Buyer Beware: A New Series From Your Local Expert Jewelers
As an active Internet and Instagram scroller, I'm constantly fed advertisements from my industry (jewelry) due to "the algorithm” related to my interests. I see a lot out there that raises my eyebrows. To save you lovely Stylebook readers from an unfortunate fate of investing in a piece of fine jewelry that won't serve you well, I started logging the not-so-great ideas I’ve seen.
I’ll start with wedding bands. You should invest in a piece that will wear well over decades, hopefully with minimal upkeep, that won't cause damage to your engagement ring. Exposed diamond girdles on diamond bands create a very beautiful line, but they wreak havoc on any ring stacked next to it. The diamond girdles act like tiny saws against your engagement ring gallery and you'll notice a groove developing in the girdle where the bands hit. Eventually, this may lead to needing to remake the engagement ring as it loses its structural integrity over time.
It’s also important to keep in mind that sizing will eventually be an issue you’ll face. Eternity bands or rings that are made out of materials that cannot be heated, such as enamel rings, will likely need to be completely remade if you need to adjust the size. I, myself, own a diamond eternity band but went into this knowing that if and when my fingers change size, I'll need to say goodbye to this band, and make a new one. And I'm fine with that. It’s really important that clients have a full understanding of what can be done to their rings before they make the purchase. I hear that many retailers don't take the time, or care to explain this to their customers.
Speaking of sizing: your rings should fit snug and well. I’ve browsed so many photos of rings that hang loosely off the finger–as if the wearer is so cool and thin that her rings just lie beautifully haphazardly on their own-–but these rings are too big! If your ring circles around your finger freely, allowing the top diamond to slide under your hand, you'll risk damaging the prongs as you hit the head on table corners. These rings also pose a high risk of getting lost, so I hope these wearers have great insurance! If you’re looking down at your hand as you read this and are interested in getting sized properly, read more here.
And, finally, if your wedding band is going to last for many years, it needs to have a wide enough width to sustain daily wear and future adjustments. Anything under 1.5mm (and even this is a bit thin) is really too thin for daily wear, and the band will warp or break with time. When the band is too thin to begin with, the repair will not hold well and you'll face the same breakage again and again. I highly recommend considering a slightly wider band, perhaps 1.8+.
Now, I'm not here to point any fingers at bad design but I will share that each of the rings shown in these pictures are from online retailers. They don't repair or resize these rings once you purchase them, or if they do, they will charge you $100 or more to do so. Buying jewelry online is always a bit of a gamble and I highly encourage any shopper to be cautious. But, of course, I'm biased. Instead of shopping online, shop local and use the services available in your own neighborhood to guarantee that your investment purchase is well made and thoughtfully crafted, and with someone you trust.
Do you have questions about designs you have seen? Wondering if X is a good idea for you? Send your questions to Alx&Co.! We’re here to help.
Related: It's Engagement Month at Alx&Co: Inspiration For A Milestone Occasion
