Jewelry

[JLLH358]

On 2/3/2014 ennui1 said:

On 2/3/2014 JLLH358 said:

As someone who has a birthday in May, I was attracted to some of Ripka's emerald offerings, but then she sprinkled diamonique all over them and ruined it for me. Why would anyone put a precious gem with fakes?

Because most of us can't afford 15.95 carats in real diamonds. It's not complicated.

No, ennui, it's NOT complicated. Who said diamonds had to be included?? White zircon is a natural stone and has a comparable refractive index to a diamond. There are many other real gems that can be used if a white stone needs to be added. Otherwise, it can remain an emerald piece alone -- and what would be wrong with that?? No, it's not complicated at all.

[JLLH358]

On 2/3/2014 Debbie1426 said:

On 2/3/2014 JLLH358 said:

Actually, it's not over $600.00 now and wasn't for the shows....but Barbara doesn't use diamonique or clad. She uses sterling and casted 18K as well as real stones. To each his own, but let's keep things in perspective, ok? I have the enhancer in question and it's a very heavy silver piece with a TON of intricate work on it. Worth every penny. As someone who has a birthday in May, I was attracted to some of Ripka's emerald offerings, but then she sprinkled diamonique all over them and ruined it for me. Why would anyone put a precious gem with fakes? Sorry, no offense to those who love that or her, but I don't get the mix.

I can't imagine that the emeralds used in this case are much more expensive than the diamonique. My husband is a May baby and I wanted to incorporate emeralds into my wedding ring. They are tiny emerald stones alternating with diamonds in a thin eternity band and those stones were SO expensive. Granted they are beautiful, clear and bright green but I would never want murky and cloudy even if real. So, I guess the motto here is to each his/her own. Everyone has their own definition of what is precious and what they do or do not like.

I have many older Ripka pieces and would prefer no diamonque and just good semi-precious stones that are pretty affordable but that does not appear to be the direction this line is headed.

I didn't address the quality of the emeralds. That's a separate issue. Natural emeralds can be unattractive and cloudy or they can be pricier and nicer quality -- or lab grown. Lots of options without bringing simulated stones into the mix. (And no, lab-grown and simulated stones are not the same thing.)

[chickenbutt]

On 2/3/2014 Hibi said:

I know I'm in the minority, but I've never "got" the appeal of Judith Ripka's QVC jewelry. Way overpriced and well, ugly. Not my style at all. If people like it and can afford it, more power to them. I wouldn't buy any...........

I don't know if you're in the minority or not. I don't buy costume jewelry anyway, but the prices for this 'designer' stuff blows my mind. I guess we all value things in our own way but these items would not be worth a small fraction of what they charge, to me. Well, plus I don't find them aesthetically appealing anyway.

[KentuckyWoman]

I just don't see the justification for the prices. Sterling silver, fake diamonds and gold clad jewelry? Nope. I don't get it at all. But as much as JR is on, somebody is buying. Not me.

[songbird]

It is pretty stupid for those high prices for fine jewelry that has very little monetary value. But you are paying for the Ripka name. If you want her 18K jewelry....there you go. Its out of reach for most people. But she has certain clients. So she's not starving. QVC is her bread and butter. I agree with other posters. A tiny dab of 18K on a silver piece. And suddenly the price jacks up.