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Original poster

Is Swarovski tacky?

27 replies

HarrietKettleWasHere · 30/12/2017 12:13

I'm clueless at this as I don't wear much jewlerry. Just my engagement ring and the dreaded (mine is tasteful!!) pandora bracelet and I am aware of how Mumsnett feels about those [Grin

My gran died a few months ago and when she was near the end she gave me £300 in cash she'd been saving up (she wasn't well off and had been saving it from her pension Sad ) and she told me I had to buy myself something shiny!

I've not touched it yet but I'd love to spend it on a nice necklace that I can wear to remind me of her.

I was looking at Tiffany but nothing's grabbing me. Then I saw Swavovski had a sale on with hefty discount on some stuff but I'm not sure if you're just paying for the name- are the stones actually nice and worth the money?

Aby help appreciated!

OP posts:
BumWad · 30/12/2017 12:14

Not at all!

Far from it

RJnomore1 · 30/12/2017 12:18

I like Swarovski but it's dress jewellery. For £300 you could get a nice little diamond pendant? Show us what you like and we can make suggestions?

I wear it btw it's not that it's tacky.

bookbook · 30/12/2017 12:20

I know nothing about Swarovski , but I would suggest another tack.
Secondhand from a reputable goldsmith/jewellers will get you something unique and value for money, as you are not paying the mark up. I had to replace a lost necklace a few years ago, and got the most beautiful ( to me) very long rose gold 1920's necklace to replace it, and the jeweller altered it to make a matching bracelet. I went in and asked what was available at the money I had available from the insurers .

TammySwansonTwo · 30/12/2017 12:24

When my nan died, I found out my mum had sold her jewellery long before she died, including a ring that wasn't valuable but had great sentimental value to me. I was gutted but used some of the money I got from my nan to buy the most similar vintage ring I could find. Maybe something beautiful and vintage from your nan's era would be more meaningful to you?

Original poster
HarrietKettleWasHere · 30/12/2017 12:28

This is great as this is exactly what I wanted opinion on- can I get more if not paying for a big name etc. I quite like what I've seen on SWKI as I like white gold, silver, I don't wear gold! But it seems like fashion stuff rather than something I'd wear forever IYSWIM?

My ring came from a little shop down the lanes in Brighton but I don't know if they'd try and upsell me something to get me to spend more than the £300...or they might think £300 isn't worth much of a sale. I don't want to spend more even though I probably could as for some reason it seems important to spend exactly what she gave me.

OP posts:
RJnomore1 · 30/12/2017 12:34

I don't wear gold either.

What do you think of the pendant I posted? Or would you like something bigger? I don't think you'd get a bigger diamond but I could find a bigger pendant?

Original poster
HarrietKettleWasHere · 30/12/2017 12:36

I quite like it! Something like that although I do have a bit of a penchant for vintage-type things so I also like the suggestion of the piece of jewlerry inspired by or from the era (not sure I could get something genuinely antique for the price?) which is 30's.

OP posts:
RJnomore1 · 30/12/2017 12:49

Have a look at pendants on James-porter.co.uk

I can see lots on there that look promising- I think you have similar tastes to me

bookbook · 30/12/2017 12:50

Depending on what you go for, a good goldsmith/jeweller goes more on the weight of the gold/silver, and intrinsic value of stones.

Just be honest - I have £xxx to spend, can you show me if you have anything suitable . I was given all sorts of different things to look at , they were totally unfazed.

Original poster
HarrietKettleWasHere · 30/12/2017 12:52

Thanks everyone!

And RJ going to have a good look on that website now! Thanks for the suggestion.

OP posts:
tinytemper66 · 30/12/2017 12:56

When my paternal
Grandmother died neither my sister or myself inherited any pieces of her jewellery. This was in 1993. Her daughter had it all and now her girls, (my cousins and the daughter in laws had the beautiful pieces. So when my dad had money from the will he gave me £50 and I bought a beautiful second hand ring with it. My nana may never have worn it but that ring reminds me of her.
I am not bothered now about it as I don't see my cousins that often but do feel a
Little pang of jealousy when I see them wearing so thing of hers.

CointreauVersial · 01/01/2018 02:04

I don't think Swarovski is tacky - it's excellent quality, and I have several pieces.

But if you are looking for something special/sentimental you could also find some really pretty second-hand gold/silver jewellery which would be more unique.

makingmiracles · 01/01/2018 02:20

I don’t think think is, I have a bangle and earrings (I also have a pandora essence!) but I don’t think you get much more for your money from secondhand jewellery.

My mum gave me money for a big birthday (also £300) and I bought a beautiful opal and diamond ring for just under that, sized altered to fit my finger and afterwards when getting it adjusted at another jewellers it was valued at over £700, it’s beutiful and I love it and it’s almost 100yrs old!

I don’t know whereabouts in the country you are, but if you want to buy a ring rather than a pendant you could get your finger sized and buy online, I bought mine from a tiny jewellers in the West Country called vintage Tom (frome) they are def worth a look

makingmiracles · 01/01/2018 02:21

Sorry that should read you DO get much more for your money!

zippyswife · 01/01/2018 07:09

Head back down to the lanes in Brighton. If you like antique/vintage style that’ll be sure to have some lovely pieces for you.

AstridWhite · 01/01/2018 07:36

I really like lots of the Swarovski stuff, I think it's great value for money and I say that as a Pandora refusnik.

But it is costume jewellery so it won't look perfect forever and will possibly tarnish at some point. I agree with zippy your best bet would be to buy gold or silver second hand/vintage. You will get so much more for your money.

CocaColaTruck · 01/01/2018 07:41

Very tacky.

Fairylea · 01/01/2018 07:45

Personally I think it’s not very nice, I just think of it as costume jewellery rather than fine jewellery. I would spend the money in an independent or smaller jewellers on something more unique.

MuseumOfCurry · 01/01/2018 07:55

I'm not crazy about it.

Diamonddealeroncemore · 01/01/2018 09:36

Have a look at Georg Jensen. It’s not to everyone’s taste but it is mostly silver, very iconic and timeless, can be worn every day if you wished to and doesn’t depreciate in value very much.

queenofarles · 01/01/2018 10:49

For £300 I'd rather get something vintage/antique .
Or a special fashion jewelry piece.
I Collect vintage Chanel cuffs and brooches , and have seen amazing pieces from the 80s, very unique . Something you don't find now days

Smellylittleorange · 01/01/2018 12:28

Tbf i dont think the likes of Goldsmiths are good quality at all ...sorry to previous posters.

I think you either have to get something unique and sparkly..not necessarily diamonds from antique/vintage or buy an ostentatious piece from Swarovski ...the trick is not doing that thing whereby you try and pass it off as real diamonds etc

theaccidentaleconomist · 01/01/2018 14:40

Have a look at Sorrelli.com -beautiful vintage style jewellery made with Swarovski crystals. You can often find new pieces for much less on Ebay.

HolgerDanske · 01/01/2018 14:42

Georg Jensen has some lovely pieces and they have a 50% sale on atm. Might be worth a look.