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AIBU?

to not understand why people buy "real" jewels?

113 replies

trob22 · 02/11/2018 18:56

I'm not in the market for expensive jewellery, lol, just curious

I have just learnt that you can buy "lab created" saphires which are literally exactly the same as a "real" saphire in terms of what they're made of, but a fraction of the price. In fact they are better than real saphires because they don't have the imperfections that come from growing in the ground. With this in mind, why would anyone buy a "real" sapphire when they are so much more expensive? What is the point? Apparently nobody apart from professional jewellers can tell them apart.

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ScreamingValenta · 02/11/2018 19:00

I suppose it is the cachet associated with real jewels - the knowledge that they are real and in some cases have a history associated with them.

I am with you, OP - I am quite happy with cubic zirconia - not that I could afford 'real' jewellery anyway .

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Shazafied · 02/11/2018 19:00

Perhaps as an investment ?

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gamerwidow · 02/11/2018 19:02

Because the rocks themselves are of no value it’s only the rarity that makes them desirable (to some).
People have always paid a premium to have access to stuff that’s exclusive regardless of quality.

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trob22 · 02/11/2018 19:07

OP here. Can anyone of you tell the difference between real saphires/diamonds and created saphires/diamonds?

...now I have found out about this and seen how cheap they are and how nice they look I am wondering about dropping a hint to hubs for Christmas present...

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ScreamingValenta · 02/11/2018 19:08

I certainly couldn't. But I couldn't even tell the difference between a real diamond and one made out of glass!

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gamerwidow · 02/11/2018 19:10

Nope but I’d struggle to spot a real jewel anyway (I don’t wear jewellery).

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Racecardriver · 02/11/2018 19:11

It’s the imperfections that make them look better. They give the stones colour/flecks. Without a bit of imperfection they look cheap and fake.

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LaurieFairyCake · 02/11/2018 19:11

The problem for me is they're often set really cheaply. I've got loads of QVC 'Diamonique' (which is great and really cheap) but if it's gold it's really thin, if it's silver or platinum plated it's carved out the back so they've used less.

There's nothing more beautiful than a heavy, sturdy gold ring with old cut gems in them.

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RuthiePe · 02/11/2018 19:12

I guess for some, it falls into costume jewellery which again for some isn't considered "proper" jewellery.

As per the other poster, I wouldn't be able to tell whether someone was wearing a genuine or man made stone. Nor would I particularly care actually...

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SingaSong12 · 02/11/2018 19:12

I have both. The real stuff is presents. I constantly lose earrings so much prefer cheap ones so I don't feel guilty or spend the whole time at an event worrying.

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LaurieFairyCake · 02/11/2018 19:13

Here's a very cheap (but I love it) star ring which is fake diamond in silver. Next to my real diamonds you can tell.

to not understand why people buy "real" jewels?

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Seniorschoolmum · 02/11/2018 19:15

Originally, because they are a way of carrying a lot of value in a very small, easy-to-hide, item. Because they cannot be frozen like a bank account. Because if you need to leave in a hurry- think political turmoil- they are light to carry. Because they are easy to convert into cash. Because, until chemical analysis, they could not be traced, have no serial number and larger stones can be cut into a number of smaller ones.

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MissMarplesKnitting · 02/11/2018 19:17

I can tell the difference under a jewellers loupe.

Lab created stones are great. Better for environmental reasons and stop human exploitation too.

Key is to get them set into good quality gold or platinum. Silver I can tell further away and it's more obvious then that they're not 'real' stones. Carat pieces are generally very good, I'd definitely buy them and they're all lab created but set well.

That said, I still don't understand why lots of people don't buy second hand jewellery. I love old pieces. Some people are really against buying second hand. Lots are bargains!

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Neshoma · 02/11/2018 19:20

It's the cut, colour, clarity and carat of diamonds that you dont get with fakes.

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thenightsky · 02/11/2018 19:21

MissMarplesKnitting I have recently developed a love of 2nd hand too. The settings and quality are great. Not sure I'd buy 'new' ever again.

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ChiaraRimini · 02/11/2018 19:21

Jewellery with stones doesn't hold its value at all, just try and sell a secondhand engagement ring and you'll get a shock. As PP said, buying secondhand is great value.

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Lockheart · 02/11/2018 19:28

For the same reasons that people buy expensive original paintings vs prints, or designer clothing over knock-offs. The perceived value of the item. Objectively all of these things are just so much carbon / cloth / paint. Subjectively though people ascribe value to them because of the rarity, which makes them desirable, and the status accorded from having rare and desirable things.

If you don’t want real stones then buy lab ones if it makes you happy :) Alas I cant afford real ones but that doesn’t stop me coveting them!

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GnomeDePlume · 02/11/2018 19:28

That said, I still don't understand why lots of people don't buy second hand jewellery.

I agree but I have heard people say that they dont want jewellery which is 'tainted' by association with sadness.

Dont understand it myself. My wedding ring was DH's great grandmother's, my other ring was inherited from my side of the family.

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trob22 · 02/11/2018 19:31

@lockheart I understand buying designer cloths because the designer version is expected to be better made, better quality...but as far as I understand the lab made stones are, biologically, exactly the same as real stones. So as long as they are also in real gold or whatever there is no difference in quality

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SignOnTheWindow · 02/11/2018 19:36

Yes, synthetics have the same chemical makeup as natural gems.

I suppose it's the romance and idea of wearing something that's millions of years old that attracts people.

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mumsastudent · 02/11/2018 19:37

op :) geologically rather than biologically ????

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SmallAndFarAway · 02/11/2018 19:37

Where do you buy these in decent settings then? I've no qualms about fakes, it's just finding ones that look decent...

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BikeRunSki · 02/11/2018 19:39

Investment
Status
Authenticity
Uniqueness
Individuality

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WeirdCatLady · 02/11/2018 19:40

Costume jewellery has its place. Just not on me. It is like saying a robot is the same as a human, or that vegan bacon is as tasty as proper bacon. Nice, but just no comparison imho.

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pandarific · 02/11/2018 19:42

I would really love a moissanite piece. The sparkle is so beautiful!

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