What Other Jewelry Brands Do You Buy/Wear?

[Notorious Pink]

I had a Riviera necklace once too, and I got rid of it. It's hard to wear in my opinion. A bit too plain an everyday diamond necklace, and it's not quite blingy/formal enough for going out. At least that's what happened to me, so I never wore it. Mine was also graduated as well.

For me, I am not crazy about graduated diamond earrings. I feel the design is everywhere, nothing special, but that's just me. It is for the same reason why I never wore my Rivier necklace. Yes, it's a bunch of diamonds, but it's nothing special. I also think for an all diamond only piece, it either has to be branded piece or the design has to make a statement. I feel with a graduating diamond earring (and Riviera), it is neither, just diamonds which everybody does. It's all preference of course, but I just wanted to share my point of view here on these designs.

Here is an idea...
I would take the diamonds and create a bold bangle! For sure, hands down!
I love colored gemstones, I love bold jewelry, and I love bangles. I think you do too.
My idea hence is based on a bold piece, not a dainty piece, so this will not work if you are thinking more a dainty piece.
Also, the graduated diamonds are going to be tough to do a link bracelet as they will taper too much and start looking too dainty, unless you want a dainty link bracelet.

I would do a bold bangle and create a pattern based on your diamonds and pink sapphires. Pink sapphires are not super pricey, so you can get bigger stones and make them the highlight as in the second photo.

Here are some photos to give you an idea. Full disclosure, the second photo is what I'm working on for my emerald bracelet, but in platinum, not YG. And the emeralds would be emerald cut, not oval. I like the first photo, it's a Buccellati bangle, and they make beautiful bold bangles, so you may want to take a look for inspiration.

Anyway, just a thought on what I would do with all your diamonds. It is rare to have so many good size (non-melee) loose diamonds, so I would put them all back into one bold piece and not sprinkle them into several smaller pieces.

Just my thoughts here. This might be too bold and tacky for you though if you were thinking something dainty.
Good luck!
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Thank you so much for the suggestions! I actually love that second bracelet. For the longest time I was considering keeping it a necklace but alternating the diamonds with a colored gemstone; originally leaning towards blue zircon, but later thought gray spinel would be more useful. I’m goimg to look into this option too!

the white and the pink would look nice on you!

when @BigAkoya mentioned a bangle, my mind didn’t go to buccellati. would you c9nsider asking briony to set them into a bangle with the PG or YG beaded edge (As per @DS2006 )
Or set each diamond in PG or YG, either like a bezel or like some of the YG rings Briony has there. . . .
or in abstract shapes like your own version of serpenti . . . .

or a ton of chain like DBTY or set in a rigid bangle like ippolota (yes, covid has made my spelling go to heck) or pomellato.

or something abstract like H Stern or even the in house designer at Wempe.

or something from the bellperron handbook. but less gold, more diamonds. Bellperron does a wave bangle in gold with diamonds

Triple Wave Cuff with diamonds - Belperron

belperron.com

or perhaps visit Fred Leighton for Inspiration; I saw some boucheron pieces there.

what a fun project! Hugs

p.s. I don’t usually have as much raw material at one time, as you have, but the reworking tends to cost quite a bit. (insert rolling eye emotic9n here lol) IMO, don’t feel like you have to use up the stones all at once. . . . Hold some back for when inspirati9n next strikes (or whispers, sell some to offset the cost of the reconstruction project). I have to admit, my DH and family have no idea (and probably cannot keep up with my various reconstruction projects over the years; and, that’s how I generally prefer it

I also like the beaded bangle idea. Although depending on size/shape I might still consider alternating. I think with jewelry I prefer something between boring/simple (maybe erring on the side of pedestrian with just a little edge) and avant-garde; the closest I ever got was a really cool Seidengang piece that reminded me of one of those ancient Egyptian bibs that was unfortunately stolen years ago.

i love your suggestions and will do some more research for inspiration!!!

The thing is, the necklace was a 10th anniversary present from DH. He can’t understand why I never wear it (correction: he has lived with me for nearly 23 years and he can’t understand why I never wear it?!?) so if I was to do something with it, it has to be something I think he’ll love too (read: obvious).

 

[DS2006]

Thank you so much for the suggestions! I actually love that second bracelet. For the longest time I was considering keeping it a necklace but alternating the diamonds with a colored gemstone; originally leaning towards blue zircon, but later thought gray spinel would be more useful. I’m goimg to look into this option too!



I also like the beaded bangle idea. Although depending on size/shape I might still consider alternating. I think with jewelry I prefer something between boring/simple (maybe erring on the side of pedestrian with just a little edge) and avant-garde; the closest I ever got was a really cool Seidengang piece that reminded me of one of those ancient Egyptian bibs that was unfortunately stolen years ago.

i love your suggestions and will do some more research for inspiration!!!

The thing is, the necklace was a 10th anniversary present from DH. He can’t understand why I never wear it (correction: he has lived with me for nearly 23 years and he can’t understand why I never wear it?!?) so if I was to do something with it, it has to be something I think he’ll love too (read: obvious).

My only advice is that you already have an amazing jewelry collection, and I'd hate to see you spend money trying to make something else with these diamonds and possibly ending up still not wearing the piece(s) because you'll have other things you like better. Another option is to just keep it as is and give to a future daughter-in-law down the road to retain the sentimental value of the piece. (My husband would not remember what he gave me for past anniversaries, thankfully, so I'd likely sell an item I don't ever wear and get something I really want! It's much harder for you that yours remembers!)

 

[BigAkoya]

Thank you so much for the suggestions! I actually love that second bracelet. For the longest time I was considering keeping it a necklace but alternating the diamonds with a colored gemstone; originally leaning towards blue zircon, but later thought gray spinel would be more useful. I’m goimg to look into this option too!



I also like the beaded bangle idea. Although depending on size/shape I might still consider alternating. I think with jewelry I prefer something between boring/simple (maybe erring on the side of pedestrian with just a little edge) and avant-garde; the closest I ever got was a really cool Seidengang piece that reminded me of one of those ancient Egyptian bibs that was unfortunately stolen years ago.

i love your suggestions and will do some more research for inspiration!!!

The thing is, the necklace was a 10th anniversary present from DH. He can’t understand why I never wear it (correction: he has lived with me for nearly 23 years and he can’t understand why I never wear it?!?) so if I was to do something with it, it has to be something I think he’ll love too (read: obvious).

I'm so glad to hear you like the second bracelet. You will have a lot of fun with your new piece I can tell.

Your husband will not mind at all reusing the stones. Styles change, tastes change, and it's perfectly okay to sell pieces or re-use stones. I have sold tons of pieces I no longer wear. It's really a romantic myth to think one has to love a piece forever. What I loved when I was 25 is completely different than what I love now. I would hope that my style has changed, and that I have matured for the better. I would hope I am not stuck in time wearing what I wore in my 20s/30s.

Since the necklace was a gift from DH, your new piece will be even more special using these sentimental diamonds. DH will just smile when he sees you wearing this new piece.

Short story...
I had an oval diamond solitaire as my engagement ring, slightly under a carat. I upgraded my engagement ring, so I stopped wearing it. I didn't want to get rid of my old engagement ring, yet it was too small for a pendant or earrings, so I just stuck it in a jewelry box. I am not sentimental with my possesions, but with this diamond ring, I was. We were young & broke, and he said he saved up to buy the best cut & quality and did not cheap out. He completely surprised me with that engagement ring; I was not expecting a proppsal. What a sweetie.

Flash foward...
I was having a new piece made. I wanted some decent sized diamonds. I didn't want to do a bunch of melee diamonds in pave. My DH says how about using your first engagement ring as one of the diamonds? Okay! Well, he then gets excited and gets really into it, working with the jewelry designer and providing his input. He knows I like bold pieces, so he kept blinging it out, add this, add that. I'm like... okay, sounds good, dear! You keep working with the designer, dear! Pile it on, dear!

So... definitely get hubby to participate in your new piece! He will love it and you will too. This will be your special piece you made together. You and hubby will be so proud of this piece, and he will be proud to see you wear it. Your hubby sounds like mine in that he truly appreciates fine jewelry and loves seeing you wear it.

My husband thinks he did such a great job he wants to design another piece.
I think you and your hubby will have fun planning and dreaming your new piece. I'm excited for you!

 

[MyDogTink]

I'm so glad to hear you like the second bracelet. You will have a lot of fun with your new piece I can tell.

Your husband will not mind at all reusing the stones. Styles change, tastes change, and it's perfectly okay to sell pieces or re-use stones. I have sold tons of pieces I no longer wear. It's really a romantic myth to think one has to love a piece forever. What I loved when I was 25 is completely different than what I love now. I would hope that my style has changed, and that I have matured for the better. I would hope I am not stuck in time wearing what I wore in my 20s/30s.

Since the necklace was a gift from DH, your new piece will be even more special using these sentimental diamonds. DH will just smile when he sees you wearing this new piece.

Short story...
I had an oval diamond solitaire as my engagement ring, slightly under a carat. I upgraded my engagement ring, so I stopped wearing it. I didn't want to get rid of my old engagement ring, yet it was too small for a pendant or earrings, so I just stuck it in a jewelry box. I am not sentimental with my possesions, but with this diamond ring, I was. We were young & broke, and he said he saved up to buy the best cut & quality and did not cheap out. He completely surprised me with that engagement ring; I was not expecting a proppsal. What a sweetie.

Flash foward...
I was having a new piece made. I wanted some decent sized diamonds. I didn't want to do a bunch of melee diamonds in pave. My DH says how about using your first engagement ring as one of the diamonds? Okay! Well, he then gets excited and gets really into it, working with the jewelry designer and providing his input. He knows I like bold pieces, so he kept blinging it out, add this, add that. I'm like... okay, sounds good, dear! You keep working with the designer, dear! Pile it on, dear!

So... definitely get hubby to participate in your new piece! He will love it and you will too. This will be your special piece you made together. You and hubby will be so proud of this piece, and he will be proud to see you wear it. Your hubby sounds like mine in that he truly appreciates fine jewelry and loves seeing you wear it.

My husband thinks he did such a great job he wants to design another piece.
I think you and your hubby will have fun planning and dreaming your new piece. I'm excited for you!

Well now you must post a picture of the redesigned piece.

 

[911snowball]

BigAkoya, thank you for sharing your story, that was fantastic and so heartwarming! Really, really lovely.

 

[Notorious Pink]

My only advice is that you already have an amazing jewelry collection, and I'd hate to see you spend money trying to make something else with these diamonds and possibly ending up still not wearing the piece(s) because you'll have other things you like better. Another option is to just keep it as is and give to a future daughter-in-law down the road to retain the sentimental value of the piece. (My husband would not remember what he gave me for past anniversaries, thankfully, so I'd likely sell an item I don't ever wear and get something I really want! It's much harder for you that yours remembers!)

I'm so glad to hear you like the second bracelet. You will have a lot of fun with your new piece I can tell.

Your husband will not mind at all reusing the stones. Styles change, tastes change, and it's perfectly okay to sell pieces or re-use stones. I have sold tons of pieces I no longer wear. It's really a romantic myth to think one has to love a piece forever. What I loved when I was 25 is completely different than what I love now. I would hope that my style has changed, and that I have matured for the better. I would hope I am not stuck in time wearing what I wore in my 20s/30s.

Since the necklace was a gift from DH, your new piece will be even more special using these sentimental diamonds. DH will just smile when he sees you wearing this new piece.

Short story...
I had an oval diamond solitaire as my engagement ring, slightly under a carat. I upgraded my engagement ring, so I stopped wearing it. I didn't want to get rid of my old engagement ring, yet it was too small for a pendant or earrings, so I just stuck it in a jewelry box. I am not sentimental with my possesions, but with this diamond ring, I was. We were young & broke, and he said he saved up to buy the best cut & quality and did not cheap out. He completely surprised me with that engagement ring; I was not expecting a proppsal. What a sweetie.

Flash foward...
I was having a new piece made. I wanted some decent sized diamonds. I didn't want to do a bunch of melee diamonds in pave. My DH says how about using your first engagement ring as one of the diamonds? Okay! Well, he then gets excited and gets really into it, working with the jewelry designer and providing his input. He knows I like bold pieces, so he kept blinging it out, add this, add that. I'm like... okay, sounds good, dear! You keep working with the designer, dear! Pile it on, dear!

So... definitely get hubby to participate in your new piece! He will love it and you will too. This will be your special piece you made together. You and hubby will be so proud of this piece, and he will be proud to see you wear it. Your hubby sounds like mine in that he truly appreciates fine jewelry and loves seeing you wear it.

My husband thinks he did such a great job he wants to design another piece.
I think you and your hubby will have fun planning and dreaming your new piece. I'm excited for you!

to be perfectly honest, I would sell the necklace in three seconds if he didn’t remember it. He does not remember most of the jewlery purchases, and he loses track of the bags, but this necklace and my engagement ring he remembers. I’m not sentimental, either, but he’s very particular about the engagement ring. I dont think he’s thrilled about my changing the necklace, and you’re right, I don’t know if I will wear whatever I do with it. The diamonds are beautiful, but the style is just not me, and I would love to create pieces that will go with what I have. To be continued…

 

[MyDogTink]

to be perfectly honest, I would sell the necklace in three seconds if he didn’t remember it. He does not remember most of the jewlery purchases, and he loses track of the bags, but this necklace and my engagement ring he remembers. I’m not sentimental, either, but he’s very particular about the engagement ring. I dont think he’s thrilled about my changing the necklace, and you’re right, I don’t know if I will wear whatever I do with it. The diamonds are beautiful, but the style is just not me, and I would love to create pieces that will go with what I have. To be continued…

Do you think you could fall back in love with it at a later date?

 

[880]

I'd hate to see you spend money trying to make something else with these diamonds and possibly ending up still not wearing the piece(s) because you'll have other things you like better.

don’t know if I will wear whatever I do with it

Do you think you could fall back in love with it at a later date?

OY. Okay, sometimes Things have to be done in stages. Here are some options

1. follow Briony’s advice re to restyle or not. If she thinks you will use the earrings as outlined, she probably knows your taste as well or better than we do. . . I’m assuming you asked her about the blue zircon, grey spinel too. She’s the professional after all, and she’s also dealt with clients with all different types of DH or familial constraints. If it was pink gold would you feel better about it?

2. do nothing as per @DS2006 and your own trepidation above. If this is the case, perhaps try wearing it for a week. Layer it with VCA. Over or under a Zimmerman dress. style it with combat boots, heels, ripped t shirts, tank tops. . . Wear it like fashion jewelry. Wrap it around your wrist a bunch of times. Take it as a challenge and see if you can make it work for you. it’s like, if you don’t like broccoli, we’ll there might be a preparation out there that you enjoy, like puréed into a cold yogurt soup so you cannot see the darn florets!

3. Then say to your DH, that after wearing it for a week. you think your taste has changed, and you’d like to restyle (As per @BigAkoya. My DH enjoyed meeting with Briony and being part of the process of creation and recreation. He cannot wait to do it again Lol. And then have Briony recommned, for what you want, it’s better to resell and start fresh. so the recommendation doesn’t come from you. . .

note: TBH, I had a tennis bracelet once (hand me down from a family member when I was in college). I hated it (but it was set in yellow gold and that was anathema for decades) and gave it back. But in retrospect, I could have kept it and broken it down into earrings. . . meh, no. (Simply put, the tennis bracelet reminds me of my mother style or my MILs style both of which are very different from my own)

by the way, I’ve lost and reimagined so many engagement rings, DH and ai cannot keep count. I attained control over the process bc once he threw out an engagement sapphire with the pile of NYT. We cannot remember precisely what happened, but I now have a small stable of rings that i do wear. He now wants to have an emerald cut stone set into gold in that gorgeous chunky fashion that Briony does so well. i haven’t decided whether t9 do that or a fun three stone combo. This year, when we were at bulgari, he turned to me and said he thought a serpenti pinkie ring was cuter than what I normally wore. Et voila, DH’s can change It just took thirty plus years

 

[A bottle of Red]

to be perfectly honest, I would sell the necklace in three seconds if he didn’t remember it. He does not remember most of the jewlery purchases, and he loses track of the bags, but this necklace and my engagement ring he remembers. I’m not sentimental, either, but he’s very particular about the engagement ring. I dont think he’s thrilled about my changing the necklace, and you’re right, I don’t know if I will wear whatever I do with it. The diamonds are beautiful, but the style is just not me, and I would love to create pieces that will go with what I have. To be continued…

What about putting a clip or pendant onto it to make it more fresh & appealing?

 

[BigAkoya]

@glamourbag and anyone who's a bow lover...
On our bow saga from a few posts back... (e.g. Tilda's Bow, Tiffany Bow, Noeud)...
I've been in search of bow rings, and I think this one may be the one for me. I wanted to share with you in case you are still looking for a bow ring.

I've been working with my jeweler on Picchiotti pieces, and we started to talk about bows... the Fiocco line has a beautiful bow. I like the big one, and that size is perfect for me. My only hesitation is the bow does not have loose ends, like when you tie a real bow and it has two loose ends. This bow only has the loops which in a way makes it look substantial, but sort of like a fake bow.
For me, I like this one better than Tilda's Bow as the pave bow ribbon is wider and more substantial.

I am working with the SA to bring in the large and small all diamond bow rings. I also like the ruby one too and asked to see it, and it's a made to order piece. They also make matching bow earrings in the large size, but if those are too big, they can also make them in the smaller bow size.

Just FYI to share with you. Here is a link: Fiocco – Picchiotti

 

[lynne_ross]

@glamourbag and anyone who's a bow lover...
On our bow saga from a few posts back... (e.g. Tilda's Bow, Tiffany Bow, Noeud)...
I've been in search of bow rings, and I think this one may be the one for me. I wanted to share with you in case you are still looking for a bow ring.

I've been working with my jeweler on Picchiotti pieces, and we started to talk about bows... the Fiocco line has a beautiful bow. I like the big one, and that size is perfect for me. My only hesitation is the bow does not have loose ends, like when you tie a real bow and it has two loose ends. This bow only has the loops which in a way makes it look substantial, but sort of like a fake bow.
For me, I like this one better than Tilda's Bow as the pave bow ribbon is wider and more substantial.

I am working with the SA to bring in the large and small all diamond bow rings. I also like the ruby one too and asked to see it, and it's a made to order piece. They also make matching bow earrings in the large size, but if those are too big, they can also make them in the smaller bow size.

Just FYI to share with you. Here is a link: Fiocco – Picchiotti

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These are really pretty. Please post pictures. I like that they are 3D and puffy.
I am also not sure I like the no ends. The ones with coloured stones look very special too.
VCA noeud is still my favourite. It really captures the look of beautifully tied thin ribbon. I noticed that this brand has one like the noeud and it looks like a very sad bow.

 

[880]

What about putting a clip or pendant onto it to make it more fresh & appealing?

Isn’t the pic that @BigAkoya posted above (the lady with the bows) isn’t that a riviera necklace with a diamond bow? Could a diamond clip be placed on @Notorious Pink ‘s necklace? IDK, maybe in pink?

 

[glamourbag]

@glamourbag and anyone who's a bow lover...
On our bow saga from a few posts back... (e.g. Tilda's Bow, Tiffany Bow, Noeud)...
I've been in search of bow rings, and I think this one may be the one for me. I wanted to share with you in case you are still looking for a bow ring.

I've been working with my jeweler on Picchiotti pieces, and we started to talk about bows... the Fiocco line has a beautiful bow. I like the big one, and that size is perfect for me. My only hesitation is the bow does not have loose ends, like when you tie a real bow and it has two loose ends. This bow only has the loops which in a way makes it look substantial, but sort of like a fake bow.
For me, I like this one better than Tilda's Bow as the pave bow ribbon is wider and more substantial.

I am working with the SA to bring in the large and small all diamond bow rings. I also like the ruby one too and asked to see it, and it's a made to order piece. They also make matching bow earrings in the large size, but if those are too big, they can also make them in the smaller bow size.

Just FYI to share with you. Here is a link: Fiocco – Picchiotti

View attachment 5179739

Oh boy...... I can't get past that ring! @BigAkoya you aren't making this easy! I just checked their store location/stockists... there is one store in my area which carries the brand. I was planning to stop in that exact store sometime soon, so that's a bonus. I hope they will have some of their pieces.

I know what you mean about the ends of the bow/ribbon and while I typically like to see that, this design is quite lovely. The ribbon width is substantial enough I think it may end up being too much if they (ends) were part of the design.

I also was looking at the rose collection. Thank you for pointing out this. Im going to have a look some more.

 

[BigAkoya]

Oh boy...... I can't get past that ring! @BigAkoya you aren't making this easy! I just checked their store location/stockists... there is one store in my area which carries the brand. I was planning to stop in that exact store sometime soon, so that's a bonus. I hope they will have some of their pieces.

I know what you mean about the ends of the bow/ribbon and while I typically like to see that, this design is quite lovely. The ribbon width is substantial enough I think it may end up being too much if they (ends) were part of the design.

I also was looking at the rose collection. Thank you for pointing out this. Im going to have a look some more.

Take a look at their colored gemstone pieces too when you go there. They are known for their colored gemstones. My guess is you will need to call ahead and ask them to bring in items you want to see. Their colored gemstones are typically one of a kind especially since for fine colored gemstones. No two gemstones are alike, similar, but never the same, not like an all diamond piece, where everthing is kind of cookie cutter. The Rose collection is really pretty too, a work of art. I mentioned this in an earlier post (re: the Xpandable line), but their website stinks. They carry more than what is on the website.

I'm so glad you like the ring and there is dealer near you so you can check it out! But definitely call ahead as I know in the U.S., only a few pieces are stocked.

 

[glamourbag]

Take a look at their colored gemstone pieces too when you go there. They are known for their colored gemstones. My guess is you will need to call ahead and ask them to bring in items you want to see. Their colored gemstones are typically one of a kind especially since for fine colored gemstones. No two gemstones are alike, similar, but never the same, not like an all diamond piece, where everthing is kind of cookie cutter. The Rose collection is really pretty too, a work of art. I mentioned this in an earlier post (re: the Xpandable line), but their website stinks. They carry more than what is on the website.

I'm so glad you like the ring and there is dealer near you so you can check it out! But definitely call ahead as I know in the U.S., only a few pieces are stocked.

Stunning pieces. I think you are right. These stores tend to only carry a few pieces here and there so the odds are slim that they would have a large selection to review. I still want to see the Tilda's bow but since the only Graff is on the other side of the country Im going to have to wait until I travel if I want to catch a glimpse with my own eyes. From the pictures you provided and what I saw online, Im still interested.