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Style & beauty

Jewellery

(83 Posts)
Teetime Sat 30-Jul-16 10:02:53

I was wondering if others Gransnetters would buy themselves a piece of jewellery. I know women who quite happily buy themselves a piece (leave aside costume jewellery) if they like it and can afford it. I have always felt I shouldn't do that. DH buys me nice things on birthdays and Christmas and it feels a bit indulgent to buy myself something. Would you buy yourself something if you could afford it or if it was extra lovely would you buy it if you couldn't/shouldn't afford it.

Coolgran65 Sat 30-Jul-16 20:26:44

I have quite a lot of good jewellery and since retiring don't wear it much, have said to DH not to buy me jewellery, there's only so much one can wear.
I've never bought myself gold jewellery but do buy costume.

I wear earrings daily without fail and at present my favourite earrings are 'a diamond in a circle of small diamonds set in white gold'. £3 in Asda and always get complimented. grin

jinglbellsfrocks Sat 30-Jul-16 20:47:56

I've got a little pearl drop necklace DD brought back from Tiffanys NY. It was from the top floor, but I love it. And I always keep it in its little turquoise purse and box. smile

Deedaa Sat 30-Jul-16 21:48:36

I don't buy myself "good" jewellery because I don't really wear it. I can't get my diamond engagement ring on any more but I do wear my mother's sapphire and diamond eternity ring. However I do have lots and lots of costume jewellery because I can't resist it.(If it was good enough for Coco Chanel it's good enough for me grin )

GrandmaKT Sat 30-Jul-16 22:11:40

I quite often buy myself costume jewellery if I see something I like, but have never bought myself the 'real stuff'. Once I saw a gold ring that I fell in love with, so had to drag DH into the jewellers to buy it for me!
Our engagement story goes like this...
One day he came home (we'd been living together a year or so) with a ring in a box and said "I've bought you a ring, do you like it?" I said "Er, is it an engagement ring?" He replied (in his inimitable romantic style) "Can be" so I said (equally romantically) "In that case I'd rather chose my own!" I did and am still wearing it 33 years later!

Seasidenana Sun 31-Jul-16 09:25:00

I haven't got a DH to buy me things so I always buy myself a birthday present. On my 60th I bought a pandora bracelet and my kids all got me charms.

sylviann Sun 31-Jul-16 09:27:31

I would buy anything I couldn't afford a bit to afraid to face any consequences resulting from it I'm not a jewellery person and only wear jewellery on special occasions the same few pieces reused again and again

hulahoop Sun 31-Jul-16 09:36:01

I like costume jewellery and prefer silver to gold I wouldn't spend a fortune on anything would be tightened of losing it .

Soniah Sun 31-Jul-16 09:45:26

I love costume jewellery and have lots of it, often make my own bracelets, necklaces and brooches too, wear some jewellery every day. Wouldn't spent a lot of money on a piece as I'd rather spend it on something else like travelling but some fun and colourful brightens up the day. I try to buy a piece of locally made pieces when we travel and have some associated memories then, love some bits and pieces I bought from street traders in India and Nepal, a couple of bracelets made from the fruits of a tree in Ecuador, a ring and silver and enamel ring and necklace from Rhodes for example. I have some nice bits and pieces from charity shops, bought a lovely ceramic pin with forget me nots in a charity shop for £1.50 yesterday which will look lovely on a jacket, 1950s Cara in its box. Not really a diamonds girl, don't want anything I have to worry about.

VIOLETTE Sun 31-Jul-16 09:54:57

Ah yes ! love the look of jewellery, especially ear rings ! I have some good ones, but never wear them as I lose an ear ring regularly ...how and where I never know, just that I go out with two and come back wearing only one ....it is not in the car, not on the drive ...I did once go back to a bank cash machine, and lo and behold, there was my lost ear ring, still on the floor ....and the DIY shop found another ....now I stick to having loads of different pairs, and never pay more than 6 euros for any ! They are colours to match what I am wearing, and it doesn't matter if I lose one....so sadly, the good ones stay in their boxes ! I do have a nice gold necklace and a set of real pearls,,,haven't worn them for maybe 20 years ...don't have the lifestyle for jewellery anymore !

Diddy1 Sun 31-Jul-16 09:57:24

I am not a great fan of jewellery to be honest, occasionally I might buy a necklace or bracelet, loathe rings. DH doesnt but me jewellery as he knows what I am like, anyway I wouldnt trust him to buy anything, it probably wouldnt be my choice, so things are good as they are.

Neversaydie Sun 31-Jul-16 09:58:18

DH has bought me several pieces of jewellry I really like,usually for anniversaries , birthdays or Christmas (some chosen without me, others with a DD 'briefing ' and assistance)and occasionally wear. Some bought on holiday as a souvenir (we often go away for my birthday ) .I did choose and 'buy' my maternity ring on my own but DH knew I'd seen something I liked .But I tend to 'stick ' to certain pieces-my25th anniversary diamond studs, a silver necklace and a silver bracelet .I also have my MIL emerald and diamond dress ring and a cameo my brother bought me for my 21st .And my mum's very modest engagement ring .
We were once taken ,much against DH will ,to a jewellry workshop in Bangkok.Saw a fabulous pink sapphire ring. I knew DH would not buy it on principle He hates being put in that 'obliged'position ..It was £500. I knew I could buy it for myself but didn't as I realised I didn't want it that much! Bought some seed pearls instead (£6) .The only piece of real jewellry I have ever bought myself .They are very pretty and I have restrung them twice .
To be honest most of our money is joint funds anyway(I have an allowance for frivolities but use the joint account also if I need to ) so it's irrelevant where the money came from. It's more a matter of it being chosen for me with love .But if I absolutely fell in love with something and DH wasnt there I might buy it .I would like some rubies for our 40th but there is only so much jewellry one can wear ....
i have a very well -travelled friend who makes a point of saying coyly after every trip 'DH bought me.. 'She has some lovely (but rarely worn as she is afraid of losing them!) pieces but seems to see them as her reward for Good Wife -Dom which I find slightly weird .Slightly old fashioned concept?
She also delights in collecting charms for a Pandora bracelet.I see them very much as something a much younger woman would wear I'm afraid (apologies to those who love /have them Each to their own )

Neversaydie Sun 31-Jul-16 09:59:42

You should wear your real pearls Violette.They need the oils from your skin to 'thrive'

Swanny Sun 31-Jul-16 10:17:34

I bought myself a good ring in memory of my mother nearly 20 years ago, and earlier this year bought one in memory of MiL. Neither of the mothers owned any expensive pieces but both these items just caught my eye at the time and made me think of the deceased. I do wear them but the rest of my 'collection' is mostly costume stuff. These are the only items I've ever bought in a jewellers for myself.

Teetime Sun 31-Jul-16 10:28:25

After I started this thread yesterday I noticed an article in the Telegraph about a trend for buying oneself an 'engagement' ring as a celebration of self. I thought this was a bit odd.

I bought a pair of mock amethyst studs (£8) yesterday and I love the colour so I might just convert them to the real thing next time I'm out shopping.

Does anyone buy jewellery from the any of the shopping channels?

Legs55 Sun 31-Jul-16 10:43:27

I love earrings & treat myself if I see something I like - that was the reason I had my ears pierced at age 30 as I fell in love with a pair of Ruby & Cubic Zirconia earrings, my expensive ones only get worn on "occassions".

After my DH died & I had sold our house & moved I found I was in danger of losing my Eternity ring & possibly Wedding ring so I bought another Eternity ring in a smaller size which keeps them firmly on my finger. Ruby is my Birthstone so all my jewellery is Ruby (real) & Diamonds (real or fake), & Diamond type earrings for everyday wear. I wear 2 Gold chains, one I bought myself in a little Antique shop which was closing down, it is Rose Gold which I love & my DH's Gold chain which he always wore.

I've no-one to buy my jewellery now so if I want anything I buy it within reason (& when I can afford a treat) grin

Lilyflower Sun 31-Jul-16 10:52:30

When our children were little the DH and I forewent presents to each other to save cash. The deal was that I had the year's Tesco Clubcard points to spend and, as they feature Goldsmith's Jewellers, I had some lovely, fancy bling. Otherwise I haven't spent money on jewellery (or anything else for that matter) or treats for myself.

What I would really like is a two carat diamond ring but I am whistling in the wind on that one!

Jane10 Sun 31-Jul-16 10:57:29

I did once buy myself a diamond ring. I'd just been promoted at work and was feeling very happy. It sparkled at me from a shop window. I quite suddenly thought 'I love it. I can afford it. I'm worth it'. I just went straight in and bought it. It fitted perfectly. I wore it happily for years until I gave it to my god daughter who was setting off for London to work. Because I'd bought it myself there was no sentimental attachment so I could tell her to just sell it if she ever needed the money. She's still got it though!

wot Sun 31-Jul-16 10:57:56

No, I wouldn't. What a daft way to get into debt! I have a sister who does.

grannybuy Sun 31-Jul-16 11:08:30

I have some good jewellery, which DH has bought, sometimes by himself. I love most of it. The problem has been, if I'm with him, that he gets embarrassed if I take a long time to decide, and this has resulted in a couple of poor choices - a waste of money really. However, I do wear the good stuff all the time. It makes me feel good. For people who are worried about losing it, insure it. Enjoy it!

westieyaya Sun 31-Jul-16 11:28:40

I always believed that husbands or special friends should buy good jewellery, I would always buy costume. So was amazed on a recent cruise to see there was a jewellery 'consultant' selling pieces costing a couple of thousand and more to women.

wot Sun 31-Jul-16 11:31:18

I have bought "junk" jewellery though which I couldn't really afford!

sallyswin Sun 31-Jul-16 11:34:51

Joan Collins' book says you can wear cheap jewellery except on your hands. Rings should be the real thing.

townie Sun 31-Jul-16 11:46:40

Yes of course if I could afford it. Can't really believe anyone in this day and age could possibly think, even as a joke, it's a man's 'job' to buy jewellery for a woman. Can't get my head around it at all. Can anyone explain it?

Luckily for my credit card, I'm not a fan of 'real' jewellery anyway (except for my engagement and wedding rings) - generally prefer 'costume jewellery' and then only really like necklaces. I like designs which are modern and often a bit boho. Pick them up in small shops and boutiques here and on holiday and occasionally places like Hobbs or the White Company. None cost more than £100, most much less.
I also wear only Swatch watches and have no interest in expensive watches.

Tegan Sun 31-Jul-16 11:46:40

Especially if they turn your fingers green blush...

M0nica Sun 31-Jul-16 12:07:56

I really do not have any interest in owning the kind of jewellery sold by jewellers. My engagement and wedding rings came from antique dealers. I do like rings, and I do have a couple of valuable ones, but those I have drifted my way over the years as family members have died. On occasion I wear earrings but most of those come from Accessories and other similar shops. Otherwise I do not wear jewellery.

DH, thankfully, has never really bought me jewellery. He knows I prefer more practical presents and the completely unexpected gift of a Kindle some years ago, caused me more delight and has given me more pleasure than any piece of jewellery could.

What I would not do is buy something, anything, if I couldn't afford it.