High end jewellery worth it?

[Rinatinabina]

Ok question for the jewellery experts.

So it’s a milestone anniversary coming up and DH wants to buy new bands for us as our don’t fit anymore and we haven’t worn them for ages.

Is it worth going somewhere like cartier/piaget (I’m talking eternity ring sort of thing, not a statement piece) or is it more sensible to buy from a more middle of the road jeweller and get more diamonds for my buck? All jewellery will go to DD when I drop dead so I’m half thinking about long term value as well.

The jewellery as a piece will devalue as soon as you've bought it - most pieces are only worth the gold/ diamond value individually second hand. There might be some value in a brand name but bear in mind that fashions will change so a "vintage" piece might not be fashionable or desirable further down the line

I would say just buy what you are drawn to now and can afford rather than factoring in future value as an inheritance piece.

P.s not a jewellery expert by any means!

I would say go to an independent jeweller and get the best you can for your budget. You will be able to get GIA certificated diamonds the same quality as the high end names are using, for possibly half the price. You are paying for the name, branding, advertising and experience of a luxurious shop.

I say get decent GIA diamonds and other than that choose what you like.
My wedding band was 3k ( old and I am now divorced) but almost 9 in Boodles with worse quality diamonds
6k for a name did not float my boat

You can also have old jewellery remodelled. My friend’s husband had a Boodle’s type ring made for her that incorporated her original engagement ring, and her mother’s and grandmother’s engagement rings. It was absolutely stunning. This is the kind of jeweller I’m thinking of (I have no affiliation with this particular jeweller - it was just at the top of the Google search. There will be loads of others closer to your hometown).

www.suelanejewellery.co.uk/pages/remodelling

It depends what you want from your ring. I have a beautiful Boodles ring, bought for the design and it’s a classic and I love it. When I bought my generic diamond studs I picked the stones from a Hatton gardens dealer and they made them up, and I got lovely stones for much less money.

Ok great thank you guys that’s helped a lot!

My Tiffany jewellery has all retained its value and in some cases is worth more now than I paid for it. However, unless you think you might sell it one day, that is quite irrelevant, just get what you like at the best price you can.

I would either get one designed and made or go to one of the high end jewellers purely for the experience and joy of visiting the store and the packaging it will come in.

The quality of the stones in jewellery in, for example Tiffany, is really not great edpecially when you take into account the price. You can buy higher quality dtones including GIA certified at independent jewellers for much less. Its true that expensive brand names do retain value if you intend to sell on do it depends if this is inportant. Ftom my poing if viewn the mist inportant yhinv us to buy something you adore. Second hand jewrllery from auctions and the like can be excellent value. Find a top notch pawnbroker if look at bonhams auctions in London for good value pieces.

We bought my engagement ring (picked the diamonds/gem stone and had it made) from a Hatton Garden independent jeweller (with an excellent reputation) about 17/18 years ago. I think it was around £3k.

Had it valued recently….around £20-25k. Apparently the quality of the diamonds, but more importantly the quality and size of the gem stone and the price they are currently commanding has pushed everything up. There’s a shortage of gem stones, due to reduced mining during Covid. Plus other factors.

The price of gold/platinum is at an all time high currently, I’d watch the prices and try and purchase something when it’s dropped. I definitely think you get more for your money when purchasing from independent jewellers than any ‘chain jeweller’ where you’re paying for their overheads/advertising - avoid Tiffany’s, very overpriced.

Agree that with diamonds, if graded (on reputable certificates) can be directly compared so you know what you are getting.
What you are paying for is the brand, the experience (maybe champagne in a luxurious showroom) advertising etc.
Boodles use some independent jewellers for some of their rings, they have incredibly high standards but those independents don't work exclusively for them so would produce the same quality jewellery (obviously the patterns and designs are exclusive) for other customers.

Most jewellery won't keep the same value if resold but will be valued higher than its original price for insurance purposes, to cover a new, like for like item.

Also some jewellers offer free after care like cleaning, polishing, valuations etc, but that will have been built into the original price.