Gold jewellery
Looking at some of MAPLE's gold plated rings for dipping my toes in, but I'd love to see any recommendations for ways to find gold that aren't just Etsy.
Budget, let's say under $800 USD
7 Replies
Are you looking for rings specifically, or just anything in general? Do you know your ring sizes?
If it's intended to go on toes (did I get that right?), with these dimensions you might find something which is solid gold, and not plated, with your budget. At least 14k, simpler designs maybe also 18k
I know my ring sizes on pinkie and ring finger, but I plan to get all of them sized sooner than later. I'm also open to bracelets and necklaces
The posted images were examples of inspiration I had
You can buy a ring sizer on Amazon for under $10, I think it's a worthwhile investment. Your fingers swell throughout the day so you'll want to measure them a few times.
Gold is butt expensive right now, but you can find chunky signets like your pictures if you're looking at cheaper vintage sellers and/or liquidators, and you're willing to wait a bit. If you're budget minded it's good to be flexible with styles.
I'll do a bigger writeup when I'm home but for new stuff look at Mejuri, Automic Gold, and Sarraf. Sarraf's website is ass but their stuff is actually really good and comparatively cheap.
Gold plated stuff should be cheap, it's cheap to manufacture and the plating will eventually chip off. I wouldn't pay more than $40 for it personally, and if it’s something easy to find I would look on Aliexpress.
If you’re on a budget or aren’t sure what you like, secondhand is always good. A good rule of thumb is that vintage gold should cost 2-3x melt (lower end if it’s something common, higher end if it’s rarer or more interesting).
Estate liquidators will be cheaper, usually 1.2-1.3x melt. If you can find a good one in your area that’s great, there are also some that sell online.
Most new jewelry is mass-produced wholesale stuff that’s gone through 1-2 layers of arbitrage. If you’re looking for something basic like a chain or band ring, you can buy directly from a wholesaler. This will mean you pay less and probably get better stuff but you have to navigate the most ass websites ever.
Mejuri is pretty dece, they have some QC issues, but if you don’t know what you’re doing they won’t rip you off and they make it easy to try stuff in stores. You can also do what I do and try stuff on at Mejuri then buy something similar from somewhere else.
Vintage stores
eBay, but you knew about that already
https://www.rubylane.com/ You have to be a registered business to sell here, so there’s a modicum more respectability than eBay
https://www.alphaomegajewelry.com/ More expensive than most vintage/antique sellers but excellent curation. They do story drops on IG every Friday
https://josephrobertjewelers.com/ Accessorize like a Mobster
https://wandwjewelry.com/
https://thepiecelondon.com/
https://marikagems.com/
https://www.rubylane.com/shop/mon-amour
https://www.rubylane.com/shop/tniklassongallery
https://www.mslarsson.com/
Estate Liquidators
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SmashingGold Highly recommend them, lots of the stuff they post is not great but if you find something good in there it’s a guaranteed good deal.
https://www.instagram.com/meltnogold/ I’ve never bought from them but they seem legit
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This is an awesome post
Can we pin this shit in the Jewelery thread or smth
I'm a big fan of that Parisian store, so many sick pendants
If you do a pendant, make sure the chain is heavier than the pendant
Also you should definitely wash any vintage gold jewelry you buy. I put it in a tub of water with a little dish soap and scrub with a toothbrush. If it has gemstones Google it to make sure it won't dissolve (pearl and opal will get fucked if you do this). If you get really into this you can buy an ultrasonic cleaner.
Gold plating will chip off faster if it gets wet.
I'll copy the list of vendors. I think I've said most of the rest of this in that thread at some point.