topic Re: RIPKA PRICES!?!?! in Jewelry

RIPKA PRICES!?!?!

Shanus — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 12:04:03 GMT

I know this subject has been discussed here many times. Yesterday, I watched a few Ripka items (especially the huge rolo link bracelet w/ Diamonique for $359.). The Jewelry Clearance show w/ Antonella had been on earlier and a similar bracelet (also made in Italy) was shown for much less. I wouldn't pay that much for a silver bracelet that had CZ stones on it!! Why cheapen a piece with fake stones? Either use zircon, white topaz, etc. or leave them off completely.

Having both shows on so closely to each other really showed we would be paying for the Ripka name.

Re: RIPKA PRICES!?!?!

appm — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 12:14:55 GMT

I agree we are paying for the name. Another name we pay a high price for is Tova. Her items are similar to regular diamonique pieces, but so much more expensive.

Re: RIPKA PRICES!?!?!

Shanus — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 12:27:58 GMT

@appm wrote:
I agree we are paying for the name. Another name we pay a high price for is Tova. Her items are similar to regular diamonique pieces, but so much more expensive.

@appm But Tova's designs are unique and not that much more.

Re: RIPKA PRICES!?!?!

jackthebear — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 13:38:31 GMT

well you/we are always paying for the name, but they really hiked up the prices in the past years

I look at the pieces I got years ago for $100 and they would be at least 2x or 3 now, and she isn't even there to rep the brand

and IMO I don't think Ripka is a big brand out in retail now much either

Re: RIPKA PRICES!?!?!

chrystaltree — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 13:44:23 GMT

That has always been my problem with the Ripka QVC line. All that cheap cz at exhorbitant prices. Even the gemstone pieces are are low cost semi precious stones....with cz's. I love jewelry but I want value for my money and there's certainly nothing prestigious collectible about Ripka QVC jewelry. The vast majority, if not all, shopping Channel jewelry designers moved to diamond cut white zircon for accents, years and years ago. White topaz does not give a diamond look the way that white zircon does. I won't lie, back in the day I bought more than my fair share of everyone's cz jewelry too. A few years ago, I gave it all away to anyone who wanted it. I kept a few special pieces that are set in gold.

Re: RIPKA PRICES!?!?!

jackthebear — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 14:08:53 GMT

@chrystaltree wrote:
That has always been my problem with the Ripka QVC line. All that cheap cz at exhorbitant prices. Even the gemstone pieces are are low cost semi precious stones....with cz's. I love jewelry but I want value for my money and there's certainly nothing prestigious collectible about Ripka QVC jewelry. The vast majority, if not all, shopping Channel jewelry designers moved to diamond cut white zircon for accents, years and years ago. White topaz does not give a diamond look the way that white zircon does. I won't lie, back in the day I bought more than my fair share of everyone's cz jewelry too. A few years ago, I gave it all away to anyone who wanted it. I kept a few special pieces that are set in gold.

me too

Re: RIPKA PRICES!?!?!

Lipstickdiva — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 14:44:08 GMT

I was never a big Ripka fan. Most of her pieces were over the top for me and just too expensive. I haven't even seen it presented in a few years.

I have some wonderful white zircon items I got from JTV. In fact, I'm wearing a pair of inside/outside hoop earrings today that are a staple in my wardrobe and many assume they are diamond hoops. I've had them for years. I also own several white zircon rings that people think are diamonds.

However, I do own my fair share of Bella Luce and all of it is gorgeous. But, none of it was expensive at all. I have a fairly new eternity band in Bella and I have been stopped in the store over it, clients have commented on it, people in restaurants have commented and most recently I was in physical therapy and the therapist apologized but said she had to stop for a minute to ask about my ring because it was so pretty. LOL

Re: RIPKA PRICES!?!?!

LindaSal — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 14:59:21 GMT

ITA, very overpriced jewelry. I do have a couple of pieces of her line and they are pretty but certainly not worth what I paid. I actually went into one of her stores once in Atlantic city and was mortified by being followed around by a securtiy person. Yikes, what a turnoff, and the prices in her stores, OMG!!!!!!! Totally lost interest in her line after that experience.

Re: RIPKA PRICES!?!?!

chrystaltree — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 17:30:42 GMT

@LindaSal

Omg... I had that experience too. Years ago, when hubby and I were in NYC, we went into the Judith Ripka Boutique. I just wanted the experience. I wanted to see what her couture line was like. I even considered buying a piece in gold but the prices for just a small citrine ring in gold were ridiculously high. No diamonds, just a citrine and not the best of citrines and the ring was close to $2000. And then when it became apparent that we were not customers, some security person started following us around. I remember hubby took me by the elbow and said "keep moving, keep moving, we're being steered to the door" LOL

Re: RIPKA PRICES!?!?!

tarytoo — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 21:14:29 GMT

i like the style of some of the Ripka pieces. At QVC they were too costly. but found a couple pieces that were quite affordable on ebay and snatched them right up. that was a few years ago. i recently noticed the prices for Ripka there are also high nowadays, too. so i got lucky.

Re: RIPKA PRICES!?!?!

nova — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 21:27:08 GMT

@LindaSal I had the same awful experience in that particular store location! I was made so uncomfortable by the salesfolk I left before I even looked at the merchandise. What a turn-off. That Atlantic City store is no longer there even though other luxury stores in that area managed to maintain a business. On the contrary I was shopping in an expensive David Yurman boutique elsewhere and was treated really well - even though I didn't buy anything. I tried on a beautiful cable bracelet & was not made to feel "like I wasn't worthy of it". lol

Re: RIPKA PRICES!?!?!

Grouchomarx — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 21:35:50 GMT

Of course you are paying extra for the designer name, same as anything else. I prefer diamonique to crappy looking topaz or low quality diamonds which is what you'd get for the same price. CZ sparkles better and compliments the colored stones. I have a few pieces from other designers using white topaz and they look quite drab by comparison to CZ. When done right it looks like high quality diamonds. When done wrong it looks very fake.

Re: RIPKA PRICES!?!?!

nova — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 23:43:08 GMT

@Grouchomarx I agree that some high quality cubic zirconia or Swarovski crystals look better than low quality diamonds as accents. I have a beautiful tahitian pearl pendant that has 1 small Swarovski crystal as an accent. it looks like a perfect - but very small - brilliant diamond. The tahitian pearl pendant was already expensive & if it was a diamond instead of Swarovski the price would have been unreasonable.

Re: RIPKA PRICES!?!?!

FancyPhillyshopper — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 03:24:01 GMT

I am a jewelry fan who nevers buys just for a name. I like high quality, well made gold jewelry.

I do not buy or wear cubic zirconia.

I never purchased Judith Ripka until she brought her gold line onto the program.

I am very impressed with her designs and the intricacy of her work.

Yes, some of the pieces can be pricey, but I always wait for the sales.

I am very happy with my Ripka purchases!

Re: RIPKA PRICES!?!?!

Lipstickdiva — Fri, 10 Jan 2020 17:41:01 GMT

@Grouchomarx wrote:
Of course you are paying extra for the designer name, same as anything else. I prefer diamonique to crappy looking topaz or low quality diamonds which is what you'd get for the same price. CZ sparkles better and compliments the colored stones. I have a few pieces from other designers using white topaz and they look quite drab by comparison to CZ. When done right it looks like high quality diamonds. When done wrong it looks very fake.

@Grouchomarx9 times out of 10 white topaz looks horrible to me. I too would rather have CZ but I really wish they'd use white zircon.

The other day I ordered the Colleen Lopez TS watch and noticed they used white topaz around the face. I'm hoping it has some sparkle.

Re: RIPKA PRICES!?!?!

San Antonio Gal — Sat, 11 Jan 2020 06:03:06 GMT

Judith Ripoff

Re: RIPKA PRICES!?!?!

CalminHeart — Sat, 11 Jan 2020 11:28:39 GMT

I agree Ripka prices are ridiculously high. Many of her pieces are gorgeous but I refuse to spend that much money on sterling silver and fake stones.

Re: RIPKA PRICES!?!?!

border mom — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 01:36:58 GMT

I also think that we pay for Judith Ripka's name in her jewelry. I think that gold clad is a bit pricey.

Her jewelry is good but QVC seems to promote a lot of it. Even if we do like her style, I do not want that much.

Re: RIPKA PRICES!?!?!

GinaV24 — Thu, 16 Jan 2020 22:06:37 GMT

I agree that having so much cz on everything AND high prices became a turn off for me. I have a few Ripka pieces that I bought before the big price hikes. One is a silver cuff with citrine and emeralds (small stones but pretty) and NO cz. It's one of my favorite pieces. I was never a big Ripkanista, but if there was something that interested me and the price wasn't crazy I'd at least consider it.

With the prices the way they have been lately on this line, I don't even consider it. I just breeze on past. Not where I am going to spend my $.

Re: RIPKA PRICES!?!?!

VegasBusinessWoman — Fri, 17 Jan 2020 04:14:24 GMT

I've never bought any of her pieces. I seem to remember about 8 or 9 years ago, her pieces were too ornate and "busy' for my lifestyle and it seems she did a lot her work in silver.

Now, with the plating and fake stones, definitely not for me. Some of her gold a natural gemstone pieces re pretty nice, but out of my league price-wise.