Astley Clarke/Monica Vinader - Talk to me!

[MinesaPinot]

I've had a small long service bonus from work and want to buy a piece of jewellery with it to mark the occasion.

I've had a look and I'm loving the designs in Astley Clarke and Monica Vinader but see that a lot of it is plated. Can anyone tell me about longevity, does it tarnish and if so, are there any other designers that do similar styles?

If it helps I'm looking at either a ring or necklace. Budget up to £400.

Hi OP,

I bought a Monica Vinader (Riva I think is the name) ring in rose gold and within 6 months all the plating had come off :/ so be wary of that! I think Ashley a Clarke is slightly better quality but don't own anything from them.

I’ve got a Monica eternity ring, I wear it everyday and have done for the last 4 years. It still looks lovely but is slightly squashed out of shape so no longer a perfect circle.

I also have a rose gold Monica Vinader Riva ring, and have worn it every day for 11 months and it still looks great. I get many compliments on it.

I love Sean Leane.

I would also say be wary of anything gold plated. I bought a beautiful Monica Vinader ring but all the gold plate rubbed off in under a year. So disappointing.

I have the MV Baha ring in rose gold. Xmas gift to myself last year and still in perfect condition x

I got my DH to buy me a pair of Monica Vinader Riva mini circle diamond earrings one Christmas, came in beautiful packaging but I've been very disappointed in them tbh. They looked dull and plain in real life and not sparkly in the least. I think MV is definitely marketing and packaging over substance and won't buy from them again. For similar price I'd think Carat or similar will be better.

Thanks all. Responses all seem to echo what I was thinking - style over substance. I'll have a rethink.

I've got some earrings from Astley Clarke that I love, they were a recent purchase so can't comment on longevity but I'm sure a plated ring would be rubbed off faster than any other item of jewellery due to the wear and tear of it being on your hand. If you like yellow gold but can't stretch to solid, I'd go for a necklace. Missoma is also nice.

My BFF bought me a bracelet from Monica Vinader & the plating has worn terribly.

Missoma I’ve found is much better quality

My friend's the jeweller at www.oaklandjewellery.com she does some beautiful things, might be worth a look. For £400 you want something that will look lovely forever.

I have several pairs of earrings from astley Clarke, none of them are plated

I do have a plated choker from there, I don’t wear it in the shower or swimming

I absolutely love AC so am a bit biased!

I have things from Astley Clarke and Monica Vinader and they're all lovely, good quality pieces. A couple of my MV rings have lost their plating but they do a free replating service here. I haven't used it myself because I quite like the slightly faded bits!