💍 My BIGGEST Jewellery Regrets (and what I learned)

[@Marc-rk9yf]

when youre talking about 24k gold plated stuff, etc. the plating is like microns thick. it costs less than $5 to plate a piece in 24k gold. i've seen recently that people's willingness to pay for plated pieces is so high because they see that it's made with real 24k gold. what they don't realize is that only 0.05% of the total material is "real gold". re: that necklace, you could have probably got a solid 14k piece for the same price.

[@AlannaLightheart]

And then it's finding the piece or the style that you want in the metal you want in a price you can afford as well ✨️

[@GirlArmy21]

Just bought my first real pearl necklace. It’s beautiful, cool and heavy/substance. Love the sound the pearls make as well. My daily wear item. Makes me so happy to wear them. That is what jewelry is about. Find a few quality pieces to wear on the reg and feel joy wearing them. Love brooches too. ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@AlannaLightheart]

Sounds so beautiful 💖 I love this philosophy, and these are the pieces we are also remembered by...for example, my nana had a gold necklace I would recognise anywhere 🥰✨️

[@J17891]

What you said about vintage/second hand jewelry is so true, especially about how people package their jewelry. Last month I purchased a pair of vintage earrings from an Etsy seller and before it got to my mailbox someone cut the bottom of the bag and stole the item. Luckily the case I opened with Etsy led to Etsy covering the refund instead of me or the seller. I still love looking for vintage items but I’ll never see those earrings ever

[@AlannaLightheart]

Omg thank goodness you got a refund at least! Jewelry can be one of the biggest targets for mail theft unfortunately 😢

[@blushbrains645]

Plated/vermeil jewellery can be redone thankfully at certain jewellery shops ☺️ Fun fact, in India 22karat gold is the standard vs Europe where the most expensive pieces are 18karat

[@AlannaLightheart]

@@blushbrains645 yes, you can get them replated ✨️ it saves the extra expense to buy solid gold in the first place 💖 I think that rich 22-24k gold looks so beautiful with many warmer Indian skin tones 🧡

[@eugeniedenardis8956]

By definition, vermeil is always silver-based, so any business telling you it's brass-based vermeil is shady. Secondly, the plating must be between 5 and 10 microns thick if you want it to last for years. (Hermes uses 10 microns, for example) In conclusion, stay away from companies that do not offer at least a two-year warranty on their plating and those that cannot tell you the thickness of their plating.

[@AlannaLightheart]

I agree completely. I would say 3 microns is average for many companies and not even that in certain circumstances! 😤 honestly moving more away from vermeil to solid gold is where my jewelry collection is headed 💖

[@moonwillow7739]

22k and 24k gold jewellery is really common in all parts of Asia and is not as soft as people think. Asians wear these pieces all the time. It just has to be 22k/24k solid pieces, not vermeil. Vermeil pieces are well overpriced too.

[@AlannaLightheart]

Theu do mark and get scratches more easily! Solid is the way to go, the price for gold plated and vermeil can be quite inflated in my opinion

[@moonwillow7739]

Indeed, they could be priced better. Thank you for telling us about these regrets as well, a very eye opening video, love your sustainability 🥰🥰

[@AlannaLightheart]

@@moonwillow7739 thanks so much for being here 🥰

[@catherinevalli6830]

NEVER vermeil.

[@AlannaLightheart]

It's what I've realised 🤌

[@DrHarsha_]

I have all diamonds and rubies in 18 k and plain jewellery in 22k straight. But I think if one can save up they are best. Amazing as an investment and everlasting over generations. I have couple of non- golds and I save up and get those replicated by local jewellers. I can’t bear heartbreak of letting something go that costed me more than 200-300 or even more.

[@AlannaLightheart]

Exactly, and you really consider wisely when you have to save for something. I think it gives more longevity to your style 🥰

[@Ldunlop83]

Second hand is awesome, and overpriced vermeil pieces are indeed triggering. It's just glorified plating. I suggest avoiding all manner of plated jewelry. It will never last forever like solid metals will. I'm a fan of 9 or 10k gold, bc they are super durable and truly last forever. Plus, it tends to be more affordable 😁

[@AlannaLightheart]

I have absolutely realised that over the last few years, vermeil has become so normalised as the 'affordable option' 🧐 I love a lower carat as well, it tends to be a lovely soft gold colour as well which suits my colouring more than a vibrant deep gold. 🤌✨️

[@carrieh2409]

I wouldn’t recommend Mejuri either….overpriced, low quality, and their designs are a dime a dozen. Their merch is amongst my biggest jewellery regrets. 😢

[@AlannaLightheart]

That is good to know, I haven't purchased anything from them!

[@simonearendse6134]

So why can't I get married

[@AlannaLightheart]

@@simonearendse6134 everything happens according to divine timing, including your ability to recognise divine timing

[@m.j.4100]

Why dont you guys buy 18k pure gold, they r more better and an investment one

[@AlannaLightheart]

Unfortunately it's often not an an accessible pricepoint for many! But I agree that solid gold is the best option 💖

[@luv2learn995]

Vermeil is frustrating. Sometimes it wears off in an antiquity way - others it just ruins the piece. Gold filled is the best, affordable option. Lasts indefinitely worn 24/7.

[@AlannaLightheart]

I've seen some antique gold filled or rolled gokd pieces still in good nick 100 years later 🫢

[@detlef3000]

i regret buying way to many 8k pieces. i hate the dull, pale color now. also the pieces smell like brass...because they are mostly brass...

[@AlannaLightheart]

That's so interesting, brass is a similar colour so it makes sense

[@GreenLifeInDublin]

I hear You on so many levels!

[@AlannaLightheart]

🥰 love chatting jewelry.. Hopefully not so many regrets in the years to come 🙌😭

[@YolandaOosterom-qk7ir]

Hi Alanna, I don't own a lot of jewelry (nor money, haha), but what i have is real. I have a few silver things, but i,m a bit allergic, and I don,t like polishing. The rest is 14 to 19,2 carat solid gold. the first item was my granny's, I inhereted. A small solid gold necklace with her and mine horoscope hanger. I was so happy with it. I did put it on and hardly ever take it off. It looks still as good as it did decades ago! And my husband bought me a ring and a necklace, small but delicate. And when I want something, I save up and buy second hand or new via online auctions, but you have to studie/y that very well before you are placing your bid because once placed a bid you can't withdraw it! Be carefull and prepared! I have purchased some really beautifull pieces of solid gold, for the price you paid for goldplated or filled.

[@AlannaLightheart]

@@YolandaOosterom-qk7ir solid gold is the most reliable for sure. I love the history that comes with inherited pieces 🥰 all the stories and memories passed down. Like you said it looks amazing for decades! ✨️ those are the pieces we never regret - and you can get some amazing pieces if you know what to look for second hand!!

[@YolandaOosterom-qk7ir]

@@AlannaLightheart thanks for your sweet answer Alanna!

[@AlannaLightheart]

@YolandaOosterom-qk7ir 🥰🥰✨️

[@carolyn6689]

Hello ☺️👋🏻 I just found your videos yesterday and Love watching them❤ I'm on a style journey myself at 53 yrs old 😅 Hopefully I can improve somewhat instead of my lazy outfit "jeans and black graphic T " everyday..lol. I'm trying to accessorize smartly and esp with jewelry. I think your 24K gold vermeil piece ..The gold is very soft, so it probably wears fast from what I've learned about Karats in gold.

[@AlannaLightheart]

A style journey at any age is such a learning curve 🥰 welcome to the channel! I'm happy you're here 😊 It's such a shame, I'm definitely.moving away from vermeil pieces into solid metals now.

[@carolyn6689]

@AlannaLightheart def true ☺️👍🏻Never too old to learn huh ☕☕ better late than never,I say! True about quality pieces these days ,Very very rare.Maybe the safer way to go is vintage thrifted pieces if you're lucky enough to find them.idk

[@TheShoneez]

❤😊thanks for sharing and you look so beautiful with your hair like that 😊

[@AlannaLightheart]

Thanks so much 🥰 I'm so glad it was helpful 😊

[@anapadilha143]

Buy19,2 k portuguese gold, its amazing❤

[@AlannaLightheart]

@@anapadilha143 that's so interesting, I haven't heard of it

[@RuebenNomura]

Aloha. That was a good tip on jewellery regrets

[@AlannaLightheart]

Thanks 🥰

[@sigriddjernaes]

So helpful!

[@AlannaLightheart]

Glad it helps! There is sooo much to know when it comes to jewellery 🤓

[@phoebe5715]

Let’s leave unethical jewellery in 2024. Hurting oysters to create pearls is not elegant. It’s tacky and selfish.

[@AlannaLightheart]

💖

[@RM-ue6sf]

I hope you’re 100% vegan, don’t own anything that is made out of leather and your make up is free of animal-derived dyes.

[@AlannaLightheart]

@ There is no way to be perfect in this world 💖 but the intention is good

[@phoebe5715]

@@RM-ue6sf I am. It’s extremely important to me. However it wouldn’t invalidate my comment if I wasn’t. I feel like you’re perpetuating the sentiment that unless you’re absolutely perfect you shouldn’t make comments on things and that’s not very productive. But I hope that’s not what you meant :)