Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Cubic zirconia

52 replies

Nopatienceleftby7pm · 20/04/2023 20:01

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

OP posts:
PaigeMatthews · 20/04/2023 20:44

Nopatienceleftby7pm · 20/04/2023 20:38

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

Then what is the point?

look for something you can afford. What about plain?

Whisper23 · 20/04/2023 20:44

I would happily wear them but jewellery is such a personal thing. We bought my mum some diamond earrings for a milestone birthday but she never wore them to my knowledge. I inherited them in the end. Its such a personal thing and subtle differences matter.

If your mum has similar earrings already why not go for something she doesn't have?

WimpoleHat · 20/04/2023 20:46

I don’t think you can return earrings for hygiene reasons…..

LudicrouslyCapaciousBag · 20/04/2023 20:50

I was going to suggest antique but if you have bought them you might be stuck. You can’t usually return pierced earrings unless they are faulty. Don’t lie about the stones. Your mum must have an idea of what you can afford?

Shinyandnew1 · 20/04/2023 20:52

Nopatienceleftby7pm · 20/04/2023 20:38

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

So, why would a pair of similar, but fake
diamond, be a good present for someone who only wears gold/diamonds?

WonderingWanda · 20/04/2023 20:55

I think if my daughter bought me some earrings for my birthday I would be very appreciative and not ungrateful enough to have a problem with them not being diamonds.

You'd hope that with 70 years practice she's be gracious enough to pretend to like them anyway.

BillyNoM8s · 20/04/2023 20:56

Are you hoping to pass them off as real? Why would you do that?!

If they're small and she has similar then I wouldn't bother.

I'd get a different, cheaper gemstone entirely. Or a different gift.

GooglyEyeballs · 20/04/2023 20:56

White sapphire or moissanite are good alternatives to CZ and less expensive than diamond. Honestly, they're all some form of rock, I think the metal is more important than the stone. I've never had a problem with CZ. The diamond industry is pretty vile so I think more ethical alternatives are better. I have some diamond jewellery which is mostly heirlooms or lab created diamonds which are indistinguishable even under a loupe.

LaughingCat · 20/04/2023 21:02

I’m sure you can if you’ve not opened the packaging they wrapped it all in. But they can be fussy with earrings.

Honestly, I wouldn’t if I knew my mum only liked the real deal. I’d go for simple, elegant non-stone earrings instead. Maybe look at Georg Jensen?

Heydiddlelidl · 20/04/2023 21:10

OP you are getting so many negative comments here! I think you sound like a really lovely caring daughter and a £60 pair of earrings plus cake/balloons etc is a generous birthday treat. If it was my daughter it would mean the world to me that you had gone to so much trouble and I would treasure the earrings from you! The fact they were from my precious daughter would mean far more than the type of stone in them.

Original poster
Nopatienceleftby7pm · 20/04/2023 21:14

@Heydiddlelidl Thank you 🙏Feeling a bit crap as I had no time to properly look as my 4 year old was playing up and it was a rushed decision which I regret now really . But I don’t want her to have something she won’t wear. I really wanted a necklace initially, but they were all so pricey

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 20/04/2023 21:49

There was a similar thread on S&B where the OP had saved fo a diamond ring but decided against and wanted suggestiions for a cheaper alternative.

I like QVC Diamonique and I buy silver or high carat gold as my ears are sensitive.
I recently bought a pair of sterling silver Moissanite earrings with a screw back so I'm giving them a go now.
There is nothing to compare with a perfectly cut diamond

I'm surprised no-one has mentioned the ethics of diamonds - conflict diamonds /blood diamonds . Hopefully now all diamonds are ethical ?

Georgeandzippyzoo · 21/04/2023 00:04

I most definitely would, infact I'd be annoyed if my dc spent the amounts for real diamonds. My mum had very little jewellery but it was of good quality but if one of us bought her something she would love it and wear it x x

Phoebo · 21/04/2023 02:37

I think you've answered your own question? She'd prefer small, but quality and only gold or diamonds. It sounds like a no.

JMSA · 21/04/2023 03:28

I'd be happy to wear them, OP.

Pepperama · 21/04/2023 03:41

I don’t think it’s the right thing for her.
I’d try explain to the place where you bought them, see if you can return them. If not see if you can sell them on - eBay, marketplace etc, for something close to what you paid. And then back to the drawing board.

JudgeRudy · 21/04/2023 03:47

If money is tight I'd go for something less person. It will be hard for her to fake pleasure and feel obliged to wear them.
Have you considered sapphire or smoky quartz. These are 70th gemstones. Diamond is 75 so get saving!

Cubic zirconia
Qwerty111 · 21/04/2023 06:21

Nopatienceleftby7pm · 20/04/2023 20:35

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 🤷🏻‍♀️

I would try returning them to the shop and say that your mum’s sister has bought something too similar. Because they are so lovely.

Maybe you could exchange them for something else at the same jewellers?

You said you wanted to get a necklace originally I think, you could get her just the pendant part - she probably already has a chain she could use.

sashh · 21/04/2023 06:35

Try returning them, some places will let you if they have not been worn.

Seashor · 21/04/2023 06:39

I’d say save your money. She likes the ‘real’ thing.

However, I wouldn’t expect the real thing because I would really place value on your thoughtfulness to arrange a party. To me that’s priceless.

DowntownKingston · 21/04/2023 06:42

No, don’t do this to your mom. I know you don’t have the money but don’t try & pass CZ off as diamonds, you are not Del Boy.

Isthisexpected · 21/04/2023 06:43

Based on what you've said of your mum this isn't the right gift for her. If real she'd expect a certificate of authenticity and she'll soon tell as they'll cloud over. So you can't fake it to her if that was your intention.

barmycatmum · 21/04/2023 06:49

Modern cz is so much nicer than it used to be - and it really retains its sparkle.

if you can’t exchange it, just give the gift with love, whatever you do, don’t apologize as you’re giving it! It might be sentimental for her regardless of what they look like, because it’s a special birthday and they’re from you.

I would think cz in 18kt gold would be the higher end cz , and it will wear well.