How do you decide what to buy?

[Honeybasil]

Since my obsession with diamonds started with my 20th anniversary upgrade, I’m obsessed with looking at jewelry (obviously if I’m here!). I got the upgraded E ring, but now I’m so obsessed with looking at stuff (bands, different settings, bracelets, etc.), how do I choose what to buy next? I don’t have unlimited money, so I can’t just buy whatever I want, but I want it all. Haha haha! How do you choose what to get next?? I want an eternity band, but then I might want to turn my solitaire into a 3 stone, but then I might want to do a CVB halo setting, I need some diamond studs probably, etc. etc.

 

[SallyBrown]

I buy only rings now. Because of COVID no one except my husband and dog will see my jewelry anyway for at least the next year or two. So I buy only what I love and can see without looking in the mirror. I don’t like bracelets so that leaves rings. That simplifies things quite a bit for me.

 

[Skyjems]

I often say that the only reason I sell gems is to get money to buy more gems....

How do I decide what to buy?

I buy everything I love, and hope that other people love them at least as much as I do!

Yes, I know that I am crazy lucky to have the best job in the world!

 

[nala]

I usually buy bargains. So don’t take my advice. Bc I spend countless hours hunting for great deals—and there are always great deals out there that I don’t need!

 

[jaysonsmom]

I would make a list of the basic jewelry wardrobe and go down the list to make sure I have one of each of the basics that I love, and once I have 1 set of everything I love, I'd start adding to the collection!

-e-ring
-wedding/anniversary band
-right hand ring
-everyday necklace
-everyday earrings (most likely studs)
-Bracelet (I don't like to wear bracelets, so I would skip this)

 

[dk168]

I look at what I have and how my collection fits my current lifestyle, noting any changes in taste and circumstances, and what I like to wear more etc...

For example, I cannot have enough of diamond (or lab/MMD/Moissy) earrings in different styles like flowers, clusters, huggies, drops etc...

I don't have many dressy events to attend nowadays, so no need to spend more on flashier pieces (I failed this one miserably).

I would like a few more coloured stones so they are on the list.

I then make a wish list, and tick them off as I go along.

DK

 

[Big Fat Facets]

i buy what i love. i much rather have fewer pieces of jewelry that is of high quality than more of lesser quality goods.

i have found that, sometimes, there's a "meant to be", aspect in jewelry. i try to pay attention and not ignore those signs ...

 

[Austina]

I would take in consideration what I’d get the most wear out of.

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

For me, I fall in love with way too many things to allow myself to just buy willy nilly. If I bought everything I ever loved I’d be broker than broke!

I’d start off by creating a list of your dream jewelry wardrobe (the smallest size you’d be happy with). So, for example, your list could possibly read the following (just as a guide):
- rings: ER, wedding band, daily RHR, eternity ring, sapphire cocktail ring
- necklaces/pendants: string of white pearls, diamond solitaire pendant (WG/Plat)
- bracelets: plain YG bangle, tennis bracelet in WG/Plat
- earrings: studs, earring halo jackets (YG and WG), plain WG/Plat hoops, sapphire drop jacket, pearl studs
- watch: two-tone (YG&Steel)

Let’s say this is the list you settle on as your absolute MINIMUM. I would go through it and see if you could collapse it even further - for example, maybe you’re happy with an eternity band and you don’t need another RHR. But you’d really like a ring wrap that could let you wear your solitaire as a 3 stone occasionally. Make whatever changes/iterations you need, and really flesh out your choices (put down metal purity and desired stone size/specs etc) and then you’re ready for step 2.

Step 2 is to tick off whatever you already have. Step 3 is to put your list in order of priority. Step 4 is putting a rough “expense” on each item. Once you know what the dream versions of everything you want will cost, then you’ll know what editing you may need to do - - whether it’s reducing caratage, or color, or going with a cheaper vendor etc. You should do all of this before browsing stores and auction listings etc. This is your (super fun) homework!

Step 5 is to create a “fun” wishlist! These are items that you don’t “need” but you’d “love to have”. You don’t buy off this list until your first shopping list is complete, unless you come across a real screaming deal that won’t permanently derail your goals. You also have to be comfortable with not having everything on your wishlist - you might end up with all of it but you might not, so that should be ok with you.

Of course nothing is set in stone. You can shift items from goal list to wishlist and vice versa whenever you like. I would recommend pruning your lists every few weeks/months, and not buying ANYTHING (not even looking) until you’ve let your lists sink in for a few months. I don’t buy anything unless it’s sat uninterrupted on my yes list for 6 months minimum (if I move it from my “yes” to my “maybe” list and then move it back, the time resets). I also set limits on myself for how many things I’m allowed to buy in a year and I keep my bling funds separate but you might not need to exercise that kind of iron control on yourself. I do find that this is the best way to keep myself on track with buying only those things I truly love and want with minimal detours (and no pieces purchased in haste and sitting forevermore in my jewelry box).

 

[Bron357]

I had a list from my teens which outlined my purchase goals.
I particularly wanted, not in any order though, a gold Rolex, a diamond over 1 carat, a huge aquamarine ring, a diamond bracelet, 21 gold bangles (It’s my lucky number), an opera length strand of pearls, diamond studs and a heap of opals.
All of my items are /were preloved, I adore bargains and that was a major part of the challenge. It took me over 10 years to acquire my gold bangle set and my aquamarine ring was the last item from the list. It had an added criteria of costing less than $1,000!
40 odd years later and I have everything on my list and some!
For me it wasn’t just about “buy, buy,buy” any purchase required compromise in other areas of my life as I wasn’t made of money. In fact I enjoyed just as much the searching for my special items than the acquisition and wearing.
Having my time over I’d start with the items that meant most to me. Items I can enjoy without the benefit of a mirror. Along the way I made mistakes, made impulse buys and had regrets but it was all part of the journey.

 

[Honeybasil]

For me, I fall in love with way too many things to allow myself to just buy willy nilly. If I bought everything I ever loved I’d be broker than broke!

I’d start off by creating a list of your dream jewelry wardrobe (the smallest size you’d be happy with). So, for example, your list could possibly read the following (just as a guide):
- rings: ER, wedding band, daily RHR, eternity ring, sapphire cocktail ring
- necklaces/pendants: string of white pearls, diamond solitaire pendant (WG/Plat)
- bracelets: plain YG bangle, tennis bracelet in WG/Plat
- earrings: studs, earring halo jackets (YG and WG), plain WG/Plat hoops, sapphire drop jacket, pearl studs
- watch: two-tone (YG&Steel)

Let’s say this is the list you settle on as your absolute MINIMUM. I would go through it and see if you could collapse it even further - for example, maybe you’re happy with an eternity band and you don’t need another RHR. But you’d really like a ring wrap that could let you wear your solitaire as a 3 stone occasionally. Make whatever changes/iterations you need, and really flesh out your choices (put down metal purity and desired stone size/specs etc) and then you’re ready for step 2.

Step 2 is to tick off whatever you already have. Step 3 is to put your list in order of priority. Step 4 is putting a rough “expense” on each item. Once you know what the dream versions of everything you want will cost, then you’ll know what editing you may need to do - - whether it’s reducing caratage, or color, or going with a cheaper vendor etc. You should do all of this before browsing stores and auction listings etc. This is your (super fun) homework!

Step 5 is to create a “fun” wishlist! These are items that you don’t “need” but you’d “love to have”. You don’t buy off this list until your first shopping list is complete, unless you come across a real screaming deal that won’t permanently derail your goals. You also have to be comfortable with not having everything on your wishlist - you might end up with all of it but you might not, so that should be ok with you.

Of course nothing is set in stone. You can shift items from goal list to wishlist and vice versa whenever you like. I would recommend pruning your lists every few weeks/months, and not buying ANYTHING (not even looking) until you’ve let your lists sink in for a few months. I don’t buy anything unless it’s sat uninterrupted on my yes list for 6 months minimum (if I move it from my “yes” to my “maybe” list and then move it back, the time resets). I also set limits on myself for how many things I’m allowed to buy in a year and I keep my bling funds separate but you might not need to exercise that kind of iron control on yourself. I do find that this is the best way to keep myself on track with buying only those things I truly love and want with minimal detours (and no pieces purchased in haste and sitting forevermore in my jewelry box).

Great thoughts! I think I’ve just never been in a position until now that I’m able to even think of buying these things, so I don’t know where to start. But this helps me to think about how to prioritize!

 

[Honeybasil]

I had a list from my teens which outlined my purchase goals.
I particularly wanted, not in any order though, a gold Rolex, a diamond over 1 carat, a huge aquamarine ring, a diamond bracelet, 21 gold bangles (It’s my lucky number), an opera length strand of pearls, diamond studs and a heap of opals.
All of my items are /were preloved, I adore bargains and that was a major part of the challenge. It took me over 10 years to acquire my gold bangle set and my aquamarine ring was the last item from the list. It had an added criteria of costing less than $1,000!
40 odd years later and I have everything on my list and some!
For me it wasn’t just about “buy, buy,buy” any purchase required compromise in other areas of my life as I wasn’t made of money. In fact I enjoyed just as much the searching for my special items than the acquisition and wearing.
Having my time over I’d start with the items that meant most to me. Items I can enjoy without the benefit of a mirror. Along the way I made mistakes, made impulse buys and had regrets but it was all part of the journey.

My dad loved watches and bought me a Rolex for my high school graduation. I never wear it because I’m too dependent on my Apple Watch, but it is my most treasured possession. I wish he were still alive - he’d probably become obsessed with diamonds with me and help me! Lol

 

[Bron357]

My dad loved watches and bought me a Rolex for my high school graduation. I never wear it because I’m too dependent on my Apple Watch, but it is my most treasured possession. I wish he were still alive - he’d probably become obsessed with diamonds with me and help me! Lol

I have a mammoth collection of watches, they “speak to me”. From time to time I have sold some to find new purchases but my treasured ones are still with me.
My treasures include the Oris I received for my 8th birthday (still working) the Seiko I got for my 21st Birthday and the watch my Grandma bought and wore but never wound because the face was “too busy” for her to read the time so she wore it for years and years like a bracelet.
I only ever lost one watch. A Longines I bought with money from being retrenched. I loved that watch. Somehow a Band pin popped and it fell off my wrist. I spent hours retracing my steps and to compound the sadness I found one half of it, the band half without the watch. Many years later I saw the same model for sale on eBay so I bought it.

 

[Honeybasil]

I have a mammoth collection of watches, they “speak to me”. From time to time I have sold some to find new purchases but my treasured ones are still with me.
My treasures include the Oris I received for my 8th birthday (still working) the Seiko I got for my 21st Birthday and the watch my Grandma bought and wore but never wound because the face was “too busy” for her to read the time so she wore it for years and years like a bracelet.
I only ever lost one watch. A Longines I bought with money from being retrenched. I loved that watch. Somehow a Band pin popped and it fell off my wrist. I spent hours retracing my steps and to compound the sadness I found one half of it, the band half without the watch. Many years later I saw the same model for sale on eBay so I bought it.

Sounds like you would have gotten along with my dad! He died when I was in my 20s - I so wish he were here now that I’m old enough to appreciate his love of watches!

 

[pearaffair]

I had a list from my teens which outlined my purchase goals.
I particularly wanted, not in any order though, a gold Rolex, a diamond over 1 carat, a huge aquamarine ring, a diamond bracelet, 21 gold bangles (It’s my lucky number), an opera length strand of pearls, diamond studs and a heap of opals.
All of my items are /were preloved, I adore bargains and that was a major part of the challenge. It took me over 10 years to acquire my gold bangle set and my aquamarine ring was the last item from the list. It had an added criteria of costing less than $1,000!
40 odd years later and I have everything on my list and some!
For me it wasn’t just about “buy, buy,buy” any purchase required compromise in other areas of my life as I wasn’t made of money. In fact I enjoyed just as much the searching for my special items than the acquisition and wearing.
Having my time over I’d start with the items that meant most to me. Items I can enjoy without the benefit of a mirror. Along the way I made mistakes, made impulse buys and had regrets but it was all part of the journey.

Would you mind sharing some of your impulse buys and regrets and what you learned about jewellery and yourself in the process?

 

[Bron357]

Would you mind sharing some of your impulse buys and regrets and what you learned about jewellery and yourself in the process?

Ah, the main one, this ring.
Back in my teens I squirrelled away all my money for years from part time jobs, chores, birthday and Christmas gifts because my bestie and I were going to Europe when we finished high school, before Uni. I had saved over $4,000 and that was a lot for a 17 year old! Sadly my bestie and I had a “fatal” falling out over a boy and the long planned, long looked forward to, long saved for overseas trip was off. I wasn’t brave enough to go alone.
In the City I went into a fancy jewellers to browse and my eye was taken by a pretty ring. I bought it.
Yep, 6 years of saving spent in less than 10 minutes.
I was so shocked by my own behaviour I hid the ring at home for months until finally I was brave enough to show it to my Mum.
Well, let’s just say my Mum went ballistic and I was grounded for a month, when my mother realised I’d had it for months (so no return possible) I was grounded for 6 months. When I said “I’ll be 18 before then and when I’m an adult you can’t ground me”.
Her reply which was colourful and included a smack (even at 17) and was along the lines that while ever I acted like a 5 year old in a candy store I’d be treated like a 5 year old so go to your room and when your Father gets home we’ll see what he thinks!
That was over 40 years ago now and I still darent bring up or wear the ring around my mother because it makes her cross all over again.
Truth is if I’d spent that money on an Overseas holiday I’d have nothing but the memory and after 40 years a faded one at that.
I still have the ring.

 

[Bron357]

Sounds like you would have gotten along with my dad! He died when I was in my 20s - I so wish he were here now that I’m old enough to appreciate his love of watches!

Sending hugs. Your Dad is still with you, in your heart always, by treasuring the gift he gave you his love for you lives on.

 

[missy]

Easy. I decide what to purchase depending on what I will enjoy wearing. What do I yearn for that I don't yet have?

For example I love antique dangle earrings and wear those often. PPW makes it worth my while. For a short time I thought I wanted a tennis necklace but realized that PPW wouldn't make it worth the cost for me. I am a minimalist at heart so I would never wear a necklace with dangles and my rings. It would be too much bling for me. Please don't take away my PS privileges for saying so lol.

Right now I am considering OEC studs. Why? Because I think I would wear those often. With masks studs seem easier to wear. The question is will it be worth the price once masks are over. That is what I am deciding right now. I think it will come down to the right pair. Can I find the right pair for me and if so I will purchase them feeling confident I will enjoy wearing them. But if I cannot find the right pair (I have specific criteria) then it isn't meant to be.

So yeah I decided what bling to purchase by asking myself will this make my bling wearing more joyous and will I wear it often enough to make the PPW worthwhile.

 

[missy]

Sounds like you would have gotten along with my dad! He died when I was in my 20s - I so wish he were here now that I’m old enough to appreciate his love of watches!

I am so sorry you lost your dad at such a young age and it is very meaningful you share his love of watches. Sending you gentle hugs.

 

[Buttercookies]

For me, I decide what to buy as long as it fits all 6 criteria’s.

1. Something I love

2. Design that is timeless.

3. Wear EVERYDAY (waste of money if put away). For example 20 carat diamond ring? Sure if I am willing to wear it everyday and not “special occasion”.

4. Be able to wear Day to Night event.

5. Not another “variation“ of something I already have. Or I will sell the old one.

6. Bargain.

So that narrow down the list pretty quickly. So there are things I want but don’t have because I can’t see myself wearing them everyday like pearls, gemstone rings, or pendants (Since I don’t take off my cross ever)

Anytime I get an itch to impulse buy, I would go through the list. Usually I get stopped by number 3, number 4 or number 5. Haha.

In the end, I have a very small collection of jewelry but all are staple pieces that are worn daily but has enough presence for special event.

 

[pearaffair]

Ah, the main one, this ring.
Back in my teens I squirrelled away all my money for years from part time jobs, chores, birthday and Christmas gifts because my bestie and I were going to Europe when we finished high school, before Uni. I had saved over $4,000 and that was a lot for a 17 year old! Sadly my bestie and I had a “fatal” falling out over a boy and the long planned, long looked forward to, long saved for overseas trip was off. I wasn’t brave enough to go alone.
In the City I went into a fancy jewellers to browse and my eye was taken by a pretty ring. I bought it.
Yep, 6 years of saving spent in less than 10 minutes.
I was so shocked by my own behaviour I hid the ring at home for months until finally I was brave enough to show it to my Mum.
Well, let’s just say my Mum went ballistic and I was grounded for a month, when my mother realised I’d had it for months (so no return possible) I was grounded for 6 months. When I said “I’ll be 18 before then and when I’m an adult you can’t ground me”.
Her reply which was colourful and included a smack (even at 17) and was along the lines that while ever I acted like a 5 year old in a candy store I’d be treated like a 5 year old so go to your room and when your Father gets home we’ll see what he thinks!
That was over 40 years ago now and I still darent bring up or wear the ring around my mother because it makes her cross all over again.
Truth is if I’d spent that money on an Overseas holiday I’d have nothing but the memory and after 40 years a faded one at that.
I still have the ring.

Thank you so much for sharing that story. Is it a diamond and sapphire ring?