Good place to buy a nice necklace or earrings?

[nitsuj3580]

Are department stores like Macy's an ok place to buy jewelry?

I'd like to get my g/f a nice necklace or pair of earrings for our 1 year anniversary

I'd like to actually go to a place and pick something out rather than order it online.

My budget is <=250ish

I'm in Northern Virginia/Washington DC metro area if anyone happens to recommend a place in the area.

Thanks!

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: nitsuj3580
Are department stores like Macy's an ok place to buy jewelry?

I'd like to get my g/f a nice necklace or pair of earrings for our 1 year anniversary

I'd like to actually go to a place and pick something out rather than order it online.

My budget is <=250ish

I'm in Northern Virginia/Washington DC metro area if anyone happens to recommend a place in the area.

Thanks!

Are you looking for diamonds or what? I dont think you can get much for under $250, but you can try mall jewelry stores that might have some sales. I've never shopped for jewelry in department stores before. There's a Tiffanys in Bethesda if you want to make the commute through the horrible traffic on 495. I think you could find some over priced sterling silver there if you rasie your limit to $300.

Just a thought, you said you prefer to look at the piece of jewelry in person. I assume you want to inspect the quality. For under $250, to be honest, I dont think there is much quality to examine, so you might be better off ordering something just as good or better at a cheaper price online, i.e. amazon.

 

[goatjc]

You're not going to get quality diamonds for $250. . .unless they're just chips or something. You *might* be able to get other stones that are of descent quality for that price.

My theory on this sort of stuff, is go big or go home. Just think, that $250 could go for a nice weeknd somewhere as opposed to a kind of nice piece of jewelry.

My 2 cents for whatever its worth.

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: goatjc
You're not going to get quality diamonds for $250. . .unless they're just chips or something. You *might* be able to get other stones that are of descent quality for that price.

My theory on this sort of stuff, is go big or go home. Just think, that $250 could go for a nice weeknd somewhere as opposed to a kind of nice piece of jewelry.

My 2 cents for whatever its worth.

Yea, your better off not buying cheap jewelry and spending the money towards something else, like a weekend getaway, Rent a room at a nice hotel. My gf and I just stayed at some swanky hotel in DC for a night a couple weeks ago. I'll ask her what the name of it was. The room was really trendy; a bit small for me, but very nice. They even had his and her zebra and cheetah robes to wear, hanging in the closet.

 

[Lola]

I love bluenile and have at least a half dozen pieces from my hubby that bought them from Bluenile.com

They have a large selection of necklaces or earrings that are classic and pretty.
I got a beautiful pearl necklace there and also a toggle necklace and bracelet that you can get engraved.

Or, ( i know most will hate me for saying this) check out tiffanys.com for some really cool simple pendants or earrings in good sterling silver.
The designs they have are very unique and not that bad of a price for good sterling silver.

Some of my faves:
starfish

heart w/ diamond

eternal circle

folded heart pentant

butterfly

originial toggle lock bracelet

open heart earrings

more earrings

 

[eLiTeGoodGuy]

Go to JC Penny and ask to see their special brand of something called Cubic Zarconia Looks just like diamonds. And you can get it dirt cheap. Man that's an untapped resource, I did that and saved a load of money on my wifes wedding ring...

 

[nitsuj3580]

thanks. Yeah, I wasn't really thinking diamonds but a nice pair of gold earrings/necklace.

Funny that it was mentioned but the weekend getaway was my other choice. I've been looking at Bed and Breakfasts in the Shenandoah Valley area. If anyone has been to one in that area, let me know!

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: nitsuj3580
thanks. Yeah, I wasn't really thinking diamonds but a nice pair of gold earrings/necklace.

Funny that it was mentioned but the weekend getaway was my other choice. I've been looking at Bed and Breakfasts in the Shenandoah Valley area. If anyone has been to one in that area, let me know!

How long have you guys been dating?

 

[eLiTeGoodGuy]

Originally posted by: nitsuj3580
thanks. Yeah, I wasn't really thinking diamonds but a nice pair of gold earrings/necklace.

Funny that it was mentioned but the weekend getaway was my other choice. I've been looking at Bed and Breakfasts in the Shenandoah Valley area. If anyone has been to one in that area, let me know!

Actually how far away from Roanoke are you? My wife and I spent the night at the Inn at Burwell place in Salem VA (infact wedding was there) I don't think they have breakfast but the owner is nice and the place was really great

Burwell Place

 

[nitsuj3580]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

Originally posted by: nitsuj3580
thanks. Yeah, I wasn't really thinking diamonds but a nice pair of gold earrings/necklace.

Funny that it was mentioned but the weekend getaway was my other choice. I've been looking at Bed and Breakfasts in the Shenandoah Valley area. If anyone has been to one in that area, let me know!

How long have you guys been dating?

See OP. We are 27 and 26 and I'll be proposing probably within the next few months (definitely will propose just trying to figure out the best time to do it.)

 

[nitsuj3580]

Originally posted by: eLiTeGoodGuy

Originally posted by: nitsuj3580
thanks. Yeah, I wasn't really thinking diamonds but a nice pair of gold earrings/necklace.

Funny that it was mentioned but the weekend getaway was my other choice. I've been looking at Bed and Breakfasts in the Shenandoah Valley area. If anyone has been to one in that area, let me know!

Actually how far away from Roanoke are you? My wife and I spent the night at the Inn at Burwell place in Salem VA (infact wedding was there) I don't think they have breakfast but the owner is nice and the place was really great

Burwell Place

I'm up just outside of DC so that's a little bit of a hike. Is there anything to do around the area?

 

[eLiTeGoodGuy]

ahh k. lol not really We have the Cascades Waterfalls about 45 minutes away. The Roanoke Star (a giant neon light star on the top of a mountain) that overlooks all of the Roanoke Valley. Natural Bridge (never been there not exactly sure what it is, but alot of people say it's nice), Dixie Caverns.

Mostly all hiking.

 

[shortylickens]

Either hit the pawn shop or find a friend who has experience and contacts in the jewlery industry.

Most of those places are a horrible ripoff and having an experienced person around can help you avoid a big mistake.