Alex Monroe bee

[Alohapotato]

Hello, I have a really good friend ( in her early 40's) who loves bees and jewellery. I was thinking to gift her a bee necklace from Alex Monroe bit worried it's a bit dated now.. what do you think? Thank you.

That is an expensive gift, so if you get it wrong, that's quite a lot on her, could you get her a cheaper Etsy bee one that still looks nice but isn't going to be a big deal if she doesn't want to wear it.

It’s a bit, well, passe, as you suspected OP.

I have a very similar but much cheaper one from Cornish Bluebell that I love. Probably
not bang on trend but if that’s her style and taste (as it is mine!) then who cares? Nobody’s going to be making fun of an adult woman for not having the trendiest necklace

I know they are popular and have been around a while but I really like them.

Thank you all x

Does gold plated pieces tarnish? Thank you.

She can always return it or exchange it for another AM piece. I usually put the gift receipt in the bag ( a receipt without the price of the gift).

They certainly were ultra popular a decade ago. But you know your friend's taste and whether she'd prefer one of these pieces than something trendy.

I think gold plated pieces dull after a couple of years

I have one. The gold plating rubbed off within a year and now it looks crap. You're better off finding an independent jeweller who can make you one in solid gold or silver.

Gold plating wears off. It's quite a thin layer of plating on, usual a brass or steel core. Solid gold doesn't tarnish. All solid silver jewellery will also tarnish, it's a chemical reaction with the metal and elements/skin PH and a completely normal process.

ericajewellery.com/woodland-wildlife

www.alicestewartjewellery.com/necklaces

I have one and as PP said the gold plate wore off and it tarnished. I’ve bought much cheaper gold plated jewellery before which hasn’t tarnished so not sure I really rate AM after this

You can get them replated though

All silver does not tarnish. I wear 2 silver bracelets which are never taken off. One I've had since I was 18. They could both do with a good clean and shine, but then so does my gold jewellery.

OP if you can't afford gold, sterling silver is a much better option than rolled gold.

I don't have any Alex Munro but I think the bee jewellery is very pretty, but I would pick silver rather than rolled gold.

As to whether it's "dated" I wouldn't be persuaded against it just because a poster on here declares it's "dated"

That particular necklace is dated but the questionable quality and the fact the brand is sold in places like John Lewis are the main issues that would put me off purchasing

I second having a look at Etsy, where there are lots of makers selling their handmade jewellery and you can get something more unique. Check the seller carefully to make sure they are an actual crafter (if so they’ll probably have their own separate website or web presence) and not selling mass-imported junk, look at reviews etc but you can get some lovely things. As well as gold plated, there is “filled” which has a thicker gold layer.

@@IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle ALL silver will tarnish. I am a silversmith. It is a natural chemical reaction that cannot be avoided. YOUR silver hasn't tarnished because you wear it regularly and the oils in your skin aid in keeping tarnish at bay.

www.assayoffice.co.uk/news/ever-wondered-why-does-silver-tarnish

I have it, I have had it for about a decade now. It still looks nice, and I do still love it, but I don't wear it often anymore.

Honestly, that necklace was so ubiquitous a decade ago so it's highly unlikely that someone like your friend hasn't owned it at some point or decided strongly against it. Either way not the best gift idea (quality considerations aside). Agree with indie jewellers or another category of gift entirely (buying X for an X-lover is always going to be tricky)

Well you've contradicted yourself in your own post. Neither of my bracelets are tarnished. Nor is a silver necklace from an independent jeweller.

I still think silver is a better buy than rolled gold.

OMG I soo agree with you babe - John Lewis really is for the plebs.

Ah that's interesting. I had a tarnished silver bracelet that I put on and within a week of wearing it it was sparkling again. I thought it was caused by body heat but it's the oils on our skins?

It’s obvious @puddypud means that all
silver will tarnish if not worn next to skin for a while 🤪

I had a bee necklace from Oliver bonas. The bee bit was tiny and it looped through a honey comb shaped bit. Something like that? I think they still stock it?