Cubic zirconia

[Nopatienceleftby7pm]

Would you wear earrings with them in? As in 18 ct gold with small cubic zirconia jewels in?
It’s my mums 70th, I planned to get her some diamond earrings, but prices were way too high, with arranging a special cake, balloons, meal etc, it’s over £200 and it’s tricky with higher prices at the moment.
My mum has only ever worn gold or diamonds, she’s no snob, but she’s always rather had less jewellery and special pieces, rather than lots of less expensive jewellery.
The jewels are very tiny and subtle
Would you wear them, is it special enough? They were around £60

I'd wear them sure, but if your mum would rather have less jewellery but better quality then that suggests they're not her cup of tea.

I’d wear them but no idea if your mum would.

If she has only ever worn the real thing then I wouldn’t go for them for a big birthday like a 70th. Have you looked at lab-grown diamonds?

The me the metal is the most important part as it will last, rather than cheap metals that itch and mark your ears.

I only have gold or silver but I would have tiny cubic zirconia if the earrings were nice.

I would wear them but I’m not as particular as your mum! To be honest I think the thought is the important thing - it sounds like you’re making a lot of effort for her.

Honestly no, I wouldn't wear cz in the form you describe. It's great for flashy dress jewellery but when it's small it's clearly trying to imitate real diamonds. If your mum wears real diamonds she won't wear cz studs. The point of real diamonds is that they're real...

Would she like vintage jewellery made in her birth year? Just wondering because I would always love that more than modern jewellery. It isn’t necessarily very expensive.

The gold is 18 ct and they’re very small, they looked like diamonds to me 😬

@Yellowrosesmakemehappy Yes, that’s what I thought

I'd just get a nice gold or white/rose gold earings, with no stones, or a small saphire? No idea of the price as I never wear jewellery

@orangedalmatian My original plan was something like that, but there was nothing I could see under around £150, now I think I’ve made the wrong decision

Does it have to be diamonds? Freshwater pearls are good value and ‘real’.

What style of earrings does she like? Maybe Mumsnet can come up with some ideas of alternatives.

I’m sure your mum realises that you don’t have an unlimited budget. You know her best: would she rather have the cake, meal and balloons, or more expensive earrings?

I would wear them but I don't think it's your mum's thing so get something else, I like the idea of pearls instead mentioned up.

What a waste of 18ct gold to have dirt cheap CZ (which you could buy for 50p per stone!) csnt you get some lower carat gold with genuine gemstones?

I just googled. I can't even tell the difference!
Can people tell just by looking?

If you think your mum might not like them then maybe steer clear and get something else entirely.

Could they pass as being real to her, do you think? They’re so teeny and actually look very subtle and nice

She doesn’t like pearls, I’m not a fan either.

She loves sapphires, but it was all so pricey, perhaps it was the jewellers, I was rushing as had my Dd fussing around

I don’t suppose you can return jewellery with a receipt? I mean, what reason would you give 🤷🏻‍♀️

They don't sound like your Mum's taste at all.

@HundredMilesAnHour She has similar, small stud type real gold earrings but with real diamonds

if she prefers gold and diamonds rather than less expensive jewellery, why would you buy her less expensive jewellery? Unless you are hoping she doesn't realise/ask if they are diamonds which, tbh seems a bit ungenerous, and what are you going to do if she does?

I used to work in a jewellers and tbh it was almost impossible to tell with the naked eye the difference between cubic zirconia and diamonds, particularly in earrings when the stone is usually smaller and 'shaped' so personally I wouldn't care at all (although I wouldn't personally wear them as not my taste), however if it's not the sort of thing she likes then no, I wouldn't get it for her.

If you look on etsy there are a number of sellers selling tiny gold/diamond earrings for under about £40 - obviously you don't 'know' they are diamonds but tbf you will never 'know' that for definite anyway! Plus at least you can say honestly that they were sold as diamond earrings. https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/805062727/small-genuine-diamond-stud-earrings-25mm?ref=listing_page_ad_row-1&pro=1&frs=1&sts=1&plkey=99aa1ec26ae0ccfaa836f7ed71f29e8f31024f2c%3A805062727&listing_id=805062727&listing_slug=small-genuine-diamond-stud-earrings-25mm
Or if not go with pearls or a voucher to go towards picking something she'd like herself.

CZ clouds after a while. It isn’t made to last really. I don’t really see the point in mixing 18ct gold with a cheap stone. You’d be better sourcing pretty 18ct gold plain studs, or 9/14ct gold with tiny diamonds.

Ebay and pawn shops are better for diamonds. I bought a pair of 1/2 ct studs for £200! Jewellers’ prices are about as high as you’ll find; if you look carefully there are cheaper options without compromising on quality.

Just seen you've already bought them...um no sorry I don't think most jewellers do returns on earrings.

So why would you buy her some so similar if she already has some?