lot of gifted stuff from both grandmothers I've had made into new pieces; both grandmas have passed on, and the pieces weren't my taste, but I wanted reminders of them that I'd actually wear.
I have a yellow gold open heart Tiffany bracelet I wore very briefly and have just found it doesn't go with my stacks , and a yellow gold single diamond by the yard Tiffany bracelet I'm looking to sell both and a few silver Tiffany pieces
A 14k yellow and white gold Sydney Evan necklace it's a white gold skull with a yellow gold crown with diamonds , I wore it like once it's beautiful but I have necklaces with sentimental value I wear everyday so it's just sat in my jewelry box since forever
I have Tarina Tarantino hello kitty tiaras which cost $500 each I have never worn them they were just too cute bit why??? Lol and a bunch of other Tarina Tarantino skull and hello kitty jewelry , I love it all but I'm allergic to it otherwise I'd have worn it but I just have it cos it's pretty
I used to have LOADS of pandora which I now hate so sold it all
I'm now just focusing on acquiring my dream pieces of jewelry and sticking to them and hoping I'll wear them in years to come
A 14k yellow and white gold Sydney Evan necklace it's a white gold skull with a yellow gold crown with diamonds , I wore it like once it's beautiful but I have necklaces with sentimental value I wear everyday so it's just sat in my jewelry box since forever
I have Tarina Tarantino hello kitty tiaras which cost $500 each I have never worn them they were just too cute bit why??? Lol and a bunch of other Tarina Tarantino skull and hello kitty jewelry , I love it all but I'm allergic to it otherwise I'd have worn it but I just have it cos it's pretty
I used to have LOADS of pandora which I now hate so sold it all
I'm now just focusing on acquiring my dream pieces of jewelry and sticking to them and hoping I'll wear them in years to come
Can't really add much to this thread except to say it's been a very enlightening read.
I'm just building up my jewllery wardrobe and posts like this and the one about Worth It, Not Worth it definitely help me to think more carefully about purchases rather than giving in to spontaneous desires.
There IS a whole drawer full of costume stuff that I could probably have done without buying because all the markup value for new stuff is quite high in comparison to the resale value and the cost always add up. For example, went through a phase of those pretty oversized Accessorize necklaces and at £10 a pop, they sound very reasonable. Yet when you go overboard... that's a Tiffany silver piece right there!
I'm just building up my jewllery wardrobe and posts like this and the one about Worth It, Not Worth it definitely help me to think more carefully about purchases rather than giving in to spontaneous desires.
There IS a whole drawer full of costume stuff that I could probably have done without buying because all the markup value for new stuff is quite high in comparison to the resale value and the cost always add up. For example, went through a phase of those pretty oversized Accessorize necklaces and at £10 a pop, they sound very reasonable. Yet when you go overboard... that's a Tiffany silver piece right there!
Yes, that is exactly where I'm coming from.
I divorced a little over a year ago and even though I'm on very good terms with my Ex, I don't want to look at pieces given during happier times.
And some of the pieces are ones I bought when I was unhappy and trying to fill the void, and I just don't care for them -- I was simply in a mood to splurge on myself at the time. Looking at them is also a reminder of a sad time.
I'm so glad you understand. I will probably do the same thing you have done -- decide what my lowest price is going to be and start listing things for sale, then hide them all in the safe deposit box until they sell.
Thanks, JellyV. Unfortunately none of my nieces like jewelry.
Thanks, VL.
Some of the pieces I haven't had for very long, so I'll be paying a big "rental fee" on them, but I will get over that eventually.
I've spoken with a friend who is a retired jewelry broker, and she's willing to list the pieces on her Trocadero page for me. They will probably sit for a long while there.
I'm also going to go to a local place with a good reputation for buying pieces outright and see what they offer me.
I can relate to what both of you have posted.
The funny thing is, I did think some of these pieces were "forever" pieces. But forever is a LONG time, and our tastes and lifestyles change.
When I'm tempted by something pricey and the words "forever piece" go off in my head, I respond with "Cartier Rolling Ring" (a piece I thought I'd want forever, but ended up hating for various reasons).
I understand your pain, DJ. Every piece of jewelry my ex gave me is currently in a box in my friend's attic. None of it is worth very much; the most expensive piece would be worth maybe $100-200, excluding my e-ring, which cost about $1500 (rose gold and a pink sapphire, so I doubt I could get very much for it!). For now, I'm going to hold onto them -- maybe at some point in the future I will have a niece to pass them onto.
What's sad is that there are a few pieces I absolutely loved wearing, but they make me feel kind of gross now. I wonder if that feeling will go away?
What's sad is that there are a few pieces I absolutely loved wearing, but they make me feel kind of gross now. I wonder if that feeling will go away?
I'd sell them, try not to think about the loss, that money's gone and worrying about it won't bring it back, and plan something fabulous for yourself. You'll feel lighter once it's gone.
