Jewelry

[Estellee]

Prices of fine jewely has really gone through the roof in recent years. I was watching Gems shopping channel on cable and the prices they are asking are unbelievable.

[songbird]

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@Estellee wrote:

Prices of fine jewely has really gone through the roof in recent years. I was watching Gems shopping channel on cable and the prices they are asking are unbelievable.

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Most gems on Gem Shopping are for investment. They sit on the gems for periods of time and then resell them. Most gems are valuable there and they go up in value. Everything is in 18K or up.and trimmed in diamonds.  White metal is platinum.  There is 14K too, and they are cheaper. Silver is only for Native American made jewelry.

[BExplorer]

Women wear jewelry to "incite envy"?  I suppose some may, but I cannot imagine that is true for the majority.  In fact, I cannot think of anything I have ever done for that purpose.😬

[AuntMame]

Well, shopping for jewelry is definitely not fun anymore as it's gotten so expensive, that I will say. 

[Tinkrbl44]

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@timeless wrote:

Thanks to everyone who had something valuable to say with regards to my assertion/supposition.

Let me explain further my thought on this topic.

The very rich will move in circles that will allow them to display their wealth...ALWAYS.

Wearing jewels, (regardless of time period and form), has been reserved for the "upper classes" to signify status...among themselves...then later on among the "lower classes".

Obviously, the world right now is entering a time of lack for many. Many of the "lower classes."

So, the rise of easily obtainable jewelry is soon to be OVER. 

At least for the many. 

As an aside, what is the purpose of jewelry if not to incite envy in those that cannot obtain?  Those that are not of a certain "station" in life?

The majority of the world will NOT be wearing jewelry; and as to the pieces they have, some will be forced to sell for whatever they can get in order to pay for necessities.

I have many expensive pieces bought/inherited years ago and now I don't wear them in public. 

My niece recently saw my "wedding ring" and was shocked; thinking that was what my husband gave me.  

I told her that is what I chose to wear.

P.S.  Women scraped and saved in order to buy a lipstick during hard times...will they do the same to maintain their jewels?

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@timeless 

With all due respect, your assumptions just don't track with real life.

These days, people KNOW who the wealthy are; they don't need to see their jewelry to confirm that.   All you need is the internet and you can find Forbes assessment of a person's net worth.

There will ALWAYS be jewelry at different price points .... and "easily obtainable" jewelry will always be ... obtainable. lol

Incite envy?  A certain "station" in life?  Seriously?

(Were you raised in the United States?)

Speaking for JUST MYSELF .... if I were wealthy and wanted to "incite envy," I'd just go buy a brand new half-a-billion-dollar yacht, to match my private jet.  

That would do the trick, I'm sure. 

No jewelry required.  

[Tinkrbl44]

This thread reminded me of a "rich" comment Chris Rock used to use in his stand-up routines.

He elaborated on what was the difference between rich and wealthy.

He stated:

Shaq is RICH.

The person who signs his paychecks is WEALTHY.  

    

[Gabidog]

Women and men seem to like adornment and maybe there will be less metal but more tattoos?  For those who appreciate fashion, style, beauty, craftsmanship I think the jewelry business will survive.  Others might choose a simple look with a scarf and Apple Watch!  Up to each of us!  I do hope we do not go back to wearing bones and claws.

[Kalli]

When I returned to work after my younger child went to Kindergarten, I started buying gold jewelry from Q. Gold was so affordable back then.

There were 5 ladies I worked with who shared my love of jewelry and we had fun showing off our purchases especially after Gold Rush shows.

To buy those pieces now at current cost is almost prohibitive.  And I'm not really willing to pay that much when I think of how cheap it was back then. So, maybe that's almost the death of jewelry for me... but not quite.  

Now I buy from my local jeweler's estate collection. In the last 2 years I bought a really pretty oval pink sapphire line bracelet in white gold that I love. And scored a one-of-a-kind gold and diamond bracelet someone sold to the jeweler that I recognized as being handmade by the goldsmith in my town. I was in the right place at the right time and got lucky.  The piece had just come in and there was another lady who saw it first and hesitated on the price.  She left the store shortly before I showed up telling the owner she'd think about it. I have a feeling she may not have realized how great the estate price was for a piece by that goldsmith.

[Beammeupscotty]

Strange assessment by the OP and the followup.  I will only comment thus:

Wear jewelry to incite envy?  Really?  I wear it because I enjoy it and hope others enjoy seeing it not to be jealous.  I always enjoy seeing pretty things that others have whether clothing or jewelry or shoes.  

[Moonlady]

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@FancyPhillyshopper wrote:

I have no idea what this post means.

Jewelry has existed almost as long as human civilization.

One hundred thousand years ago people wore jewelry from shells, bones, animal teeth and stones. Some of it was for status, some was to ward off evil spirits.

This stunning Neanderthal eagle claw necklace was a remarkable discovery in Croatia, fashioned 130,000 years ago. 

The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Etruscans, Chinese, Celts, and many, many  other cultures all incorporated jewelry into their lifestyles.  The King Tutanhkamun tomb opened modern eyes to the elaborate and gorgeous items created thousands of years ago, all by hand. The Horus falcon pectoral is one of my favorites!

Jewelry construction has only become more elaborate over time, but still carries important meanings.  This 1850's pin in the Victoria and Albert Museum may have had special sentiments hidden in all the diamond flower designs. 

Nowadays many people wear symbols of their faith, their culture, their love, their partnership, and even memberships as jewelry items.  The Claddagh ring is well known as a symbol of Irish culture.

No, jewelry will never die.  It is a part of our history, and our human cultural identity.  I love my jewelry collection!

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This. The prevailing theory that Cro-Magnons adorned themselves while Neanderthals did not, was turned on its head with the discovery of at least some artifacts which suggested that Neanderthals did, in fact, adorn themselves, though not to the extent of Cro-Magnons.  The predisposition to self-adornment has always been a marker of advanced civilizations. 

Jewelry trends come and go, and this form of adornment has been around since time immemorial. Jewelry isn't going anywhere.