RE: colored gemstones...I think you can you can get away with colored gemstones 2cts and smaller, but huge ones can still be insensitive to people who have less means.

For me, I have to admit colored gemstones have had way less impact on people's reactions versus diamond sims/diamonds. My first e-ring was a 2.15 natural red sapphire that I spent a good amount on, but when I showed it to my mom, she called it "cute". Friends were "meh" about it. It went completely unnoticed at work for 3.5 years until I showed up with a diamond sim that cost a fraction of what I had spent on my gemstone.

For some reason I think no one assumes the gemstones people wear are real. At least that's true for me. There are so many colored stone rings for sale in department stores that they just seem common and inexpensive to me. Also people don't know how expensive natural gemstones can be. But CZ rings aren't as common, at least not good quality ones. So I would probably assume they were real diamonds.

I think it is different with colored stones. I would not be wearing big colored gems either though. I'd be dressing VERY conservatively. I also work with a lot of very low income people and I keep things pretty toned down.

+2 to E.Taylor's first comment



I would still leave it at home. Coloured stone or white costume or real, large bling is not appropriate for all situations. A plain band is better suited to things like that imo.

You hit the nail on the head for my situation. I personally don't care about coworkers' sensitivities to my bling I just don't want them to grab my hand and ask a million questions if I'm wearing a larger (clear) sim ring. This has happened before and it was embarassing as the coworker's reaction was causing a scene and a couple other lurkers came to get a look at my ring It made me feel self conscious the rest of the day I mostly wear a diamond band to work and save my good bling (and clear sims) for the weekends and/or time away from the office. I also wear gemstone rings both lab and natural of all sizes and never give it a second thought because I think most people think gemstones are 'cheap' in comparison to diamonds or they figure it's a costume piece.

I think what truly attracts attention at the workplace when it comes to the types of rings we BTDers have is the quality and design. I think people in general are so used to seeing low-quality, mass produced cookie cutter (wedding sets and) rings from mall jewelers that anything different blows them away whether it's set w/a diamond, Asha or Moissanite.

You know this topic touches on something I have dealt with and thought of before. I used to teach so I would have other teachers stare at some of my jewelry whether it was real or not and not in a good way. We could wear anything we wanted and many teachers had some real honkers. I have a little that is real and alot that isn't (at least in the center stone). I felt really uncomfortable wearing my jewelry around people I knew that were either envious or just rude and found myself being stared at in strange ways. I am not sure why but it is uncomfortable. I have found myself taking off my jewelry before getting in front of some people that you can tell are just envious and I hate being stared at in that way...you just know they are staring and not in a good way. Most of the kids would oooooh and aaaahh but being so young they didn't think real/not real or cost involved so that didn't bother me. I have always looked at other women's jewelry only because I love looking at it..not to covet it or think negative thoughts about them.
I have some rings that have 2ct size czs from Liz that are colored MN or NO and look real and while I love wearing a different ring all the time I think other people think it is too much.
I am back in school to be a nurse so I already know that I will not be able to wear any jewelry much except on off days so that is why I have some things up on the bistro that I normally wouldn't ever sell. One of the rules at the school is no jewelry...not even necklaces. Hospitals are not glamourous and people are sick so I will not wear any jewelry minus my little studs we are allowed to wear but other than that I will reserve it for my days off however it will still not put me out of my hobby and that is jewelry.

+2 I agree that in your line of work, you should be a little more conservative with all jewelry.

I also agree that it depends on the field and work environment in general.

I know exactly what you mean! Some people and by that I mean women because men could care less about bling (no offense to Less, MikeC or Wink lol) are beyond bitter and envious! You just know by the looks they give you they're thinking something like 'I deserve a ring like that way more than her' or 'How on Earth can she possibly afford that? It must be fake!'

I am an ICU nurse and so usually don't wear too much bling at work. There is an infection control issue around wearing rings and bracelets. Also, bracelets that dangle can present a personal hazard when defibrillating a patient. Plain necklaces and stud earrings are ok. I usually wear my Amora moissy OEC earrings, a Helen Ficalora yellow gold initial charm necklace and a plain yellow gold wedding band.

Beyond physical practicalities, the ICU deals with the sickest patients and the most stressed out families in the hospital. Our hospital has a large cachtment area that includes all income levels but it is primarily a lower income, working class population so I would not want my jewellery to be a distraction or seem ostentatious.

When I attend meetings on my days off, I do wear my bling (as do the other nurses and allied health) and it is fun seeing everyone's rings, bracelets, etc. Some of my co-workers have huuumumgus rocks! I never assume that they aren't real - I always think "wow, how lucky is she?!"

Our unit manager and dietician on the other hand, have some amazing pieces that they wear to work (their jobs involve meeting with families but rarely, if ever, direct patient contact) and they are not bothered about seeming too ostentatious. I think that your own comfort level really dictates what is appropriate or not.

Having said all of that, I can't wait to get a 1.5ct Amora Gem upgrade for my solitaire ering (and to think that just a couple of weeks ago I thought 1.25ct would be just right LOL and I have only had the 1ct Amora moissy upgrade since May of this year - shrinkage is a very real disease!!!) While I wouldn't wear it to work, I sure do enjoy wearing it at other times.

Ava, I think you and I are in similar lines of work and I am in community mental health now. Most of my clients live below the poverty line and some of them are homeless. I would think that having big "diamond" or gemstone jewelry would be a major barrier for us. I have been wearing a plain band for now but am thinking of maybe a small eternity band to pair with it as I don't think that's too ostentatious.