Let's Have a Very Controversial Conversation About -- JEWELRY💍💎📿

[seoulsearch]

Hey Everyone,

I'm the type who always likes the look of jewelry, just not the hassle or expense.

But, I still love to look at those sparkly cases!! Lately, I've been feeling like God has been telling me to upgrade my style and be a little less tomboyish. I'm starting off small, maybe looking at a few earrings (I only have one piercing in each ear and usually just wear gold studs, if I wear any.)

I LOVE the look of engagement rings and wedding jewelry, but of course, I haven't found a victim yet to marry , so I've often thought of buying my own ring for my right hand, just because I love the look. (I haven't yet though, because who knows what kind of crazy that could be interpreted as these days!)

I'd never shell out the money for something real (nor would I expect a man to do so for me either,) because I don't want something I have to worry about insuring, getting lost, damaged, or stolen. When I was married before, I had a beautiful cubic zirconia ring set into a plain gold band (all of $100,) and I loved it! (Sobering thought -- sometimes I wonder what kind of ring my ex bought for his new wife, but moving on...)

At any rate, I know I'd still go with the lab-made, much less expensive route if I ever bought something "fancy" again.

For many years, I enjoyed making bracelets like this to give away:



I loved giving them away but never wore them myself, and am thinking about getting back into it.

I'm also intrigued by the role jewelry has played in culture, such as Eliezer giving Rebekah "a gold nose ring and two gold bracelets" after she watered his camels. (Genesis 24:22) The Bible said he gave several other gold and silver items to her family as well.

I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions about jewelry!

1. Do you like jewelry? On yourself, or on others (significant others, friends, family members)?

2. Do you like classy, casual, ethnic, or other styles? (Or all of the above?)






3. How about jewelry for men? What do you think of the following styles? (For yourself, or on someone else?)

I grew up at a time when, for some reason, it was trendy for guys to pierce their left ears. I didn't care one way or the other, but my Lutheran church at the time thought it was a HUGE deal, and should be forbidden.




While I didn't mind a single earring on a guy, I preferred a more traditional style (but it definitely doesn't have to be all the time!)




I always liked the "surfer" look or leather bracelets too, because at heart, I'm very casual!




4. For our married friends -- what kind of rings did you pick out? Did you pick them out together, or did the bride decide on her engagement ring, then chose both your rings to go with it?





5. For singles, have you ever seen or bought a piece of wedding jewelry just because you liked the style? (Or have you ever had to wear a "fake" wedding ring, such at work, so that people would stop thinking you were single?)


Whether you like jewelry or loathe it, I would love to hear your thoughts!

 

[Lanolin]

I don't like wearing jewellery myself, but it looks nice on other people. I think the most I would wear is a nice silver watch, and maybe a pearl necklace. I have one crystal swarvoski necklace and some handmade bead jewellery given to me, but I never buy any for myself.
I don't have my ears pierced, I did once and they got infected so I'm not doing that again (the holes closed up)

I don't like having too much stuff around my neck, I prefer to be free! Things like gold and silver chains I lose, and I have slender fingers, (that also garden) so I wouldn't wear jewellery everyday.

Otherwise if I want something decorative I'd put flowers in my hair or wear a nice brooch/pin or something like that. Also my glasses could have shiny jewels in them I suppose they sure cost a lot to get them prescribed! The frames are different colours so that's really all I need in terms of face furniture. (Mine are plastic)

Things like handbags, scarves and accessories can be sparkly or colourful maybe I just don't like tying or chaining things to myself, unless its shoelaces or something.

My mum once had a jade bracelet that her mother made her wear and she couldn't get it off, unless she shrank or broke it. They are meant to be good luck or ward evil spirits off or something like that. Jade is a precious significant stone in Chinese culture. Also in Maori culture where it's called Pounamu. It's not the done thing to buy your own jewellery...it has to be gifted and also blessed.

The only time I have looked in a jewellery store is to buy my watch though so I make an exception for that. Otherwise I do like pretty stones and crystals in glass jars/bowls but I don't wear them as talismans or anything.

I think people can go crazy over rings. I mean what was the book/movie Lord of the Rings about again?? Come on people it's just a ring, it does not have magic powers! lol

 

[Lanolin]

 

[cinder]

I have jewelry (even a few pieces that might be worth money because they're real gold or silver) but I pretty much never wear it. Turns out those piercings in your ears don't completely close up as long as you get an earring through a couple times a year.

 

[Lynx]

Hey Everyone,

I'm the type who always likes the look of jewelry, just not the hassle or expense.

But, I still love to look at those sparkly cases!! Lately, I've been feeling like God has been telling me to upgrade my style and be a little less tomboyish. I'm starting off small, maybe looking at a few earrings (I only have one piercing in each ear and usually just wear gold studs, if I wear any.)

I LOVE the look of engagement rings and wedding jewelry, but of course, I haven't found a victim yet to marry , so I've often thought of buying my own ring for my right hand, just because I love the look. (I haven't yet though, because who knows what kind of crazy that could be interpreted as these days!)

I'd never shell out the money for something real (nor would I expect a man to do so for me either,) because I don't want something I have to worry about insuring, getting lost, damaged, or stolen. When I was married before, I had a beautiful cubic zirconia ring set into a plain gold band (all of $100,) and I loved it! (Sobering thought -- sometimes I wonder what kind of ring my ex bought for his new wife, but moving on...)

At any rate, I know I'd still go with the lab-made, much less expensive route if I ever bought something "fancy" again.

For many years, I enjoyed making bracelets like this to give away:

View attachment 294009

I loved giving them away but never wore them myself, and am thinking about getting back into it.

I'm also intrigued by the role jewelry has played in culture, such as Eliezer giving Rebekah "a gold nose ring and two gold bracelets" after she watered his camels. (Genesis 24:22) The Bible said he gave several other gold and silver items to her family as well.

I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions about jewelry!

1. Do you like jewelry? On yourself, or on others (significant others, friends, family members)?

2. Do you like classy, casual, ethnic, or other styles? (Or all of the above?)

View attachment 294013
View attachment 294014
View attachment 294015


3. How about jewelry for men? What do you think of the following styles? (For yourself, or on someone else?)

I grew up at a time when, for some reason, it was trendy for guys to pierce their left ears. I didn't care one way or the other, but my Lutheran church at the time thought it was a HUGE deal, and should be forbidden.

View attachment 294010


While I didn't mind a single earring on a guy, I preferred a more traditional style (but it definitely doesn't have to be all the time!)

View attachment 294011


I always liked the "surfer" look or leather bracelets too, because at heart, I'm very casual!

View attachment 294012


4. For our married friends -- what kind of rings did you pick out? Did you pick them out together, or did the bride decide on her engagement ring, then chose both your rings to go with it?

View attachment 294016



5. For singles, have you ever seen or bought a piece of wedding jewelry just because you liked the style? (Or have you ever had to wear a "fake" wedding ring, such at work, so that people would stop thinking you were single?)


Whether you like jewelry or loathe it, I would love to hear your thoughts!

I don't really want to bother with jewlery.

For other people, I don't care if they wear jewelry. That's up to them.

But for you specifically seoul, I will say that dark reds, dark greens, very light blues and light yellows would go well with your skin tone.

 

[Lanolin]

I remember one time a friend who likes wearing jewellery (she calls it bling) told me she got for $2 at op shop when I noticed her ring and said I love that colour on you. (it was sapphire blue)

I wasn't asking her the price! I just liked the colour.

Jewel tones look the best on those with dark/black hair. Have you had your colours done Seoul? Everyone seems to have done this and at Christian women's conferences I am sure the Colour Me Beautiful ladies make their rounds.

Black pearls and pink pearls also look nice you don't need to wear white ones, they come in all colours. I'm fascinated how they are obtained from oysters, and now there are farms dedicated to growing them, and people dive for them.

I was at the night market the other week and was browsing when come across jewellery stand. I usually not interested but when something catches your eye you want a closer look. Well this stand had jewellery made out of antique silver forks and spoons turned into bracelets! I wasn't sure about wearing your cutlery around your wrist, but I actually did try one on, and have to say, its a bit heavy, so I wouldn't do it every day if I had bought one. (I didn't)

Oh the thing with men and one earring. It comes from being a sailor, apparently if you've been around the world/circumnavigated the globe, a sign you've done it is one gold earring. Not just for pirates. (I once dated a sailor, thats how I know, from what he told me)

And of course some people do dive for gold and jewellery that people have placed in safes on ships that got wrecked. You can get salvage rights to those. Kelly Tarlton did and managed to find lots of stashes on old shipwrecks that he somehow obtained salvage rights too, I think from insurance companies or something like that.

 

[seoulsearch]

View attachment 294049

This brings up a good point...

Does anyone have any antique or jewelry inherited from family or others?

I had totally forgotten that my grandparents had gone to Spain and when they went to heaven, Grandma had some Spanish gold earrings that were passed down to me.

They're in my memory box... I need to go give them a look.

I don't know if any Spanish natives will say it's called something else, but this is what I was introduced to as the "Spanish gold" style of jewelry:

 

[seoulsearch]

I have jewelry (even a few pieces that might be worth money because they're real gold or silver) but I pretty much never wear it. Turns out those piercings in your ears don't completely close up as long as you get an earring through a couple times a year.

Yes...

I've had times where mine grew partially shut and I had to poke them through on my own... One in particular was about halfway closed and it was a bear trying to get an earring through.

I don't know how people with many piercings do it because I've found a single piercing in each ear to be trouble enough!

Now I try to remember to put earrings in at least twice a year, then leave them in for a month at a time for maintenance.

 

[seoulsearch]

I don't really want to bother with jewlery.For other people, I don't care if they wear jewelry. That's up to them.
But for you specifically seoul, I will say that dark reds, dark greens, very light blues and light yellows would go well with your skin tone.

Lynx has a knack for picking out colors that look good on people.

Too bad he can't accurately discern the color of a particular turquoise (NOT green! NOT blue!)unnamed stuffed owl. (Long-running joke.)

Harumph!!

 

[seoulsearch]

I remember one time a friend who likes wearing jewellery (she calls it bling) told me she got for $2 at op shop when I noticed her ring and said I love that colour on you. (it was sapphire blue)

I wasn't asking her the price! I just liked the colour.

Jewel tones look the best on those with dark/black hair. Have you had your colours done Seoul? Everyone seems to have done this and at Christian women's conferences I am sure the Colour Me Beautiful ladies make their rounds.

Great question about colors!!

I'm always intrigued by color and how just a slight change of tone or shade can look so different on different people.

I've never had my colors officially done, but I'm pretty sure I'm a winter. I've read that a lot of Asians are branded as warm (yellow) or olive skin tones, but the colors for those tones look terrible on me. My mom is white and I'm pretty sure an autumn -- she loves and looks great in earth tones, but they look like mud on me!

My best colors are jewel tones (red, blue, purple, green.) Orange and yellow make me look like I have jaundice. I look better in white than black (which competes too much with my hair, and makes my hair look off-brown,) but I often wear black just because it's more practical.

Any color for me has to lean towards the cool side. For instance, bluish cherry red vs. burnt orange red; royal blue violet rather than violet that has a lot of brown and looks more plum.

Gold and silver jewelry on me also has to be in lighter cool tones rather than the darker shades.

How about you, @Lanolin (and everyone else) -- what's your season and colors?

Black pearls and pink pearls also look nice you don't need to wear white ones, they come in all colours. I'm fascinated how they are obtained from oysters, and now there are farms dedicated to growing them, and people dive for them.

Pearls are beautiful!! I haven't seen any in so long, I'd forgotten about them!!

I used to watch some pearl-diving videos on YouTube but have read that a lot of them are faked.

Maybe I'll have to dig for a few real ones.

I was at the night market the other week and was browsing when come across jewellery stand. I usually not interested but when something catches your eye you want a closer look. Well this stand had jewellery made out of antique silver forks and spoons turned into bracelets! I wasn't sure about wearing your cutlery around your wrist, but I actually did try one on, and have to say, its a bit heavy, so I wouldn't do it every day if I had bought one. (I didn't)

Oh the thing with men and one earring. It comes from being a sailor, apparently if you've been around the world/circumnavigated the globe, a sign you've done it is one gold earring. Not just for pirates. (I once dated a sailor, thats how I know, from what he told me)

And of course some people do dive for gold and jewellery that people have placed in safes on ships that got wrecked. You can get salvage rights to those. Kelly Tarlton did and managed to find lots of stashes on old shipwrecks that he somehow obtained salvage rights too, I think from insurance companies or something like that.

I've seen the knife/spoon jewelry as well... It doesn't appeal to me, but I think it's a great upcycling idea for people who like the look.

I used to have a Garfield watch with a tiny knife and fork as the clock hands. I think mine was different, but it was something like the one pictured.

Unfortunately, some girl in Lutheran high school was making fun of me and pushed me into a locker, cracking the face of it.

I didn't really care about what she had to say, I was just heartbroken over my beloved Garfield watch!




You brought up an interesting point about the sailors and the earring... I knew there was as story behind these piercings, but hadn't looked it up.

Thank you for mentioning it!

 

[Sculpt]

I don't like to wear jewelry of any kind. I like the look of fabric bracelets, like the friendship turquoise colored ones, but eventually, after washing your hands and what not, I get annoyed with it. I've worn gold necklaces going to clubs... I was told the ladies like the tease, but I really find any jewelry on my body to be annoying.

I don't like to wear jewelry of any kind. It just annoys me. Like even a cool fabric friendship bracelet, eventually after washing your hands and what not, it becomes annoying and itchy.

I would sometimes wear a gold necklace going to clubs... I was told ladies like the tease, but it eventually just annoys me.

I like to look at jewels, shells, ceramic and metal jewelry... especially creative handwork. I love art.

I usually don't mind it on other people, and sometimes like seeing on people, but other times I find it annoying or unattractive. Especially the piercings in lips and face. It sometimes strikes me as mutilation. Also, BIG jewelry sometimes strikes me as too much and cumbersome.

 

[Lynx]

The main problem I have with jewelery is how easily it becomes a bid for attention. It is specifically made for show, so it's often hard to NOT use it for attention.

Ain't saying it's ALWAYS a bid for attention. Just saying it's often hard for it to not be.

 

[seoulsearch]

I love the look of lace, so one of my favorite jewelry styles is filigree -- because to me, it looks like lace made out of gold (or whatever precious metal is used.)

One of my favorite things about filigree is that it's mentioned in the Bible!!

Exodus 28:11 -- "Engrave the names of the sons of Israel on the two stones the way a gem cutter engraves a seal. Then mount the stones in gold filigree settings..."

Exodus 28:13, 14 -- "Make gold filigree settings and two braided chains of pure gold, like a rope, and attach the chains to the settings."

And my MOST favorite part is that God specifically named the craftsman He wanted working on the project!!! A very gifted artistic friend and I talked about this, how God put His finger on two specific men, calling them out by name and saying, "These are the BEST of the BEST -- it was ME who gave them the knowledge to do so -- and THESE are THE guys I want leading this project."

Exodus 31 -- Then the Lord said to Moses, "See, I have chosen Bezalel... and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and all kinds of skills -- to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts.

Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab... to help him. Also I have given ability to all the skilled workers to make everything I have commanded you."

I always get chills when I read this story!

Can you imagine God putting putting the blueprints of an epic project onto your heart, then telling people, "THIS is the exact person I want to make this!!"??

Utterly amazing!!!

 

[seoulsearch]

I usually don't mind it on other people, and sometimes like seeing on people, but other times I find it annoying or unattractive. Especially the piercings in lips and face. It sometimes strikes me as mutilation. Also, BIG jewelry sometimes strikes me as too much and cumbersome.

The main problem I have with jewelery is how easily it becomes a bid for attention. It is specifically made for show, so it's often hard to NOT use it for attention.
Ain't saying it's ALWAYS a bid for attention. Just saying it's often hard for it to not be.

Excellent points.

You both made conclusions that I feel as well but couldn't quite figure out how to express.

I definitely feel there are lines... and I don't like body decorations or modifications that mutilate/destroy parts of the body or are there just for show. (I agree with @Sculpt -- I like a lot of art and prefer jewelry that looks artistic or like an accent, not a scream.)

I see jewelry as being a very interesting cultural phenomenon. I've read that in ancient times and even in some cultures today, jewelry was/is important because the only wealthy women can have is the jewelry their husbands give them. For instance, if he were to die, selling her jewelry would be one of her only means of supporting herself and her children (I could be wrong about this though and anyone who knows better is free to correct me.)

It was also another way that men could show their wealth -- by adorning their wives with fine jewelry.

It brings to my mind what @Lanolin said about Maori valuing jewelry that was blessed and gifted to them, not something they bought for themselves.

Fascinating stuff...

It's great to hear things from the gentlemen's points of view -- thank you for being willing to speak up in a thread about something usually seen as more feminine.

I'm all for people expressing themselves (in a Godly way) and know some people like bigger, brighter, gaudier styles, but I've always loved the look of chains that are so fine, you barely see them, except when the light shines just right.




This would be much different for men, of course!!

However, on men, I would much rather see something like this:




Rather than something like this!!




But that's just me!!

To each their own.

 

[melita916]

i've always been a ring person. i like bracelets and necklaces, but rings = favorite. in my single days, i wore a Stirling silver ring on my right hand, but more than once, people thought i was married lol.

i favor white gold/silver over yellow/rose gold. here are our rings. we went together to look at engagement rings. i chose white gold (of course) with a white sapphire. our jeweler custom made my wedding band to fit my engagement ring. i love my rings, although lately they are fitting tight on me . he chose his ring. i don't remember what material it is. it's heavy though lol.

 

[Bible_Locket]

Years ago I knew a jeweler. His was a multi generation store front.

On my birthday he had previously arranged with my family a visit to his store after hours.

We go into the back office. He goes into the vault and wheels out a cart. On top of which were huge woven bowls filled with fine cut jewels.
I got to run my fingers through the gems to my heart's content.
And then as a birthday gift,he let me pick out one in the grouping that was set aside as my birthstone.

That spoiled me. Theres nothing like running your fingers through millions of dollars of precious stones.

WOW!

 

[Lanolin]

The interesting thing about some places that are very wealthy is they got rich through the Goldrush,
If gold was found in the rivers everyone flocked to the place hoping to strike it rich. Panning for gold is a lot easier than digging for it, but that requires patience.

There are several places around the world that had the Goldrush. In NZ, it was Dunedin (bottom of South Island) and in Coromandel. (North Island peninsula, east of Auckland)

It was this gold that paid for a lot esp foundations of cities. And you also had temporary gold mining towns where all the gold miners lived, which had a reputation for being fast and loose. It was boom or bust.

Where I live we didn't have a goldrush but we had and equivalent 'gum rush' of digging for Kauri Gum or amber resin left behind after the forest was logged for timber.

I love reading in the Bible, book of Revelation about the New Jerusalem, coming down from heaven, and the foundation of which is 12 different precious stones, and the streets paved with gold. Imagine!
Also in Genesis, how the rivers ran with gold and onyx stone, and where Moses stood on holy ground, it was sapphire.

But..pity about the golden calf. God wasn't too happy about that. You not meant to worship anything made of gold or wood or whatever.

 

[Bible_Locket]

The interesting thing about some places that are very wealthy is they got rich through the Goldrush,
If gold was found in the rivers everyone flocked to the place hoping to strike it rich. Panning for gold is a lot easier than digging for it, but that requires patience.

There are several places around the world that had the Goldrush. In NZ, it was Dunedin (bottom of South Island) and in Coromandel. (North Island peninsula, east of Auckland)

It was this gold that paid for a lot esp foundations of cities. And you also had temporary gold mining towns where all the gold miners lived, which had a reputation for being fast and loose. It was boom or bust.

Where I live we didn't have a goldrush but we had and equivalent 'gum rush' of digging for Kauri Gum or amber resin left behind after the forest was logged for timber.

I love reading in the Bible, book of Revelation about the New Jerusalem, coming down from heaven, and the foundation of which is 12 different precious stones, and the streets paved with gold. Imagine!
Also in Genesis, how the rivers ran with gold and onyx stone, and where Moses stood on holy ground, it was sapphire.

But..pity about the golden calf. God wasn't too happy about that. You not meant to worship anything made of gold or wood or whatever.

The size of that calf. How did they make the mold?
And what happened to it afterward.

Polished pecious metals are beautiful. But those and precious stones typically aren't so in their natural state.
They have to be manipulated by man in order to bring out their beauty.

There's a parble there I just know it.

 

[Lanolin]

Are you a diamond in the rough?
A pearl of great price?
Worth far above rubies?

 

[seoulsearch]

i've always been a ring person. i like bracelets and necklaces, but rings = favorite. in my single days, i wore a Stirling silver ring on my right hand, but more than once, people thought i was married lol.

i favor white gold/silver over yellow/rose gold. here are our rings. we went together to look at engagement rings. i chose white gold (of course) with a white sapphire. our jeweler custom made my wedding band to fit my engagement ring. i love my rings, although lately they are fitting tight on me . he chose his ring. i don't remember what material it is. it's heavy though lol.
View attachment 294073

Your engagement ring is incredible!!!

I love how it has a classic, antique, but very modern look at the same time.

Thanks so much for sharing!

Years ago I knew a jeweler. His was a multi generation store front.

On my birthday he had previously arranged with my family a visit to his store after hours.

We go into the back office. He goes into the vault and wheels out a cart. On top of which were huge woven bowls filled with fine cut jewels.
I got to run my fingers through the gems to my heart's content.
And then as a birthday gift,he let me pick out one in the grouping that was set aside as my birthstone.

That spoiled me. Theres nothing like running your fingers through millions of dollars of precious stones.

WOW!

Oh my goodness.

Just the picture alone made me stop breathing for a second!!!

What an INCREDIBLE experience! I can't imagine touching millions of dollars worth of things -- I would be so nervous. I'm just a clumsy plain Jane -- I would be worried about accidentally knocking the bowl over or being accused if one of the gems turned up missing.

Your friend was amazing for gifting you not only the experience, but your birthstone as well!!

WOWZERS!!!