I have a milestone birthday coming up. And I am suddenly aware that you only go around once. I typically don’t buy myself expensive things as I am pretty practical. (And I spent a lot of time looking at 30-somethings sporting designer handbags and thinking one day maybe I’ll be grown up enough to buy one, even though I am decades older than them )
Anyway, I would like to buy myself a piece of jewelry. Probably something I can wear everyday, not keep in a box for special occasions. Some Lagos or David Yurman bracelets have caught my eye. I also have a friend who insists they are not worth the money. I have looked at a local jewelers catalog but not seen anything that I like as much.
I’m not looking for you to find me my piece, but I am curious what you value and what you would pick. Hearing others’ opinions helps me decide what I like and don’t like. I hope you’ll play along!
I tend toward hand crafted jewelry. Most isn’t overly expensive. I have several pieces (rings mostly) that I’ve bought on vacations. It doubles as my “souvenir” so I pay extra to get things I really like. They all have good memories attached.
A good friend of mine has some beautiful necklaces and over the years they’ve tended to end up in her safe rather than be enjoyed. If you’re afraid to wear it, don’t buy it.
I tend to favor rings or necklaces. I find that bracelets get caught, snag clothes or fall off. I also like things purchased on trips that have happy memories.
One option is a custom piece from a jeweler. We had a gold charm made for D’s graduation gift. It was based on one of her own designs. If you have a particular interest or something really meaningful to you it could be a good option. If you have a good local jeweler they’d be happy to help with the design.
My mom had an incredible jewelry collection. My sister and I split it up after her death. We shared it with our daughters and my new DIL. I will never need another piece!
I have several DY bracelets, rings and earrings that I wear everyday. They are easy to mix and match and aren’t “hey look at this expensive piece of jewelry”. You can keep building your collection.
I wear my diamond stud earrings everyday.
There are 2 rings (diamond infinity ring and a sapphire ring) and 2 necklaces that I wear all the time. Most of other jewelry are put away now.
I don’t take any of them off when I shower or go to sleep.
If you are looking for something you would wear everyday then think of something that’s not too heavy or you need to take off. David Yurman to me is kind of big to wear all the time.
My dad loved my mom and bought her a few things over the years. My mom loved my dad and wore them. They are not my ( or her) style though. I may resize her wedding ring as it’s gorgeous.
I have all the “fine” jewelry I could ever want (thanks, DH), but I started to regret not having a college class ring a few years ago, so I designed the one I wanted on the class ring website, and DH gave it to me for Christmas a couple of years ago. It all comes out of the same account, so I guess I treated myself to it.
I have an idea! Go on a fun vacation (big or small) and buy something you like from an artisan there. I did that recently in Italy. We did a side trip to from Tuscany to Venice and our hotel offered Murano Glass tours. It was actually somewhat sad. Because of the Russian gas issues they only had one demonstration glass blowing station running. But it was a lovely water taxi ride over. I bought earrings and a bracelet in rose gold that I wear all the time.
Anyway, do it your way. Milestone birthdays deserve double treats!
Me, I am an antique jewelry kind of woman. I just love Edwardian and Art Deco jewelry. My husband has given me a number of pieces of jewelry. The biggest surprise was a non heat treated pink sapphire and diamond ring from Tiffany’s. It is stunning. I inherited a fabulous bracelet with a beautiful art deco former diamond pin in it. It is set into a 1 inch wide gold bracelet. The diamonds total over 2 1/2 carats. It is also stunning. I live in a small town, so I don’t wear them often. I am going to have to get them out of the safe deposit box and start wearing them.
If I want to wear something daily, I’d want it to be hardy/durable but also a close fit. For instance, my spouse and the kid got my a bracelet with a message engraved from the kid on it. I absolutely loved it and wore it daily, but it would bang on things or get caught on things, and eventually the metal tag came off and went down the disposal (oops).
When thinking about engagement rings, I learned that rings with prongs can snag things easily, which is why the rings have bezels or similar.
I am seconding having a piece of jewelry made for you. It can be a matter of choosing a stone that you particularly like and getting a setting to truly set it off, or a special design, or something else of significance. And oftentimes, the cost is not more than what one might pay for a designer item.
Last year I had my engagement diamond reset with bezel set emeralds on the side. I had wanted emeralds when we picked out my ring setting but was talked out of it at the time because the jeweler said they are too soft for everyday wear. I love the new setting and wear it everyday!
The only other thing I would want is a great watch, still looking for something in my price range
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