Jewelry

[judyakm]

On 4/5/2014 LuckyPeach said:

On 4/5/2014 Favorite Son said:

I have read some of these posts again and though I am not surprised at some of what I see, it is a little dismaying. Judith created this line and worked very hard at it for over 30 years. She made some really great jewelry, made a lot of us very happy with what we bought, and over the past several years we've probably been less pleased with far too many pieces from the line.

But that doesn't mean she owes any of us anything. Despite all of the idiotic, mean spirited things that have been said about her on these boards over the past year every time she came to QVC, it is pretty obvious to someone who would look at her objectively (not with the jaded eye of someone who envies her success or is unable to buy at current prices), that Judith really values her customers. But at the end of the day, SHE did the work. We just bought the product. I don't really believe there is anyone else in her family who has the artistic talent to carry on the line as she has created it. So it makes sense for her, financially and personally, to step out now in a manner that enables her to stay on and work with a design team that might, just might, be able to carry on with the brand. She is entitled to enjoy the fruits of her labor. It is a business, not an indentured servitude.

Favorite Son, absolutely! ITA. It is a real shame to see those board trolls hiding behind their computers bullying others. The only thing they accomplish is showing who THEY really are, not the subject of who or what they trash.

Also, I own JR couture, TWO and JRQ and find that all of this nonsense about JR using so-called inferior materials (glass, doublets, etc.) to be absurd. Judith has always used the same design molds regardless of the line involved as well as *most* of the same materials. For couture we see Diamonds, TWO we see white Sapphires (used to be Diamonds) and JRQ, we see Diamonique. Yes, there are quality issues at times--we've all dealt with it.

I remember a few years ago on this JR Board, someone posted that JR was "punishing us for complaining about quality issues by using glass intaglios and glass sugarloaf." False. She has used glass intaglio and sugarloaf for decades in couture and TWO. I think it is sad to see those who criticize the use of DMQ when JR, again for decades, has used her very special pink and canary crystals in couture and TWO. It is not about cheapening the design. It is about the look created by the art and Judith uses whatever material she can put together to create that art.

In short, it's AN ART THING!

And I adore her artistic creations! Thanks for listening~Peach

Amen!!!

[BGDC]

motherinlaw and favorite son,

You have stated everything beautifully and I couldn't agree more.

[depglass]

Now I know why the apatite hoops are $2,000.00 and the gold clad cuffs are three times the price of the original silver. I'm glad I have the few older pieces I do own. I'm also glad I didn't spring for any of the over-priced new stuff.

[champagnepoodle]

On 4/5/2014 BonnieBelle said:

On 4/5/2014 depglass said:

Now I know why the apatite hoops are $2,000.00 and the gold clad cuffs are three times the price of the original silver. I'm glad I have the few older pieces I do own. I'm also glad I didn't spring for any of the over-priced new stuff.

ITA. I wonder what will happen with the pricing now.

It will sky rocket!

[Favorite Son]

On 4/5/2014 BonnieBelle said:

On 4/5/2014 depglass said:

Now I know why the apatite hoops are $2,000.00 and the gold clad cuffs are three times the price of the original silver. I'm glad I have the few older pieces I do own. I'm also glad I didn't spring for any of the over-priced new stuff.

ITA. I wonder what will happen with the pricing now.

I truly think that depends on how the sales go. If people are not so connected to the line because they don't really feel like what they would buy is coming to them from Judith, the sales might go down. I'm a little less invested in the line than I was before because the newer more glittery pieces don't suit my taste or lifestyle. But I still feel just plain funny about the sale, however much I believe Judith deserves her success and I wish her well. If demand goes down, prices must follow if QVC expects to still have sales.

What would be really interesting would be if Excel management decided that backing off on the Diamonique would enhance sales.

[NJgirl 1205]

On 4/5/2014 BlingQueen022 said:

On 4/4/2014 chrystaltree said:

I think Ripka's "couture" reputation said "good bye" when she partnered with QVC and started hawking cubic zirconia. This is all business stuff, it won't affect the product at all.

Well said!! A couture designer, at least a good one would never have gone to a shopping channel or Sam's club. That's like having Prada, Burberry, Hermes, etc selling their bags at Walmart.

Not necessarily. Ralph Lauren couture sells for thousands but anyone can get his lower line at Marshall's for a $20 bill. I wish Judith well. She is probably. ready for retirement and there's nothing wrong with cashing out while she can enjoy the money. It will be interesting to see what happens with the QVC line.

[bocagirl]

Judith worked hard , her whole life, to create a brand that bears her name. If something were to happen to her tomorrow, G@d forbid, and she were no longer around, the same thing would happen. Her company would be sold or cease to exist. This way, it is her choice as to who is using her name and in whose hands she is entrusting her legacy. I can't blame her for that. I would want the same. I love all of my jewelry that I have purchased from her and I feel blessed that I have had the opportunity to own these works of art. I am glad that she is staying involved to train up a new team that will carry on her vision and I am sure that she will continue to design because designing isn't what she does, it's who she is.

[stevieb]

On 4/5/2014 depglass said:

Now I know why the apatite hoops are $2,000.00 and the gold clad cuffs are three times the price of the original silver. I'm glad I have the few older pieces I do own. I'm also glad I didn't spring for any of the over-priced new stuff.

Isn't that the truth! I loved that apatite ring, but really had to ponder it (as opposed to order it...) when I noted it cost more than the Santa Maria aqua set in gold...

The company was hers to do with as she saw fit and I don't personally care, but I'm entertained by those who seem to think she needed the money in order to fully enjoy her golden years. I'd guess Judith was not lacking resources to do pretty much whatever she wanted to do. Regardless, if she's had her fill of the business side of things, I don't blame her a bit.

[ennui1]

On 4/5/2014 LuckyPeach said:

In short, it's AN ART THING!

Yes. The art of the deal.

[LuckyPeach]

On 4/5/2014 ennui1 said:

On 4/5/2014 LuckyPeach said:

In short, it's AN ART THING!

Yes. The art of the deal.

Ripkanistas: This quote was taken out of context from post #105 where I was speaking in detail about Judith's artistic creativity and use of materials, not business. ~Peach