Diamond Earrings - To give or not to give

[Gypsy]

I'd go to Tiffany or Mikimoto. No to the other stores. Absolutely not.

 

[simpleman]

Ok pearls it is.

Any suggestions on where to buy? I know someone said Mikimoto. Are their pearls better than say Tiffany? Should I just go to a standard jewelry store i.e. Zales, Shane Co, Kay??

Again, the feedback from everyone has been wonderful! Thank you all so much!

Is she a classic gal or do you think she'd appreciate a contemporary take on the classics?

Classic http://www.pearlparadise.com/7580-mm-White-Hanadama-Pearl-Stud-Earrings2610.aspx

Classic but different http://www.pearlparadise.com/Classic-Collection-Tahitian-Baroque-Pearl-Dangle-Earrings467.aspx

Contemporary spin (IMO) http://www.pearlparadise.com/8090-mm-AAA-Tahitian-Pearl-Threader-Earrings2179.aspx

She is a little more classic. She is eastern european and she likes things that are simple, elegant and classy.

 

[Skippy123]

Ok pearls it is.

Any suggestions on where to buy? I know someone said Mikimoto. Are their pearls better than say Tiffany? Should I just go to a standard jewelry store i.e. Zales, Shane Co, Kay??

Again, the feedback from everyone has been wonderful! Thank you all so much!

Is she a classic gal or do you think she'd appreciate a contemporary take on the classics?

Classic http://www.pearlparadise.com/7580-mm-White-Hanadama-Pearl-Stud-Earrings2610.aspx

Classic but different http://www.pearlparadise.com/Classic-Collection-Tahitian-Baroque-Pearl-Dangle-Earrings467.aspx

Contemporary spin (IMO) http://www.pearlparadise.com/8090-mm-AAA-Tahitian-Pearl-Threader-Earrings2179.aspx

She is a little more classic. She is eastern european and she likes things that are simple, elegant and classy.

Right now PP is having a sale so I would ask for the sale price; I can't post coupon codes or I would for you but ask PP and hopefully they give you the discount. I think these would be beautiful. http://www.pearlparadise.com/Classic-Collection-White-Freshadama-Freshwater-Pearl-Dangle-Earrings783.aspx

 

[simpleman]

Does the metal of the post matter? I see I have the choice between white gold, yellow gold, and sterling silver.

I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to jewelry...

 

[Skippy123]

Does the metal of the post matter? I see I have the choice between white gold, yellow gold, and sterling silver.

I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to jewelry...

Does she wear a watch or bracelet? Check it out to see if she were's yellow gold or white gold; then I would choose based on that.

 

[Circe]

Does the metal of the post matter? I see I have the choice between white gold, yellow gold, and sterling silver.

I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to jewelry...

I'd actually go with yellow gold, platinum, or stainless steel (follow Skippy's advice on color): some percentage of the population is allergic to white gold, silver, and base metals, and that can suck with earrings (and especially earrings given as a sentimental gift).

 

[simpleman]

Does the metal of the post matter? I see I have the choice between white gold, yellow gold, and sterling silver.

I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to jewelry...

Does she wear a watch or bracelet? Check it out to see if she were's yellow gold or white gold; then I would choose based on that.

She has a yellow gold bracelet, wears two yellow gold rings on her right hand and one white gold ring on her left. She told me once that she likes white gold tho...?

 

[Skippy123]

Does the metal of the post matter? I see I have the choice between white gold, yellow gold, and sterling silver.

I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to jewelry...

Does she wear a watch or bracelet? Check it out to see if she were's yellow gold or white gold; then I would choose based on that.

She has a yellow gold bracelet, wears two yellow gold rings on her right hand and one white gold ring on her left. She told me once that she likes white gold tho...?

Oh if she told you she likes white gold then I get white gold. I know lots of ladies do white and yellow gold together but then others only do one or the other metal. But her telling you white gold then I would go with wg.

 

[that_someone_special]

I'd go to Tiffany or Mikimoto. No to the other stores. Absolutely not.

I say NO NO NO for pearls from Tiffany and only Mikimoto if you are buying the higher end stuff.

Pearl Paradise is a phenomenal place to shop from online. Great customer service with good prices.

 

[simpleman]

How much of a difference is there going to be between Grade A and Grade AA pearls from Mikimoto? Is it worth the extra $

 

[that_someone_special]

http://www.mikimotoamerica.com/about-pearl-jewelry/how-to-buy-pearls/mikimoto-grading-system/

I would honestly go with AAA or AA+..... There is a huge difference.


I recommend these though.... http://www.pearlparadise.com/7580-mm-White-Hanadama-Pearl-Stud-Earrings2610.aspx

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I second Bean's suggestion.

I think from a purely quality point of view, the Hanadamas are nicer pearls (from what I've seen) but Mikimoto is the "Tiffany" of Pearls, so it depends on what you think she'd like. Some girls really love the name brands, and some girls just want the better quality item regardless of brand.

 

[that_someone_special]

I wouldn't say that really...

 

[Gypsy]

I'd go to Tiffany or Mikimoto. No to the other stores. Absolutely not.

I say NO NO NO for pearls from Tiffany and only Mikimoto if you are buying the higher end stuff.

Pearl Paradise is a phenomenal place to shop from online. Great customer service with good prices.

I agree, an my own pearls are from there. But for a GIFT to a new girlfriend, IMO, the packaging matters as much if not more than the gift. Pearl Paradise isn't something anyone has heard of, outside of certain circles, and I just think IN THIS CASE that the brand matters a lot.

ETA: This from a "non-brand" girl.

 

[suchende]

I'd go to Tiffany or Mikimoto. No to the other stores. Absolutely not.

I say NO NO NO for pearls from Tiffany and only Mikimoto if you are buying the higher end stuff.

Pearl Paradise is a phenomenal place to shop from online. Great customer service with good prices.

I agree, an my own pearls are from there. But for a GIFT to a new girlfriend, IMO, the packaging matters as much if not more than the gift. Pearl Paradise isn't something anyone has heard of, outside of certain circles, and I just think IN THIS CASE that the brand matters a lot.

ETA: This from a "non-brand" girl.

Took the words right out of my mouth

 

[Pandora II]

I'd go to Tiffany or Mikimoto. No to the other stores. Absolutely not.

I say NO NO NO for pearls from Tiffany and only Mikimoto if you are buying the higher end stuff.

Pearl Paradise is a phenomenal place to shop from online. Great customer service with good prices.

I agree, an my own pearls are from there. But for a GIFT to a new girlfriend, IMO, the packaging matters as much if not more than the gift. Pearl Paradise isn't something anyone has heard of, outside of certain circles, and I just think IN THIS CASE that the brand matters a lot.

ETA: This from a "non-brand" girl.

Ditto this.

Mikimoto is about the only brand I will spend the extra money for. I may be wrong, but I see them as still a cachet brand - very classic and elegant a bit like Hermes rather than Dolce & Gabbana...

I've also had great customer service from them. Even though neither of my Miki strands were bought from them, the store in London re-strings them for me, gives me all the cleaning cloths etc and took a lot of time to date them from the clasps (1947 & 1949) and value them for me.

I bought DH a Mikimoto tie clasp for our wedding and 14kt pearl aand mother-of-pearl cufflinks last Christmas. The quality and workmanship is outstanding. I don't really see it in the same way as paying an arm and a leg for a silver locket from Tiffany that you could buy an identical one from Joe Bloggs Jewellers for a fraction of the price. You really are getting a fantastic product from them. Not to say that there aren't others out there with nice pearls too, but here you get the name and the quality.

I wouldn't spend the extra for pearls from any of the other big names - ie Tiffany.

Oh I would buy the best quality you can afford, there is a difference. My pearl studs are in yellow-gold, but it's really personal preference.

 

[that_someone_special]

I'm not going to get into it, but Mikimoto quality has apparently gone down, and their "AAA" pearls or hanadama sometimes are not.... as "perfect" as they should be. Please keep in mind that there is not a standard grading policy for pearls so anyone can sell any type of pearl under any grading level.

The thing to remember is that with Mikimoto you are paying for a brand name, and the clasp. There is nothing special about their pearls other than the fact that they cost more. NOTHING. The top pearls are the top pearls. They do not own the right to carry the best pearls in the world.. same with Tiffany... and those are ridiculous.

I disagree that the first big gift in a 3 month relationship NEEDS TO BE brand name. Please. So a girl that hardly wears earrings is now going to turn her nose down to nicer earrings (for cheaper) than getting a lesser quality pearl with a more expensive brand name? That is crazy.

 

[suchende]

I am not saying it should be this way, or that OP's squeeze is vapid enough to buy into it, but I've heard it said that the point of Valentine's Day gifts is to brag to your friends about what he got you. If I were a guy in a new relationship, I'd rather her tell her friends, "he got me X brand name earrings!" than, "he was a really savvy consumer and got the same quality piece from this website he found!" Sure, she will probably just say, "he got me lovely earrings!" but in my circles of friends, I know a high-end brand name would illicit more squees and comments like, "oh he's a keeper!"

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I wouldn't say that really...

Fair enough, I've only been to one Mikimoto's, and I wasn't particularly impressed. Although to be honest, much of that impression was due to the sales people being sort of clueless. It didn't make me particularly comfortable.

I'm just an n of 1 though, lol, totally willing to admit it might have just been a bad staffing day!

 

[that_someone_special]

I am not saying it should be this way, or that OP's squeeze is vapid enough to buy into it, but I've heard it said that the point of Valentine's Day gifts is to brag to your friends about what he got you. If I were a guy in a new relationship, I'd rather her tell her friends, "he got me X brand name earrings!" than, "he was a really savvy consumer and got the same quality piece from this website he found!" Sure, she will probably just say, "he got me lovely earrings!" but in my circles of friends, I know a high-end brand name would illicit more squees and comments like, "oh he's a keeper!"

Yes I do see what you are saying but PP is not just a website. They are based in LA, you can go in to pick your own pearls by appointment, and they have dealt with a lot of celebrities, awards shows, tv shows.. etc. It's not just some random website that was made by some random guy. The history of the company is quite interesting.

 

[suchende]

Yes I do see what you are saying but PP is not just a website. They are based in LA, you can go in to pick your own pearls by appointment, and they have dealt with a lot of celebrities, awards shows, tv shows.. etc. It's not just some random website that was made by some random guy. The history of the company is quite interesting.

Oh okay, I didn't realize.

 

[Gypsy]

Yes I do see what you are saying but PP is not just a website. They are based in LA, you can go in to pick your own pearls by appointment, and they have dealt with a lot of celebrities, awards shows, tv shows.. etc. It's not just some random website that was made by some random guy. The history of the company is quite interesting.

Oh okay, I didn't realize.

Still. I have many single friends and none of them are vapid, and many of them love a good deal.

A good deal though isn't the point of a present. It's to make you feel spoiled and appreciated. Especially in a new relationship. So, I stick by my opinion that the packaging matters.

She's not going to know Pearl Paradise from Macy's. And Macy's has a physically presence too.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I think it largely depends on the girl and her circle.
If my husband had bought me something from Cartier or Tiffany, I would have wondered if he knew me at all, lol. But I'm a flea-market, treasure hunting type of gal, and that's just me. I also argued with my hubby about buying a diamond at all when we got engaged, but he's a traditionalist (and wanted bragging rights, haha). Honestly I'd be more impressed with Pearl Paradise because I would do some pearl research as soon as I got them, and would realize that my sweetie had put some time and research into the matter in order to get the Hanadamas, and didn't just go to the biggest name in the industry and call it a day. I personally would feel more spoiled in knowing he put so much time and effort into the gift, and not just money.

I don't think either choice is wrong or right, just depends on the girl in mind. Some girls love the brand names and it makes them feel special. Some girls feel the opposite. Just like some girls love big ACA D IF diamonds, and some girls love M OECs.

I do hope the OP lets us know what the decides, and comes back with pictures!!

 

[TravelingGal]

Just a point on the posts...make sure she doesn't have a nickel allergy. White gold makes my ears bleed.

 

[diva rose]

I'd go to Tiffany or Mikimoto. No to the other stores. Absolutely not.

I say NO NO NO for pearls from Tiffany and only Mikimoto if you are buying the higher end stuff.

Pearl Paradise is a phenomenal place to shop from online. Great customer service with good prices.

I agree, an my own pearls are from there. But for a GIFT to a new girlfriend, IMO, the packaging matters as much if not more than the gift. Pearl Paradise isn't something anyone has heard of, outside of certain circles, and I just think IN THIS CASE that the brand matters a lot.

ETA: This from a "non-brand" girl.

I'm going to have to agree with Gypsy here.

I do think branding does matter depending on the girl to a new girlfriend. Also age - a lot of young women who may not know much about jewellery all want something that comes with that blue-green box aka Tiffany.

In the end figure out what kind of girl she is and get her pearls based on that.

Personally I do love Mikimoto - however they are pricey.

 

[stci]

I admit I don't read all the answers here and I don't want you think I'm cheap but the best gift I would like to receive from a girl friend is one of her pair of earrings.

You know what I mean? A real souvenir from a person that I like. For me, this will be the most beautiful gift! A piece of heart with a little pair of used and beautiful earrings. OMG! Great and unforgettable!

 

[sillyberry]

I am not saying it should be this way, or that OP's squeeze is vapid enough to buy into it, but I've heard it said that the point of Valentine's Day gifts is to brag to your friends about what he got you. If I were a guy in a new relationship, I'd rather her tell her friends, "he got me X brand name earrings!" than, "he was a really savvy consumer and got the same quality piece from this website he found!" Sure, she will probably just say, "he got me lovely earrings!" but in my circles of friends, I know a high-end brand name would illicit more squees and comments like, "oh he's a keeper!"

This seriously makes me want to barf.

I have never once told my friends what any boyfriend bought me as a present in the hopes that they'll squee and approve of him more. In fact, I don't think I've ever told any of my friends what he bought me as a present.

OP, if you think your girlfriend would like a brand name item, then by all means. But as far as I'm concerned, it's totally and completely unnecessary as long as you put sweet thoughts into the gift.

And, for what it's worth, I own two strands of gorgeous pearls and I've never heard of Mikimoto until this thread.

 

[suchende]

I am not saying it should be this way, or that OP's squeeze is vapid enough to buy into it, but I've heard it said that the point of Valentine's Day gifts is to brag to your friends about what he got you. If I were a guy in a new relationship, I'd rather her tell her friends, "he got me X brand name earrings!" than, "he was a really savvy consumer and got the same quality piece from this website he found!" Sure, she will probably just say, "he got me lovely earrings!" but in my circles of friends, I know a high-end brand name would illicit more squees and comments like, "oh he's a keeper!"

This seriously makes me want to barf.

I have never once told my friends what any boyfriend bought me as a present in the hopes that they'll squee and approve of him more. In fact, I don't think I've ever told any of my friends what he bought me as a present.

OP, if you think your girlfriend would like a brand name item, then by all means. But as far as I'm concerned, it's totally and completely unnecessary as long as you put sweet thoughts into the gift.

And, for what it's worth, I own two strands of gorgeous pearls and I've never heard of Mikimoto until this thread.

It's not about what she hopes her friends think, it's about what he wants her and possibly her friends to think. A lot of my guy friends would be looking for the "friend squee factor." Whether or not that would make you barf.

 

[sillyberry]

I am not saying it should be this way, or that OP's squeeze is vapid enough to buy into it, but I've heard it said that the point of Valentine's Day gifts is to brag to your friends about what he got you. If I were a guy in a new relationship, I'd rather her tell her friends, "he got me X brand name earrings!" than, "he was a really savvy consumer and got the same quality piece from this website he found!" Sure, she will probably just say, "he got me lovely earrings!" but in my circles of friends, I know a high-end brand name would illicit more squees and comments like, "oh he's a keeper!"

This seriously makes me want to barf.

I have never once told my friends what any boyfriend bought me as a present in the hopes that they'll squee and approve of him more. In fact, I don't think I've ever told any of my friends what he bought me as a present.

OP, if you think your girlfriend would like a brand name item, then by all means. But as far as I'm concerned, it's totally and completely unnecessary as long as you put sweet thoughts into the gift.

And, for what it's worth, I own two strands of gorgeous pearls and I've never heard of Mikimoto until this thread.

It's not about what she hopes her friends think, it's about what he wants her and possibly her friends to think. A lot of my guy friends would be looking for the "friend squee factor." Whether or not that would make you barf.

Right, but your friends only know if you run off and tell them "OMG he got me earrings from X!" Which sounds kind of like high school.

As I said, if he thinks SHE would like a brand name, then go for it. It's not my jam, but my best friend loves her some high-end designer stuff and so her husband buys her that to make her happy. But the idea that he would buy her that stuff so I think he's a more worthy mate strikes me as kind of awful.

 

[suchende]

Right, but your friends only know if you run off and tell them "OMG he got me earrings from X!" Which sounds kind of like high school.

As I said, if he thinks SHE would like a brand name, then go for it. It's not my jam, but my best friend loves her some high-end designer stuff and so her husband buys her that to make her happy. But the idea that he would buy her that stuff so I think he's a more worthy mate strikes me as kind of awful.

I hear what you're saying (heck I used the word vapid in my own post) but I was thinking about what my best guy friends would be thinking in this situation, and they'd want her friends/mom to be impressed. So, I told him what I'd tell them, knowing this is what they've expressly said they were thinking of in similar situations. I don't think it has to be awful, just trying to make a good impression.