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Does long term value factor into your jewellery purchase decisions?

pearaffair

pearaffair

Ideal_Rock
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Joined
Jun 15, 2015
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Sometimes I’m interested in jewelry more for its value than for me just having a nice thing to wear. And sometimes I want something (like large lab diamond studs) that will NOT be holding its value, but I would wear all the time.

What are you like?
 
I always buy pre loved because I feel the biggest “hit” was taken by the original buyer. Sure it’s nice to have the shopping experience and having brand new and sparkly but I’m a value for money girl.
i figure if I can buy it for a fair price I can enjoy it and if I decide to upgrade or buy something else, hopefully I can get almost as much as I paid.
Exceptions are my engagement and wedding ring (Engagement diamond was Art Deco but she has had 2 new settings to live in).
i think why I’m not into getting settings made like so many PS ladies do is due to labour costs and taxes. They are rather high here in Australia so it’s expensive to have a setting made here. The costs of shipping and import taxes can be high and complicated sending gems overseas to be made into jewellery.
 
And I’ll add, I’m a strong believer in getting the best quality you can afford for your jewellery staple wardrobe.
Get a nice pair of diamond studs, a quality watch (if you wear watches) a good necklace, bangle or bracelet and a Right hand ring. Youll wear them more often and enjoy them better.
Its better to have 1 or 2 pairs of beautiful earrings that you love than a drawer full of “so so” earrings that are ok but nothing special.
 
Ive made some mistakes value wise buying jewlery but luckerly ive never brought a big diamond ring yet
i tend to buy occasional rings probably not for every day wear which is fine with me
I don't buy with the intention of reselling and i usually wait till things are on promo although i have been stung a few times
 
Bron357 said:
And I’ll add, I’m a strong believer in getting the best quality you can afford for your jewellery staple wardrobe.
Get a nice pair of diamond studs, a quality watch (if you wear watches) a good necklace, bangle or bracelet and a Right hand ring. Youll wear them more often and enjoy them better.
Its better to have 1 or 2 pairs of beautiful earrings that you love than a drawer full of “so so” earrings that are ok but nothing special.
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I just had a huge clear out of my gold earings as i now have diamond studs i havn't warn yet
I sold them for scrap and was pleased with what i got
 
Having tried to sell some pieces in the past and did not manage to get as much as I had hoped, I realised jewellery is not a good investment.

Therefore, when I buy any jewellery and/or have them made nowadays, it would be for the joy I get from wearing them, and not for how much I could get for them if I had to sell them.

DK :))
 
Bron357 said:
I always buy pre loved because I feel the biggest “hit” was taken by the original buyer. Sure it’s nice to have the shopping experience and having brand new and sparkly but I’m a value for money girl.
i figure if I can buy it for a fair price I can enjoy it and if I decide to upgrade or buy something else, hopefully I can get almost as much as I paid.
Exceptions are my engagement and wedding ring.
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This exactly. And I don’t care for sparkly new, prefering both patina and not having to baby my rings.
 
All my jewelry purchases i am making with my daughters in mind. I want to pass it down to them and that means it needs to be good quality. I figure i get to enjoy nice pieces and they will have a lot of fond memories as they enjoy them! I like the shopping/shiny new experience so i buy new.
 
For me value is represented through cost per wear and enjoyment for a good price. Unless it is a specific (usually cheaper) branded piece, I like second hand/ shopping online/pawn shops etc for good financial value. I too am struggling with this concept, as for 18 months now I have been struggling with buying a piece of diamond jewellery from Van Cleef. It is of course hideously overpriced for what it is, but I don’t trust the second hand market for this item. It is however what I would consider an everyday piece. I just need to think about it some more. . .
 
Interesting question, I’ve never thought about it before. On one hand, I don’t plan on ever selling anything I buy, I buy to keep forever! I would love to pass it down to my kids if I have any, and see myself resorting to remaking over selling any day. So cost per wear is probably a more important metric for me to consider.

On the other, the idea of buying something that most probably won’t hold its value is also off putting for me. I can’t see myself buying lab diamonds for this reason - objectively, I know and agree that there is no real difference between lab and mined, but there is a difference to me, somehow. The only time I see myself buying lab diamonds is if it’s something I absolutely can’t afford (like pink or blue diamonds) mined.
 
Loving this discussion!
Nothing is as expensive as a brand new piece, never being worn... oops! I have definitely done this!

I like the idea of looking at things from a cost per wear angle. Then it matters less how much you paid, how much you can sell for, and focuses on daily enjoyment :)

@RosieR tell me about this VCA piece!
 
Mainly I purchase for me and what I will enjoy wearing.

PPW factors into the more expensive pieces sure but generally I do not buy with an eye towards reselling. I buy for me.

My jewelry will be passed onto my nieces and I don't plan on selling any pieces. The only piece of jewelry I ever sold was my first OEC ER and that was more of a spontaneous decision and it went to a friend so it really was a win all around IMO. It could not have worked out better.

But aside from that one piece I don't see myself selling my jewelry nor do I have that in mind when purchasing.
 
Nope...it's all about the joy and gratification it brings to me (or others if gift) relative to the cost.
 
I like to get a good deal if I can but I never consider jewelry an investment. It’s for me to enjoy and hopefully to pass down one day. The only long term value I consider is the value I have for the piece. I generally buy for keeps because It means something to me. I’ve only had one big redo and now that is my travel ring so I don’t feel like I’m out much....and I learned a lot from the process.
 
No, I don’t buy something with a view to it’s future potential resale value.
 
pearaffair said:
Loving this discussion!
Nothing is as expensive as a brand new piece, never being worn... oops! I have definitely done this!

I like the idea of looking at things from a cost per wear angle. Then it matters less how much you paid, how much you can sell for, and focuses on daily enjoyment :)

@RosieR tell me about this VCA piece!
Click to expand...

Oh it’s nothing crazy fancy. It’s the frivole single flower diamond bracelet. It’s a lot of money for such a small carat weight, but the craftsmanship is beyond, it will stack beautifully with another bracelet I have to wear most days. https://www.vancleefarpels.com/eu/e...e/vcarp24100-frivole-bracelet-mini-model.html
 
I don't think long term value factors into my decision for individual pieces, but I intend to pass on my jewelry as heirlooms, so the overall long term value of my collection as a whole enters into my decisions, in the rules I make for my collection as I build it.

I generally don't buy ready-made pieces for which I cannot get good information as to the provenance and quality of the stones. In general, I restrict the budget of the setting (metal, labor) to not exceed the value of the center stone plus sidestones by more than $200. I only accept heated sapphire below a certain size. All my rubies except for a 5x3 oval in my crown ring are unheated. These rules I gave myself are so that my future heirs will not have to play roulette when it comes to determining the level of treatment in gems in my collection. I don't want to have varying levels of treatment (and thus prices), which can lead to someone undervaluing the worth of my collection as a whole.

The cost per wear for me is highest if I decide on the setting for myself instead of searching for a preloved piece.
 
Well--I'm in my 60's so long term value is a relative term-lol.
We have 6 kids and none are really into jewelry so passing it on is not a consideration. Except for my Mom's engagement diamond---that will go to my oldest niece.
 
pearaffair said:
Sometimes I’m interested in jewelry more for its value than for me just having a nice thing to wear. And sometimes I want something (like large lab diamond studs) that will NOT be holding its value, but I would wear all the time.

What are you like?
Click to expand...

I buy jewelry because I like them and I know I will wear them. I won’t buy something I won’t wear. Although I won’t buy lab-grown-diamond even though it’s beautiful.

Also, now that I have a daughter, I’d like to get a more substantial jewelry to pass down to her as something that I always wear. Hoping that will help her grief when I passed.
 
No. I just buy what's going to give me pleasure.
 
Elizabeth35 said:
Well--I'm in my 60's so long term value is a relative term-lol.
We have 6 kids and none are really into jewelry so passing it on is not a consideration. Except for my Mom's engagement diamond---that will go to my oldest niece.
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:eek2:


I have six kids, five of them girls and thus thought I was at least safe in that category...
Like, leave jewelry to someone who appreciates it: check ☑
 
no, i view it as a disposable purchase like clothing, bags, accessories, vehicles. i know there are ways to think about it as an investment or make sure you at least don't lose money if/when you resell. i do always try to seek out a good value when i make a major purchase however, and look to pre-loved first. But, if it's something that will be worn often, it's more expensive imho to compromise on not getting the exact thing you want in the long term because you can go down the path of trying over and over again to "fix" it.
 
bludiva said:
no, i view it as a disposable purchase like clothing, bags, accessories, vehicles. i know there are ways to think about it as an investment or make sure you at least don't lose money if/when you resell. i do always try to seek out a good value when i make a major purchase however, and look to pre-loved first. But, if it's something that will be worn often, it's more expensive imho to compromise on not getting the exact thing you want in the long term because you can go down the path of trying over and over again to "fix" it.
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I think many of us PSers, myself included, have found this out the hard way! “Buy the last one, first!” Instead of getting close and missing the mark and being dissatisfied... etc.
 
I'm mostly in it for the rocks. I have way more rocks than actual jewelry pieces...lol
 
I buy/create for quality and enjoyment only. I don’t factor in “value” as I know resale for jewellery isn’t good generally. I try to think about what I’d get most daily wear from and if I create something, will it last for generations to come.
 
pearaffair said:
I think many of us PSers, myself included, have found this out the hard way! “Buy the last one, first!” Instead of getting close and missing the mark and being dissatisfied... etc.
Click to expand...

My DH was smart and took that approach for my ER!

I generally assume diamonds, purses, other luxury things "depreciate" 50% the moment you use it or open the box. 50% is better than 0% though, and you can definitely pass jewelry on to others.

As such, depreciating assets are not investments. You want appreciating assets for investments (stocks, real estate, etc.)

Diamonds and luxury things are meant for enjoyment. My mom always told me, if it can't be ruined, stolen, lost, etc. than you can't afford it. That lesson has stuck with me to this day.
 
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MRBXXXFVVS1 said:
My DH was smart and took that approach for my ER!

I generally assume diamonds, purses, other luxury things "depreciate" 50% the moment you use it or open the box. 50% is better than 0% though, and you can definitely pass jewelry on to others.

As such, depreciating assets are not investments. You want appreciating assets for investments (stocks, real estate, etc.)

Diamonds and luxury things are meant for enjoyment. My mom always told me, if it can't be ruined, stolen, lost, etc. than you can't afford it. That lesson has stuck with me to this day.
Click to expand...

That’s good wisdom from your mom. I like that.

Maybe it explains why I never use my nicest most expensive things lol! I can’t afford them (to be ruined, lost, or stolen).
 
I'm at the point that I want beautiful, well made jewelry in gold and platinum. I would not rule out a lab diamond if the price was right and the setting was sturdy and well made. I've got 4 large spinel rings that I never wear because the stones are too nice and too expensive to replace. I honestly wish I would have just used that money to buy a large diamond because I would wear that often. So- I vote get what you like and will wear often.
 
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