Advice please, jewellery ladies

[Iamthewombat]

Inspired by recent ‘show us your gorgeous rocks’ thread…

I’m hoping for some advice from the expert jewellery ladies of S&B please.

I’m 50 in the autumn, and through a fortunate combination of a generous DH and a work bonus I can afford to spend up to £10k on a memorable piece of jewellery.

Being almost flat chested, I avoid necklaces: not the right place to focus attention! Unpierced ears, so not earrings. I have nice long slim arms and hands so I tend to go for bracelets, bangles and rings.

I suit simple stuff, so although I see people looking fab in ornate vintage pieces, it doesn’t really work on me.

I am very open to pre-owned stuff: I’ve bought a few pre-owned gold bangles in the past and have been very happy with them.

Can’t really sanction a Cartier Love bangle: I associate them with Tamara Ecclestone!

Any ideas, please? I would like something I could wear forever and admire.

I wondered about a pre-owned Rolex too: anybody had any experience with those?

Thanks!

What a lovely position!

Do you like white gold or yellow?

How about an Elsa Peretti cuff from Tiffany's in yellow gold?

I usually recommend buying vintage/antique through auctions or good dealers rather than new.

I was going to suggest Elsa Peretti cuff or Rolex so I've been beaten to it!!!

I would totally go for a rolex.

As a side point don't think being flat chested should rule out necklaces. Esp a short chain worn close to the clavicle.
Please post what you get

I totally agree with @Pinkypink! You don’t need to rule out necklaces at all.

Ooh I like those Elsa Peretti cuffs.

I prefer yellow gold.

Re Rolexes: I have questions! is it better to go for a gold one that’s certified authentic by a jeweller and is boxed, but doesn’t have its original papers, or a steel or steel/gold one that has the full paper trail?

I have a bone cuff. It’s lovely but not easy to wear every day.

Do you normally spend a lot on jewellery? If not 10k is a lot to spend on one piece unless it’s a RHR that you’ll wear every day.

A rolex is a good bet or maybe buy two pieces?

www.google.com/search?q=pippa+middleton+necklaces&client=safari&rls=en&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=L0LiB_l9Tsd7_M%252CS6i7mYkPbjYWCM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kSz4Y4nSXbr6U2syHkbwywOh54Cew&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiigprBoLbxAhVUQxUIHUyTDEwQ9QF6BAgKEAE#imgrc=L0LiB_l9Tsd7_M

Can anyone identify the small diamond necklace worn by PM? I have seen Nicola Walker wear an identical one and I would love to know where they can be found!

Do you normally spend a lot on jewellery?

I wish! The most I have ever spent on a piece for myself is £1k (so excludes engagement ring).

Rolex sounding appealing.

@BirdsandBeesmakinghay I’ve been looking at those, im trying to find one with a sturdy looking chain, I’ve spent hours on Etsy

www.etsy.com/uk/search?q=diamond+solitaire+necklace+uk+0.25&order=most_relevant&ref=auto-1&locationQuery=2635167&entry_point=local_search

Toda & toy do one but I think the chain is slightly long at 18”
www.tadaandtoy.com/product/solitaire-diamond-necklace?variant=11886

I bought a steel/gold Rolex secondhand from a jeweller with box and papers a few years ago, it cost £2600 from memory and I believe it holds its value. Very happy with it but if I had £10k I’d go for gold and possibly new.

@BirdsandBeesmakinghay
if you click on the pinterest photo it gives you the name of this co. for the small diamond necklace.
goldenthreadshop.com/collections/fine-line-necklaces

I recently came across Eleanor Christine Jewellery, who does some stunning rings and cuffs using unusual gemstones such as citrine, aquamarine, chalcedony and natural emerald. If I were in the UK I'd love to have something made by her.
Blimey, I envy you your lovely budget! When I turned 35 I splashed out on a silver Danish Modern necklace. It was a big spend for me at A$650. But I'm still loving it 20 years later, so I think these well-chosen, well-worn pieces are worth what we spend on them.
If you like the Modern style (ie post 1950) you could look at Vivianna Torun, who worked for Georg Jensen. I once bid on one of her silver and smoky quartz pieces at auction, but it got away from me. I still think about it!

I absolutely love Eleanor Christie’s stuff! There appear to be no prices or contact details in her website though!

[quote fallfallfall]@BirdsandBeesmakinghay
if you click on the pinterest photo it gives you the name of this co. for the small diamond necklace.
goldenthreadshop.com/collections/fine-line-necklaces[/quote]
Ah! I thought they were referring to the larger necklace. Thank you. The diamond in the necklace is tiny though. I’ve seen equivalent necklaces with bigger diamonds for less.

[quote ButItRingsAndIRise]@BirdsandBeesmakinghay I’ve been looking at those, im trying to find one with a sturdy looking chain, I’ve spent hours on Etsy

www.etsy.com/uk/search?q=diamond+solitaire+necklace+uk+0.25&order=most_relevant&ref=auto-1&locationQuery=2635167&entry_point=local_search

Toda & toy do one but I think the chain is slightly long at 18”
www.tadaandtoy.com/product/solitaire-diamond-necklace?variant=11886[/quote]
lilyandroo.com/products/solid-gold-floating-diamond-necklace?currency=GBP&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&gclid=CjwKCAjwoNuGBhA8EiwAFxomA_5YeFOuuy7bJNqcNV3UOYdtQX3CyLjSDUXekZOUNq3lMCYHvIJ55RoCprIQAvD_BwE

Me too! What about this one?

I'd spend it on more than one piece. Look at Mirri Damer's rings, they are glamorous yet understated. You could get a bespoke ring made for you.

www.mirridamer.com

Plus a gorgeous watch but I will defer to others on that one.

I wouldn't go for a designer e.g. Cartier or Tiffany as you are partly paying for the name rather than the stones or metal.

I'd go for the best stones you can get - and if diamonds, make sure they are certified by an independent body (not the shop) e.g. GIA.

If you are in the UK I'd have a mooch around Hatton gardens. I had my full eternity ring made there many years ago. I spent 10K and it is still a gorgeous piece. Classy and never dating.

If you are getting a Rolex, make sure you buy from an authorised dealer.

What about getting a Jaeger leCoultre watch? Like this.

What a lovely treat for yourself op.

If you’re not normally spending that much on jewellery ( very people do I would imagine) then what about splitting the cost and getting two pieces. To me that would feel like an even bigger treat. You would get twice the enjoyment!

@BirdsandBeesmakinghay at 0.05ct that diamond will be tiny, I want a little bit more bling.

Yes I agree.