Do you prefer to spend more on a piece you can wear every day or on a special occasion piece?

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

I was at the jeweler the other day, and I saw two absolutely stunning pieces of jewellery, both of which would fit super well into my collection, and both similarly (expensively) priced. Each one would be a massive, multi-month saving project so I definitely plan to only do one (if any) for the foreseeable future.

The first was this beautiful tennis bracelet. It’s classic and elegant (and like I said, huge lol. I don’t remember the exact ctw but each stone is like 50pts). It’s huge but also a classic, and I could totally wear it on a regular basis, if not straight up daily.

The second were these stunning long chandelier diamond special occasion earrings. I love earrings, but these are some large and in charge ones, will have to be reserved for black tie occasions only. But oh man they are STUNNINGGGG.

It got me thinking, which ones should I go for? I love them both but in different ways. They’re roughly similarly priced so I have time to make my decision since I’ll have to save up for a long time. There’s no fomo though because I could always order the same for myself even if these specific ones sell, since the design is owned by my jeweler. But since they’re so pricey it’s probably financially irresponsible to think about buying both back to back lol. even if I eventually buy both, it might be years in between. So I’m choosing to treat the decision as an either-or.

So what would you do?

 

[MissGotRocks]

I personally would always opt for a piece that I know I will get lots of wear from me. Not so much into special occasion jewelry, although I know those pieces have lots of fans. The tennis bracelet sounds fabulous, and the earrings do as well. Tough choice but I am always going to spend my diamond dollars on things that I will wear frequently. Too expensive to let stay in a box but again, that's just my thoughts!

 

[missy]

I generally go by PPW
Get the piece you’ll love and wear most often

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

I personally would always opt for a piece that I know I will get lots of wear from me. Not so much into special occasion jewelry, although I know those pieces have lots of fans. The tennis bracelet sounds fabulous, and the earrings do as well. Tough choice but I am always going to spend my diamond dollars on things that I will wear frequently. Too expensive to let stay in a box but again, that's just my thoughts!

I generally go by PPW
Get the piece you’ll love and wear most often

CPW is on my mind, and it’s one of the things that sways me towards the bracelet; but the earrings are kind of… exciting? lol. But I also think it’s impractical to buy a pair of earrings I’ll wear like, 3 times a year over a bracelet I’d wear 3x a week.

Hence the indecision

 

[MissGotRocks]

CPW is on my mind, and it’s one of the things that sways me towards the bracelet; but the earrings are kind of… exciting? lol. But I also think it’s impractical to buy a pair of earrings I’ll wear like, 3 times a year over a bracelet I’d wear 3x a week.

Hence the indecision

Perhaps consider the one that would be harder to duplicate or find again? Would remaking said piece cost much more than the item's cost today? Could you purchase one and put the other on a layaway program?

 

[missy]

CPW is on my mind, and it’s one of the things that sways me towards the bracelet; but the earrings are kind of… exciting? lol. But I also think it’s impractical to buy a pair of earrings I’ll wear like, 3 times a year over a bracelet I’d wear 3x a week.

Hence the indecision

Ok so I do own pieces that are special occasion pieces. But if I could not do both that’s my answer.

If you love love love both and can afford it I wholeheartedly say go for it

Life is short
Eat the cake
Buy the bling
Be happy however you can

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

Perhaps consider the one that would be harder to duplicate or find again? Would remaking said piece cost much more than the item's cost today? Could you purchase one and put the other on a layaway program?

Both can be remade at any point even if the originals sell and wouldn’t cost materially much more (unless the base price of materials changes of course).

At the moment I can’t really purchase either off the bat. I’d have to save up. So it feels irresponsible to put either on layaway - I’d rather just save it up in my own account and when I’m ready to pay just go in and buy.

The earrings are more unusual and standout, the bracelet Id wear more.

Maybe what I need is the magic option 3 - a tennis bracelet that’s more interesting in design that scratches my itch for something more unusual than classic but also is something that can be worn often haven’t seen it yet though.

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

Ok so I do own pieces that are special occasion pieces. But if I could not do both that’s my answer.

If you love love love both and can afford it I wholeheartedly say go for it

Life is short
Eat the cake
Buy the bling
Be happy however you can

I do feel like I should probably concentrate on the staple piece first but the occasion piece is exciting

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

I would get the earrings and wear them anywhere you want! Life is short! Why should you wait for an occasion to wear them. I wear my ridiculous rings to buy durian!

Plus fancy earrings would really make an outfit pop!

 

[missy]

I do feel like I should probably concentrate on the staple piece first but the occasion piece is exciting

Lol I hear you. Believe me I get it. The struggle is real
Good luck!

 

[Matata]

I have no angst over this kind of dilemma. If you want to be practical, get the bracelet first. If you want to thumb your nose at stuffy conventional thinking, get the earrings first and wear them whenever the heck you want -- wear the earrings to run errands while dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. Add a blazer and call it formal wear. It's all about the attitude, if you care what people will think about you for wearing fancy earrings in daylight and without a gown, then keep them locked away in the dark until those 3 occasions a year happen. If you don't care what others think and live your life doing things that bring you joy, then those earrings should see the light of day as often as you choose to wear them.

Large chandelier earrings became a thing in 2024 and carried over into 2025 so you would be in trend if you choose to go with the earrings.

 

[Calliecake]

@AllAboardTheBlingTrain, Buy whatever will bring you the most joy. Life is short. Have fun. You deserve lots of happiness in your life.

 

[dk168]

Just like clothes, I have different wardrobes:

- Casual that I don't mind getting mucky when I go out and about with the dog
- Smart for dressier occasions
- Formal as in black/white tie events

I have jewellery pieces to suit the above wardrobes, and the best pieces usually come out for the black/white tie events as they are bigger, fancier in design and more blingy.

For example, I seldom wear the large dangle earring drops as I don't like to wear them when I wear glasses; and I only not wear glasses for black/white tie events.

I normally wear the smaller and less expensive pieces, mixed with lab or costume jewellery most of the time so that I don't have to baby them, if you know what I mean.

Hope the above makes sense.

DK

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

I would get the earrings and wear them anywhere you want! Life is short! Why should you wait for an occasion to wear them. I wear my ridiculous rings to buy durian!

Plus fancy earrings would really make an outfit pop!

I’m really really tempted to do the earrings but the thing is they really aren’t wearable to at least a fancy dinner, if you know what I mean. like here is a picture from my Pinterest board that’s a similar vibe to those earrings I fell in love with, to show you what I mean it’s not a similar design really but it gets across the kind of feeling I mean. But I guess I could wear them to dinner sometimes, doesn’t need to just be a black tie occasion. It’s like my hoops are super OTT but they are more casual/wearable just because of the style. Though that makes me realise I do have a pair of really high-end diamond earrings, but no tennis bracelet…

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

I have no angst over this kind of dilemma. If you want to be practical, get the bracelet first. If you want to thumb your nose at stuffy conventional thinking, get the earrings first and wear them whenever the heck you want -- wear the earrings to run errands while dressed in jeans and a t-shirt. Add a blazer and call it formal wear. It's all about the attitude, if you care what people will think about you for wearing fancy earrings in daylight and without a gown, then keep them locked away in the dark until those 3 occasions a year happen. If you don't care what others think and live your life doing things that bring you joy, then those earrings should see the light of day as often as you choose to wear them.

Large chandelier earrings became a thing in 2024 and carried over into 2025 so you would be in trend if you choose to go with the earrings.

You have a point, but these are really formal. Also there’s a safety concern lol if I wore them to the mall or something. But I do love them. It’s just that now thinking about it I feel like I do own a pair of high ctw earrings (my hoops) already, though these are a bit higher ctw than those. Still, maybe I should do the bracelet first then? As you can see, I’m still confused!

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

@AllAboardTheBlingTrain, Buy whatever will bring you the most joy. Life is short. Have fun. You deserve lots of happiness in your life.

Thank you so much <3 I think I’ve been trying to buy happiness after the last few months I’ve had lol and a long term saving project always makes me excited. Maybe I’m posting about it more so because it’s nice to have something like this to dwell on. No wrong choices. And this is my strong independent woman moment lol.

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

Just like clothes, I have different wardrobes:

- Casual that I don't mind getting mucky when I go out and about with the dog
- Smart for dressier occasions
- Formal as in black/white tie events

I have jewellery pieces to suit the above wardrobes, and the best pieces usually come out for the black/white tie events as they are bigger, fancier in design and more blingy.

For example, I seldom wear the large dangle earring drops as I don't like to wear them when I wear glasses; and I only not wear glasses for black/white tie events.

I normally wear the smaller and less expensive pieces, mixed with lab or costume jewellery most of the time so that I don't have to baby them, if you know what I mean.

Hope the above makes sense.

DK

what I’m getting is that you do tend to spend more on your special occasion pieces, and that helps a lot with my thinking! I’m also wondering if I’m so torn between both I haven’t really found the perfect piece just yet.

 

[Matata]

No wrong choices. And this is my strong independent woman moment lol.

Welllllllll then you should save longer and get both at the same time (aiding and abetting is my forte ).

 

[dk168]

what I’m getting is that you do tend to spend more on your special occasion pieces, and that helps a lot with my thinking! I’m also wondering if I’m so torn between both I haven’t really found the perfect piece just yet.

Yup.

The way I look at it is this: if I spend lots of money on just a few very nice pieces and wear them all the time, I would get bored with them, and they would lose their wow factor; if you know what I mean.

DK

 

[kenny]

I'm a one-piece-of-jewelry guy ... and I gots me a really special one.

 

[seaurchin]

I'd vote for the more everyday bracelet for two reasons. One is because one of your more recent posts said you already have a pair of high-end earrings for formal occasions. Two is because you'd get to see the bracelet when you wear it.

 

[Bron357]

For me, I view all my jewelry as something to wear anytime. I don’t subscribe to the “for special occasions” philosophy.
That said, certainly gemstones like Opals aren’t suitable for everyday wear especially when set as a ring or bracelet so I do treat these pieces with greater care.
For me, I would choose based on enjoyment. This is why I prefer rings and bracelets. While wearing these pieces I can bask in their glory anytime I look down. Earrings and necklaces require a mirror or window for me to appreciate their beauty.
I also rotate my pieces, put them away for a period of time so I can “rediscover them” and re- experience that rush of joy knowing that they are mine.
So I’m for the bracelet, that would never fail to bring joy.

 

[pearlsngems]

Life is short. Get something you can enjoy often.

 

[Dreamer_D]

I am 100% the type who likes to put all her eggs in one basket and then I guess carry it around all the time lol

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

Welllllllll then you should save longer and get both at the same time (aiding and abetting is my forte ).

Id be saving for years if I have to get them both at the same time

Yup.

The way I look at it is this: if I spend lots of money on just a few very nice pieces and wear them all the time, I would get bored with them, and they would lose their wow factor; if you know what I mean.

DK

This is a fair point, actually. I think the thing holding me back from the bracelet is that I feel like I get bored of classic pieces eventually if they don’t have something different about them. Maybe I should look for a bracelet with different shapes?

I'm a one-piece-of-jewelry guy ... and I gots me a really special one.

Your Octavia is something else alright! But unfortunately for me I’m too much of a hoarder to stick to just one

I'd vote for the more everyday bracelet for two reasons. One is because one of your more recent posts said you already have a pair of high-end earrings for formal occasions. Two is because you'd get to see the bracelet when you wear it.

I do have a pair of hoops that are large and in charge and can be worn formally, for sure! And if not those, I could always do my studs in jackets. So I don’t really need the formal earrings, even if I do love them (and don’t actually own any long diamond earrings).

But I don’t have a tennis bracelet at all, so that’s a fair point. Even if I eventually buy both it makes sense to start with the bracelet… and it would be nice to be able to see it on my hand

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

For me, I view all my jewelry as something to wear anytime. I don’t subscribe to the “for special occasions” philosophy.
That said, certainly gemstones like Opals aren’t suitable for everyday wear especially when set as a ring or bracelet so I do treat these pieces with greater care.
For me, I would choose based on enjoyment. This is why I prefer rings and bracelets. While wearing these pieces I can bask in their glory anytime I look down. Earrings and necklaces require a mirror or window for me to appreciate their beauty.
I also rotate my pieces, put them away for a period of time so I can “rediscover them” and re- experience that rush of joy knowing that they are mine.
So I’m for the bracelet, that would never fail to bring joy.

I think the rotating of your pieces is super smart! I should do that, especially since I have a massive collection of earrings (though mostly simple and basic ones) and tend to wear my studs most of the time. It might spark more love in me towards my existing earring collection!

Being able to see the bracelet all the time is a massive plus I didn’t think about until this thread

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

Life is short. Get something you can enjoy often.

It would be nice to have my heart skip a beat near-daily I just hope I don’t get inured to it.

I am 100% the type who likes to put all her eggs in one basket and then I guess carry it around all the time lol

Well with a basket like that 5 stone, who wouldn’t

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

Update on the poll: 91.3% of voters think the classic is the way to go! PSers are true believers in minimising CPW

I think over the course of this post I have talked myself into the bracelet over the earrings, but I have time to change my mind as I’m going to have to save up for a bit to get the bracelet.

I might also browse other tennis bracelet styles and designs in the meanwhile to see if something jumps out at me as a “classic with a twist” instead of the “traditional classic” piece I saw!

 

[Dreamer_D]

I like pieces that are special and unique but also are real staples. I think a tennis bracelet with half a carats is amazing and if you can find a design you like then even better. I like antique style box bracelets personally.

 

[dk168]

@AllAboardTheBlingTrain I have the idea of having an interchangeable bangle with different centre pieces.

This is an inspirational design, and I have a few design ideas of the centre piece, such as a LGD paved plate, a paved heart, etc...:



DK