Lali Jewels (left) and LeVian (right)
Gem-quality rubies (and red gemstones in general) are rarer in nature, therefore rubies tend to cost more per carat than sapphires or diamonds. (Gem-quality emeralds are even rarer so cost more per carat than rubies, sapphires, and diamonds.)
To be called a ruby the corundum (stone) must be red. Frankly, some of these ruby stones I'm featuring on the blog look more like pink sapphires online, but perhaps they are darker in the retail store? To recite an industry saying, "It's a pink sapphire if you're the buyer and a ruby if you're the seller." Both can be lovely gemstones, just be sure the price matches its color!
Why has dainty jewelry gotten so expensive? One reason is the price of gold is higher so now we're asked to pay through the nose for flimsy pieces of jewelry!
Is it worth it? People must decide for themselves, but if I saved up weeks of salary in exchange for tiny earrings or a thin ring, I'd be disappointed after opening the box regardless of how pretty the design is. Perhaps I'd feel somewhat taken, and clearly, I'd feel I could do more with the money elsewhere.
Macy's in-house brand (left) and Lali Jewels (right)
One way to lower the cost of fine jewelry is to find pieces in 925 sterling silver instead of 14k or 18k gold, suitable for earrings, necklaces, also rings, and bracelets you don't wear daily, i.e., jewelry you don't bang around. Like gold, silver is a precious metal yet softer than gold. I own 2 pairs of earrings (10'' round freshwater pearls and 4-carat lab-grown white sapphires with silver posts. Each durable pair costs under $100.)
Even freshwater pink pearls with tiny marquise-shaped pink tourmaline earrings (below↓) are pricey! Some people love delicate jewelry, but how much are customers willing to pay for it?
Macy's in-house brand (left) and LeVian (right) - all the jewelry is sold on Macy's website
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Friends, is love ... as in the love of gold jewelry blind? Nowadays are you buying or passing on fine jewelry?🤔
Oh, these are pretty for Valentine's Day. I am not buying jewellery at all these days as we have recently retired. I do however have a pair of gold earrings with a tiny heart with an even smaller red stone, a simulated ruby. They were a gift for our 40th wedding anniversary, and will come out to play on the 14th!
ReplyDeleteI feel sympathy for young wage earners today. Why can they splurge on? Nowadays everything is expensive.
DeleteOh, Trish, your anniversary earrings sound so lovely. Mr. C. did good. I'd love to see you wearing them!
What (not why) can they splurge on.
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